About Our Program

Welcome to the 2025 NWAFU Summer School. This summer school is designed to provide a rare opportunity for overseas students to experience the pulse of China’s agricultural development as observers and participants.

In this course, you will learn about the current agricultural and environment science in China. In addition to being guided by experienced professors, you will visit the State Key Laboratory of Crop Adversity Biology in Dry Areas, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum, and the Xi’an Museum. In this way, we will help students better appreciate the charm of agricultural development and better perceive the Chinese culture.

Highly Qualified and Specialized Professors

This program consists of outstanding teachers from NWAFU and UA. The Chinese faculty consists of senior professors and young key teachers in the field of environmental science. Teachers, with rich experience of studying abroad or visiting schools, have good academic background and international vision. The U.S. faculty is selected by UA and consists of renowned professors in the fields of environmental science, ecology, and environmental engineering who have rich overseas teaching experience. Both faculty members will be able to introduce international cutting-edge educational concepts and research methods into the program curriculum. In addition, the program will also invite renowned scholars from research institutions to hold special lectures and academic seminars.

In-depth Integration of Theory and Practice

The curriculum skillfully combines theoretical lectures with practical field trips, so that students can learn the basic theories of environmental science and at the same time gain a deeper understanding of the practical applications of environmental science through field trips and practical projects. For example, students will have the opportunity to participate in the research base program of Northwest A&F University to experience the process of environmental monitoring and pollution control. This close integration of theory and practice greatly enhances students’ understanding and application of knowledge.

Other activities

Day tours can be added according to the students’ needs to explore various parts of Shaanxi Province such as the Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an Museum, Bell Tower, Drum Tower and Dayan Pagoda and surrounding cities and sites to learn the history of Shaanxi Province while experiencing its history and cultural charm.

Certificate

On completion of NWAFU Summer school, you will be awarded a Summer School Certificate from NWAFU, which prove that you have good understanding of Chinese rural development and Chinese culture.

Program Agenda

(May 21st-Jun. 3rd)

Professor Introduction

Li Zhi, Ph.D, Professor, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests focus on assessing and regulating the impacts of environmental changes on hydrology. The first research area is related to the sustainability of subsurface water under changing environment. To understand the changes in subsurface water and the controlling factors, tracer method such as isotope and chloride is used to interpret the recharge mechanism and quantify the recharge rates. Further, combined with modeling work by HYDRUS-1D, the impacts of climate and land use change on subsurface water are quantified to give information for water resources management.

The second aspect is to quantify/project the effects of the past/future climate change on surface water and soil erosion both on hill slope and watershed scale. Modeling methods have been used, such as hydrological models (SWAT and WEPP), weather generators, and climate models (GCMs and RCMs). My main work is to solve the mismatch between the course resolution of GCM outputs (grid and monthly scale) and the high-resolution input requirement of hydrological models (station and daily scale). I am trying to develop some techniques for GCM downscaling.

Zhang Jie, Associate Professor, College of Language and Culture of Northwest A&F University

RESEARCH INTERESTS

International Chinese education, Chinese ontology teaching, second language acquisition, Chinese culture dissemination, etc.

MAIN COURSE

Modern Chinese, Comprehensive Chinese, China Overview, Chinese listening and so on.

WORK EXPERIENCE

July 2013 to December 2015 Assistant Professor, he taught at the College of International Education, Northwest A&F University.

From January 2016 to December 2018, he was a lecturer at the College of International Education of Northwest A&F University.

Since January 2019, he has been an associate Professor in the School of International Studies and the College of Language and Culture of Northwest A&F University.

Wang Yuqing, Lecture, College of Language and Culture of Northwest A&F University

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Her research focuses on the teaching of Chinese as a second language, including teaching Chinese as a foreign language and nationalized Chinese textbooks.

MAIN COURSE

Methods of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Comprehensive Chinese, Chinese Listening etc.

WORK EXPERIENCE

From February 2013 to February 2014, she went to Jeonju High School in North Jeolla Province, South Korea to teach Chinese.

From July 2015 to June 2019, she taught at the College of International Education.

From July 2019 to now, she has been teaching in the College of Language and Culture of Northwest A&F University.

