A weeklong international film show about folk customs along the ancient Silk Road started last week in Shaanxi province's capital Xi'an, the starting point of the Silk Road.

Organized by the National Tourism Administration, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Shaanxi provincial government, and sponsored by Xi'an municipal government and Xi'an Qujiang Film and TV (Investment) Group Co Ltd, some 20 films made in Italy, Russia and India were screened to show the full charm of the ancient Silk Road.

The event also included activities related to film and TV to promote international exchanges, accelerate friendly intercity development and enrich people's cultural lives.

The ancient Silk Road started from Chang'an (now Xi'an), capital of Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24 AD). It was a cultural exchange and trade route from ancient China to the Roman empire, with a total length of more than 11,000 km.