Xi ‘an and Rome: Legendary chapters of ancient capitals of East and West

In the starry sky of human history, Xi ‘an and Rome are like two dazzling pearls, each emitting a unique and charming light. These two ancient cities, bearing thousands of years of civilization and glory, have witnessed countless changes in the situation, their existence is not only geographical coordinates, but also an important milestone in the development of human civilization.

Xi ‘an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties in China, has a long and splendid history. From Fenghao in the Western Zhou Dynasty to Xianyang in the Qin Dynasty to Chang ‘an in the Han and Tang Dynasties, Xi ‘an has always been the political, economic and cultural center of ancient China. The rites and music system of Zhou laid the foundation of Chinese traditional culture, the unification of the six kingdoms of Qin opened a new era of Chinese feudal dynasty, and Xi ‘an in the Han and Tang Dynasties reached unprecedented glory. The Silk Road started from here and connected the Eastern and Western civilizations, making Xi ‘an an important hub of world cultural exchanges.
The Terracotta Warriors and horses of Qin Shihuang are a powerful witness to the historical glory of Xi ‘an. The vivid terracotta figures seem to tell the strength and majesty of the Qin Empire. The magnificent pit of Terracotta warriors and horses not only shows the superb skills of ancient craftsmen, but also makes people feel the powerful military power of the Qin Dynasty. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the symbol of Buddhist culture in the Tang Dynasty. Master Xuanzang went through many difficulties and hardships to retrieve the true scriptures from India and translate the scriptures under the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which made great contributions to the development of Buddhist culture in China.
Rome, one of the great birthplaces of Western civilization, also has a glorious history. The ancient Roman Empire once ruled a vast territory, its influence spread across Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. The architecture, law and political system of ancient Rome had a profound influence on the development of Western civilization. The Colosseum is one of the landmarks of Roman history, a huge and spectacular structure that bears witness to the courage and glory of the ancient Romans. Once, the gladiator matches and beast shows held here attracted thousands of spectators, and today, although it is in ruins, it still gives a sense of the grandeur of that year. The Pantheon is an outstanding representative of ancient Roman architecture, and its exquisite architectural skills and grand scale are breathtaking. The dome of the temple rises to the sky, and the sun shines through the round hole at the top, creating a sacred and solemn atmosphere.

Xi ‘an is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese culture, which has nurtured a rich and colorful culture. Confucian culture, Taoist culture and Buddhist culture blend together here, forming a unique Chinese cultural system. Xi ‘an’s literature, art, music, dance and other aspects have a profound heritage. The art forms of poetry, painting and music in the Tang Dynasty reached a very high level, and poets such as Li Bai, Du Fu and Wang Wei left countless immortal poems here. The traditional folk arts of Xi ‘an, such as paper-cutting, shadow play and Qin opera, also have their own characteristics. They inherit the essence of Chinese culture with their unique artistic charm.
Xi ‘an’s food culture is even more memorable. With its unique flavor and production technology, such delicacies as mutton soaked bread, Rou Jia mo, cold PI and Qishan saozi noodles have become an important part of Chinese culture. These delicacies not only satisfy people’s taste buds, but also reflect Xi ‘an people’s life wisdom and love for food.
Rome’s culture is equally diverse and fascinating. Roman law, philosophy, literature, art and other aspects have made outstanding achievements. Roman law is an important foundation of modern western law. Its strict legal system and just judicial principle have a profound influence on later generations. Ancient Roman philosophy, such as the Stoics and Epicureans, also made important contributions to the development of Western philosophy. Roman literary works such as Virgil’s Aeneid and Horace’s Art of Poetry occupy an important position in the history of world literature. The art of Rome is famous for its magnificent and magnificent style, sculpture, painting, architecture and other art forms show the aesthetic concept and artistic talent of the ancient Romans.
Rome also has a unique food culture. Pasta, pizza, ice cream and other delicacies are popular all over the world. In the cafes and restaurants of Rome, people can taste authentic Italian food while feeling the romance and leisure of the city.

The urban landscape of Xi ‘an is full of Oriental charm. The ancient city walls, bell and drum towers, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and other ancient buildings complement each other with modern tall buildings, forming a unique urban landscape. The streets of Xi ‘an are spacious, clean, tree-lined and full of life. Xi ‘an is even more brightly lit at night, and ancient buildings such as city walls, bell and drum towers look particularly beautiful against the light. Parks, squares and other public Spaces in Xi ‘an also provide people with good places for leisure and entertainment.
The urban characteristics of Xi ‘an are also reflected in its rich folk culture. Traditional folk activities such as temple fairs during the Spring Festival, lantern fairs during the Lantern Festival, and Dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival attract many visitors. Xi ‘an’s folk handicrafts, such as paper cutting, shadow play and embroidery, are also popular with tourists. These handicrafts not only have artistic value, but also reflect the diligence and wisdom of Xi ‘an people.
The city of Rome is full of Western romantic and classical beauty. Ancient buildings, narrow streets, fountains in squares, etc., make up Rome’s unique cityscape. The streets of Rome are full of historical charm, and every stone seems to tell a story of the past. The Piazza of Rome is an important place for people’s leisure and entertainment, where there are many cafes and restaurants, where people can taste food and enjoy the performance of street performers.
Rome’s urban character is also reflected in its rich artistic atmosphere. Sculptures on the streets, murals on the walls, and works of art in museums all make people feel the artistic charm of the city. Rome’s churches are also one of the important features of the city, these churches are not only religious places, but also temples of art, their architectural style and interior decoration are breathtaking.

In modern society, both Xi ‘an and Rome are faced with development and challenges.​ Xi ‘an’s high-tech industry, tourism and cultural industry have developed rapidly, and Xi ‘an has become one of the economic centers in western China. At the same time, Xi ‘an is also actively promoting urban construction and environmental protection, and striving to improve the quality and image of the city.
However, Xi ‘an also faces some challenges. With the acceleration of urbanization, urban traffic congestion, environmental pollution and other problems become increasingly prominent. How to realize the sustainable development of the city while protecting the historical and cultural heritage is an important issue facing Xi ‘an.
Rome also faced many challenges in the modern world. Problems such as slow economic development, high unemployment, and aging urban infrastructure plague the city. At the same time, Rome’s historical and cultural heritage is also under pressure to protect and restore. How to protect these precious historical and cultural heritage in modern society, while achieving economic development and social progress of the city, is a major challenge facing Rome.

Xi ‘an and Rome, as the ancient capitals of East and West, have broad prospects for their future development. With the acceleration of globalization and the deepening of cultural exchanges, Xi ‘an and Rome can strengthen cooperation in economy, culture, tourism and other aspects to jointly promote the development of human civilization.
In terms of economy, Xi ‘an and Rome can strengthen trade and investment cooperation and promote the economic development of both sides. In terms of culture, Xi ‘an and Rome can hold cultural exchange activities, strengthen cultural and artistic exchanges and cooperation, and jointly promote the prosperity of world culture. In terms of tourism, Xi ‘an and Rome can promote each other to attract more tourists to travel and promote the development of tourism.
In a word, Xi ‘an and Rome are the treasures of human civilization. Their history, culture, urban style and other aspects have unique charm. In the future development, Xi ‘an and Rome can strengthen cooperation, jointly promote the progress of human civilization, and create a better future for mankind.