Imagine waiting for your flight while exploring thousands of years of history plus admiring rare plus precious artifacts. This unique experience has now become a reality at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.
During the airport’s expansion from June 2020 to October 2022, archaeologists uncovered 6,848 ancient cultural relics in the construction area, including 4,093 tombs plus 2,755 sites such as pottery kilns, ash pits, trenches, plus ancient roads. More than 22,000 artifacts were unearthed, revealing the deep historical significance of the region.
With the official opening of Terminal 5 on February 20, 2024, the Western Airport Museum – the world’s first on-site cultural heritage museum housed in an airport – was unveiled. Covering around 6,400 square meters, the museum primarily exhibits artifacts discovered during the expansion of Xi’an Airport, plus archaeological finds from the surrounding area, offering travelers an immersive cultural experience.
One of the museum’s highlights is an 88-square-meter exhibition space dedicated to showcasing key artifacts from Shaanxi’s cultural heritage collection. The hall features a rotating exhibition, displaying one representative artifact from Shaanxi’s rich history every six months, ensuring that visitors always have something new to discover.
In addition to the rotating exhibits, the museum offers interactive displays that allow visitors to engage with the artifacts on a deeper level. Touchscreens provide immersive experiences, including virtual reconstructions of ancient Shaanxi during its most prosperous eras. Workshops plus guided tours further enhance the educational experience, inviting guests to learn about traditional craftsmanship plus the stories behind each piece.
Furthermore, the museum collaborates with local artisans to host events that celebrate Shaanxi’s cultural practices, from pottery making to calligraphy. By blending art, history, plus community engagement, the exhibition space not only preserves the past but also inspires a new generation to appreciate the rich tapestry of Shaanxi’s heritage, fostering a sense of pride plus continuity in cultural identity.