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Warriors and other top sites
By Chen Ye |
May 2, 2010, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
XI'AN is equally famous with Rome, Athens and Cairo as the world's four major ancient capital cities.
With more than 3,100 years of city history and 1,100 years as the capital of China, its heritage extends back to the heart of politics, economy, culture and foreign exchange in the Han (206 BC-AD 220) and Tang (AD 618-907) dynasties.
It was also the first international metropolitan city with a population of over a million people.
Xi'an has abundant cultural attractions and historic relics and is one of the finest natural history museums in China, with highlights such as the terra-cotta warriors, Huashan Mountain, Palace of Tang Dynasty, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Small Goose Pagoda.
The warriors stand out as one of the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century and are a major tourist attraction.
Buried in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), the army of 7,000 life-size pottery soldiers, horses, chariots and weapons were arranged in battle formation to "guard" the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
It is believed that many treasures and sacrificial objects were buried with the emperor for comfort in his afterlife.
The pottery figures were buried in loess for over 2,000 years and are awe-inspiring for all visitors. Entry price to see the display is 90 yuan (US$13.20) and it is open every day of the year.
There are many other attractions in Xi'an worth exploring,
A symbol of old Xi'an is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the southern suburbs, about 4 kilometers from downtown in a well-preserved ancient building that is a holy place for Buddhists. Located in the Da Ci'en Temple complex, it attracts numerous visitors for its sacred status. It has a simple, appealing style and a new square has been established in front.
Built in AD 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, it was a repository of Buddhist items brought from India. They were acquired by Xuanzang, a famous monk who took 17 years to travel from Chang'an through many countries along the Silk Road and deserts to get to India, the cradle of Buddhism.
It is rated as an AAAA Tourist Attraction and National Key Cultural Relic Preserve. Entry costs 30 yuan per person.
Another compelling site is Huashan Mountain which is 120 kilometers from downtown and known as the No. 1 precipitous mountain under heaven.
Huashan Mountain is one of the five sacred mountains in China and in ancient times it was called Taihuashan Mountain because there are five peaks with a flower shape.
It is famous for its natural scenery, steep vistas, natural narrow paths, precipitous crags and its height. Tickets for Huashan are 120 yuan for adults and 60 yuan for students.
Travel to Xi'an is through regular rail services - 181 yuan to 510 yuan - and flights which cost around 910 yuan.
Delicate and Plain Xi'an Snacks
Snacking is a must for a tourist in Xi'an. Including appetizing mutton paomo, sour, chilly and chewy liangpi, the snacks of Xi'an translate into a feast for both eyes and stomach.
Traditional Xi'an snacks are mostly wheat-based foods, including noodles, pancakes made of millet flour and jiamo, or crosscut pancakes, with ingredients in between. Noodles alone are divided into many kinds of cooking procedures, ingredients and the way flour is dealt with.
Traditional Xi'an snacks blend both delicacy and plainness. At first glance, the courses are simple and seem easy to make. However, a seemingly simple meal is everything but simply made. Every course involves many procedures and abundant ingredients are added to create delicate and rich flavors. Each meal served is in large quantity and prices are reasonable.
The plainness of the meals lies in the way food is appreciated. To enjoy Xi'an's local snacks is not about sitting in an exquisite quality restaurant. The real snacks exist in small local outlets that seem to be everywhere, on nearly every street and alley. Such restaurants are small, maybe just plainly decorated and are always crowded. But it is only here that you can feel the true local flavor as well as the straightforward personality of the people.
The small local restaurants are usually densely grouped in several streets and night market areas, among which the most famous is Damaishi Road which features Hui food.
Each course has a long history and many back stories, and some courses date back to as early as 2,000 years ago. The snacks of Xi'an have evolved with the times, reflecting the rich culture of this ancient city.
Two traditional handiwork styles developed through centuries of Xi'an culture
Shadow play
Xi'an is where the art of Shadow Play, also known as Chinese Shadow Puppet Play, originated. Xi'an Shadow Play is a form of magic drama in which an artist uses lanterns to project shadows as characters from a play onto a screen. It is supported by lights, music, singing and puppetry. Xi'an Shadow Play Museum is the only one of its kind in China, and it combines shadow play memorabilia displays, research and development and fosters performances.
Paper-cutting
Xi'an paper-cutting is one of the most popular folk arts with archaeological evidence indicating it goes back to the sixth century AD. But people think it is hundreds of years older due to use in religious ceremonies. Xi'an paper-cutting artists use red paper and scissors to create many patterns to decorate walls, doors, windows and other items to make a happy and festive atmosphere.
