Xi'an is the capital of the Chinese province of Shaanxi. A sub-provincial city on the Guanzhong plain, the city is the third-most populous city in Western China after Chongqing and Chengdu, as well as the most populous city in Northwestern China. Its total population was 12.95 million in the 2020 census, including an urban population of 9.28 million.

Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in China. Known as Chang'an throughout much of its history, Xi'an is one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals, having held the position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history, including the Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Sui, Northern Zhou and Tang. Xi'an is now the second-most popular tourist destination in China. The city was one of the terminal points on the Silk Road during the ancient and medieval eras, as well as the home of the 3rd-century BC Terracotta Army commissioned by Emperor Qin Shi Huang—both of which are listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Since the 1980s, as part of the economic growth of inland China especially for the central and northwest regions, Xi'an has developed into a cultural, industrial, political and educational, and research and development hub. Xi'an currently holds sub-provincial status, administering 11 districts and 2 counties. In 2020, Xi'an was ranked as a Beta- (global second tier) city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, and, according to the country's own ranking, ranked 17th; it is also one of the world's top 100 financial centers according to the Global Financial Centres Index. Xi'an is ranked as the 16th city globally by scientific output and first in Western China, and it is home to multiple prestigious educational institutions, such as Xi'an Jiaotong University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xidian University and Northwest University.

Because of the city's many historical monuments and a plethora of ancient ruins and tombs in the vicinity, tourism has been an important component of the local economy, and the Xi'an region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China.

The city has many important historical sites, and some are ongoing archaeological projects, such as the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang and his Terracotta Army. There are several burial mounds, tombs of the Zhou dynasty kings located in the city. Xi'an also contains some 800 royal mausoleums and tombs from the Han dynasty, with some of them yielding hundreds of sculpted clay soldiers, and remains of sacrificial temples from the Han era. The city has numerous Tang dynasty pagodas and is noted for its history museum and its stele forest, which is housed in an 11th-century Confucian temple containing large stone tablets from various dynasties.

Some of the most well-known sites in Xi'an are:

The city is surrounded by a well-preserved city wall which was reconstructed in the 14th century during the early Ming dynasty and was based on the inner imperial palace of Tang dynasty.

The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang and his Terracotta Army are located 40 km (25 mi) to the east of the city center, in the city's suburbs.

The Bell Tower and Drum Tower, both are located at the city's central axis

The city's Muslim Quarter, which is home to the Great Mosque of Xi'an

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda are both spectacular towers and both are well over 1,000 years old and have survived great earthquakes.

The Stele Forest is famous for its numerous historic inscriptions and stoneworks.

The Famen Temple and its towering pagoda located 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of Xi'an.

Xi Ming Temple, a historic Buddhist temple

Wolong Temple, a Buddhist temple at Kaitong lane near the Stele Forest

Xingjiao Temple at Shaolin Yuan

Jianfu Temple, which is associated with the Small Wild Goose Pagoda

The Banpo Neolithic village

The Shaanxi History Museum, which has a large collection of historical artifacts

The Xi'an Museum, located near the Small Wild Goose Pagoda

Huaqing Hot Springs, at the foot of Mt. Li, have a history of 6,000 years, the adjacent Huaqing Palace has a history of 3,000 years. Ranked among the Hundred Famous Gardens in China, it also has the status as a National Cultural Relic Protection Unit and a National Key Scenic Area.

Daming Palace National Heritage Park, site of the former royal residence of the Tang dynasty emperors

Mount Li National Forest Park

Mount Zhongnan National Forest Park