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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 work begun on 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. It caught the attention of archeologists
immediately. They came to Xian in droves to study and to extend the digs.
They had established beyond doubt that these artifacts were associated
with the Qin Dynasty (211 --206 BC).
The State Council authorized to build a museum onsite in 1975. When
completed, people from far and near came to visit. Xian and the Museum of
Qin Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses have become landmarks on all
travelers' itinerary. Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in
battle formations are the star features at the museum. They are replicas
of what the imperial guard should look like in those days of pomp and
vigor. The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three
sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. They were
tagged in the order of their discoveries. No. 1 Pit is the largest, first
opened to the public on China's National Day, 1979. There are columns of
soldiers at the front, followed by war chariots at the back.
No. 2 Pit, found in 1976, is 20 meters northeast of No. 1 Pit. It
contained over a thousand warriors and 90 chariots of wood. It was
unveiled to the public in 1994.Archeologists cameupon No. 3 Pit also in
1976, 25 meters northwest of No. 1 Pit. It looked like to be the command
center of the armed forces. It went on display in 1989, with 68 warriors,
a war chariot and four horses. Altogether over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even
weapons have been unearthed from these pits. Most of them have been
restored to their former grandeur. The Terracotta Warriors and Horses is a sensational archeological
find of all times. It has put Xian on the map for tourists. It was listed
by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages.
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Located at the eastern outskirts of Xian city, the
Banpo Museum is the first on-site prehistoric museum in China. Banpo site
is a typical Neolithic Matriarchal community of the Yangshao culture (
5000-3000 BC) around 6000 years ago. About 400 sites of this type have
been discovered around the Yellow River Basin and the Banpo site is the
largest one.
The site was discovered in 1953 when constructing a
power factory and the excavation work last four years from 1953 to 1957.
The Banpo site was first opened to the public in 1958 and since then, two
million people have visited it.
The Banpo site, occupying an area of
approximate 50,000 square kilometer, was divided into three parts,
residential area, pottery-making area and cemetery area. Among the ruins
are 46 dwellings, 2 domestic animal pens and over 200 storage pits, 174
adult tombs, 73 burial jars for kids, 6 pottery-making kilns and many
production and domestic tools. The site delivers visitors a vivid picture
of the lifestyle of the primitive Banpo people a very long time ago.
The Banpo Museum consists of two Exhibition Hall and a site Hall.
The First Exhibition Hall mainly displays the production tools used by the
Banpo people, including stone knives, sickle, fishhook, specula and so on.
These exhibits present visitors a general image of Banpo people's
activities. Showpieces on the Second Exhibition Hall are major inventions
and art items which reflects the fork culture, social life of that time.
Masterpieces on this hall are Fish and Human Face Design Pottery Basin,
Pointed Bottom Bottle, Pottery Streamer and Children's Burial Jar.
Pottery Steamer
The Banpo people learned
stream could used in cooking so they made the Pottery streamers to prepare
food.
Children's Burial Jar
When a child was died, he was
placed into a big pottery jar, which would then be covered by an earthen
bowl or pottery basin. A hole was chiseled in the earthen bowl or pottery
basin for religious reason. The pottery jar with the dead would then be
buried in a pit, dug before just right besides the
dwelling.
Fish and Human Face Design Pottery Painted
Basin
It is the masterpiece of colored pottery painting discovered
at the site. The basin was gracefully decorated with a design of fish and
a human face. On its head, the hairs were well-pinned into a knot. A fish
was held in each corner of its mouth. The design depicts close relation
between Banpo people and fish, which probably the totem of them.
The Pointed-Bottom Bottle
The Pointed-Bottom
Bottle is a characteristic pottery piece excavated from the Banpo site. It
is a water-drawing device, in which the gravity law skillfully applied:
for buoyancy the bottle will automatically slant and then be filled as the
bottle touch the water. When the bottle has been filled with water, the
bottle will also automatically stand upright during the shifting of center
of gravity. The device enjoys two great advantages: 1, it can be portable
and easily carried on the back. 2. its small mouth protects water from
spilling out.
