Architect interprets the histories behind China's heritage sites

HE may hail from northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, but 60-year-old architect Liu Kecheng calls the city of Xi'an in Shaanxi province his second home. People often cite the classic Chinese saying "Above ground, Xi'an; under the ground, Chang'an" to describe the city's abundance in historical and archaeological treasures.

Having lived in Xi'an for more than 40 years, Liu, with his unique eye for design, is able to meld the city's urbanization with its rich architectural heritage.