International: On Tuesday, August 19, Bangladeshi journalists began the first day of their 10-day visit to Xi’an, the capital of China’s northwestern Shaanxi Province. Invited by the Chinese government and under the supervision of China Media Group (CMG), the delegation is visiting China as part of the “Roaming China, Shaanxi Tour” programme. The group comprises leaders of several prominent journalist organisations in Bangladesh.

Among the members of the delegation are National Press Club President and poet Hasan Hafiz, Dhaka Reporters Unity Secretary General Md. Mainul Hasan, Bangladesh Sports Press Association President Rizwan Uz Zaman, Bangladesh Photojournalists Association Secretary General Babul Talukder, Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh Chairman Mohammad Azizur Rahman, Online Editors Alliance Treasurer Main Uddin Bakul, Technology Media Guild Bangladesh Vice President Qayyum Hasan Rishad, along with several other journalists.

### Witness to Buddhist Heritage: Da Ci’en Temple

At the very beginning of their visit to Xi’an, the journalists travelled to Da Yan Pagoda, or Da Ci’en Temple. The complex was built in 652 AD during the Tang Dynasty under the leadership of the eminent monk Xuanzang.

It was constructed to preserve various Buddhist scriptures, statues and religious artefacts brought from India. The ancient pagoda here is one of the most important structures dating from China’s Tang era.

The temple’s ancient architecture and tranquil surroundings left a deep impression on the journalists. In particular, the history of Buddhist knowledge and culture being brought from India to China became especially fascinating to them. During discussions among the visitors, the possibility of links with Bangladesh along that historic route also emerged.

### A Thousand Years of History Beneath the Ground

In the afternoon, the delegation arrived at one of China’s most famous archaeological sites—the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin.

In 1974, local farmers accidentally discovered terracotta soldiers buried underground. Subsequent excavations revealed thousands of statues of soldiers and horses. Each figure has distinctive facial features, clothing and physical characteristics.

Built around the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, this vast terracotta army has become one of the most important symbols of China’s ancient civilisation. In 1987, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Bangladeshi journalists were astonished to see the enormous army of soldiers standing in rows beneath the ground.

Mohammad Azizur Rahman, Chairman of the Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh, said, “What I saw in the Terracotta Army was unforgettable. I saw with my own eyes that China’s history is so ancient and that the country has such a rich past.”

He added that the performance he witnessed at night, combining nature and technology, was also an extraordinary experience for him.

For Rizwan Uz Zaman, President of the Bangladesh Sports Press Association, the experience of visiting the Terracotta Army was equally incredible.

In his words, it was difficult to believe his own eyes after seeing thousands of human-shaped statues beneath the ground. He believes that whenever possible, people from Bangladesh and other countries around the world should visit China to witness this history.

### Stories of History on Nature’s Stage

The final event of the day was something quite different. At night, the journalists enjoyed the “Chang Hen Ge” landscape live show at Huaqing Palace.

Combining nature, light, music, dance and modern technology, the performance presents China’s history and culture in a new way. Based on the famous poem by the poet Bai Juyi, the production revolves around the love story of Tang Emperor Xuanzong and his beloved imperial consort Yang Yuhuan.

The visitors were fascinated to see history presented on such a grand scale, using nature itself as the stage.

Main Uddin Bakul, Treasurer of the Online Editors Alliance, said, “I was fascinated by the opera at night. Anyone from anywhere in the world would be captivated by such a show.”

Qayyum Hasan Rishad, Vice President of the Technology Media Guild Bangladesh, also expressed his amazement. In his view, he had never before seen such an extraordinary performance that combined nature and technology in this way.

### Historical Links with Bangladesh

During their visit to Xi’an, the journalists found not only China’s history but also various links with the history and culture of Bangladesh.

Referring to the travels of the eminent monk Xuanzang to India, Rizwan Uz Zaman said that there is believed to be a connection between Bangladesh and the history of his religious knowledge and travels. As a result, while witnessing this history of ancient China, Bangladesh also came to his mind.

Qayyum Hasan Rishad said he gained a new understanding through the visit of the history of the spread of Buddhism in China and the exchange of knowledge and culture among different regions since ancient times.

### Past and Present in One City

Perhaps Xi’an’s greatest attraction lies precisely here—history is not confined behind museum glass. Alongside ancient structures, archaeological treasures and thousands of years of culture, modern urban life is also moving forward at an equal pace.

On one side stands a pagoda from the Tang era; on the other, an ancient army of terracotta soldiers dating back thousands of years. And when night falls, the story of an ancient love comes alive in the midst of nature with the help of modern technology.

This contrast is what makes Xi’an unique. In the eyes of the journalists, Xi’an appears to be a city where the story of moving towards the future is being written while preserving the past.

### From Xi’an to the Broader Story of Shaanxi

Following their visit to Xi’an, the Bangladeshi journalists will have the opportunity to explore a broader picture of Shaanxi Province. Located in northwestern China, the province has emerged as an important example of progress not only in history and culture but also in environmental conservation, rural revitalisation, specialised industries and the digital economy.

Through this visit, the journalists are gaining an opportunity to witness various aspects of China’s development firsthand, while also creating avenues for the exchange of knowledge, experience and culture between the two countries.

The “Roaming China, Shaanxi Tour” is therefore more than just a journey; it is an experience of seeing history up close, feeling the culture and gaining a new understanding of the story of modern China’s transformation.

From Xi’an’s ancient pagoda to the Terracotta Army, and from there to history coming alive in a spectacular display of lights on nature’s stage, the Bangladeshi journalists seemed to have witnessed several thousand years of China all within a single day.

Source: Sakib-Nahar, China Media Group.