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The Stele Forest, or Xi'an Beilin Museum, is a museum for steles and stone sculptures which is located in Xi'an, China. In 1944 it was the principal museum for Shaanxi Province on the site of what was formerly an 11th century Confucius Temple. Then because of the large number of steles, it was officially re-named as the Forest of Stone Steles in 1992. All together, there are 3,000 steles in the museum, which is divided into seven exhibitions halls, which mainly display works of calligraphy, painting and historical records.
The Stele Forest began with the Kaicheng Shi Jing Steles and Shitai Xiao Jing Steles, two groups of steles both carved in the Tang dynasty and displayed in the temple to Confucius in Chang'an. In 904, a rebel army sacked Chang'an, and the two stele were evacuated to the inner city. In 962, they were again moved to the rebuilt temple to Confucius. In the Song Dynasty (1087), a special hall, with attached facilities, was built to house and display the two Stele groups. It was damaged in the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake during the Ming dynasty.
It houses nearly 3000 steles and it is the biggest collection of steles in China. Most of its exhibits are steles of the Tang Dynasty. Ink rubbings of the steles are available for sale. Among the unusual examples is a 18th-century stele depicting a Yangtze River flood control project. Another appears to be a bamboo forest, but on examination the leaves and branches form a poem.
- Cao Quan Stele (Han Dynasty)
- Sima Fang Stele (Jin Dynasty)
- Kaicheng Shi Jing Stele (Tang Dynasty)
- Nestorian Stele (Tang Dynasty)
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Completed on June, 1991 and officially opened to the
public ever since, Shaanxi History Museum covers a land area of 65000 m2
with the exhibition area amounting to 11000 m2. Constructed in the style
of Tang architecture “the central halls surrounded by high towers”, the
large and elegant buildings have integrated the ancient architecture with
modern technology. The Museum houses a collection of more than three
hundred and seventy thousand pieces of precious cultural relics, large in
quantity, complete in variety and high in grade. Among the treasures the
mural paintings collected from about 20 tombs of Tang Dynasty account for
approximately 1000 square meters, ranking No.1 among the Chinese
museums.
Shaanxi History Museum, which located to the northwest of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the ancient city Xi'an, in the Shaanxi province of China, is one of the first huge state museums with modern facilities in China. The museum houses over 300,000 items including murals, paintings, pottery, coins, as well as bronze, gold, and silver objects. The modern museum was built between 1983 and 2001 and its appearance recalls the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty.
Built as a last wish of former Primer Minister Zhou Enlai, Shaanxi History Museum was constructed from 1983. It was opened to the public on 20 June 1991. The museum is in an area of 65,000 square meters, with a building area of 55,600 square meters, cultural relics storerooms of 8,000 square meters, exhibition halls of 11,000 square meters, and a collection of 370,000 objects. The museum is architecturally in the Tang style, with a "hall in center, storied buildings in corners". It is elegant and dignified, on a large scale, with a combination of traditional architecture and modern technology, which embodies folk tradition and local features.
Shaanxi has been the imperial capital since ancient times, and more than 13 feudal dynasties built their capitals there in history including Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang. The province is rich in cultural relics. With the completion of the Shaanxi History Museum, it collected over 370,000 precious relics which were unearthed in Shaanxi Province. The bronze wares, pottery figures, and mural paintings in Tang tombs, etc., are all artistic treasures.
Since the opening of the museum, it has followed the policy of collecting, conservation, publicising, education, and scientific research, using its many historical relics, and conducted various types of display. The relics have also been exhibited overseas in cities in Japan, France, United States, United Kingdom, Germany and other countries and regions.
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Near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Paradise is
located in the Qujiang Resort, southeast of the Xi'an City, Shaanxi
Province. It is a newly opened tourist attraction in April, 2005. Tang
Paradise covers a total area of 1000 mu (about 165 acres) and of which 300
mu (about 49 acres) is water. This tourist attraction not only claims to
be the biggest cultural theme park in the northwest region of China but
also the first royal-garden-like park to give a full display of the Tang
Dynasty's (618-907) culture. Altogether, twelve scenic regions are
distributed throughout Tang Paradise to provide visitors with the
enjoyment of twelve cultural themes and a perfect exhibition of the
grandness, prosperity and brilliance of the culture of the Tang
Dynasty.
