Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, was recently selected as one of the nine national characteristic consumption center cities, according to the Annual Report on the Construction of International Consumption Center Cities (2023).

The business district of South Gate in Xi'an is bustling. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

Jones Lang LaSalle and the 21st Century Economic Research Institute launched the report at the Second China (Macao) High-Quality Consumer Exhibition and Hengqin Global Bay Areas Forum.

This year, Xi'an has carried out a series of shopping festivals, consumption seasons, expos, and other rich and diverse consumption-promoting activities, effectively stimulating market vitality.

On Dec 15, Xi'an launched the New Year Shopping Festival to meet residents' diversified and personalized consumption needs.

In the evaluation results of the report, Beijing and Xi'an have a leading advantage in the attractiveness of cultural tourism consumption.

Ladies wearing hanfu or traditional Chinese costumes tour the Great Tang Mall in Xi'an. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

Xi'an is building a Belt and Road international tourism city. This year, it has accelerated the construction of critical cultural tourism projects, and launched 10 high-quality cultural relics and archaeological and museum tour routes.

Meanwhile, the city added two 4A-level scenic spots and seven 3A-level scenic spots.

The first-store economy is a powerful starting point for Xi'an to cultivate and create an international consumption center city. Xi'an has been increasing its efforts to attract first-store brands, and the city provides rewards ranging from 100,000 yuan ($14,003.71) to 300,000 yuan to these brands.

From January to November, 263 first-store brands were introduced, covering multiple categories such as retail, catering, life services, culture, sports, and entertainment.

In recent years, Xi'an has also attached great importance to the construction of an international city of gastronomy, with two batches of 108 Xi'an famous foods and 99 Xi'an time-honored brands recognized.

Today, Xi'an, which is fully promoting the establishment of an international consumer center city, gives consumers a stronger sense of surprise and gain.