Xi'an

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Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, called Chang'an in ancient times, is one of the most ancient cities in China. Over the course of 3,100 years, thirteen dynasties built their national capitals here. Today, Xi'an is one of the major tour cities in China. The main attractions are:

The Terracotta Warriors

Terracotta warriors

Built over two thousand years ago, more than six thousand life-size terracotta warriors and horses were unearthed in1974 in a village near Xi'an. Now it is regarded as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Up to now, three burial pits have been excavated. In No.1 pit, there are many life-size terracotta warriors and horses. The No.2 pit contains a combination formation of infantry, cavalry and soldiers on chariots, while the No.3 pit is the headquarters of the underground armies.

City Wall

The old City Wall was built on the foundations of the walls of the Tang Dynasty (618–907). The wall was built of an earth foundation formed of layer upon layer of earth and quick lime and glutinous rice extracts trampled together. This made the wall extremely strong and is one reason why it is one of the few ancient city walls still visible in China. Climbing to the top of the City Wall you will have a bird’s eye view of the city.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

The five storey pagoda locates in the Thanksgiving Temple (ancient royal temple) and was built in 648AD during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is a very impressive, fortress-like, wood and brick building. The Wild Goose Pagoda was built to house the Buddhist scriptures that were brought back by XuanZang, a famous monk who translated them into 1335 Chinese volumes.

Bell and Drum Tower

Bell Tower and rebuilt Drum Tower

They are located in the Xi'an city centre, the bronze bell sounded the opening the city gates each morning and the drum tower sounded the evening curfew. Therefore, it has a Chinese phrase ‘morning bell and the dusk drum'.

Hot Springs of Hua Qing

Huaqing Hot Spring is located about 30 kilometres east of XI'an. It was built in Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), and became famous on account of its being the favourite bath place of Yang Guifei, the favourite concubine of Emperor Xuanzong (712 - 742).

Huaqing Hot Spring

Great Mosque

It is a famous Islamic mosque and locates near the Drum Tower, in the Muslim residential area. It was originally established in 742AD during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) with interesting architecture and stone carvings.

Shaanxi Provincial History Museum

Located 1 kilometre northwest of the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and contains 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts that were all unearthed in Shaanxi Province and arranged by chronological dynastic order.

Dumpling Dinner

It is famous for the dumplings' flavours, shapes, colours, elegant names, and stories attached to each various dumpling. To visit the fantastic Terracotta Armies and have a Dumpling Dinner means that you have really been to Xi'an!

Han Tombs

The Mausoleum of the Western Han Emperor, Liu Qi, is located at Zhanjiawan Village, about 12 miles north of Xi’an City. It is a joint tomb of Liu Qi, An emperor of the Western Han Dynasty (206BC–220AD), and his empress, Empress Wang. It was built in the year 153AD and covers an area of 20 square kilometers. The mausoleum is neatly arranged, centered with the emperor's tomb. There were also terracotta warriors, palace maids and animal sculptures made by clay were buried together in the tomb. This beautiful heritage represented the life and culture of Han Daynasty.

Huashan Mt.

Huashan Mountian is located 240 kilometers away from Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province. It is one of the five sacred mountains in China. Huashan Mountain is well-known for its sheer cliffs and plunging ravines. It is the most appealing one for the mountain-climbers. Huashan Mountain boasts five imposing peaks with sheer precipices and overhanging rocks: the east one is called the Peak of the Rising Sun which is the best location to view sunrising; the north one, the Peak of Cloud Terrace which is famous for cliffs on its three sides; the west one, the peak of Lotus; the south one, the Peak of Wild Geese which is the main peak and also the steepest of Huashan Mountain with an elevation of 2,083 metres; and the Central one, the Peak of the Jade Maiden, which links the east, west and south peaks. Each presents a unique scenic beauty, surrounded by over 70 minor peaks. Huashan is also famous for its rich religious phenomenon. Buddhist and Daoist temples, pavilions, buildings and scriptures scatter around everywhere. The most famous historical sites include Yuquan Courtyard, Zhenwu Palace, Jintian Palace etc.

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