September
Sanqin Land Shines Brightly
The 14th National Games of the People’s Republic of China
Successfully Hosted in Xi’an, Shaanxi
Discover This Unique City Anew
▲ Night view of the Xi’an Olympic Sports Center area © Xi’an International Port Area
On the evening of September 27th, the Olympic flame at Xi’an Olympic Center Stadium was slowly extinguished, marking the end of a national celebration filled with perseverance, progress, passion, and dreams. The vibrant energy of the Games gradually settled, yet the dreams in our hearts continue to soar.
▲ Night view of the Olympic Sports Axis © Xi’an International Port Area
The National Games stand as China’s premier domestic sports event, featuring the highest standards, largest scale, and most competitive levels, exerting a powerful influence nationwide. This comprehensive sports meeting embodies the nation’s commitment to revitalization and the Chinese Dream. As the host city, Xi’an—once the starting point of the Silk Road and a key port in the Belt and Road Initiative—seizes the opportunity of the 14th National Games to embrace high-quality development.
▲ Aerial view of Xi’an Olympic Sports Area © Xi’an Olympic Sports Center
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
#1 “Creating Timeless Classics Without Regrets”
The landmark building symbolically presented a gift to the National Games, expanding the city map of Xi’an. Capitalizing on the Games’ momentum, the architectural complex along the Ba River rapidly took shape. The main venue and surrounding supporting facilities were constructed with uniquely designed modern buildings under the name “Chang’an,” crafting a magnificent contemporary “Chang’an” landscape for the entire nation.
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
The China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center project, designed by Sanyi, is a key supporting development for the 14th National Games. Situated on two plots along the north and south wings of the Chang’an Valley main axis within the Olympic Sports Central Axis Park, the buildings are symmetrically arranged along the central axis. Serving as the “Wings of Olympic Sports and Gates of the Central Axis,” these three-building complexes frame the landscape, welcoming guests and symbolizing Xi’an’s gateway.
▲ Aerial rendering
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
Since construction began in August 2020, the project has raced against time, channeling the glory and responsibility of the 14th National Games into an enduring driving force. With strict quality control, it delivered a fitting tribute to the Games by September.
▲ Night Scene of Xi’an Olympic Sports Center Axis © Xi’an International Port Area, duration 01:23
▲ Video source: Xi’an International Port Area
#2 “Debuting at the Pinnacle”
The Olympic Sports New City continues to evolve in the post-Games era. While large cities may boast multiple bustling commercial centers, there is only one Olympic Sports Center. Located in a prime spot within the Xi’an International Port Area, the Olympic Sports Center was designed to do more than just host sports events.Its completion is a catalyst for the region’s, and even the entire city’s, comprehensive upgrade.
▲ Xi’an Olympic Sports Center © Xi’an Olympic Sports
Since opening in July last year, the Xi’an Olympic Sports Center has hosted numerous national fitness activities and events. Thanks to the 14th National Games, it has become the focal point for national sports, attracting extensive urban support facilities. It serves as the main hub for developing the “East Axis” of Greater Xi’an.
▲ Central Business District of International Port Area © Xi’an Olympic Sports Center
The Central Business District around the Olympic Sports Center covers about 3,500 acres and includes 111 major projects, totaling over 5.7 million square meters of construction. It hosts top enterprises like Huiju Olympic Sports Center and ten leading headquarters, alongside institutions such as Tieyi Middle School, Shaanxi Normal University, International Inland Port Hospital, Gaoxin First Middle School, Jiaotong University, Bahe Happy Shoreline, Light and Shadow Cultural Park, Olympic Sports Central Axis Park, and Belt and Road City Exhibition and Cultural Exchange Centers. The area is also served by Metro Lines 3, 14, and 10 (under construction), offering first-class infrastructure.
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
With a focus on logistics hubs, global economy, and the Olympic Sports effect, the industrial landscape of the Xi’an International Port Area is continuously optimized. It is evolving into a “post full operation era” hub, gathering five major industries: Lingang trade, modern logistics, new finance, e-commerce, and cultural & sports health.