With more than 3,100 years of city history and 1,100 years as the capital of China, its heritage extends back to the heart of politics, economy, culture and foreign exchange in the Han (206 BC-AD 220) and Tang (AD 618-907) dynasties.
It was also the first international metropolitan city with a population of over a million people.
Xi'an has abundant cultural attractions and historic relics and is one of the finest natural history museums in China, with highlights such as the terra-cotta warriors, Huashan Mountain, Palace of Tang Dynasty, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Small Goose Pagoda.
The warriors stand out as one of the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century and are a major tourist attraction.
Buried in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), the army of 7,000 life-size pottery soldiers, horses, chariots and weapons were arranged in battle formation to "guard" the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
It is believed that many treasures and sacrificial objects were buried with the emperor for comfort in his afterlife.
The pottery figures were buried in loess for over 2,000 years and are awe-inspiring for all visitors. Entry price to see the display is 90 yuan (US$13.20) and it is open every day of the year.
There are many other attractions in Xi'an worth exploring,
A symbol of old Xi'an is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the southern suburbs, about 4 kilometers from downtown in a well-preserved ancient building that is a holy place for Buddhists. Located in the Da Ci'en Temple complex, it attracts numerous visitors for its sacred status. It has a simple, appealing style and a new square has been established in front.
Built in AD 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, it was a repository of Buddhist items brought from India. They were acquired by Xuanzang, a famous monk who took 17 years to travel from Chang'an through many countries along the Silk Road and deserts to get to India, the cradle of Buddhism.
It is rated as an AAAA Tourist Attraction and National Key Cultural Relic Preserve. Entry costs 30 yuan per person.
Another compelling site is Huashan Mountain which is 120 kilometers from downtown and known as the No. 1 precipitous mountain under heaven.
Huashan Mountain is one of the five sacred mountains in China and in ancient times it was called Taihuashan Mountain because there are five peaks with a flower shape.
It is famous for its natural scenery, steep vistas, natural narrow paths, precipitous crags and its height. Tickets for Huashan are 120 yuan for adults and 60 yuan for students.
Travel to Xi'an is through regular rail services - 181 yuan to 510 yuan - and flights which cost around 910 yuan.
Delicate and Plain Xi'an Snacks
Snacking is a must for a tourist in Xi'an. Including appetizing mutton paomo, sour, chilly and chewy liangpi, the snacks of Xi'an translate into a feast for both eyes and stomach.
Traditional Xi'an snacks are mostly wheat-based foods, including noodles, pancakes made of millet flour and jiamo, or crosscut pancakes, with ingredients in between. Noodles alone are divided into many kinds of cooking procedures, ingredients and the way flour is dealt with.
Traditional Xi'an snacks blend both delicacy and plainness. At first glance, the courses are simple and seem easy to make. However, a seemingly simple meal is everything but simply made. Every course involves many procedures and abundant ingredients are added to create delicate and rich flavors. Each meal served is in large quantity and prices are reasonable.
The plainness of the meals lies in the way food is appreciated. To enjoy Xi'an's local snacks is not about sitting in an exquisite quality restaurant. The real snacks exist in small local outlets that seem to be everywhere, on nearly every street and alley. Such restaurants are small, maybe just plainly decorated and are always crowded. But it is only here that you can feel the true local flavor as well as the straightforward personality of the people.
The small local restaurants are usually densely grouped in several streets and night market areas, among which the most famous is Damaishi Road which features Hui food.
Each course has a long history and many back stories, and some courses date back to as early as 2,000 years ago. The snacks of Xi'an have evolved with the times, reflecting the rich culture of this ancient city.
Two traditional handiwork styles developed through centuries of Xi'an culture
Shadow play
Xi'an is where the art of Shadow Play, also known as Chinese Shadow Puppet Play, originated. Xi'an Shadow Play is a form of magic drama in which an artist uses lanterns to project shadows as characters from a play onto a screen. It is supported by lights, music, singing and puppetry. Xi'an Shadow Play Museum is the only one of its kind in China, and it combines shadow play memorabilia displays, research and development and fosters performances.
Paper-cutting
Xi'an paper-cutting is one of the most popular folk arts with archaeological evidence indicating it goes back to the sixth century AD. But people think it is hundreds of years older due to use in religious ceremonies. Xi'an paper-cutting artists use red paper and scissors to create many patterns to decorate walls, doors, windows and other items to make a happy and festive atmosphere.
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