Xianyang, Prefecture-level city in Shaanxi, China
Xianyang is a large city in central Shaanxi province, stretching along the Wei River just beside the metropolitan area of Xi'an. The urban fabric mixes residential blocks with industrial zones, set in a flat plain surrounded by farmland and scattered villages.
From 350 to 206 BC, this city served as the capital of the Qin state and housed administrative buildings and large palaces. After rebel leader Xiang Yu destroyed the complex, the site lost its political importance and grew into a regional settlement over the following centuries.
The name of the city still points to its past role in unifying the empire, while excavated objects show how craftspeople and court officials lived here centuries ago. Today visitors walk through neighborhoods where modern life surrounds museum halls displaying pottery, tools and fragments that once belonged to workshops along the river.
The international airport serving Xi'an sits in this area and links it to destinations across China and abroad. Buses and trains run regularly between districts and the neighboring city of Xi'an, making it easy for travelers to reach the area.
During the Qin period, nobles from conquered territories were forced to move here, turning the city into a hub of political control. This compulsory relocation concentrated power and oversight in one place, shaping the urban character of those years.
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