More than 20 scholars, thinkers and media professionals from overseas—all champions of cross-cultural exchange—recently gathered in Xi'an, China's ancient capital, for a four-day immersive visit and cultural exchange program.

The delegation first visited the Xi'an Museum, where they marveled at exquisite artifacts, tracing the rise and fall of a capital that served thirteen dynasties. A sand-table model of Sui-Tang Chang'an, reconstructed from archaeological records, vividly captures the grand grid of wards and markets and the orderly sweep of boulevards of the Tang capital—and won unanimous praise from the guests. Peter Dai, an American history professor, remarked, "I've been to Xi'an many times, and each visit shows me that its heritage preservation keeps advancing."

The delegation then visited the "Twelve Hours of Chang'an" themed district for a live Tang palace performance. Tang-style lanes, performers in Tang attire, and ancient melodies recreated the splendor of High Tang Chang'an. Having visited many historic cities worldwide, guests noted that Xi'an's approach to cultural revitalization felt strikingly fresh.  

Dutch guest Kesangde observed, "Instead of locking history away in museums, Xi’an brings a thousand-year-old culture to life through immersive experiences that young people enjoy and international visitors can grasp. Such an innovative cultural tourism model offers a brilliant example of how nations can pass on and share their traditional cultures."