The fusion of millennium-old architectures with modern stylish shops has made an ancient residential area in Xi'an City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province brim with vitality.
Located inside the south gate of the ancient city wall of Xi'an, the thousand-year-old Xiangzimiao Street has recently emerged as a popular destination among a vast array of attractions in the much-loved tourist city, where visitors can not only feel the time-honored cultural deposits, but also get a great consumption experience in different types of stores.
The street is named after the Xiangzimiao Taoist Temple. Built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the temple was the former residence of Han Xiangzi, one of the Eight Immortals in the Chinese Taoism, and is regarded as the seedbed of Xiangzi Culture, a school of Chinese Taoist culture.
There are two streets surrounding the temple, with Xiangzimiao Street in the east-west direction and Defu Alley in the north-south direction. With the renowned Bell Tower, Drum Tower and City God Temple not far away, the area boasts rich cultural tourism resources and attract visitors from both home and abroad.
"I can feel the strong vibe of the ancient city here, which collides with modern arts. I really have had a great experience. It is worth the trip," said Wang Weijie, a tourist from south China's Guangdong Province.
The Defu Alley that used to be lined with tightly packed bars and coffee shops was a fashion landmark of consumer tastes in Xi'an decades ago. However, as people increasingly pursue a more diversified consumption experience, the original single business model there has gradually become less popular among consumers.
In an effort to revitalize the business district, local authorities have launched a large-scale renovation project of Defu Alley since last year.
"With many shops introduced here, the overall business model of this street has become an integrated consumption place covering coffee shops, bars, high-end catering, Hanfu stores and others. Now Defu Alley is more elegant, has more artistic style, and offers a better and richer experience. It is hustling and bustling day and night," said Liu Ruiming, a local official.
Many shop operators have also given more thought to the exquisite decoration and creation of photo scenes to attract more young people.
"We should not only keep our traditions, but also conform to the current fashion trend. We need to offer not only tasty and beautiful products, but also a place where customers can take nice photos. We receive a lot of tourists now, so we have set up photo props according to the decoration of our shop, so that they can record the good memories here," said Chen Miaoyuan, owner of Times Coffee at Defu Alley.
Fusion of millennium-old architectures with modern stylish shops revives ancient residential area in Xi'an
A contemporary Chinese art exhibition has been held at the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest, playing a vibrant role in fostering cultural ties between the East and the West. The exhibits, including brush paintings and sculptures on mountains, rivers, plants, blend traditional brushwork with Western influences, creating a serene, meditative atmosphere.
The artists' deep connection with the natural world is a window that the "Chinese Xieyi exhibition'' at the Hungarian National Museum presents to the public to explore Chinese philosophy, according to Tunde FegyvAri-Komori, curator of the Hungarian National Museum.
"This exhibition is a collection of 58 artworks, including four sculptures from 58 different artists, from the National Art Museum of China's collection. And they represent modern and contemporary artworks, partly reflecting back to the traditional Chinese painting and Chinese art, and partly reflecting to Western influences in art, which mostly started arriving in China after the 1970s and the 80s," said FegyvAri-Komori.
Much of the exhibition showcases traditional Chinese brushwork, where delicate strokes create intricate designs and meanings that express deep philosophical meanings, allowing viewers to experience the world from their perspective.
"The Chinese curators constructed the exhibition around these three topics and these three main aspects to approach Xieyi itself. The first one is called 'yi', which translates as meaning. This focuses on the essence of the topic. The second one is form, which in Chinese is 'xing,' and it's quite similar to meaning, but from a different approach. They are focusing on the form itself that they see, but they are not aiming at mirroring reality. The third one is called 'interest,' or in Chinese called 'qu.' And in this last part, I would say that it's a combination of the first two," said FegyvAri-Komori.
One standout piece is a sculpture that blends mythology and modern art, depicting Lao Tzu departing from the Qin Empire (221 BC to 207 BC), carrying the wisdom that shaped Taoist thought with him. The ox-head panther he rides symbolizes mysticism and the spiritual journey, adding another mythical dimension to the work.
"It expresses Xieyi very well, but at the same time, it also expresses a little bit of Western modern art, abstract art," said FegyvAri-Komori.
For many visitors, the exhibition is a chance to experience the dynamic evolution of Chinese art.
"My father had several books about Chinese art, about porcelains, ceramics, and paintings. It always struck me how different it is from our European tradition. There's a subtlety and sensitivity in it. The way they express emotions feels so unique and profound," said Daniel, a visitor.
The exhibition, part of celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Hungary and China, celebrates cultural exchange and shared appreciation for art and culture.
Contemporary Chinese art expo held in Hungary helps cultivate ties between east and west
