Once the largest city in the world, Xian has been the capital of China for over 4000 years of its history. There are artifacts from many periods of Chinese development. In the central city, however, there are beautifully preserved relics that date back to the 14th and 15th century, the height of the Ming Dynasty. The 9-mile long city walls are still intact and well preserved as are the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, the Great 
Mosque and several landmark homes.