Visiting Turkish President Abdullah Gul (C) is conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Economics of Northwest University in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 27, 2009. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

    While in Xi'an, Abdullah Gul visited the Terracotta Warriors and Horses in the mausoleum of Qinshihuang, the first emperor of a united China, Huaqing Hotspring, an imperial park of the Tang Dynasty, and a mosque in the city.

    While receiving an honorary Ph. D title granted by China's Northwest University in Xi'an, Abdullah Gul said in a speech on Saturday that Xi'an was the starting point of the Silk Road while Istanbul in Turkey was the end. Therefore the two countries have solid basis for economic and cultural exchanges. He hoped that the friendship between China and Turkey could last and grow.

    Abdullah Gul stays in China for an official visit at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao. He will head for Shenzhen city in southern China after he leaves Xi'an. 

Visiting Turkish President Abdullah Gul (front C) visits a mosque in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 27, 2009. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)