September marks a shining moment for the land of Sanqin.
The 14th National Games of the People’s Republic of China were successfully held in Xi’an, Shaanxi, inviting the world to rediscover this unique city.
▲ Night view of Xi’an Olympic Sports Center area © Xi’an International Port Area
On the evening of September 27th, the Olympic flame was gently extinguished at the Xi’an Olympic Center Stadium, concluding this grand celebration of perseverance, passion, and dreams. The excitement gradually settled, yet the dreams within hearts continue to soar.
▲ Night view of Olympic Sports Axis © Xi’an International Port Area
The National Games stand as China’s premier comprehensive sports event—largest in scale, highest in standards, and most competitive and influential. They symbolize the nation’s vigorous development and commitment to sports, laying a solid foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the realization of the Chinese Dream.
As host, Xi’an—a city with over a millennium of history, the starting point of the Silk Road, and an inland port under the Belt and Road Initiative—embraced the 14th National Games as a catalyst for high-quality urban development.
▲ Aerial view of Xi’an Olympic Sports Area © Xi’an Olympic Sports Center
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
01 “Leaving Only Classics, No Regrets”
A Landmark Gift to the National Games
Stretching across the urban map of Xi’an, the architectural complex along the Ba River emerged as a highlight during the Games. The main venue, along with its supporting facilities, showcases a modern vision of “Chang’an” through uniquely designed contemporary buildings, offering a fresh urban landscape for the nation.
▲ Night view of Olympic Sports Axis
The China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center, designed by Sanyi, is a key supporting project for the 14th National Games. Located on the north and south wings of the “Chang’an Valley” axis within the Olympic Sports Center Park, the two plots are symmetrically positioned to serve as the “wings” and “gates” of the Olympic Sports Center. These twin building clusters frame the ecological park, welcoming visitors and symbolizing Xi’an’s gateway.
▲ Aerial rendering
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
Since construction began in August 2020, this project has raced against time to fulfill the honor and responsibility of the 14th National Games. Strict quality control ensured the buildings’ excellence, culminating in a successful tribute presentation in September.
▲ Night Scene of Xi’an Olympic Sports Center Axis © Xi’an International Port Area
02 “Debut at the Peak”
The Olympic Sports New City Continues to Evolve in the Post-Games Era
While a big city may have many vibrant commercial centers, there is only one Olympic Sports Center. Situated in the prime Xi’an International Port Area, the Xi’an Olympic Sports Center was designed to serve not only sports but also to drive regional growth and urban transformation.
▲ Xi’an Olympic Sports Center © Xi’an Olympic Sports Center
Since opening in July last year, the center has hosted numerous national fitness events and activities. Backed by the 14th National Games, it has become a hub for urban facilities and the focal point of the “East Axis” development of Xi’an.
▲ Central Business District of International Port Area © Xi’an Olympic Sports Center
The Central Business District around the Olympic Sports Center spans approximately 3,500 mu, with plans for 111 major projects totaling over 5.7 million square meters of construction. It integrates headquarters of ten enterprises, educational institutions, hospitals, cultural parks, and metro lines 3, 10, and 14 (under construction), providing top-tier resources and connectivity.
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
With the convergence of roles as a logistics hub, a comprehensive transportation economy, and the Olympic sports effect, the Xi’an International Port Area’s industrial landscape is continuously being refined. In the “post full transportation era,” it is set to become a nexus for port trade, modern logistics, finance, e-commerce, and cultural and sports health industries.
▲ One of the landmark buildings in the Olympic Sports Area
03 Headquarters “West” Gravity
Supporting “Culture + Sports + Tourism” in the Post-Games Era
During the National Games, six major central enterprises—including China Railway, China Resources, China Merchants Group, MCC, China Electric Power Construction, and COFCO—established their presence around the Xi’an Olympic Sports Center, sparking a powerful headquarters clustering effect.
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
The headquarters cluster strengthens regional competitiveness by attracting top talent. This will foster a unique economic circle centered on residential, office, and lifestyle activities. It aims to host premier sports events, cultural and fashion performances, and promote the integration of culture and tourism. The initiative will accelerate the growth of cultural, sports, and fashion industries along the Silk Road, ensuring significant development for the International Port Area beyond the National Games.
