[Photo provided to China Daily]

Contemporary artists who once studied or currently teach at the Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts are hosting an exhibition of paintings and sculptures at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing through Sunday.

Spirit of Time salutes the history and culture of Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

The metropolis is one of the country's oldest cities and served as the capital of several dynasties, including the Qin (221-207 BC) and Tang (618-907).

It was also a starting point of the ancient Silk Road.