No one would have imagined that in 1974 when local farmers were digging a well just north of Xian that they would expose to the world China's best kept secret: the Terracotta Army and the tomb of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. An ongoing excavation site, this necropolis houses thousands of terracotta soldiers and horses, each with a distinct stance and face. The excavation site and museum covers an area of several square miles and continues to expand on a daily basis.
The Terracotta Warriors were built in the Qin Dynasty under the orders of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang, also known as the 'Yellow Emperor'. Authoritative, clever and a confirmed necrophobe, Emperor Qin did everything in his power to prevent the inevitability of death, including drinking mercury and sending explorers out to find the elixir of life. Since his ascension to the role of Emperor, the fear of death had been apparent to him and he decided that it was vital that, heaven forbid he died, he and his possessions were protected in the afterlife by a full sized army, armed with artillery and horses. At the age of 13, construction began and involved 700,000 workers. The tomb was laced with mercury, adding further to Qin's superstitious nature. The location of the tomb at Mount Li was purposely selected by the Emperor as he believed its geological location was auspicious.
The Terracotta Warriors are life-sized and their hair styles, clothing and weaponry are all apparent of the time. Furthermore, the changing in these aforementioned characteristics amongst the warriors shows the difference in rank and class amongst the soldiers.
A topic of speculation, superstition and mystique, it is no wonder that the Terracotta Warrior's is one of the most sought after sights not just in China, but in the world.
The city wall is one of Xian's most impressive assets and is a must-see for any visitor. One of the best preserved walled fortifications in China, the city walls have managed to maintain their majesty and form, not dissimilar in appearance to how they would have looked when originally built.
Original parameters of the city wall date back before 100BCE as a fortification for Chang'an, the original name of Xian. The walls we see today were constructed in the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century and sketch for us the original city limits of Xian. Along the walls stand towers and guard posts which would have been used by soldiers to monitor and protect the city of Xian below.
The city walls are a great way to get a bird's eye view of the city and a stroll along their lengths is a great way to feel like a true local. However, the preferred way of mapping the walls is by bicycle. Both well maintained and smoothly flat, the city walls are ideal for a pleasant relaxing cycle and a great way to enhance your experience, with even the option of renting tandems, if you're feeling adventurous!
The Xian city walls are one of the great architectural feats of the Ming Dynasty and their preservation is unlike anything else seen in China. The maintenance of the walls is integral to China with these fortifications currently awaiting UNESCO status.
The Xian Bell Tower was built in 1384 under the reign of Zhu Yuangang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. A landmark in the centre of Xian, the Bell Tower is the intersection point of Xian's four major roads: North, South, East and West Street. The Xian Bell Tower is one of the grandest and most imposing Bell Towers throughout China and was originally used as a form of communication in Xian.
The tower is three-stories tall, stretching to a height of 36 meters. Like the nearby city walls, the Bell Tower is one of the best preserved ancient towers in the whole of China. The Tower itself is made of wood and bricks and the roofs are painted a deep azure blue to add further to the majesty of this structure.
Inside the Xian Bell Tower sits a large imposing iron bell which even today is still used to mark the time. Weighing 5 tons in weight, the bell, like the tower itself, dates back to the Ming Dynasty. The original bell was called Jingyun Bell and dated back to the Tang Dynasty. It was much bigger than the bell at present however, it is said that during the reign of the Ming Dynasty, the bell spookily stopped ringing, making it obsolete and in need of replacement.
Visitors are able to climb into the Bell Tower where you can enjoy panoramic views across the city and don't forget, every afternoon musicians gather on top to perform traditional music, a splendid addition to this ancient city.
The Little Wild Goose Pagoda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the southern suburb of Xian, about two kilometres to the south of the Xian City Wall. This impressive pagoda stands in pleasant surroundings in the grounds of the ancient Jianfu Temple and has a history dating back over 1,300 years. As one of the key Buddhist structures built in the Tang Dynasty, the Little Wild Goose Pagoda has long been a place to light incense and pray. The exquisite appearance, beautiful craft and mysterious Buddhist ambiance makes the Little Wild Goose Pagoda a must-see destination.
