Dear Colleagues,
ECC-2018 is an international conference for those who are interested in intelligent data analysis and applications. While the conference name has intelligent and the papers used to focus on data analysis and applications, we are well aware of the increasing importance of artificial intelligence such as intelligent computation and machining learning, and very opento contributions from peers working on signal, image, video and audio processing, etc. In collaboration with committee members and colleagues, we have started organizing ECC-2018in Xi'an, which is a modern metropolis in the northwest part of China. As a capital of ancient China for over thirteen dynasties, Xi'an is home to many historical attractions, including the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, and the Bell Tower at the city center that synchronized daily activities of many past generations.
This website is under active development. The homepage has been posted with important dates. More information will be released, such as keynote speakers and various events, andnew features will be tested. Your suggestions are absolutely welcome. Soon, we will start fund-raising, and do need your contacts and lobbying! It is underlined that monetary leverageis highly desirable, especially to support students who are the future of intelligent data analysis and applications. Looking forward to seeing you in Xi’an! Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Wenqing Wang, PhD
TERRA COTTA WARRIORS AND HORSES
There nowned Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses is 35 Km east of Xi'an 1.5 Km east of the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The local farmers were drilling irrigation well when pottery fragments and ancient bronze weapons were accidentally discovered in March 1974.
Two more sites were discovered to the north of the first one respectively in 1976.They were named Vault 1, 2 and 3 by order of discovery.
The museum now mainly consists of three buildings which were constructed on the original sites at different times. Following the discovery of Vault 1, Vault 2,Vault 3 and Bronze Chariots and Horses were brought to light in April and May of 1976. Vault 3 was opened in 1989 while Vault 2 excavated in March of 1994was opened in October of the same year.
Besides these three major vaults, two sets of bronze chariots and horses were discovered to the west of the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in December of1980 and have been on display at the museum after their restoration.
THE ANCIENT CITY WALL OF XIAN
The City Wall of Xi'an is an extension of the old Tang Dynasty structure as a result of this wall building campaign.
After its extension in Ming Dynasty, it is 12 meters high, 12-14 meters wide on the top, 15-18 meters thick at the bottom and 13.7 Km in length.
The City Wall was first built of earth rammed layer upon layer and the base layer was made of mixture of earth quicklime and glutinous rice extract tempered together. It made the wall strong and firm. Thus the Ming Dynasty city wall formed a complex and well-organized system of defense. It is also the most complete City Wall that has survived through China's long history.
The City Wall itself is a true display of ability and wisdom of the working people in ancient times. It provides invaluable and substantial material for study of the history military science and architecture of the Ming Dynasty.
BELL TOWER
Known as the symbol of Xi'an, its history can be traced back to the Ming dynasty. Bell Tower, 36 meters tall, is a classical building with carved beams and painted rafters.
It was first built in 1384 and was moved to present place, the very center of the city, in 1582. The three layers wooden structure tower sits on a squared shaped brick base. There used to be a huge bell in the tower reporting time every morning.
About300 meters northwest of the Bell Tower, there stands Drum Tower with brick base in rectangular shape and 34 meters in height. It was built in 1380. There used to be a huge drum in the tower reporting time in the dusk hence the saying Morning.
THE BIG WILD GOOSE PAGODA AT THE GREAT CI'EN TEMPLE
Big Wild Goose Pagoda, situated in the Da Ci'en Temple, is one of the famousBuddhist pagodas in China about 4 kilometers from the old downtown of Xi’an.
Originally built in 589 A.D. in the Sui dynasty, the temple was named Wu Lou Si Templetill 648 A.D. when Emperor Li Zhi, then still a crown prince, sponsored arepair project on the temple.
This was a symbol of thanksgiving to his mother for her kindness, after she hadsuffered an early death. The temple then assumed the present name Temple of DaCi'en (Thanks giving or Good will). The Emperor Gaozong was said to pay homageto the temple twice a day by worshipping to its direction from the Hanyuan Hallof Daming Palace. The temple, with 13 separate courtyards, contained 1,879magnificent-looking rooms altogether and was a place of grand extent in theTang dynasty. However, it went into gradual decay after the downfall of theTang dynasty. The halls and rooms that have survived the age are structuresthat were built in the Ming dynasty.
SHAANXI HISTORY MUSEUM
Shaanxi History Museum is a sizable national museum with a wide rang of modernfacilities. The entire building complex assumes the architectural features ofTang Dynasty. It covers an area of 70 000 square meters with a floor space ofover 50 000 square meters .It houses the culture heritage of Shaanxi Provinceand shows the development of Chinese civilization.
The state government invested 144 million yuan in establishment of Shaanxi HistoryMuseum. It was completed and open to public in June 1991. The museum shows agreat deal of elegance and originally in style. It assumes the architecturalfeatures of ancient Chinese palaces and courtyards. It houses 113 000historical and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi. Its exhibition hallscover an area of 1 100 square meters.
The museum displays the historic artifacts excavated in province. The exhibitionmay be divided in to seven major sections: the Prehistoric Age, the Zhou, theQin, the Han, the Wei, the Jin, the North, the South, the Sui, the Tang, theSong, the Yuan, the Ming and the Qing.
All the exhibitions vividly and systematically depict the history of ShaanxiProvince ranging from 1 150 000 years ago to the year 1840. Back in history 11dynasties established their capitals in Shaanxi Province with a duration ofmore than 1 000 years. This area was established as the national capital bymore dynasties and for longer periods than any other place in China. In a waythe ancient history of Shaanxi is microcosm of Chinese history.