Xi`an

Top Things to do in Xi'an

Xi`an is a capital of Shaanxi Provice, located in the northwest of China, in the center of Guanzhong Plain.It is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals (Xi'an,Luoyang,Nanjing,Beijing) of China,the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty,having held the position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history,including Zhou,Qin,Han,Sui and Tang.Xi'an is the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terra-cotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

The Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses

The Terracotta Warriors and Horses are considered the eight wonder of the world.The Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses was built 2000 years ago. The great archeological excavation of Qin (221BC-206BC) Terracotta Warriors and Horses unfolded a strong army of altogether 7,000 life-size pottery soldiers, horses, chariots and weapons arranged in battle formations symbolically, guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.The Museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters,divided into three sections: Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3.  Pit 1 was first to be excavated and is the largest and most-visited. It contains over 6,000 soldiers, horses and chariots. Pit 2,found in 1976,is 20 meters northeast of Pit 1. It contains over a thousand worriors and 90 chariots of wood.Archeologists came upon Pit 3 also in 1976.It went on display in 1989,with 68 warriors, a war chariot and four horses.

Ancient City Wall

The ancient city wall is definitely a landmark of Xi'an and well worth visiting. It is located in the city center of Xian. The existing city wall was constructed from 1374-1378 in the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 600 years. The City Wall of Xi'an was expanded on the basis of imperial city walls of the Tang Dynasty in the sixth century. The City Wall is 13.74 km long with 4 gates and 98 watchtowers.The city wall has become a popular place for travelers to ride bicycle around the city wall or practice Taichi. Standing on the city wall, it is easy to contrast image of the modern city and ancient Xi’an. The ancient city wall of Xi’an is not only the most intact and well preserved old city wall in China, but is also biggest and most complete still existing ancient military citadel in the world.  Thus after visiting the city wall, UNESCO’s experts unanimously agreed to list it as a World Heritage Cultural Site.

Shaanxi History Museum

Shanxi was the ancient immperial capital of China,having been the seat of more than 13 feudal dynasties,including the Zhou,Qin,Han and Tang dynasties.The provice is rich in cultural relics.With the completion of Shaanxi History Museum,it collected over 370,000 precious relics which were unearthed in Shaanxi Provice,including broze ware,tomb murals,porrery figures,pottery wares,bronze mirror,gold and silver ware and currency from many different dynasties.Shaanxi History Museum was constructed from 1983.It was opened to public on 20 June 1991.The musuem is architecturally in the Tang Style,with a 'hall in the center,storied building in the corners''.It is elegant and dignified,on a large scale,with a combination of traditional architecture and modern technology.It is one of the first huge state museum with modern facilities in China.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Big  Wild Goose Pagoda is a Buddhist pagoda built 1500 Yeas ago during the Tang Dynasty and originally had five stories.The original construction of rammed earth with a stone exterior facade eventually collapsed.Five decades later it was rebuilt by Empress Wu Zetian in 704AD who added five more stories. A massive earthquake in 1556 heavily damaged the pagoda and reduced it by three stories, to its current height of seven stories.The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is suituated in the Da Ci'en Temple,four kilometers south away from the center of the city.The pagoda is at its best at night when seen from the Music Fountain Square behind the pagoda when of the colorful light and music shows operate.It is one of the city's most distinctive and outstanding landmarks,possibly the most beautiful building left in Xi'an today.

Muslim Quarter

Behind the Drum Tower is the famous Musilim Quarter.As the starting point of the famous Silk Road,Xi'an attracted traders from West since 1st century BC.During the 8th century AD,Xi'an was the largest city in the world with over one million inhabitants,among which one third of them were foreigners.The ancestors of there Muslims dwelled in Xi'an with Han people harmoniously and built Great Mosque for worship simultaneously.Muslim quarter is a fascinating area where you can find exotic food, interesting people (some of the residents are still look like their Arabian cousins) and great souvenir stalls. The streets and walkways are full of life.The shopping is great,very cheap and some unusual items we will seldom see anywhere else in China.The Great Mosque in Xi'an is one of the oldest,largest and best-preserved islamic mosques in China.

Tang Dynasty Show

The Tang Music and Dance Show,a wonderful performance of the ancient music and dance,is a must when you visit Xi'an.The city,which was formerly know as Chang'an has a  long history,and was the imperial capital during 13 dynastic periods.Of course,the Tand Dynasty (618-907) was the most prosperous and glorious of all.The Tang Dynasty show is an outstanding exponent of this ancient stable and prosperous society,keeping alive its splendid culture and providing an insight into the peaceful life style of the period. The theater also provides dumpling dinner before the show which can be added to the night to make a true cultural experience. Audiences could enjoy them both or just choose the show.