What makes Tang Paradise incredible is that it is
no longer the garden mode of only water and mountains in the Chinese
traditional sense. The outstanding designers of the magnificent Tang
Paradise have integrated almost everything representative of the Tang
Dynasty, such as the poetry, the songs and dance, the marketplaces, the
food, the women's lifestyles, and science into every site using cultural
themes, thus endowing every place with its own story and its own place in
the tapestry of Tang Dynasty culture.
In the large number of buildings at Tang Paradise,
one may see almost all architectural types of characteristic of the Tang
Dynasty. In addition there are establishments for relaxing and song and
dance shows about the civilization of the Tang Dynasty. Strolling in Tang
Paradise, you are assured to get a full enjoyment, making you feel as if
you were in a fairyland.
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Many firsts are created here: the first and
largest scale of buildings modeled on the Tang style in China, the first
and most considerable groups of sculptures to show the poetic culture in
the Tang Dynasty in China, the first and biggest single architecture
modeled on the Tang style throughout China, the first theme park in China
to cater to the five sense (vision, hearing, smell, touch and taste), the
grandest fragrant project of the outdoors in the world, and the most
spectacular water film on earth. Tang Paradise is praised as 'Garden of
History', 'Garden of Spirit', 'Garden of Nature', 'Garden of Human
Culture' and 'Garden of Art'.
The most special and amazing feast in Tang
Paradise is taste. The word 'taste' here does not refer to the delicious
smell of food, but means that the whole Tang Paradise, like a fair lady,
is full of aroma. Unbelievable, isn't it? But definitely true! You may
wonder why. The secret is that there are incense burners here. Every few
meters on both sides of the paths in Tang Paradise, there is an incense
burner which looks like a street lamp. It is only 1.5 meters (about 5
feet) tall with incense coils burning inside. It is this fragrance that
makes the whole place seem like mysterious Xanadu. Thus wherever you walk
in Tang Paradise, assuredly, you can be embraced by its faint
redolence.
In Tang Paradise, another surprising man-made
wonder is the water film which claims to be the foremost in the whole
world. The screen of the movie is a film of water; thus it can create a
special kind of optical effect which makes the frame tridimensional. When
watching the movie, you can witness that the beautiful night and the
fan-like water surface become an ingenious integration. Every time the
figures in the movie appear on the screen, it seems that they are flying
to the sky or coming down from the heaven which throws you into a
wonderful and illusory feeling that you were personally on the scene.
Splendid, indeed!
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Huaqing Palace has become famous for the love story
about Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty and his imperial Concubine Yang. In
the zone to the east Huaqing Hot Spring there is a horizontal tablet with
the golden inscription “Huaqing Chi” (Huaqing Hot Spring) by Mr. Guo
Moruo. There are buildings such Lotus Pavilion, Rosy Cloud Pavilion and
Five-Room Hall and the tablet of Eulogy to the Hot Springs carved on the
stone cliff has been rated as the masterpiece among the treasured Chinese
tablets.
The middle zone houses the museum of the imperial hot springs of
Huaqing Palace with the bathing pools named respectively as Lotus, Crab
Apple, Prince, Retinue and Constellation, and there is also a room
displaying the cultural relics. The west zone contains the Nine-Dragon
Bathing Pool, the Rosy Cloud Palace and the large mural painting titled
“Concubine Yang Yuhuan receives the imperial edict at Huaqing Palace”.
Every night the show, the large-scale historical
play of its kind in China, titled Everlasting Regret is performed here
with the real mountain and water as background. And with reference to the
original location and appearance, the show vividly illustrates the love
story about Emperor Xuanzong and his imperial Concubine Yang.