Wang Min,Lecture, College of Language and Culture of Northwest A&F University

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Second Language acquisition, teaching Chinese as a foreign language, Chinese culture, etc.

MAIN COURSE

Introduction to Teaching Chinese as Foreign Language, elementary spoken Chinese, Chinese culture, HSK tutoring, etc.

AWARDS

In 2015, she won the second prize of school-level teaching achievements.

WORK EXPERIENCE

From June 2019 to now College of Language and Culture, Northwest A&F University.

From May 2013 to June 2019 she taught at the College of International Education, Northwest A&F University.

From 2010 to 2011 she went to Confucius Institute, Atanyao University, Philippines.

C. Ken Smith, Ph.D. Global Professor and Microcampus Director of The University of Arizona

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

Global Professor and Micro-campus Director, University of Arizona, Department of Environmental Sciences, 2021 to present.

Responsible for coordinating the new UA microcampus at the Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University in Yangling, China.

Specific duties include teaching environmental science courses to Chinese students enrolled in the dual UA/NWAFU degree program, hiring additional faculty to teach in the program, mentoring younger faculty working in China, finding ways to promote joint research efforts between the two universities, and coordinating activities in China with UA’s Department of Environmental Sciences and Global Programs as well as with our Chinese colleagues at NWAFU.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Professor of Practice and Microcampus Director, Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona dual degree program, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China.

Currently teach ENVS 210 (Fundamentals of Environmental Science), ENVS 200-201 (Soil Science), and Careers in Environmental Science (ENVS 195) to 85 students at NWAFU.

Daniel Tang Kuok Ho, Professor of The University of Arizona

QUALIFICATIONS

PhD (Safety Performance Evaluation Framework of Offshore Platforms) (University of Malaya, Malaysia) (2014-2018).

M. Sc. Environmental Engineering (University of Nottingham, UK) (2005 – 2006).

B. Sc. Chemistry and Biology (Campbell University, USA) (2003 – 2005).

TAE Cert IV in Training and Assessment (GippsTAFE, Australia) (2013).

Advanced Diploma of Ministry (Christian Leaders Institute, USA) (2014).

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES

CEng & Chartered Energy Engineer, Energy Institute (EI), Membership Number: 0062798.

Chartered Environmentalist, Energy Institute (EI), Registration Number: 10193.

EIA Consultant, Department of Environment Malaysia, Registration Number: C0576.

EIA Consultant (Field: Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management), Natural Resources and Environment Board, Registration Number: NREB/I/00806.

INDUSTRIAL APPOINTMENT:

Environmental consultant (2007-2015) Team leader/ project coordinator/ consultant of more than 60 environmental projects consisting of environmental impact assessments, environmental management plans, environmental monitoring and feasibility studies.

Appointed as environmental engineer of a renowned environmental consultancy in Malaysia.

Martha Noro Chollom, Professor of The University of Arizona

Dr Martha Noro Chollom is Postdoctoral Fellow with the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) where she leads, the Environmental Pollution and Remediation Research Group. Her research interests lie in developing solutions aimed at attaining sustainable development goals: Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7). She has over ten years teaching and research experience at university level. She possesses exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to work in a team and develop partnerships with potential stakeholders.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Synthesis, characterization of novel adsorbents and catalysts for water and wastewater treatment and biogas purification Water and wastewater treatment (membrane technology, advanced oxidation processes, adsorption, nanotechnology, anaerobic digestion) Renewable Energy such as biomass and biofuels.

ADMINISTRATION & RESPONSIBILITIES

From 2023 to 2024: Member, local organising committee, FAMU & MUT, 2024 Energy Water Food Nexus International Summit, Durban South Africa.

From 2016 to 2020: Postgraduate representative, Department of Chemical, Durban University of technology.

Research seminar for the Green Engineering Research group at Durban University of Technology, South Africa on 14th October 2022. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE.

From 2022 to Present: Guest Editor, Membrane Journal, MDPI.

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Graduate Engineer, Engineering council of Southern Africa.

South African Institute of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE) & (IChemE).

Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA).

Isaac Dennis Amoah, Professor of The University of Arizona

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interest spans a range of topics in environmental microbiology, primarily interested in health-related water microbiology specifically. microbial health risk assessment associated with exposure to polluted water and wastewater. Other research interest includes One-health approach to understanding the development and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, the role of microplastics in the dissemination antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens in the environment.

