<p>Xi’an, often called the heart of ancient Chinese civilization, has more to offer than just old temples and ruins. Hidden under its modern streets and buildings are the remains of sports and physical culture that once shaped life here. This research follows the rise and decline of places like martial arts halls, royal polo grounds, and training fields some of which are now gone under layers of construction, while others have changed to fit today’s needs. Using a mix of old maps, historical texts, talks with local historians, and site visits, the study tries to understand what these places meant in different periods and what they still mean now. As urban planning rules, public memory, and heritage views shifted over time, some of these cultural spaces were lost, while others got a second life in new forms. By focusing on both the local stories and the changes in space itself, this study brings attention to how fragile these kinds of traditions can be in fast-changing cities. Xi’an’s case also makes us think more broadly how should cities treat the spaces that still carry pieces of their living cultural past.</p>