Xi'An
Called Chang’an in ancient times, literally meaning the ‘eternal city’ in Chinese, Xi’an records the great changes of the country within its lands beautifully. The city is endowed with a magnificent historical heritage, as one of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history- perfect for travellers with a keen interest in the culture and history of this remarkable city.
The Terracotta Army, or the “Terracotta Warriors and Horses”, is an assortment of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BC and whose function was to safeguard the emperor in his afterlife. It is considered to be the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World, and is the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century.
The Yangling Mausoleum is located at Zhangjiawan Village, near Xian city. It is a joint tomb of Liu Qi, a notable emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, and his empress, Empress Wang. It was built in the year 153 AD and is a magnificent cultural relic. Skilfully arranged, it exposes the strict hierarchical social structure.
Xi’an city wall is the most complete wall that survives currently in China, on top of being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Reaching over 8 miles in length, the Xi’an city wall has been restored three times since its establishment.
The Muslim Quarter is located just north of the Drum Tower and, although this is the centre of the Muslim community in China, the Muslim Quarter is completely Chinese in its architecture and construction. The bazaar in the Muslim area is very charming – the streets are lively and there are many stalls selling a vast variety of souvenirs and local cuisine.
The Bell Tower is a traditional building in Xi’an, marking the geographical centre of the ancient capital. At 36 metres high, the Bell Tower is the largest of its kind in the whole of China, as well as being the best preserved.
The Wild Goose Pagoda is pavilion in style, simple but appealing in its construction. It remains as one of the oldest structures in China, and was originally 60 metres high. Damage in World War II resulted in the reduction of the original ten storeys down to seven; however it still remains one of China’s most distinctive and outstanding landmarks. A well preserved ancient building and holy place for Buddhists, Wild Goose Pagoda is said to be the most beautiful building in Xi’an today – so a definite must-see for all travellers!
Xi’An is one of our favourite cities. Here is a collection of photos from our favourite Asian cities to inspire your next holiday.