ACADEMIC CONTRIBUTION

Journal Review Editor: Frontiers in Environmental Science (Wastewater Section).

Journal reviewers: 12 journals International Research Program Reviewer: Czech Science Foundation and the Confederation of Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA).

Professor Reviewer: Soleimani University - Kurdistan - Iraq.

Guest Editor (MDPI Special Issue): Emerging Pollutants and Wastewater Treatment Technologies.

ACHIEVEMENTS

South African National Research Foundation (2022) as Y-level researcher (promising young researcher).

2019 Willie Graber Young Investigator Award from the International Water Association.

Received the ‘Best Published Researcher’ award from Durban University of Technology in 2019 for outstanding performance in publishing papers as a postdoctoral fellow in 2018.

Received the ‘Best Published PhD Student’ award from Durban University of Technology in 2018.

Michael Anthony Pohlmann, Professor of The University of Arizona

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Critical Zone Science, soil and environmental chemistry, post-fire soil chemistry, fate of soil nutrients and carbon after disturbance.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Designed and conducted independent research on fire effects on soil and water chemistry in the Jemez River Basin CZO, including method development for complex quantification and characterization of soil pyrogenic carbon using molecular markers (BPCA method), conducted complimentary soil aqueous extraction and chemical analysis on >400 soil samples, 2015-2020.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

University of Arizona (UArizona) - Department of Environmental Science (ENVS) Instructor.

ENVS 430/530: Environmental Monitoring and Remediation and Lab, cross-listed undergrad

capstone/Grad course, course development: curriculum, syllabus, and lecture, Fall 2022.

ENVS 210: Introduction to Environmental Science, undergraduate core course (online),

course development: curriculum, syllabus, and lecture, Fall 2018 Teaching Assistant.

ENVS 210: Introduction to Environmental Science, undergraduate core course (online),

teaching team, student correspondence, for A. Haverland, Fall 2022.

ENVS 401/501: Sustainable Management of Arid Lands and Salt Affected Soils, cross-listed.

undergrad/Grad course, lecturer, lab instructor, unofficial audit, for J. Walworth, Fall 2017.

Cleophas Achisa Mecha, Professor of The University of Arizona

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Water and wastewater treatment technologies (membrane technology, advanced oxidation

processes, adsorption, nanotechnology).

Synthesis and application of novel materials for environmental remediation.

Renewable Energy: production, purification, and utilization of bioenergy.

Environmental impact assessment and environmental audi.

EMPLOYMENT

Senior Lecturer, Moi University, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering.

Lecturer, Moi University, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering.

Post Graduate Teaching Assistant, Tshwane University of Technology.

Postgraduate Teaching/Research Assistant, Durban University of Technology.

Graduate Assistant, Moi University, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering.

Chemical technologist, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospita.

AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Award for the second-best Doctoral presenter in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Research Day held on 16th September 2016 at Tshwane University of Technology.

Award for the best Doctoral presenter in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Research Day held on 2nd October 2015 at Tshwane University of Technology.

Award for the best Chemical Engineering presentation during the Technology Students Association Exhibition at Moi University.

National Research Foundation Doctoral grant 2015-2017.

Tshwane University of Technology Postgraduate Scholarship (PhD).

Durban University Postgraduate Scholarship (MSc).

NWAFU Overview

Northwest A&F University (NWAFU) is a key national comprehensive university under the administration of the Ministry of Education. Supported by the Ministry of Education’s “Project 985” and “Project 211”, it is one of the universities listed in the National “World-Class University and First-class Discipline” Project. NWAFU is located in Yangling, Shaanxi Province, the birthplace of Chinese agricultural civilization and today’s National Agriculture High-tech Industrial Demonstration zone. Current Party Secretary is Huang Siguang, President Wu Pute.

The University originated from National Northwest Junior College of Agriculture and Forestry founded in 1934, which was the earliest institution of higher agriculture and forestry education in northwest China. Since its establishment, NWAFU has been closely bound up with the fate of the country and the nation, assuming the responsibility of rejuvenating northwest China, boosting agricultural prosperity, and cultivating talents.

