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Xian Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see the army of terracotta wariors the army of terracotta wariors emilia dumitru Overview Xi'an, a major historical city, was called Chang'an in ancient times, and is now the capital of Shaanxi province. Today, Xian is the political, economic and cultural center of Northwest China. Following the development of the travel industry and the implementation of the opennig up policy, it has become one of the nation's most important tourist cities with tourism becoming the mainstay of Shaanxi's economy. Geographical Features Xi'an is located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River with the eight small rivers as the tributaries. It holds a key position in the fertile plain between the high loess plateau to the north and the Qinling Mountains to the south. The Qinling Mountain Range is an important geographical divide between northern and southern China is a major watershed for the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. Xi'an covers an area of 16,808 sq km with a temperate continental climate -- cold and dry in winter and hot in the summer with a rainy season in July, August and September. It lies at 107oeast longitude and 33onorth latitude at an altitude of 412 meters. The annual mean temperature is 13Co with an annual precipitation of 604 mm. People Xi'an has a population of six million with 3.5 million in the urban center. The ethnicities who inhabit the city are mainly Han, Hun, Manchu and Mongols. There are more than 70,000 Hun inhabitants in Xi'an. Most of the natives speak lCoal dialect which sounds similar to mandarin. The official government language in Xi'an is mandarin and the main religion is Buddhism. History This city is the primer in Chinese history, as between 1,000 BC and 1,000AD it served as the imperial capital for eleven dynasties. This area has been the site of some of the oldest cities in the world's oldest civilization. Its history begins in the Bronze Age, three thousand years ago, when the Western Zhou dynasty, known for their skilled bronze work, built their capital at Fenghao, a few miles southwest. When the Fenghao was sacked by northwestern tribes, the Zhou dynasty moved to Luoyang. In 221 BC the Emperor Qin Shi Huang united Chinese in a single empire, the Qin, with its capital at Xianyang, just northwest of Xi'an. The successor, the Han dynasty, also based here, ruled from 206BC to 220AD.Near contemporaries of Imperial Rome, they ruled an empire of comparable size and power .Here Xi'an was the starting point of the Silk Road which was one of the most important arteries of trade and culture in world history. It was not until 589AD that the Sui dynasty took to build a new capital near Xi'an called Da Xingcheng-Great Prosperity City. The Tang dynasty, who replaced them in 618AD, took over the capital, overplaying it with their own buildings. The city was in its day the capital of a great empire and one of the biggest metropolitans in the world. There were more than 1 million people who living in the magnificent city whose layout was so symmetrical that it was taken as a model for the building of many other Chinese cities and for the Japanese capital Nara, In 710.The Tang Dynasty period was a golden age for the arts, and ceramics, calligraphy, painting and poetry. After the fall of the Tang dynasty, Xi'an went into a long decline. Although it was never again to play the role of imperial capital, it continued to play an important military role in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: guide of xian _____Sights Edit This photo emilia dumitru [Add Sight] The Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Da Yan Ta) Edit This The Big Wild Goose Pagoda The Big Wild Goose Pagoda photo by: Scott Bacon Originally situated within the premises of the Temple of Motherly Kindness in the Jinchang Block,the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was constructed in the Ming style, built in 648 AD by the third Tang emperor, Gaozong, as a tribute to his dead mother, Empress Wende. The Pagoda itself was built in 652 (third year of Yonghui of the Tang Emperor Gaozong), a square pyramid of blue brick. It is simple in shape, and of good and lofty proportion. Preserved on the four stone doors in the base of the pagoda are exquisite engravings of the Tang. Two steles with "the preface to the Sacred more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Xian City Wall Edit This The Xian city wall is the oldest standing city wall in the world. With a circumference of about 14 km (8.7 miles) the best way to see the entire wall is to take a bike ride on top of the wall. Bikes can be rented on top of the wall itself (both in single and tandem varieties). The Xian city wall surrounds the old part of the city, which includes the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. The Muslim Quarter is also located inside the city wall. type: Landmarks World66 rating: [rate