Foreign brands should look to cross-border e-commerce when they make their Chinese market debut, thanks to easier access, cheaper prices and quicker market entry times, according to a new market report.

XI'AN - China Eastern Airlines on Tuesday opened a direct flight between Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, and Madrid. The route will be operated by an Airbus 330 twice a week. The outbound flight MU263 departs Xi'an at 3:05 pm Beijing time every Tuesday and Saturday and the return flight MU264 departs Madrid at 9:55 pm local time for Xi'an every Wednesday and Sunday. A one-way trip takes about 11 hours.

WITH all the heat-absorbing/reflecting concrete and asphalt around town, Xi'an truly earns its distinction as one of China's infamous "furnace cities." It makes one wish for environments more natural and fortunately, just outside the city limits, there are plenty to choose from. Definitely give Huashan and its throngs of tourists a skip and try out some of these great nature parks, ones guaranteed to be five or ten degrees cooler than any nook or cranny you'd find in town. Summer is also the best season to experience all the parks listed here, so now's the time to go.

Xi'an, China — For a city with a history of a few dozen centuries, and one that's also home to the 2,000-year-old Terra-cotta Army, Xi'an, China's 637-year-old city wall is a relatively new kid on the block.

Xi'an, China — The Terracotta Army may be the most famous landmark in the central Chinese city of Xi'an, but the Shaanxi capital's array of noodles, breads and dumplings are the tastiest way to be transported back to ancient China.

Datong city wall is one of the most well-preserved city walls in China. It's bigger and taller than the ones in Pingyao and Xian. Though it was rebuilt, that process was based on a very accurate blueprint from nearly a century ago.

Six subway carriages adorned with artwork inspired by poetry from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) began rolling in and out of stations along a line in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, on Monday, to celebrate the city's history and culture.

A Dragon Boat Festival-Ramadan weekend trip proved Xi'an isn't just the capital of Shaanxi province but, arguably, of China's domestic tourism - oh, those bursts of colors from sidewalk flower beds, great night life (including the World Cup on giant screens at key squares), tasty flavors (gosh, you can savor even terrific Indian cuisine at the Silk Street), colorful illuminations.