In September 1999, to implement the strategy of western development and promote the coordinated reform of the science and education system, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council made overall plans. Seven teaching and scientific research institutions merged, namely Northwest Agricultural University, Northwest Forestry College, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest Institute of Water Resources Science, Shaanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shaanxi Provincial Academy of Forestry, and Northwest Institute of Botany, and became today’s Northwest A&F University, jointly constructed by the Ministry of Education and the Provincial Government. NWAFU has been entrusted a mission to support and lead the development of modern agriculture in arid and semi-arid areas.

The past ninety years since the university’s establishment have witnessed generations of its faculty and students staying committed to the philosophy of “managing state fundamentals, solving civilian livelihood, and respecting scientific research” and practicing the university motto of “Sincerity, Simplicity, Bravery and Perseverance”. Inheriting the ambition of Hou Ji from time immemorial and practicing “Farming Teaching” in modern way, NWAFU has formed the spirit of “taking root in Yangling, giving prime concern to the country, fully engaging in the solution of the Three Rural Issues, braving hardships and pursuing excellence” and the culture of “unity, truth-seeking, tenacity and self-confidence”. The university persists in close integration of production-learning-research, and have made significant contributions to China’s agricultural modernization and scientific research.

NWAFU has 27 colleges (departments, institutes) and postgraduate schools, 14 mobile post-doctoral stations, 16 first-level disciplines for Doctorate Degree Granting, 27 first-level disciplines for Master Degree Granting, 1 Doctorate Degree Granting category, 17 Professional Master Degree Granting category, and 74 undergraduate programs. The university boasts 7 state key disciplines and 2 national priority (cultivating) disciplines. Ten disciplines including Agricultural Science, Plant and Animal Science, Engineering, Environmental Science and Ecology, Chemistry, Biology and Bio-Chemistry, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Molecular Biology & Genetics, Microbiology, and Geoscience ranks in the top 1% ESI disciplines worldwide. Agricultural Science, Plant and Animal Science are among the global top 1%. At present, it has developed into an agricultural university with the most complete agricultural, forestry and aquatic disciplines in China.

NWAFU boasts 1 national Base for Life science and technology Talents training, 3 national talent cultivating model innovation experiment zone, 12 national characteristic majors, and 8 “Outstanding Agricultural and Forestry Talents Plan” major.

Agronomy major has passed agricultural specialty (Grade III)certification. Hydrology and water resources engineering, agricultural water conservancy engineering, water conservancy and hydropower engineering, food science and engineering specialty has passed the certification of engineering education specialty.

Since its founding, NWAFU has acquired more than 6,000 accumulated scientific achievements in various areas, among which over 1,800 are awarded. Outstanding research accomplishments include“Bima-1”, the most widely planted wheat variety in China, and “Xiaoyan-6”, the leading replacement distant hybrid wheat variety. The university researchers also developed the apple variety “Qinguan”, the most commonly planted apple variety in China. The direct economic benefit of promoting and commercializing these achievements values over 300 billion RMB. Since the merger of seven institutes in 1999, firmly bearing in mind the national mission of serving for sustainable development in the arid areas, NWAFU has stood on the front-line of the Western Development, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Rural Revitalization Strategy. The university has won 44 State Science and Technology Awards, led 91 research projects which achieved first prizes at the provincial and ministerial level, and obtained 1,667 national authorized invention patents.

A series of key technologies for high-quality, efficient, and green production of apples on the Loess Plateau has supported and led Loess Plateau to become world recognized and largest high-quality apple production base in China. The soil erosion control technology system has solved the global conundrum of ecological environment construction on the Loess Plateau, and helped push Shaanxi’s green territory 400 kilometers to the north and played an important role in the national project of returning farmland to forest (grassland).

NWAFU has formed its fine tradition of being close to “agriculture, rural areas, and farmers” and serving society in its long-term university-running practice. Since its founding, to meet the development need of national and regional leading industries, NWAFU has given full play to its social service function and striven for the demonstration, promotion, and industrialization of scientific and technological achievements.

