Places To See: Xian

TERRA COTTA WARRIORS MUSEUM

The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Work is ongoing at this site, which is around 1.5 kilometers east of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum, Lintong County, Shaanxi Province. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.

Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 (in 246 BC), Qin Shi Huang, later the first Emperor of all China, had begun to work for his mausoleum. It took 11 years to finish. It is speculated that many buried treasures and sacrificial objects had accompanied the emperor in his after life. A group of peasants uncovered some pottery while digging for a well nearby the royal tomb in 1974.

BANPO MUSEUM

The Banpo Museum is located in a modern building some three miles to the east of Xi'an City in Haanxi Province. It is near the bridge that crosses the river, long renowned as one of the famous eight rivers of Chang'an. The Museum was built in 1958 and is the first museum built for a 'mankind site,' a habitation site of early man. Its name comes from its location on the northern side of Banpo Village. The site marks a settlement that dates to the matrilineal clan commune period of the Neolithic period. Before its discovery in the twentieth century, it had been lying in wait for some 6,000 years.

GREAT MOSQUE

The Great Mosque in Xian is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China and its location is northwest of the Drum Tower (Gu Lou) on Huajue Lane. Occupying an area of over 12,000 square meters, the Great Mosque is divided into four courtyards, 250 meters long and 47 meters wide with a well-arranged layout. Landscaped with gardens, the further one strolls into its interior, the more serene one feels.

MING DYNASTY CITY WALL

The City Wall ofXi'an is an extension of the old Tang Dynasty structure as a result of this wall building campaign. After its extension in Ming Dynasty, it is 12 meters high, 12-14 meters wide on the top, 15-18 meter thick at the bottom and 13.7 Km in length.

The City Wall was first built of earth, rammed layer upon layer and the base layer was made of mixture of earth, quicklime glutinous rice extract, tempered together. It made the wall strong and firm.

Thus the Ming Dynasty city wall formed a complex and well-organized system of defense. It is also the most complete City Wall that has survived through China?s long history. The City Wall itself is a true display of ability and wisdom of the working people in ancient times. It provides invaluable and substantial material for study of the history, military science, and architecture of the Ming Dynasty.

BIG WILD GOOSE PAGODA

It is also well known for the name of Cien Temple. It was founded in 580 AD, Sui dynasty, originally named Wulou temple. In 648 AD, when the King, Lizhi, was a child, his mother queen Wende died at her yang age. In order to memories his mother, the king ordered to rebuild this temple and changed name into Cien temple. The dimension of temple is great, totally thirteen yards and 1897 rooms with exquisite and graceful pavilions. Cien temple is located in south suburb of Xi'an , 4 kilometers from city center.

SHANNXI HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Shaanxi Province is the birthplace of the ancient Chinese civilization. Xian City was the capital city in thirteen dynasties which in total lasted over 1100 years. Consequently, the ancient history of Shaanxi is to some degree the ancient history of China. The Shaanxi History Museum considers it an obligation to be a showcase of ancient civilizations. It is situated in the southern suburb of Xian City, northwest of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Since it was opened to the public in 1991, its architectural buildings, internal apparatus, and exhibits have made it famous as a first-class museum in China.
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