The Little Wild Goose Pagoda was built between 707 and 709 AD, during the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty was one of China's most prominent periods, and the introduction of Buddhism to the Chinese through the Silk Road from India was very well received. The thirteen-story pagoda reaches a height of 43 metres and is almost dainty in appearance thanks to the slight curving of the pagoda's exterior. The notable overlapping of the layers is a classic example of Tang Dynasty architecture and the arched doors at the bottom of the pagoda are decorated with eccentric drawings which are apparent of the time also.
Though you might wonder why the Little Wild Goose Pagoda has an unusual curved shape, the reasons are proof of the sophistication of the Tang Dynasty. Xian's geographic location makes it prone to earthquakes, with the most deadly occurring there in the 16th century. So the Little Wild Goose Pagoda was designed in this manner to allow it to withstand earthquakes – surviving from the 8th century to the 21st with only three cracks is quite a feat of engineering!
In the vicinity of the Little Wild Goose Pagoda, travellers can see wise elderly men doing morning tai chi, music-lovers playing the Chinese Erhu, women participating in the Yangge dance, and chess-fans gathering around a game – an idyllic image.
The Shaanxi Historical Museum is located in the North West section of Xian and is noted as the provincial museum of Shaanxi. The museum was opened to the public in 1991 and houses artefacts and relics dating back to the Qin Dynasty, the first official dynasty of China. The exterior appearance of the Shaanxi Historical Museum was designed to resemble a traditional palatial design from the Tang Dynasty, perhaps the most famous Dynasty situated in the Shaanxi area.
The Shaanxi Historical Museum houses over 370,000 items all coming from Shaanxi Province. The Museum's collection is said to give important insight into the history, culture and way of life of the people in Shaanxi and the development of the Han Chinese people throughout the country's extensive history. The museum houses many antiquity and relics, including bronze wares, ancient pottery and mural paintings from the Tang Dynasty.
Some of the museum's most famous displays include ancient fossils, a Kneeling Archer from amongst the ranks of the Terracotta Army, and paintings and murals from the Tang Dynasty, with one of the most popular being people playing polo, a popular game of the time.
The Shaanxi Historical Museum is home to a fantastic array of items and artefacts. With thousands of relics to see, one could spend a whole day in this historical treasure trove.
Connecting Western Europe with Eastern Asia, the Silk Road was the most important trade route between the Occident and Orient for nearly 1,500 years. This famed passage not only traded in commodities, but also traded in religions, creeds and politics. In Xian, the introduction of Islam was one of the most apparent ideologies to penetrate the city and since then, has thrived into an integral part of Xian's patchwork.
No place in Xian is the presence of Islam more evident than in the Muslim Quarter, located in the centre of Xian. Like the bazaars of Kashgar and Delhi, the Muslim Quarter is a mind-blowing blend of colours, aromas and spices. Peruse the wares on the numerous stalls and join the local people in haggling for the best price.
The Quarter is famed for its unique blend of Chinese and Muslim dishes. Xian's answer to a western hamburger, roujiamo is a leavened kebab-style flatbread filled with meat, mainly pork or lamb, onions and red pepper, usually spiced by red chilies. Here also you can purchase Muslim tea, an array of Asian nuts and delicious lamb hot pot, also known as Yangrou Paomo. The Muslim Quarter is not just for foodie connoisseurs, it is also a great location to purchase Islamic silks and curios, as well as Chinese bric-a-brac and historical replicas.
Xian's blend of Chinese and Islamic cultures is what makes the city so unique. The Muslim Quarter's central location and buzzing bazaar shows how vital this district is to the city's way of life and framework.
Group Tours Including Xian
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