NWAFU took the lead in exploring and practicing university-based new mode of agricultural science and technology promotion in China. Currently, the university has established scientific and technological cooperation with more than 500 local governments and leading enterprises,built28 agricultural science and technology experiment demonstration stations and 46 demonstration bases in the center of regional leading industries, and constructed fast channel for university agricultural science and technology achievements popularization among rural areas. The accumulated direct economic benefits of these achievements value over 80 billion yuan.

Adhering to running school openly, NWAFU has actively expanded international cooperation and exchanges in science, technology and education by strengthening substantive cooperation with world-class universities and academic institutions, thus forming a new pattern of all-round, multi-level and multi-channel international cooperation and exchanges. It has successively established intercollegiate partnerships with more than 152 well-known universities or scientific research institutions in 35 countries around the world, and an annual average of 1000 overseas scholars come to the university for academic exchanges. It has jointly carried out two Chinese-Foreign cooperative programs in food science and engineering and environmental science with Lincoln University in Nebraska and the University of Arizona. The university is qualified to receive Chinese government scholarships for international students, with 318 international students currently.

Internationaization has transformed NWAFU from “outside promotes inside” to “going outside to act”. Through actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, it has gradually become a highland for China to carry out international agricultural exchanges and cooperation and serve the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt. The Silk-road Agricultural Education and Research Innovation Alliance led predominately by NWAFU has a profound influence. NWAFU takes the lead in establishing 8 agricultural science and technology demonstration parks and 3 overseas talent training bases in countries along the silk road.

NWAFU and Yangling Demonstration Zone jointly built the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) agricultural technology exchange and training demonstration base. It lead the establishment of the SCO Institute of Modern Agricultural Development and the SCO International Joint Laboratory, and became a member of the Agricultural Colleges and Universities Alliance of SCO Member States(leading modern agriculture).It was approved to build Confucius Classroom at Baranovichi State University in Belarus.

In the new era, NWAFU will fully implement the Party’s education policy, take the spirit of the “letter of reply” from General Secretary Xi Jinping to the secretaries and presidents of national agriculture-related universities and expert representatives as a guide, and fulfill the fundamental task of “strengthening moral education and cultivate people”. Adhering to the principle of “making groundbreaking innovations and transforming them into productive forces”, the university will continue to implement the three strategies of strengthening university by talents, internationalization and informatization. It will actively undertake the four missions of safeguarding national food security, maintaining ecological civilization, promoting human health and serving rural revitalization, and strive to achieve five benchmarks of cultivating outstanding agricultural and forestry talents, leading future agricultural development in arid and semi-arid regions, boosting rural revitalization, promoting one construction and deepening university and local integration, to fulfill its historical responsibility of strengthening agriculture and promoting agricultural development, accelerate the construction of world-class agricultural university with Chinese characteristics and strive to realize the dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Scenic Spots Introduction

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, NWAFU

The State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas was developed from the Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture that was established on 28th June,2001. The laboratory entered the sequential development of the State Key Laboratory Bases supported by both the Ministry of Science and Technology and Shaanxi Province in 2005 and successfully passed the inspections in 2006. In October, 2011, the State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areaswas approved to establish. Kang Zhensheng, a “Changjiang” Scholar Chair Professor, is the laboratory director and Prof. Shan Lun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is the director of the academic committee.

Kiwifruit Experiment Station of NWAFU

Kiwifruit Experiment Station of NWAFU founded in 2006, is the first kiwifruit professional experiment and demonstration station in China, and the only one built on campus to serve the local community. It is the chairman of the National Innovation Alliance of Kiwifruit Industry and the leading unit of Shaanxi Province Kiwifruit Industry System. The Experiment Station is responsible for five major tasks, including scientific experiment, demonstration and popularization, talent training, international cooperation and field observation of kiwifruit. Focusing on the key technological needs of the modern kiwifruit industry, the station focuses on six directions of scientific research and innovation, including kiwifruit germplasm conservation and utilization, genetic breeding, seedling breeding, fruit tree water and nutrition, pest and disaster defense, fruit quality and storage and preservation. The purpose of the station is to lead the development of kiwifruit industry with modern science and technology, and to build a world-class kiwifruit research   and development center.

