First-time visitors to China should never miss Xian – used to be the capital city of 13 dynasties in ancient China, and now becomes one of the country’s most popular tourism cities. Xian offers much to discover, most of which are time-honored historical and cultural relics. Listed here are six must-visit sights in Xian, including world-famous Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum and amazing Mt. Huashan.
Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum
The 2200-year-old Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum in the tomb of Emperor Qin was first discovered in 1974, with about 8,000 terracotta warriors, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses were unearthed in three pits. The soldiers vary in height according to age, experience and social status. And each of them has special features and different facial expressions. This great legacy entered World Heritages sites In 1987.
Xian Old City Wall
Xian Old City Wall was built 600 year ago during Ming Dynasty, and now separates the city’s old parts which keep quaint atmosphere and the “new world” teeming with high modern buildings. I would highly recommend this old city wall by riding a bicycle (there are bicycle rent on the wall). It may cost one and half hour to drive around the wall.
Shaanxi Provincial Museum
The museum has a superior collection of about 370,000 exhibits displayed mainly in five halls: introductory hall, permanent exhibitions, special exhibitions, temporary exhibitions, and National Painting Hall, vividly showing the long history of China’s Shaanxi province from prehistoric times (1,150,000 years ago – 21st Century BC) to about 1840 AD. By visiting the museum, you’ll be deeply impressed by China’s tortuous development and splendid ancient culture.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China. It was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty (618—907) to protect the scriptures and statues brought back from India by Monk Xuan Zang (602-664). The pagoda now has becomes an symbol of old Xian city, and a should-not-miss attraction when touring the city.
Small Goose Pagoda
Small Goose Pagoda area includes the Xian Museum and Jianfu Temple (Buddhist Temple), and is actually a tranquil park. The 43.38-meter-tall Small Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 707 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and is a real wonder for having overcome more than seventy earthquakes. And the museum with its exhibits shows us the glorious history of Xian.
Mt. Huashan
Mt. Huashan finds itself 120 kilometers east of downtown Xi’an. It is the Western Mountain of the Five Holy Mountains in China, and famous for Taoism culture. it’s highly recommended to take the breathtaking planked road to feel the mountain’s “danger” with steep cliffs and precipitous drops.
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