Xi'an

Industrial city and capital of Shaanxi province, China, on the Wei He River; population (2000) 3,870,500. It produces chemicals, including fertilizers and plastics, machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, aircraft, and textiles.

History
The city was the capital of China under the Zhou dynasty (1066–256 BC) and the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC). As capital of the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 8), it was called Chang'an (Everlasting Peace); and as capital of the the Tang dynasty (618–906) it was known as Siking (Western Capital). The Manchus named the city Xi'an. The city had several short-lived official changes of name in the 20th century until it reverted to Xi'an from 1943. The imperial court retired here after the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.