Museum Garden，NWAFU

Agricultural Hi-tech Industries, the Museum Garden has a total building area of more than 16000 square meters and consists of five museums oriented for entomology, zoology, soils and plants and agricultural history of China,a butterfly garden,and nuserying beds for plant germplasm,so that it is now the largest theme museum group ever established in China. It collects more than 1.2 million specimens of insects, more than 8000 specimens of animals,0.55 milion specimens of plants, more than 2000 specimens of soils, more than 2000 agricultural history related relics and farming tools, more than 5000 ancient thread-bound books, and more than 600 species of trees, which is a collection that ranks first among all the universities and colleges of China.

Taibai Mountain National Forest Park

Taibai Mountain National Forest Park is located in Mei County, named after the Taibai Mountain. The Ministry of Forestry approved the establishment of the National Park in the year of 1991 and it was officially opened in July 1992. The Taibai Mountain National Forest Park is rated as “National Civilized Forest Park” and one of the first batches of “National 4A Level Scenic Spots”. Now it has been developed into a tourist resort for sightseeing & holiday making, scientific explorations ans well as convalescence in the western region. The park covers an area of 2,949 hectares, consisting 8 major scenic regions and more than 180 scenic spots. The altitude ranges from 620 meters to 3,767 meters, making it the highest national forest park. Taibai Mountain National Forest Park takes the forest landscape as its main body, steep hills as its frame, clear lakes as its venation and cultural landscape as its content. All the elements form a vivid and unique scroll painting where the static & the dynamic landscape is in harmony and the natural & cultural landscape roll into one. The park features green mountains and picturesque scenery.

Taibai Mountain is renowned for its height, coldness, steepness, uniqueness and beauty. The abundant resources and mysterious features also ensure its prominent status in China. “the Taibai snows in the June” is one of the famous Eight Views of Guanzhong Region. According to the Total Annals of the Yuan Dynasty, “the mountain (Taibai Mountain) is extremely high, with snows all year round-a white world for snows”; in Wang Xin’s San Cai Tu Hui of Ming Dynasty, the Taibai Mountain was described as “snows in the peaks never melt, shining brightly even in summer times”. All the above shows that there is no exaggeration for Taibai Mountain’s snow views in summer. Its long duration, spectacular views and dazzle gleams have already drew people’s attention. The geological landscape, mountain glaciers, spectacular waterfalls, forest community, astronomical landscape, exotic flowers and rare herbs as well as the humanity history of Taibai Mountain form an integrated landscape system, making it the best ecological tourist attractions.

The Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses

In March 1974, when several farmers were sinking a well about 1.5 kilometers east of the First Qin Emperor’s Mausoleum, they came upon many fragments of terra-cotta figures. The results of archaeological excavation showed that it was an oblong pit with terracotta warriors and horses. Again in 1976, two more pits were discovered 20meters and 25 meters north of the former one respectively. They were then named Pit 1, Pit 2, and Pit 3 by the order of discovery. The three pits cover a total area of 22,780 square meters.

Pottery figures first appeared in the Warring States Period in China, but they were small in size and roughly made with low temperature. The Qin terracotta warriors and horses were not only big in size, but also exquisite in craftsmanship. The height of the terracotta warriors varies from 1. 78 meters (the shortest) to 1. 97 meters ( the tallest).Their weights are also different. The lightest is less than 110 kilograms and the heavies to 300 kilograms. In order to keep the balance of the terracotta warriors, the workmen in the Qin Dynasty added a pedal to each warrior under his feet, so that the warriors would stand more firmly. The foot pedals were made in molds. The feet, shoes, legs and armors of the warriors were made by hand. Some legs are hollow, and some are solid. The solid ones were made separately, but the hollow ones were made by the ring-building method. The bodies of the warriors are all hollow, made with the previously-mentioned method. Some were made separately and then joined together to complete the work.

Xi’an Ancient City Wall

Once the Ming Dynasty was unified, Zhu Yuanzhang sent orders to the local governments to build city walls. The city wall of Xi’an is an extension of the old Tang Dynasty’s royal city, as a result of this wall building campaign. A moat, wide and deep, runs around the city. Over the moat, there used to be a huge suspension bridge which cut off the way in and out of the city, once lifted. Thus, the Ming Dynasty city wall formed a complex and well-organized system of defense. It is also the most complete city wall that has survived through China’s long history. The city wall itself is a true display of the ability and wisdom of the working people in ancient times. It provides invaluable and substantial material for the study of the history, military science, and architecture of the Ming Dynasty.

