Xian: Timeless Splendour

In the heartland of China is Xian – capital of 13 ancient dynasties and deemed as one of the world’s birthplaces of civilization along with Athens, Cairo and Rome. Called Chang’an in olden days, it was a trading and military base in the sixth century and through time, has mystified traders and travellers who traversed the famous Silk Road.

Xian is internationally famous as home to China’s most revered ancient relics, foremost of which is the Terracotta Warriors, the 20th century’s most significant archaeological discovery. Considered a “natural museum” with its abundance of historical and cultural treasures Xian beckons tourists from all over the world - the Mausoleum of China’s First Emperor, the Bell Tower, the Banpo Village remains, the Forest of Stone Steles.

The city today remains as a vital trading and manufacturing hub in addition to its being a great source of tourism revenue. Xian is a major cotton grower and its fertile farmlands yield substantial produce. It excels in the fields of pharmaceuticals and civil engineering and boasts a number of major universities and art schools.

Xian Basic Facts:
Xian is the capital of Shaanxi province
Land area: 9,980 square kilometres
Located east of northwest China; southwest of Beijing
Population: 7 million
Climate: Four seasons, semi moist monsoon, very cold winter, June is the hottest month
Major industries: textile, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, civil engineering, steel, cement, fertilizer, electrical machinery
Food: famous for Shaanxi snacks; Cantonese and Sichuan cuisines can be found anywhere; famous for its Muslim Snack Street
Airport: Xian Xianyang International Aiport
Railway: Xian Railway Station

Tourist Spots of Xian

TERRACOTTA MUSEUM. A 16,000 square kilometre archaeological site featuring some 7,000 Terracotta warriors and horses figures, chariots and weapons in three excavated pits. Located 1.5 km from the burial site of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Discovered in 1974, the State Council authorized the building of a museum on the site in 1975 and was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world’s Cultural Heritages.

QIN SHI HUANG’S MAUSEOLEUM. Located 35 km. east of the city; the Terracotta museum forms part of this tomb. Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259BC-210BC) ascended the throne at age 13. His royal tomb was constructed by more than half a million conscript labourers. It is believed that the workmen and the emperor’s barren wives were entombed along with Qin Shi Huang.

BANPO MUSEUM. Located at the city outskirt, the ancient Banpo Village covers 4,000 square metres and dates back 6,000 years. The site contains production and domestic tools used by the Banpo people; artworks and a residential section with primitive huts, kilns and tombs.

FOREST OF STONE TABLETS. On Sanxue Street near the south gate of the city, the museum was initially established in AD1087. The 900-year old museum features 3,000 Han to Qing Dynasty works of calligraphy, painting and historical records carved on stone steles including the “Classic on Filial Piety” by Emperor Xuanzong (AD745), the Kaicheng Stone Classics, the “Analects of Confucius”, among others.

Other Places of Interest:
Hua Qing Hot Springs
Hua Shan Mountain
Famen Temple
Imperial Tombs of Tang Dynasty Emperors
Shaanxi Provincial History Museum
Bell Tower
• Drum Tower
• Great Mosque
• Muslim Quarter of city