xi'an transportation

In ancient times, as the beginning of the Silk Road, Xian was one of the transport junctions in China. Now, it is the axis from the east to the west China even to the countries in the western Asia. The extensive transportation system consisting of aviation, railways and highways connects Xian with the rest of the Chinese cities conveniently.
Before 1949, there were a few of flights arriving in Xian even in Shaanxi Province. In the 1990's, when more and more travelers came to Xian, local aviation has received a big boost. In 1991, the newly built Xianyang Airport was equipped with more comprehensive facilities and services, making Xian one of the most important aviation hubs in China. From the July, 1992, the scheduled routes from Xian to Hong Kong which were operated by Northwest Airlines built a new way of international communication for the inland city. Later that year, in October, the first international airline of Shaanxi Province was put into use, which connected to Nagoya, Japan via a transfer at Shanghai. Now, Xian Xianyang International Airport is one of the top ten airports in China. There are about 20 aviation companies opening numerous air routes to more than 70 domestic and 17 international destinations.
In the 1930s, the city also saw Shaanxi Province's first railway between Tongguan and Xian constructed. It is one vital section of the Long-Hai Railway which links the east coast to the western hinterland, passing through five provinces of China. At present, Xian is the junction of several railways, taking transportation of the neighboring cities, such as Zhengzhou, Lanzhou and Chengdu. Xian Railway Station was originally built in 1934, praised to be one of the extra large passenger stations of China. In addition, it is a vital station along the New Euro-Asian Continental Bridge.
Being the capital of 13 dynasties in ancient times, the overland transportation of Xian has a long and splendid history. Once, Xian was the largest commodity communication and trade center on the Silk Road, stretching to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. However, the first highway was constructed in 1921 while automobiles were put into use the next year. In 1990, the 23.9 kilometers (14.9 miles) Xi (Xian)-Lin (Lintong) Expressway was accomplished, which was the first expressway in Shaanxi Province. Currently, Xian has a dense highway system, expanding to the other parts of Shaanxi Province as well as the nearby cities. In addition, with the full use of the Xian Express Loop Highway in 2000, these peripheral highways are connected to the urban area of Xian City effectively.