Xianyang

Posted on by

Location: Located in the central part of Shaanxi Province, Xianyang is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of Xian with the Weihe River immediately to the south.

History: Xianyang is an ancient capital. The first feudal dynasty in Chinese history, the Qin Dynasty, made it the capital city and planted the seeds of its impressive history. Historically, it once served as the capital for thirteen dynasties, leaving a legacy of twenty-seven tombs of emperors and hundreds of graves of imperial household members.

Physical Features: The northern part of Xianyang is situated on the Loess Plateau, while the south is a part of the Weihe Plain. In general, the terrain gradually falls away from the north to the south.

Climate: Xianyang has a warm temperate continental monsoon climate which features a chilly winter and torrid summer. Overcast and rainy days are most frequent in summer and autumn. Extreme heat may sear the city in summer causing high temperature in excess of 40℃ (104℉).

When to Go: Visitors can choose any time to visit Xianyang. However, avoiding the height of summer and the middle of winter is recommended.

Special Local Products: Xifeng Liquor, Huanggui Thick Wine (Huang Gui Chou Jiu), Amber Candy (Hu Po Tang), and embroidery.

Attractions:
Qian Mausoleum: The mausoleum contains the reposed Emperor Gao Zong of Tang Dynasty (618-907) and his Empress Wu Zetian, the only female monarch in Chinese history. The mausoleum is built against the backdrop of Liangshan Hill, and the tomb design replicates the ancient Chang’an city.

Great Buddha Temple (Da Fo Si): 10 kilometers west of Binxian County, this Buddhist site has stood for over 1,300 years. A total of 130 grottoes on the 400-meter-long rock surface store thousands of Buddha statues of all sizes. Within the temple, the 20-meter-tall Buddha is the most spectacular one.

Other Scenic Spots: Maoling Mausoleum, Zhaoling Mausoleum, Xianyang Museum, Tomb of Crown Prince Yide, Tomb of Crown Prince Zhanghuai, Tomb of Huo Qubing, Tomb of Princess Yongtai

Xi’an

Posted on by

Historically known as Chang’an, it was home to the ruling house of 13 dynasties, notably, the Qin (221 BC – 207 BC), Han (206 BC – 220 AD), Sui (581 AD – 618 AD) and Tang (618AD – 908AD) Dynasties. The Emperor Qin Shihuang united China for the first time and left Xi’an and the world one of the most extraordinary archeological finds in history – the Terracotta Warriors, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. The city reached its peak in the Tang dynasty, boasting 2 million taxable inhabitants and the largest, most cosmopolitan, settlement in the world during the reign of Xuanzong (712 AD – 756 AD).

Together with Athens, Cairo and Rome, Xian is among the four major ancient civilization capitals of the world. Xian is on the natural westward land route out of China into Central Asia, the starting point and terminus of the Silk Road, which brought the city material wealth as well as religious and cultural melting for over a thousand years.

Surviving monuments open a window to this ancient city. The short-lived totalitarian state of Qin Shihuang is mirrored in the awe-inspiring massed terra-cotta armies of the Terracotta Warriors. The influence of Buddhism is clear from the Wild Goose Pagoda, a chamber for the translation of the Buddhist scriptures by then widely renowned Master Xuan Zang, who returned to China in 645 after 15 years of travel across India and central Asia. Evidence of the flourishing trade along the Silk Routes may be found in the Shaanxi History Museum and Famen Temple. Another reminder of the enduring legacy of the Silk Road is the Great Mosque of Xi’an, presenting a strong Muslim minority, whose faith remains unchanged although their architecture is a mixture of Chinese design and western Islamic tradition.

Today, despite the searing summer heat and freezing winters, Xian is a joy to visit. The central city is pleasantly compact and its grid layout within the city wall makes it easy to navigate. The Bell Tower is the geographical center of Xian, from which four main business streets radiating, North Avenue, South Avenue, West Avenue and East Avenue. With many universities around, Xiao Zhai is popular with youth and students and thus is one of the busiest commercial areas. The ancient streets of Shuyuanmen and Luomashi commercial area are two must-visit places. Actually, sightseeing in and around Xian can keep even the most energetic visitors busy for a week or two.

Xiahe

Posted on by

Location: located in the southwest of Gansu province and northwest of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous prefecture; in northeast edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Neighboring Area: Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Qinghai provinces, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regions

Physical Features: slopes down from northwest to southeast; average elevation of 2,900 meters-3,100 meters (9,514 feet-10,170 feet) with the highest of 4,636 meters (15,209 feet) and lowest 2,160 meters (7,087 feet)

Population: 150,000
Urban Population:
Area: 8,687 square kilometers (3,354 square miles)

Nationalities: Tibetan, Han and Hui

History: used to be the ley of Qiang in the spring and autumn period; once occupied by Xianbei, Tubo and Mongolian nationalities; named as Xiahe in 1928

Climatic Feature: temperate, semiarid climate in the north and cold, humid in the south; windy in spring and winter and rainy in summer and autumn; long frost period with the frost-free period only 56 days annually; total sunshine of 2,296 hours

Xining

Posted on by

At present, five districts, three counties and a national economic and technological development zone are under the administration of the local government. With a population of more than two million, Xining is the first city on the upper reaches of the Yellow River to achieve a population into the millions. There are about 37 nationalities living here, including Han, Hui, Tu and Tibetan. The local traditions and customs are influenced by these distinctive nationalities, in particular the Tibetan group.

Xining is also called the Summer Resort Capital of China for its cool summer. The region also provides a number of attractions making a visit to the area well worth considering. The scenery of the Qinghai Lake, situated within Xining, provides an escape from fervent cities and allows you to experience beautiful natural sceneries. The lake itself is quite amazing. The Birds Island, situated on the northwest of Qinghai Lake, is waiting to present you with an extensive array of birds. To the southwest of Xining, is the birthplace of the founder of the Gelugpa Sect. The gem of the Tibetan culture-Ta’er Monastery was built here. To the north of Xining is the Beichan Temple. Climbing the temple will reward you with a view of the city from the mountaintop. A site not to be missed is the Dongguan Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in northern China.

Xining is located on the eastern edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the upper reaches of Huangshui River. It is the political, economic, scientific and technological, cultural and traffic center of Qinghai Province with an average altitude of over 2,200 meters (about 7,217 feet). The activities of human beings in this region can be traced to 2,100 years ago. During the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties, owing to its developing agriculture, Xining was paid more attention due to its economic and martial significance. As well as being the important hinge between the central plains and the western part of China in ancient time, Xining was the most common passing channel of the famous Silk Road. Until now, it is still the only road by which to enter the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.