Xian

[ shee-ahn ]
/ ˈʃiˈɑn /

noun Pinyin.

a city in and the capital of Shaanxi province, in central China: capital of the ancient Chinese Empire.
Also Sian, Singan, Xi'·an.
Formerly Changan.

British Dictionary definitions for xi'an

Xi'an

Hsian or Sian

/ (ʃjɑːn) /

noun

an industrial city in central China, capital of Shaanxi province: capital of China for 970 years at various times between the 3rd century bc and the 10th century ad; seat of the Northwestern University (1937); famous for Qin dynasty emperor Qinshihuang's tomb (207 bc) with 8000-strong terracotta army. Pop: 3 256 000 (2005 est) Former names: Changan, Siking