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Big Wild Goose Pagoda, situated in the Da Ci'en Temple, is one of the
famous Buddhist pagodas in China about 4 kilometers from the urban
center. Originally built in 589 A.D. in the Sui dynasty, the temple was named
Wu Lou Si Temple till 648 A.D. when Emperor Li Zhi, then still a crown
prince, sponsored a repair project on the temple. This was a symbol of thanksgiving to his mother for her kindness,
after she had suffered an early death. The temple then assumed the present
name Temple of Da Ci'en (Thanksgiving). The Emperor Gaozong was said to
pay homage to the temple twice a day by looking in its direction from the
Hanyuan Palace. The temple, with 13 separate courtyards, contained 1,879
magnificent-looking rooms altogether and was a place of grand extent in
the Tang dynasty. However, it went into gradual decay after the downfall
of the Tang dynasty. The halls and rooms that have survived the age are
structures that were built in the Ming dynasty.
The Tang Regime gave orders to build a chamber for the translation
of Buddhist scriptures in an effort to have the then widely renowned
Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) agree to be the head of the
temple.The Wild Goose Pagoda was finished in 652 A.D.Its five storeys are 60
meters in height. The decay of the earth-cored pagoda caused the new
construction of a 10-storey pagoda from 701 to 704. However, the winds of
war, in the years to come, reduced the pagoda almost to ruins, which in
turn resulted in the construction of a 7-storeyed, 64-meter-high structure
today.
The pagoda was an architectural marvel. It was built with layers of
bricks but without any cement in between. The bracket style in traditional
Chinese architecture was also used in the construction. The seams between
each layer of bricks and the "prisms' on each side of the pagoda are
clearly visible. The grand body of the pagoda with its solemn appearance,
simple style and high structure, is indeed a good example of ancient
people's wisdom and talent.
Pictures of the Heavenly King and of Buddha are on the doorframe sand
horizontal bars on four sides of the pagoda's base. These stone sculptures
display peak workmanship, and show vivid shapes and smooth lines. They now
serve as an important source of material for the study of painting and
sculpture of the Tang dynasty. Out of these artistic works, the one on the
horizontal bar of the west door is the most precious. It is a rare piece
of art, now used for the study of the Tang architecture. Inside the temple where the pagoda is situated, there are two small
buildings: the one on the east side houses a bell, and the one on the west
side a drum. The bell, an iron cast from the Ming dynasty, weights 15
tons. Together with the drum, the bell was used to strike time for the
monks in the temple.
Inside the Great Hall of the Buddha in the temple
there are three incarnations of Sakyamuni. The one in the middle is called
Dharmakaya. The one on the west side is called Bao Shen Buddha, and the
one on the opposite is called Ying Shen Buddha. In the Doctrine Chamber
stands the Amitabha Buddha. On the wall at the east side of the chamber,
there are three rubbings. The one in the middle is called Xuanzang (Monk
Tripitaka) carries the Scriptures to Chang'an. In the Tang dynasty, every
successful candidate who passed the imperial examinations would have to
climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and wrote poems and inscriptions there. This ritual would symbolize a soaring career in the future. The
fashion of writing poems and leaving inscriptions on the horizontal bars
over doors and stone frame-works by successful candidates of the imperial
examinations went on as far as the Ming dynasty. These poem sand
inscriptions have survived till this day as a fine mirror to the city's
past.
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The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor, memorial
mausoleum of legendary Yellow Emperor, is the most important ancient grave
site in China. After many years' development and construction, the
mausoleum became not only a mausoleum, but a key point of interest for
historical Chinese culture. The main sights in this scenic spot are
Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor and Xuanyuan Temple. Before visiting this
location, one should know about Yellow Emperor in detail.
Yellow Emperor, the initiator of Chinese civilization, was a great
tribal leader in the final primitivesociety of ancient China. His family
name was Gongsun. Because he grew up at Xuanyuan Hill (in Xinzheng County
of Henan Province), he was called Xuanyuan. He worshipped the virtue of
the yellow earth (the source of foods and clothes); hence people call him
Yellow Emperor. It is said that 5000 years ago, Yellow Emperor cooperated
with Yandi to defeat the Chiyou tribe, then unified the other tribes and
established the Hua Xia nationality (the former name of the Chinese
Nation).
Yellow Emperor was able to make weapons, vessels and vehicles,
and to raise silkworms. He and his contemporaries created the characters,
instruments, medicines and counting systems etc, which ended the savage
and wild period. Yellow Emperor is remembered in history for punishing
evils and for the first unification of the Chinese Nation. It is said that
Yellow Emperor lived for 118 years. Once during his tour in Henan
Province, a yellow dragon fell down from the heaven after a thunderbolt.
