Welcome to Xiong’an, one of the most ambitious urban development projects in modern China. Built from scratch on former wasteland and wetlands, the city is designed as a showcase for the future “smart city,” where digital technology and nature coexist in harmony. A NEWS.am correspondent visited the city to see it firsthand.
The tour begins at the Xiong’an Impression Exhibition Center. Large interactive models and multimedia displays walk visitors through the city’s master plan and development strategy. The tour also highlights ecology and water management, including the Nanhe Water Conservancy Hub, which helps maintain the region's ecological balance and sustainability.
The Xiong’an Sports Center is another sign of the area’s rapid growth. This modern complex stands out for its striking architecture and variety of spaces. Besides training facilities, visitors can test their aim at interactive attractions, including a shooting range and archery.
The Xiong’an Library is a standout example of innovation in culture and education. Fully automated, it is changing the way people interact with information. The building features smart self-service terminals for borrowing and returning books, along with play areas for children’s educational games. The biggest draw is a robot assistant that holds natural conversations and impresses guests with its knowledge. It can even chat about Armenia and share facts about the country.
The tour culminates at the Xiong’an New Area Smart City Science and Innovation Center, the technological heart of the city. It brings together next-generation robots, intelligent self-driving vehicles and advanced digital management platforms. Xiong’an offers a vivid demonstration that the urban environment of the future is already becoming reality.
Diana Arushanyan, Xiong’an