Xian - Do & See
When in Xi’an, places you can not miss are the Terracotta Warriors and the ancient city walls built in six hundred years ago during the Ming Dynasty which are possibly the most completely preserved city walls in the world.
Dayan Pagoda And Da Ci’en Temple
Built initially by the Tang Emperor to honor his mother, the Da Ci’en is the place where millions of historical rarities are housed. According to the legend, all the Buddhist holy books were stored and translated after eminent monk Xuanzang returned from the journey to seek the scriptures. In the neighborhood of Da Ci’en Temple is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, constructed in the 7th century by China’s first woman leader, Empress Wu Zetian. In the vicinity, many handicrafts, souvenirs, sketches, sculptures, paintings and photographic works are sold.
Xiaoyan Pagoda
This Xiaoyan or Small Wild Goose Pagoda is lower than the Dayan (Big Wild Goose) Pagoda, but it contains more floors. Like its larger counterpart, it was built around 700 A.D. and its primary purpose was to hold the holy Buddhist scriptures carried to China. In the neighborhood of the pagoda, the Shaanxi Museum is home to many treasures in the province.
Hua Mountain
One of the five famous mountains in China of 2,160 meters height. Hua Mountain is considered sacred to the Taoist religion. It is a strenuous climb, but there is a ropeway that gives visitors headed to the mountain an easier option. The effort though is well worth it with breathtaking views at the top.
Famen Temple
More than a thousand years of history stand behind this, the cultural hub of Buddhism in China. Its known for the fact that it holds the treasured finger bone of Buddha. There is also a good museum with royal artifacts from the Tang dynasty two thousand years ago.
Ancient City Walls
These walls – measuring almost 12 km - may be more than 600 years old but they are still a great way to navigate around the city. Locals like to say that they can still hear the sounds of wars and soldiers’ cries lingering around, reminding them of those past glories.
Zhonglou Tower
This 14th century bell tower is possibly the best-preserved one in China. Once upon a time, guards stood here, looking out at the surrounding countryside, watching for invaders. Today it remains no less important, marking the geographical centre of the city.
Gulou Tower
This was the ancient drum tower which holds a total of 24 drums, corresponding to the 24 solar terms that the Chinese used back then to mark time. Not a single iron nail had been used in the erection of this grand structure, first built in the 14th century and reconstructed 300 years later. A panorama of the entire city can be seen from the tower and there are also performances every other hour.
Mausoleum Of The First Qin Emperor
This is the one attraction that has captured the imagination of visitors both from inside and outside the country. China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, whose greater-than-life ambition also gave birth to the creation of the Great Wall. He amassed battalions of life-sized warriors fashioned out of clay, complete with chariots and horses. Each soldier has a different and unnique expression. Making this undertaking also an artistic one that required the labor of 720,000 men. Even after more than 2,200 years (it was finished in 210 BC), the warriors remain in impeccable condition, watching over their long deceased ruler.
Huaqing Hot Spring
Adjacent to Mausoleum of The First Qin Emperor and Lishan National Forest Park. The waters of this hot spring contains many minerals that are said to be good for the skin. It is said that was why the most famous imperial concubine of the Tang Dynasty, Yang Yu Huan, one of the four famous beauties of ancient China, chose this as her bathing ground.
Qing Long Temple
Known as the Temple of the Green Dragon, this was the destination for Japanese monks who came in the 9th century to study Buddhism. They have since left a legacy that continues to attract visitors. The annual cherry blossom festival is held here in March and April, basking the surroundings in a mesmerizing sea of soft pink flowers.