The dragon said to Yellow Emperor: 'Your task is finished. You should
follow me to heaven.' Yellow Emperor knew he could not disobey destiny so
he rode on the dragon. As they flew over Mt. Qiao, Yellow Emperor asked to
be allowed to go down to comfort his country. People cried out and came
here; they pulled on Yellow Emperor's clothes to try to keep him on earth,
but it was in vain. He only left his clothes. Afterwards, people buried
Yellow Emperor's clothes here and established the mausoleum. Some writings
claim Yellow Emperor himself was buried here.
The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor is the tomb of Yellow Emperor, hidden
inside the dense evergreen cypresses on Mt. Qiao (Bridge). Mt. Qiao won
the name because it looks like a bridge. More than 8000 cypresses on Mt.
Qiao, most alive for thousands of years, form the largest old cypress
forest in China. The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor is called the First
Mausoleum of China and is located in the center of the top of Mt. Qiao, 1
kilometer (about 0.6 miles) north of Huangling County, Yan'an City.
Covering an area of 4 square kilometers (about 1.5 square miles), The
Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor is surrounded by a verdant forest and clear
water. When you reach the top of Mt. Qiao, a stone stele will first catch
your eye. In front of the mausoleum is a pavilion, where stands another
tall stone stele displaying the characters of 'Huangdiling'. Then you see
the tomb of Yellow Emperor. It is a 4-meter-high (4.4 yards) mound, around
which is a 1-meter-high (about 1.1 yards) brick-wall.
In Chinese history,
many emperors held memorial ceremonies to Yellow Emperor. About 40 meters
(about 43.7 yards) ahead of the tomb is a platform called 'Hanwu Xiantai',
where Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24) held ceremonies honoring
Yellow Emperor. Longyu Pavilion is a remarkable structure in the tomb
area. Its fanciful architecture stands 5 stories and 20 meters (about 21.9
yards) high, and tourists may walk up steps to overlook Mt. Qiao and
Huangling County. Since Longyu Pavilion is the highest point in the tomb
area, it is also used for spotting fires. When you climb up Longyu
Pavilion, you may clearly see Mt. Yintai, located to the south of Mt.
Qiao. The shape of the mountain reminds one of a big Yintai (great seal),
so people call it Mt. Yintai. Interesting sights on the east and west
hillsides are abundant: the mazes, forests and clear waters here feel
secret, deep and remote. Another interesting view is that of Mt Qiao from
the top of Mt Yintai.
Xuanyuan Temple is also named the Temple of Yellow Emperor,
established in the Ming Dynasty (1368 --- 1644). The main structures
inside the temple are Temple Gate, Chengxin Kiosk, Stele Pavilion and
'Renwen Chuzu' (Huangdi, the initiator of Chinese civilization) Hall.
Inside the grand 'Renwen Chuzu' Hall, Yellow Emperor's seat of spirit
tablet (an exquisite piece of wood with his name on it) is worshipped.
People can do obeisance or hold ceremonies in front of it. Among 14
cypresses in the courtyard, the must-see ones are two: the cypress planted
by Huangdi and the Jiangjun (general) cypress. It is said that Yellow
Emperor planted the cypress thousands of years ago to encourage planting
of trees and forestation. Now the huge green umbrella is 19 meters high
(about 20.8 yards) and is the oldest cypress in the world. There is
another legend about the Jiangjun cypress that says Emperor Wu of Han
Dynasty ever hung his visor on the pine, so people call it Jiangjun
cypress. It is also a rare type of cypress. Situated in the west portion
of the Temple of Yellow Emperor is the Gongde (merits and virtues) Altar,
the theme of which is the outstanding achievements of Yellow Emperor.
Gongde Altar is a round platform with three concentric cylindrical walls
on which embossed characters describe Yellow Emperor and his country's
contribution to human progress. The altar is surrounded by 33 stone steles
(representing 33 provinces of China) called China Tongxin (meaning 'with
one heart') Stone Steles, symbolizing the solidarity of the Chinese
Nation.