Today, after the repairs that have been made on the wall by the local government, the city wall has taken on a new look. A circular park has been built in between the high wall and the deep moat, all around the city. The thriving trees and flowers, the rockeries in the park, and the buildings of classical Chinese architecture, together with the city wall, make Xi'an all the more beautiful.

Bell Tower and Drum Tower

The Bell Tower is a classical building with carved beams and painted rafters. It stands in the center of the downtown area where the North Street, the South Street, the East Street and the West Street meet. It houses a huge bell which was originally used to strike time every morning in ancient times. Ever since its establishment, it has be-come the symbol of Xi’an. Now, it is an important historical monument in Shaanxi Province. The Bell Tower was first built in the Yingxiang Temple in 1384, which used to mark the center of the city. It was moved to its present site in 1582 as a result of the city’s expansion program.

About 500 meters northwest of the Bell Tower stands another magnificent building, the Drum Tower. It was built in 1380, four years earlier than the Bell Tower. There used to be a huge drum in the tower which told the time at dusk, hence, its name the Drum Tower. The bell in the Bell Tower and the drum in the Drum Tower have been referred to as “the Morning Bell” and “the Dusk Drum”. Later, the drum was no longer used to tell time but only to give warnings in times of war.

The base of the Drum Tower is 1,924 square meters in size, and 34 meters in height. It was also built with blue bricks. The building takes a rectangular shape and shows tiers of eaves. It has only two storeys inside. There are corridors around the tower on each tier. The outer eaves are decorated with networks of wood arches. The elegance and grandeur of its structure reveals much of the superb workmanship of the Chinese people.

The Drum Tower is now a historical monument in Shaanxi Province. After two large-scale renovations, the tower has been restored to its former beauty. With the two towers rivaling each other, the ancient city of Xi’an is even more beautiful and spectacular than ever before.

Dayan Pagoda

Situated in the Da Ci’en Temple, about 4 kilometers from the urban center, Dayan Pagoda ( also called Da Cien Temple Pagoda) is one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China. The five-story pagoda, 60 meters high, was brought into completion in 652 AD. Owing to the decay of its rammed earth and bricks, the pagoda increased to ten storeys when it was under reconstruction from 701 to 704. However, the winds of war in the years to come brought the pagoda almost to ruins, which in turn resulted in the construction of a seven-storey structure with a height of 64 meters.

This storied pagoda is an architectural marvel. It was built with layers of bricks but without any cement in between. The dou gong ( bracket) style in traditional Chinese architecture features the construction of the pagoda. The seams between each lay-er of bricks and the so-called “prisms” on each side are clearly visible. The pagoda is characterized by its towering height, structural compactness, imposing appearance and unaffected style. It is indeed a good reflection of people’s wisdom and talent in ancient China.

The Heavenly King and the Buddha in line drawings appear on the door frames and horizontal bars on the four sides of the pagoda’s base. They are vividly portrayed in smooth lines and show a high level of workmanship. They serve as an important source of the study of paintings and sculptures of the Tang Dynasty. Out of these artistic works, the one on the horizontal bar of the west door is the most precious. It is a rare piece of art for the study of the Tang architecture.

Xi’an Museum

Xi’an Museum highlighting history and culture of Xi’an is located in middle section of Zhuque Street in the south of Xi’an, covering an area of 245mu (a unit of area) and composed of three parts including museum, site of Jianfu Temple in Tang Dynasty and Historical and Cultural Park of Small Wild Goose Pagoda, with museum, tower, temple and park enhancing each other’s beauty and bringing out the best in each other, being distinctive among museums in China and the rare national grade I museum integrating world cultural heritage, historical and cultural relics under state protection, ancient architectural complex and modern exhibition hall.