▲ Landmark building in the Olympic Sports Area
#3 “Headquarters Hub in the West”
In the post-Games era, as part of the “Culture + Sports + Tourism” National Games initiative, the Xi’an Olympic Sports Center area has attracted major corporations. Six leading state-owned enterprises including China Railway, China Resources, China Merchants Group, MCC, China Electric Power Construction, and COFCO, along with ten major headquarters, are establishing a strong presence, creating a headquarters cluster with growing influence.
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
The headquarters cluster acts as a powerful magnet for talent, fostering a unique economic circle that integrates residential, office, and daily life spaces. It will attract premier sports events, cultural performances, fashion shows, and more, driving the combined growth of culture and tourism. The area aims to accelerate the introduction of cultural, sports, and fashion industries focused on Silk Road countries, ensuring significant progress in the International Port Area post-Games.
▲ Design Sketch
▲ Aerial rendering
▲ Project reality, Olympic Sports Center
The top ten headquarters developments in the area include 13 super high-rise buildings between 140 and 160 meters tall, and 17 high-rises below 100 meters, totaling 2.1 million square meters of construction. Among them, the China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center covers approximately 60 acres with a total floor area of around 298,000 square meters. The master plan features six buildings with podiums, including two landmark 144-meter super high-rise office towers.
▲ China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center
The design embraces a modern, minimalist aesthetic with a sleek, sophisticated facade. Drawing inspiration from Xi’an’s iconic historical and cultural heritage—the city, its gates, and waterways—the buildings are shaped into several glass cubes. This fusion of modern elements outlines structures that echo the spirit of the times.
▲ Modern and minimalist architectural style
The design integrates three-dimensional spatial concepts and ecological elements. With a layered spatial relationship from top to bottom, natural greenery is woven throughout, allowing the building to grow organically like life emerging from the earth, full of vitality. From city wall memories to the Silk Road legacy, the design uses modern techniques to connect architecture with a millennium of history, focusing on culture and nature to build a future city that resonates emotionally.
▲ Architectural details
Upon completion, the project will integrate business offices, a star-rated hotel, boutique apartments, and specialty commercial spaces. The NOVOTEL business hotel by Accor Group, located on the north plot, will offer approximately 240 standard rooms, a full-service restaurant, executive lounge, meeting rooms, and a gym. These diverse facilities will create an exclusive cloud club in the port area and the city’s eastern district, providing visitors with exceptional views and premium experiences within the Olympic Sports Area.
▲ Hotel rendering
The north and south plots feature approximately 12,000 square meters of commercial blocks. Previously designed to provide an immersive trend experience aligned with the architectural and natural setting, these areas accommodate quality dining, upscale retail, leisure, and entertainment. The South Block Commercial Street connects seamlessly with Metro Lines 3 and 14, forming a vibrant, experiential urban block.
▲ Commercial Block Rendering
Looking ahead, the China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Silk Road Center will collaborate with other headquarters enterprises to support the Olympic Sports Area in integrating cultural, sports, entertainment, and leisure functions. It aims to become a vibrant “cultural+” mixed-use district in Xi’an’s 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
Location: Xi’an International Port Area
Site Area: 40,005㎡
Floor Area: 298,191㎡
Floor Area Ratio: 5.0
Design Period: April 2019 – November 2020
Construction Period: March 2020 – November 2022
Developer: China Merchants Shekou Xi’an Company
Design Firm: Shanghai Sanyi Architectural Design Co., Ltd
Lead Architect: Lu Xiaogang
Project Leaders: Jiang Wenjun, Sun Jingya
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
Partners:
– Landscape Design: Shanghai Riqing Architectural Design Co., Ltd
– Interior Design: Yang Bangsheng (Novotel Hotel), JIAI Interior Design Shanghai Co., Ltd. (Office), Shenzhen Youlian Zhihe Environmental Art Design Co., Ltd. (Apartment)
– BIM Design: Chengdu Benchmark Fangzhong Architectural Design Co., Ltd. Xi’an Branch
– Construction Drawings: Chengdu Benchmark Fangzhong Architectural Design Co., Ltd. Xi’an Branch
– Curtain Wall Design: Shanghai Qishi Construction Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd. (North Plot), Foster Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd. (South Plot)
– Lighting Design: Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd
Construction Contractors: Chongqing Yufa Construction Co., Ltd, Zhengwei Technology Group Co., Ltd
Architectural Photography: Liu Songkai
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