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XI'AN: A 1,300-year-old market here in the capital of Northwest Shaanxi Province, which used to be extremely popular, is being rebuilt.

"The West Market covers an area of 33 hectares. Its rebuilding costs will be 3.5 billion yuan ($460 million), and it will be completed in 2010," deputy general manager of Datang Xishi Company, Li Zhonghang, said.

He said the market is being developed in two phases. The first phase which is under construction, will house antique and souvenir shops, a museum, restaurants, reception centers for foreign visitors, and a supermarket.

"The first phase, an area of 660,000 sq m, will be completed in June next year. Work on the second phase, 620,000 sq m, will start next June and will be completed in 2010. This phase will feature the culture and customs of the old Silk Road.

"It will also contain offices and residential flats," Li said.

Experts said once the market is rebuilt it will give visitors a glimpse into the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) period.

The period was the most prosperous in Chinese history, involving trade between China and foreign countries via the Silk Road, the vital link to the outside world.

"Today, there is no link between our historical relics and ruins and our modern cities, especially in Xi'an. Rebuilding the West Market will establish that link," Party Secretary of Xi'an Sun Qingyun, said.

Xi'an was formerly known as Chang'an, and with a population of more than 1 million, it was then one of the largest cities in the world.

Between the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618), and the Tang Dynasty, two markets named East and West, gradually developed into famous commercial centers in the city. The East Market catered mainly to the local population, and the West to international visitors, according to Hu Ji, a Tang Dynasty expert, and deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Tang History Society.

"In the Chinese language, the words mai dong xi (shopping), came from the two ancient markets. Buy (mai), East (dong) and West (xi)," Hu said.

In 2001, the Xi'an government decided to rebuild the West Market on its original site in the western suburbs of the city, deputy mayor, Yang Guangxin, said.

"Before construction, we carried out careful archaeological research on the ruins of the market and reported the results to the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

"It decided the market was the starting point of the Silk Road," Li said.

Statistics show that the average stay of foreign visitors in Xi'an today is 2.9 days and they spend about $180.

It is hoped the rebuilding of the market and its facilities, will encourage visitors to stay longer, the director of the Xi'an tourism adminstration bureau, Zhou Aiquan, said.

(China Daily 07/04/2007 page5)