Chang'an,nowcalledXi'an,wasthecapitalcityoftheTangDynasty.DuringtheTangDynasty,Chang'anwasnearlyeleventimesaslargeastoday'sXi'an,andwasametropoliswithaninternationalreputation.ThestreetsandresidencesofChang'anweredesignedlikeachessboard,withneatandwell-proportionedlayoutoftheeastandwest.Lotsofstreetsandavenuesinsidethecitywereover100meterswide.Chang'anwasalsotheculturalcenterofChinaatthattime,withrichandcolorfulentertainmentactivitiessuchasmusic,dancing,cockfighting,etc.ManystudentsfromJapanandKoreacametostudyinChang'an,andmerchantsfromCentralAsiawentalongtheSilkRoadtogatherthere.AmongthepopulationofaboutonemillioninChang'an,thereweremorethan10,000foreignhouseholds.