it] The Tomb of Qin Shihuang Edit This Qin Shihuang was an extraordinary character. Assuming the throne in 246 BC at the age of 13, one of his first acts was to begin preparations for the construction of his tomb, 30km east of Xi'an. A first-century chronicle records that 700,000 workmen spent 36 years completing a mini-universe of a mausoleum, featuring rivers of mercury, jewels embedded in the ceiling to represent stars and Raiders of the Lost Ark-style crossbows to deter intruders. The tomb - as yet unexcavated - has naturally aroused considerable excitement in archeological circles, particularly since preliminary more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] The Small Wild Goose Pagoda(Xiao Yan Ta) Edit This Small Wild Goose Pagoda Small Wild Goose Pagoda photo by: Anni Harris On the grounds of the Jianfu Temple, The Little Goose Pagoda was built in 684 AD, 100 days after the Emperor Gaozong's death, by the royal family and the aristocracy in order to "offer happiness" to the Emperor, and completed in 709 AD. The Pagoda, once formed part of Jianfu temple and monastery, is uniquely and delicately shaped, with a rhythmic series of projecting eaves. Above the arched doorways on the first tier are Tang engravings of ivy designs and Buddhist figures. Its top fell off during an earthquake in the 16th century, but apparently the rest of the structure remains safe. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Bell Tower Edit This An acient building about 1000 years old. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Bell Tower Edit This An acient building about 1000 years old. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] _________History Edit This pviu dfysrzb kyxm ndyrlqwcx gvjqrwznb fpbei ehkvs Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: kazlgq dsqeoky ________Getting Around Edit This [Add Local transport mode] By bus Edit This Local buses go to all the major sights in and around the city, such as Banpo Neolithic Village and the Army of Terracotta Warriors. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] By taxi Edit This Tourists wishing to visit sights out of town can either negotiate a fare with a taxi driver or hire a car and driver from one of the major hotels. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] By bicycle Edit This Bicycle rental is available in the Xi'An. The cost is around 8 yuan per day. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] _________Getting There Edit This [Add Global transport mode] By air Edit This Xi’an is one of the best connected cities in China-it’s possible to fly to almost every major city in China as well as several international ones. Daily flights include Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Shanghai and Qingdao, etc. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] By train Edit This There are direct trains from Xi’an to Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hefei, Qingdao, Shanghai, Taiyuan, Urumqi and Wuhan. For Chongqing and Kunming change at Chengdu. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] By bus Edit This Buses are plentiful but overcrowded. Unfortunately, buses tend to be heavily overcrowded, so the best overall option for journeys of any distance is to travel by taxi. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] _______Museums Edit This [Add Museum] Qin Terracotta Warriors Museum Edit This In 1974, at the northern foot of Lishan Hill in the east of Lintong county, three large pits of terra-cotta figures were found 1.5km east of the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin, who established the first centralized feudal dynasty in China history. Among the three, the largest one is pit No.1, covering 14,260sq meters. The pit is divided into eleven corridors in which arrayed 38 columns of life-sized clay warriors, horses and chariots. Over 6000 clay warriors could be assumedly unearthed from the pit if it would be completely excavated. This would be really an more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Banpo Museum Edit This Located north of Banpo village in the eastern suburbs of Xi’an, is the 6,000-year-old Banpo site. It was a typical matriarchal clan community in the Yellow River Valley. Covering an area of 50,000sq meters, it includes a residential area, pottery area and burial ground. Five excavations from 1953 to 1957 disinterred the remains of 45 houses, 200-odd storage pits, six kilns, 250 tombs, and more than 10,000 implements of production and daily-use articles. The museum was set up on the ruins in 1958. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] __________Day Trips Edit This [Add Day Trip] The Huaqing pool Edit This Situated at the bottom of Lishan Hills, the Huaqing pool is a well-known scenic spot, the location of hot springs, and a villa palace and resort for emperors and kings in ancient times with a history of more than 3000 years. During the Tang Dynasty, the Emperor Xuanzong ordered large-scale construction by transforming spring wells into pools housed in walled palaces. These were called the “Huaqing Palace” and “the Spring pool”. The Tang Emperor Xuanzong and his concubine Lady Yang often came here for pleasure. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Mt. Huashan Edit This Huashan is famous for its precipice, located in Hayin city, Shaanxi province. It is one of the noted Five Mountains in China, and once called the West Mountain in ancient times. The mountain has three summits: the south peak, 2160.5m above sea level, the east Morning Sun Peak and the west Lotus Flower Peak. Two hundred and ten famous scenic spots and historical sites are scattered everywhere, including the Yuntai (Cloud Terrace) and Yunu (Jade Maiden)peaks, Qian Chi Chuang (Thousand-Feet Cliff), Bai Chi Xia (Hundred-Feet Valley), Lao Jun Li Gou (old-gentleman-ploughed furrows), more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] The Forest of Steles in Xi'an Edit This The Forest of Steles was founded in 1090 A.D, housing over 2300 steles of the Han, Wei, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Exhibited here are also stone tablets on which are engraved the handwritings of such Tang calligraphic masters as Ouyang Xun, Chu Suiliang, Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan. The well-known steles of many dynasties include “the Stele of Caoquan" of the Han, “the Stele of Si Mafang"of the Jing, “the Stele of the Canons of Filial Piety on Stone Terraces", “the Stele of the Stone Classics of Kaichen"and “the Popular Stele of Daqin more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Great Mosque (Da Qingzhen Si) Edit This East of Beiguangji Jie, one of the largest and most impressive mosques in China, the Great Mosque founded in 742 AD. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the prayer hall. Take time out to wander through the Muslim district in the alleyways around the mosque. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] ccc Edit This cccc World66 rating: [rate it] address: ccc ________Bars and Cafes Edit This The Road West Girls The Road West Girls CMJones Didi's Add: Huangcheng W. Rd., Xian Description: Popular with local young people, especially on weekends. Open Hour: 8:00pm-midnight Xian Diwang Club Add: Zhuque St., Xian Tel: 85227569 Description: Known as Xi'an best club, it is also the most up-to-the-date and expensive. Open Hour: 8:00pm-midnight Xian Longdu Disc Club Add: Nanyuan Gate, Xian Tel: 87250342 Description: This is one of the most popular disco bars with the young and hip in Xian. The DJ is great, and the ambience and services are good. Open Hour: 8:00pm-midnight Shaanxi Royal nightclub Add: Beida St., Xian Tel: 87266967 Open Hour: 8:00pm-midnight One plus One Add: Dongda Jie, Xian Description: It's the most popular bar with foreigners. Open Hour: 8:00pm-midnight Xian New Century International Club Add: Dongda Jie, Xian Tel: 88315566 Description: Located in Xi'an Hi-Tec Industrial Zone, it makes one of the most luxury Nightclubs in Xian. Open Hour: 11 am-midnights Contributors February 03, 2005 change by giorgio [Add Bar] Dizzy Bar Edit This The bar for drinking cheap shots on a sunday night is Dizzy bar its south about 100 meters south of the wei er jie intersection. World66 rating: [rate it] address: wei er jie 0 KM Tea Bar Edit This A tea bar provide several kinds of perfect green tea in Shaanxi. A website with more than 5,000 destination info in Western China. A club with several partners along Qingzang Plateau and Silkroad. It's located in the 12th Floor, 1248 Room, Yulang International Office Building, Jiefang Road, Xi'an, only 1200 meters south of the Xi'an railway station, about 20 minutes' walking distance. Actually, it's the office of a travel website, here you could taste the latest green tea produced in south of Shaanxi province, which enjoys a high fame for its more.. World66 rating: [rate it] accessibility: All days open. tel: 029-87436874 address: 1248# Room, Yulangguoji Office Building, No. 77 in Jiefang Road, Xi'an, China. Road West Bar Edit This The Road West Girls The Road West Girls photo by: CMJones Located at the Xi'an Shuyuan International Youth Hostel 20 meters west of the South Gate on the small road which runs along the Inner wall. From the railway station take the 603 Bus to the South Gate Station. This is a great little bar for when you just need some relaxation and don't want to bother with all of the high-energy clubs in the city. Carlsberg on tap! Nice employees to talk with or play a good game of Chinese chess or checkers. Also a good place to come in contact with foreigners from all nations. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 86-29-87287720 _________Festivals Edit This Chinese Festivals. Contributors October 29, 2007 new by wanglei [Add Festival] Spring Festival Edit This Spring Festival is a traditional festival in China. World66 rating: [rate it] Spring Festival Edit This Spring Festival is a traditional festival in China. World66 rating: [rate it] |