Xi'an - Historical Xi'an Tour
|
Xi'an was where Chinese civilization originated and flourished for the first two millennia of Chinese history. It was the capital of Qin, Han, Tang and several other dynasties. As the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, it was a vibrant center of cultural, religious and economic interaction between East and West.
"Historical Xi'an" leads you delve into the highlights of Xi'an ancient treasures. In the morning, we visit the Shaanxi History Museum, one of the best in China. After a traditional noodle lunch, we visit the Stele Forest, which contains China's finest collection of calligraphy by famous ancient masters. As sunset approaches, we stroll along the Ming Dynasty City Walls that still encircle the old city.
|
One of Xi'an 's premier attractions, this roomy, modern museum contains over 370,000 relics chronicling Shaanxi civilization and culture from as far back as prehistoric times. The collection is strong in ceramics, bronzes, jade pieces, gold and silver items, ancient coins, and calligraphy mainly from the pre-Ming periods, reflecting Xi'an's later decline. Look out for some interesting Tang-dynasty frescoes and the chances to examine some of the renowned terracotta soldiers up close. Exhibits are well displayed and accompanied by both Chinese and English captions.
|
|
|
Once the Temple of Confucius , this museum's seven halls house over 1,000 stele – stone pillars carved for commemorative purposes – the earliest dating from the Han dynasty. The tablets bearing dense reams of classical Chinese may only interest scholars, but others are engraved with maps and illustrations, such as one carved in 781 to commemorate the arrival of Nestorian Christianity in Xi'an (they thrived in the city for two centuries before suddenly vanishing altogether) and one with an engraved map of Chang'an (Xi'an in Tang Dynasty) revealing the scale of the city at the height of its glory.
|
|
|
City Wall
Unlike many city walls in China including Beijing 's mighty ramparts – now mostly flattened – Xi'an 's walls are still intact, forming a 9-mile (14-km) long rectangle around the city center. In 1370, during the reign of Hongwu, the first Ming emperor, these walls were built on the foundations of the Tang Imperial Palace, using rammed earth, quicklime, and glutinous rice extract. The 39-ft (12-m) high bastions have bases up to 59-ft (18-m) thick. Visitors can climb the walls at several locations, particularly at the steps east of the South Gate or at the West Gate, for walks along the busy ramparts. Though striking in themselves, the walls are modest compared to the mighty bastion that encompassed 30 sq miles (78 sq km) of Chang'an, Xi'an 's name during the Tang era.
|
|
|
|
|