The animated epic Chang'An premiered in what was once its namesake city during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the city known today as Xi'an, the provincial capital of Shaanxi Province, on July 2. The movie chronicles the decades-long friendship of Li Bai (701-62), arguably China's most beloved poet, and Gao Shi (704-65), his close friend and a renowned poet in his own right.
The capital city of the Tang for more than 280 years, Xi'an today finds itself at the forefront of famous Chinese historical and cultural cities, boasting six sites that have won UNESCO World Heritage Site listing.
Its charismatic, enigmatic and romantic vibes have made the place a popular tourist attraction over the past decades. And this summer, Chang'An has only further fed travelers' appetites for this city where old meets new.
(Text and photos by Wei Yao)
