Xi'an is the crossroads of Western and Eastern China and is the starting point of the Silk Road. Culturally, Xi'an is a mixture of the ancient and modern worlds. Home to the famous Terra Cotta Army, it was once the imperial capital of China. The city's ancient history is embodied by the huge stone walls that surround the city center, originally intended to protect the city from invasion.

In the modern world, Xi'an is the largest capital city in Central and Western China. The metropolitan area is home to approximately 7 million people, and remains a major center of traditional Chinese culture. Just to the North of Xi'an is the Qinling Mountain range, which includes the sacred Huashan Mountain, birthplace of Taoism.

But like many other towns in China, Xi’an is surrounded by many underserved and agriculturally-based rural districts. The living conditions in these districts are often unsafe and overcrowded.
There are many institutions organizes the volunteers to Xi'an to help these poor people each year. The most popular international institution is the Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS).

According to statistics from the Xi'an Volunteers Association, there are already 180,000 young volunteers in the city of Xi'an who are dedicating themselves to people in need.

With the approach of the 2008 Olympic Games, the number of volunteer applicants for the Olympic Games and Paralympics has reached nearly 20,000 in Xi'an. Everyday, volunteers offer their time at the Xi'an Child Welfare Compound.

Volunteer service institutes such as "Xi'an Volunteers Net" (www.xayg.cn), "Xi'an Global Village" and "Wanda Voluntary Service Team" are widely known among local residents. The "Chinese Volunteer Society" has 322 members, and the "Xi'an Volunteer Alliance" has 700 members. Community volunteers from Beilin district in Xi'an have been working since 2005; and have developed into 1,432 teams, each representing a different professional background, with more than 10,000 members total. They organize campaigns regularly to offer services and bring warmth to those including the elderly, children and sick patients.