Preface
The evolution of civilization has shaped a colorful world, and the vicissitudes of history have preserved splendid heritages. The treasures of civilization inscribed in the annals of time have injected soul into urban development. Since the Lantian Man hunted along the Bahe River, the spark of urban civilization has been ignited. Over thousands of years, vast cities have been built and magnificent relics have been buried in the land of Xi’an. Chinese culture has spread to the world from here, and different civilizations have exchanged and learned from each other here. The harmonious blend of mountains and rivers, the interconnection between people and the city, all have been recorded by the silent years with the brush of the past, deeply etching lost stories and outlining the brilliant picture of people and civilizations.
“One Millennial Glance, One Feast of Relics—Xi’an World Heritage Culture Online Exhibition”, jointly hosted by China Cultural Centre in Sydney and Xi’an Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, will showcase the magnificent world heritages and civilization in Xi’an through the exquisite presentation of representative ancient monuments and cultural relics in the “cloud”. This event will unravel the relics of civilization, the cultural wisdom and the essence of the historical context that have been accumulated over the years. The official website of China Cultural Centre in Sydney will offer you an opportunity to be immersed in a cultural heritage extravaganza digitally. Through interactive screens, the imposing historical relics and exquisite cultural artifacts will create a profound and extensive cultural experience of this ancient capital city. The colorful and diverse Chinese civilization awaits your attentive listening and exploration.
Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Daming Palace is located on Longshouyuan, to the north of the Tang Chang’an City (now Xi’an). The Tang Dynasty was the most prosperous and inclusive period of Chinese feudal society, and Chang’an City, a bustling international metropolis with a population of millions, was the centre of world culture, exerting significant influence on later generations and foreign countries. Daming Palace was at the heart of this centre.
In 634 AD, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty began constructing Daming Palace on Longshouyuan within the Forbidden Garden in the northeast of the palace for his father, Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan. Later, in 663 AD, Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi carried out large-scale construction and moved the imperial residence and government offices from Taiji Palace to Daming Palace. Seventeen out of the twenty-one emperors of the Tang Dynasty lived and governed here. Since the reign of Emperor Gaozong, it served as the hub of the Tang Dynasty’s political power for over 200 years.
Xiaoyan Pagoda (Small Wild Goose Pagoda)
Surrounded by dense ancient cypresses, the Xiaoyan Pagoda hides in tranquility. In the gaps between the stacked bricks, traces of the Tang Dynasty still remain. Standing proudly for thousands of years, enduring the wind and rain, it remains untouched by the hustle and bustle of the world. The morning bell tolls melodiously, and Buddhist chanting echoes around. The numerous ancient trees in the courtyard, each over a thousand years old, narrate the vicissitudes of the world and the changes of history through the centuries.
The Site of Weiyang Palace in Chang’an City of Western Han Dynasty
Han Chang’an City, the capital of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-8 AD), was founded in 202 BC. It spans an area of approximately 36 square kilometers, with the Qinling Mountains to the south, the Zaohe River to the west, and the Weihe River to the north. In 1961, the site of Han Chang’an City was announced by the State Council of China as one of the first batch of registered key sites under national-level protection.
As the most significant palace complex in Han Chang’an City, the Weiyang Palace, covering an area of 4.8 square kilometers, was first constructed in 200 BC and served as the political centre of the Han Dynasty. It was the largest imperial palace in ancient China, and its palace layout and architectural style have had a profound influence on later palace architectures.
Terracotta Warriors
The magnificent and awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors of the Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum are hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. They are a microcosm of the valiant and heroic soldiers of the Qin Dynasty, as well as a vivid example of the profound integration of ancient Chinese technology and art. The grand and unrestrained formation, which are majestic and powerful, dominates the landscape, reflecting the heroic and romantic era of the Qin Empire.
