Chang'an

Chang'an

Chang'an, today's Xi'an city in Shaanxi Province, is regarded as one of the world's "Four Great Ancient Capitals" alongside Rome, Cairo, and Athens. Historically, Chang'an served as capital for the longest period, straddling most dynasties, bestowing it unparalleled influence. It is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. In the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an was the largest cosmopolitan city and facilitated the convergence and exchanges of oriental and occidental cultures. Envoys, international students, merchants, Buddhist monks, musicians, painters, and dancers from various countries mingled in Chang'an; people from different ethnic groups, regions, and countries lived in Chang'an; exotic commodities, costumes, food, songs and dances, acrobatics, culture, art, and religious beliefs from Persia, Rome and other foreign lands all converged in Chang'an; astronomy and medicine were disseminated from India, Arabia, and Byzantine to Chang'an. Together, they created a cosmopolitan atmosphere that was open and inclusive. Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Da Ci'en Temple, an iconic building in Chang'an, has been preserved alongside an abundance of Chang'an's historical and cultural heritage. They continue to bear witness to the glorious past of Sino-foreign cultural exchange.

长安

长安，是陕西省西安市的古称。长安与罗马、开罗、雅典并称世界四大古都。长安是中国历史上建都朝代最多、建都时间最长、影响力最大的都城，是陆上丝绸之路的东方起点。在唐代，长安是东西方文化荟萃交流的集中地，是当时世界上最大的国际大都会。西域各国使臣、留学生、商人、僧侣、乐工、画师和舞蹈家在长安交往，来自不同族群、不同地域、不同国家的移民都侨居长安，来自波斯和罗马等异域的特色商品、服饰饮食、歌舞杂技、文化艺术、宗教信仰等都在长安交汇融通，来自印度、阿拉伯和拜占庭的天文学、医药学等科学技术也在长安传播，共同形成了“兼容并包、大气开放”的长安气象。大慈恩寺的大雁塔是古城长安的标志性建筑，大量历史文化遗产保留至今，见证着中外文化交流的辉煌历史。