Where the Past meets the Future. The Politics of Heritage in Xi’an

Xi’an, once the capital of 13 Chinese dynasties and home to the Terracotta Army, faces complex challenges in balancing its rich heritage with modernization. The city’s World Heritage status, achieved in 1987 for the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and expanded in 2014 to include Silk Roads sites, highlights its historical significance but also reveals tensions between preserving cultural identity and pursuing economic growth. Research by Leah Cheung Ah Li explores how heritage policies navigate these pressures, revealing a dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity. Conducted as part of the International Max Planck Research School 'Anthropology, Archaeology and History of Eurasia,' this study employs qualitative methods to examine the political economy of heritage in Xi’an, offering insights into the broader implications for cities grappling with similar transformations.

Cheung Ah Li, L. (2019). Where the Past meets the Future. The Politics of Heritage in Xi’an. https://doi.org/10.52038/978-3643-90887-2