The antique market in Xi’an in the period of the Republic of China exported large quantities of original, highquality frequently at low prices by different means mainly to Beijing and Shanghai, where antique dealings were done moveably and secretly in shops, at stands or at storage. The antique market was reasonably flourishing before 1916, but after that the quantity, quality and frequency of antique exports to Shanghai were suddenly upgraded because of such factors as wars, disasters and tomb thefts. In the AntiJapanese War, the antique market in Xi’an continued to be rather prosperous for Xi’an was located in the rear of the war. The prosperity of the antique market in Xi’an in the period of the Republic of China objectively promoted the development of local economy, but it resulted in some impact on and damage to the precious relic resources and cultural ecology in Guanzhong in Shaanxi.

Xi’an in the period of the Republic of China; antique market; diversity; regional distinction