Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xi%27an_-_City_wall_-_006.jpg Author: Maros M r a z
Xi'an (西安) is the capital of Shaanxi Province, China. The modern city of Xi'an has a population of 2.6 million people within metropolitan area of 8.2 million people. It is an industrial and education center for the central and northwest part of China, and is also a major tourist destination, with its biggest attraction being the Terracotta Warriors and the Silk Road.
Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in China, with a history spanning 3,100 years. Xi'an is also one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, having been a capital during the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui and Tang Dynasties.
The name Xi'an means "western peace". It got this name during the Ming Dynasty, when the name was changed from Chang'an. These are just two of the many names of the city. It was known as Fenghao during the Zhou Dynasty around 1,046 BC. It was first called Chang'an during the Han Dynasty, around 206 BC. Then it became known as Daxing during the Sui Dynasty, in AD 581.
Xi'an was renamed Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty in AD 618, but was also known by various other names including Fengyuan, Anxi and Jingzhao during the Yuan Dynasty. It has held the name Xi'an from 1369 to 1930, when it was renamed Xijing, but then in 1943 it once again reverted to Xi'an until present day.
The Xi'an Xianyang International Airport is located some 40 km to the northwest of downtown Xi'an. It gets mostly domestic flights with some international scheduled flights including from Bangkok, Nagoya and Tokyo.
The best way to get out of the city is to take the airport bus, which runs every half an hour and costs ¥ 25 to go to downtown Xi'an, near the Bell Tower, which is right at the center Xi'an. The same journey by taxi will cost ¥ 100.
Exploring Xi'an
Walking may be the best way to see downtown Xi'an. However the Terracotta Warriors are quite a distance from downtown, and should either be reached by bus or a local tour. The local taxi is not a recommended choice, as the drivers have been known to hike up prices for non-locals.
At time of writing (April 2010), a subway is being built in Xi'an but is not yet ready.
Terracotta Army The world-famous Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an are the warriors of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi in the afterlife.
Shaanxi History Museum Museum chronicling the history of Shaanxi civilization, housing over 370,000 relics.
Xi'an City Walls Well-preserved medieval walls around the city center.
Forest of Stelae Museum Museum housing commemorative stone tablets dating back to the Han Dynasty.
Bell Tower Historic structure in downtown Xi'an housing an enormous bronze bell.
Drum Tower Historic structure near the Hui Muslim quarter of Xi'an.
The Great Mosque of Xi'an Principal place of worship for the Muslim community in Xi'an.
Minaret of Xi'an Minaret of the Great Mosque of Xi'an.
Eight Immortals Temple The largest Taoist shrine in Xi'an.
Small Goose Pagoda (Xiaoyan Ta) One of the important historical relics from the Tang Dynasty.
Great Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta) Pagoda built in memory of the emperor's mother Empress Wende.
Sights Farther Afield
Sights outside of Xi'an includes the aforementioned Terracotta Army, and the following places of interest. Many of these are mausoleums to past rulers of China.
Xianyang City Museum Museum displaying relics from the Qin and Han Dynasties, including 3,000 miniature terracotta warriors.
Mao Ling Tomb of Han Dynasty emperor Wudi
Qian Ling Burial site of Tang Dynasty Gaozong emperor and his consort.
Zhao Ling Mausoleum of the Tang Dynasty Taizong emperor
Famen Temple One of the first Buddhist temples in China.
Let me take you to explore and discover Penang through my series of walking tours on YouTube. You may use these videos as your virtual tour guide. At the beginning of each video, I provide the starting point coordinates which you may key into your GPS, Google Maps or Waze, to be navigated to where I start the walk, and use the video as your virtual tour guide.
Disclaimer
Please use the information on this page as guidance only. The author endeavours to update the information on this page from time to time, but regrets any inaccuracies if there be any.
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