an industrial city in central China, capital of Shaanxi province: capital of China for 970 years at various times between the 3rd centurybc and the 10th century ad; seat of the Northwestern University (1937); famous for Qin dynasty emperor Qinshihuang's tomb (207 bc) with 8000-strong terracotta army. Pop: 3 256 000 (2005 est)