​Xi'an promotes integrated development of tourism, sports, cultural relics

Xi'an's achievements in cultural tourism, sports, and cultural relics in 2025 were fully mapped out on March 12 during a press conference organized by the information office of Xi'an municipal people's government, in which the key work plans for this year were also presented.

The city received 327 million tourist visits last year, up 6.7 percent from the number of visitors in 2024. They spent a total of 402.62 billion yuan ($58.46 billion), representing a year-on-year increase of 7.06 percent.

Inbound tourism saw explosive growth, the number of tourist visits and total spending catapulting 91.56 percent and 92.84 percent from the previous year, ranking Xi'an's cultural and tourism popularity among the highest in China.

To keep this momentum going, Xi'an will promote the coordinated development of "cultural museums + commerce + scenic spots + performances + sports events".

Meanwhile, the city will accelerate the construction of key projects including Taikoo Li and the second phase of the Twelve Hours in Chang'an Themed Block.

The city plans to add more than 80 new enterprises above designated size in culture, sports, and entertainment in 2026, and realize the market-oriented and regular operation of the China-Central Asia cultural tourism trains by the end of June.

A number of breakthroughs were also seen in the domain of sports in 2025. Athletes trained and recommended by Xi'an won 49 gold medals in major competitions at home and abroad. The city hosted several high-level international events, including the 2025 World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup and the Volleyball Nations League.

Throughout the year, sport events generated an economic impact of over 1.3 billion yuan. The growth rate of enterprises above designated size in the city's sports service industry reached 12.8 percent, reflecting the strong momentum of industrial development.

Xi'an plans to build 300 national fitness path projects, 15 multi-purpose sports fields, and 15 public gyms in 2026, and continue to improve the "15-minute fitness circle".

It will host international events such as the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating, as well as local events. The total number of planned events and activities in 2026 is expected to exceed 500.

Xi'an also achieved fruitful results in cultural relics protection and revitalization in 2025, completing reviews of 3,246 registered cultural relic sites and discovering 535 new immovable cultural relics.

In 2026, it will continue to advance the renovation and upgrading of key projects，improve the cultural creative industrial chain, building a nationally influential cultural creative brand for the city.