Perched atop Xi’an’s ancient City Wall, we saw two cities at once — the old within, alive with intricate designs and details that lasted centuries, and the new beyond, buzzing with neon lights and skyscrapers. It was here that we realised Xi’an isn’t just a place to visit; it’s a city with a thousand-year story that you step into.
During the September term break, 29 of us from the Diploma in Mass Communication (DMC) went on a week-long study trip to Xi’an, China. Led by DMC senior lecturers, Ms Leong Phei Phei and Mr Zackaria Abdul Rahim, the trip was supported by the National Youth Council Asia-Ready Exposure Programme.
The Asia-Ready Exposure Programme (AEP) is a youth development programme by the National Youth Council (NYC) Singapore that empowers youth to be Asia-ready by providing opportunities for meaningful exposure to ASEAN member states, China and India (ACI), and strengthening their competencies in building friendships and networks within the region.
From warriors frozen in clay to media hubs shaping China’s narrative, every stop on this trip revealed how Xi’an communicates its identity across time. We discovered that stories live not only in textbooks and newsrooms, but also in classrooms, streets, and even in the smoky flavours of a food market.
Modern Industries: Xi’an at the Forefront of Global Innovation
Xi’an’s role as a modern industrial hub was clear from visits to some of its most advanced companies. At LONGi Green Energy Technology Co, we learned how solar power is driving the global energy transition. The company’s technologies, already central to renewable projects worldwide, reflected China’s push toward sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The tour of the Geely Auto Xi’an Manufacturing Base revealed the scale and precision of China’s automotive industry. Covering 2,600 acres and staffed by 3,000 workers, the factory is among the world’s top three, producing up to 2,000 vehicles daily.
We observed 700-ton hydraulic presses shaping titanium parts, followed by 800 robotic arms executing spot, laser, and arc welding. After offline inspections, vehicles are moved by autonomous EV carriers into a warehouse with space for 3,000 cars.
During the guided tour, engineers explained how Geely integrates AGVs, solar-powered systems, and satellite navigation to advance electric vehicles, underscoring China’s rapid shift toward smart, sustainable mobility.
At the New Silk Road International E-commerce Industrial Park, we found out that livestreaming has become an influential new trade tool. In fully equipped studios, products are promoted to audiences in real time with props, lighting, and interactive features.
The highlight of this industry visit was when Nur Irdina Bte Syafie, a first-year DMC student, won the prize for best livestream performance, impressing judges with her ability to connect with viewers. “It was surreal to step into a professional livestreaming studio,” she said. “I realised it’s not just about selling a product, but about connecting with people through storytelling.”
Education: AI at the Heart of Xi’an’s Classrooms
At Xi’an Peihua University and Eurasia University, we learned more about the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Both universities showed how AI supports content creation, video editing, and livestreaming. AI serves not as a threat to human skills, but rather a partner that frees students to focus on creativity.
Workshops and a joint studio photoshoot with Republic Polytechnic students highlighted how technology and collaboration go hand in hand.
Cheviolla Fathiya Rahman, a Year 3 student, said: “Meeting the students and learning about their way of learning opened my eyes. Their approach is so different from ours, but sharing ideas showed me how much we can learn from one another.”
For the rest of us, the visits made clear that Xi’an’s universities are positioning themselves at the forefront of AI-driven education, where human creativity and technology work side by side.
Cultural Heritage: Stories Written in Stone and Clay
No trip to Xi’an would be complete without stepping into its history. The Terracotta Warriors, standing in silent formation, were perhaps the most striking example of storytelling without words. Each soldier’s unique features told a tale of craftsmanship, power, and immortality — a message preserved for more than 2,000 years.
Walking through the vast pits, it felt as though the past was speaking directly to us, not through text or technology, but through the presence of clay figures that had outlasted dynasties. It was a reminder that communication is not bound by medium or time; a well-told story can endure long after its creator.
Xi’an’s greatest lesson was this: stories are not only told, but lived. And like its walls, strong enough to bridge centuries, the lessons we carried home will continue to shape how we see the world — and how we tell its stories in the future.
