One of the eight great rivers of Xi’an, in China’s Shaanxi Province, the Jing River is a prominent part of the ancient city’s identity. However, recent urbanisation and industrial expansion have caused significant environmental degradation, exacerbating flooding and erosion. The Dragon Skin River — The Ecological Spine Of Xi'an proposal is founded on resilient ecological and urban regeneration principles, with flood mitigation as a core driver of outcomes. The proposal celebrates the site’s history as the origin of the Silk Road through design strategies that tap into ancient and enduring histories of traditional architecture, merchant trade and agricultural innovation. Weaving these influences with responses to major climactic and environmental challenges, this project proposes a new interface between the planned Jinghe New City and the river corridor. Multifunctional dikes integrate wetlands, wildlife habitats, botanic gardens and urban agriculture to form distinctive precincts with high-quality public domains. Leading soil remediation, water management and sponge-city strategies ensure ongoing environmental preservation as the city grows.