▲ Design Sketch
▲ Aerial rendering
▲ Project reality
The top ten headquarters projects near the Olympic Sports Center include 13 super high-rise buildings between 140 and 160 meters tall, and 17 high-rises under 100 meters, totaling 2.1 million square meters of construction. The China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center alone covers about 60 acres, with approximately 298,000 square meters of floor space. Its master plan features six buildings with podiums, including two 144-meter super high-rise office towers, making it a landmark in the International Port Area.
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
The project features a modern minimalist design with a sleek, elegant facade. Inspired by Xi’an’s rich historical and cultural heritage, the design combines elements of the city, gates, and water, represented through interconnected glass cubes. This blend of modernity and tradition outlines a building with a contemporary sense of time.
▲ Modern and minimalist architectural style
Additionally, the design incorporates three-dimensional spatial concepts with ecological elements, blending natural greenery into the building’s structure. This integration creates a sense of organic growth rooted in the land, brimming with vitality. From the city walls to the Silk Road, the design connects architecture with a thousand years of history through modern techniques, focusing on humanity and nature to build future cities that resonate emotionally.
▲ Architectural details
Upon completion, the project will integrate diverse functions including business offices, a star-rated hotel, boutique apartments, and specialty retail. The Novotel business hotel by Accor Group, located in the northern plot, will offer around 240 standard rooms along with a full-service restaurant, executive lounge, conference rooms, and a gym. Its top-floor cloud club will provide an exclusive experience with stunning views of the Olympic sports area.
▲ Hotel rendering
The project’s north and south plots feature approximately 12,000 square meters of commercial space, designed to create an immersive, trendy environment that perfectly integrates architecture and nature. The retail offerings include quality dining, exquisite shopping, and entertainment options. The South Block Commercial Street connects seamlessly with Metro Lines 3 and 14, forming a vibrant, experiential urban block.
▲ Commercial Block Rendering
In the future, the China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center will collaborate with other headquarters enterprises to foster a multifunctional cultural, sports, entertainment, and leisure district in the Olympic Sports Area, becoming a vibrant “culture+” hub for Xi’an in the post-Games era.
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
Project Information
- Project Name: China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
- Project Type: Urban Complex
- Project Address: Xi’an International Port Area
- Base Area: 40,005 square meters
- Building Area: 298,191 square meters
- Floor Area Ratio: 5.0
- Design Period: April 2019 to November 2020
- Construction Period: March 2020 to November 2022
- Construction Unit: China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Company
- Design Unit: Shanghai Sanyi Architectural Design Co., Ltd
- Lead Architect: Lu Xiaogang
- Project Leaders: Jiang Wenjun, Sun Jingya
- Scheme Design Team: Jiang Wenjun, Sun Jingya, Wu Wenxuan, Lu Yiting, Wang Tao, Zhang Liyun, Han Zeyu, Tao Lulu, Pan Ruyue, Chen Yuli, Liu Henglin, Liu Wanchen, Liu Pinxi, Zhang Jian, Chen Yifan
- Technical Support: Wang Xiaohong, Wang Fang, Qian Fang, Zhao Bin, Hu Wenxiao, Chen Ying, Ju Yongjian, Jiang Hong, Xiong Jingfeng, Ding Beili, Peng Donghua, Chen Zhe
- Cooperative Partners:
- Landscape Design: Shanghai Riqing Architectural Design Co., Ltd
- Interior Design (Novotel Hotel): Yang Bangsheng
- Interior Design (Office): JIAI Interior Design Shanghai Co., Ltd.
- Interior Design (Apartment): Shenzhen Youlian Zhihe Environmental Art Design Co., Ltd.
- BIM & Construction Drawing Design: Chengdu Benchmark Fangzhong Architectural Design Co., Ltd. Xi’an Branch
- Curtain Wall Design (North Plot): Shanghai Qishi Construction Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd.
- Curtain Wall Design (South Plot): Foster Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd.
- Lighting Design: Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd
- Construction: Chongqing Yufa Construction Co., Ltd and Zhengwei Technology Group Co., Ltd
- Architectural Photography: Liu Songkai
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