Xi’an Museum contains more than 110,000 pieces of cultural relics, including bronze wares, jade wares, gold and silver wares, porcelains, stone sculptures, inscription on tablet, seals, earthenwares, three-color glazed wares, painting and calligraphy, sutra, rubbings, ancient and rare books, miscellaneous wares, including 10441 pieces of valuable cultural relics at no lower than grade III. The museum has collected more than 100,000 volumes of ancient books, with 37 volumes of books having been selected into Catalogue of National Rare Books in China and the collections complete in sequence and category to create a system of their own. The exhibition hall of Xi’an Museum designed under the direction of Master Zhang Jinqiu as an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering has a built-up area of more than 16000sqm and a show area of more than 5500sqm, having more than 2000 pieces of cultural relics on display, the exhibition hall has had a display pattern with focus on fundamental display of Xi’an as an ancient capital, together with special display of compassion and fascination—Chang’an Buddhist Statues Art and spirit of the universe—Selected Ancient Jade wares and various temporary exhibitions as expansion and extension thereof having shown historical features of Xi’an as a capital and cradle of Chinese civilization in various fields including politics, economy and culture etc. since Zhou Dynasty, Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty and Tang Dynasty. Exhibition of Small Wild Goose Pagoda-Jianfu Temple History on central axis of Small Wild Goose Pagoda Scenery Spot shows value of Small Wild Goose Pagoda in heritage as well as historical fact and experience in exchange and innovation between orient and west in terms of culture along Silk Road in those days.

Da Tang Everbright City

Grand Tang Sleepless Plaza is located in the Newly - developed Qujiang Zone of Xi’an. Focusing on the prosperous culture of the Tang Dynasty, based on the Dayan Pagoda, featured with the Tang ethos and characterized by experiential consumption.

The Grand Tang Sleepless Plaza is divided into six Tang-style blocks, the largest landscape avenue in Asia, three theme cultural squares, four cultural and artistic galleries, and eight culture-tourism-trade projects. 5 billion yuan is invested in it with the pur-pose of one-stop consumer paradise such as shopping, catering, entertainment, leisure, tourism and business affairs.

    As a show card of Xi’an, Grand Tang Sleepless Plaza runs through the north to the south, covering Xuan Zang Square, Zhen Guan Square and Kai Yuan Celebration Square, of which Zhen Guan Square is the kernel part. More than one billion yuan is invested in four cultural and artistic complexes, including Xi’an Grand Theatre, Xi’an Concert Hall, Qujiang Art Gallery and Qujiang Movie Theatre. Domestic and overseas tourists can experience different cultures and appreciate competitive artistic works of different countries and regions. So Xi'an is becoming the hub and origin of West China’s culture and art.

Baoji Bronze Museum

Baoji Bronze Museum is located in the China Stone Drum Garden, Binhe Avenue, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province. The architectural shape of Baoji Bronze Museum adopts the unique shape of “platform five tripod”, symbolizing Baoji’s important position in Chinese civilization. The predecessor of the museum was the Baoji Museum of Cultural Relics and History established in 1956, which was renamed Baoji Bronze Museum in 1998, and was moved to its current location and renamed Baoji Bronze Museum in 2010. The total construction area of the museum is about 34,800 square meters, and the exhibition area is 15,000 square meters. The architectural style integrates the design concept of Gaotai gate and bronze thick earth, which is magnificent and shows the profound heritage of Zhou and Qin culture. The basic exhibition of the museum is “Bronze Casting Civilization”, which is divided into four halls: the Hometown of bronzes, the State of Zhou Rites, the Road to the Empire and the Light of Wisdom, displaying more than 1,100 pieces of exquisite cultural relics such as bronzes. The museum has a total collection of more than 487,000 pieces of cultural relics, of which the Shang and Zhou bronzes are the most famous.

Local Snacks

Transportation Introduction

Yangling High-speed Railway Station is 2km away from the school, about 10 minutes by car.

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport is 86km away from the school, about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car.

We will arrange bus transportation for the whole trip.

Accommodation Introduction

Guest Hotel of Northwest A&F University

Accommodation and group meals (including breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided both on and off campus by NWAFU.

Kind Reminder:

1. Any additional items for personal use, whether on or off campus, will be at the students’ own expense.

2. Property Care and Liability

Any damage to items caused by intentional misuse or negligence will require compensation. Charges will be calculated based on the extent of damage, replacement value, and applicable service fees. In case of accidental damage, please notify our front desk immediately to avoid additional charges.