Xi’an Airport opens world’s first in-house archaeological museum

　　Imagine waiting for your flight while exploring thousands of years of history and admiring rare and 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 and 2,755 sites such as pottery kilns, ash pits, trenches, and 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, and 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.

　　The Western Airport Museum is set to open to the public on February 26, with reservations available from February 23.