Yellow Emperor made great contributions to Chinese civilization and
the role of China among the four ancient civilized countries in the world.
Today, the Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor, the center of magnificent cultural
activity in China, is the symbol of Chinese civilization and the 'root' of
the Chinese Nation. For thousands of years, every Tomb-Sweeping Day swarms
of people have come here to hold a memorial ceremony to Yellow
Emperor.
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The Xi'an City Wall is not only the most complete
architecture well preserved of ancient Chinese burghs but also the largest
in size and integral ancient military fort of the world.
During
the transition period from spring to summer in 1997, US President Clinton
took the first stop of his China journey in Xi'an and sang high praise for
the ancient city wall and the gates.
Early before founding the Ming Dynasty, when Zhu
Yuanzhang seized the control of Huizhou, a hermit called Zhu Shen advised
the ambitious general should "build high walls, store abundant provisions
and take your time in proclaiming yourself emperor".
Zhu Yuanzhang accepted his proposal and ordered
local governments all over the country build city walls as much as could
after he spreads his power covering the whole country.
Therefore the ancient Xi'an City Wall came into
being on the original base of the capital of Tang Dynasty, in the heat of
constructing under the Chief Commander Pu Ying's supervision. The Xi'an City Wall augmented in Ming Dynasty
measures 12 meters high, 12 to 14 meters wide on the top, 15 to 18 meters
wide at the bottom with a total length of 13.7 kilometers. There is a
watchtower in every 120 meters, outstanding with a same height leveling
with the wall to help soldiers kill enemies that are climbing the
wall.
Half of the length between every two ramparts is
just in the effective range of defense's arrows, which can easily kill the
attackers from their side. There are 98 ramparts in total and each has a
sentry building to accommodate troops. Due to the backward weapons of ancient time and
therefore the gate provided the only way to enter the city, rulers of
every period all put their emphasis on the gate. There are four ancient
gates on east, west, south, and north of the burgh. Each has three gates
belonging to the main tower, the arrow tower, and the Zhalou
tower.
There are 5,984 battlements on the outer side of
the wall. Crenel of the battlement can provide protection for soldiers to
let off arrows and keep watch. The short wall on the inner side of the
wall is the parapet, without crenels to prevent soldiers from falling
down. There is a suspense bridge in front of the gate.
Raising the bridge means, the way to enter the city or go out are cut out.
In the Ming Dynasty the fort had become an grand and precise defense
system and now is still a better ancient fort kept intact than any
other.
The ancient Xi'an fort has not only displayed the
Chinese talent showing in military construction but also provided valuable
information to study history, military developments and architecture
structure.
The gate is of great importance to the defense systems of
the city but is a weak part in strategy. In peacetime, it provides a way
to relate the two areas separated by the wall and in wartime becomes the
first target that both sides want to control.
Consequently, someone placed a special defense
emphasis in Ming Dynasty as surrounded by a wide and deep defense channel.
The defense channel measures 20 meters wide and 7 meters deep with a
defense wall of 2 meters high on the inner bank. There is a roll-up gate,
this is regarded as the breakthrough of defense-tech and improved the
defense effectiveness greatly.
Time passes quickly and things happen every day,
it is common to see something be treat differently in different times. In
early years, those ancient walls regarded as the obstacle to the
modernization of the city, but now it is the pride, which brings great
honor to the old city as the light of honor absorbing historical
accumulation. The ancient city wall and the city gates are not
only the shining stars of history but also historic wonders attracting
tourists.
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At a height of 2,160 meters above sea level
and about 120km/3hours east of Xi'an, Huashan, literally translated as
Flower Mountain, is a sight for sore eyes. The mountain has for centuries
been deemed as one of China's five sacred mountains (Wu ye), along with
Hengshan Mountain to the northeast, Songshan Mountain and Taishan Mountain
to the east and another Hengshan Mountain to the southeast. Huashan, also
known as the Western Mountain (Xi Yue) due to its geographical location in
relation to the others, is famed as the most precipitous of the
five.
Along the 12km path leading from the foot of the mountain, where
it starts at the Jade Fountain Temple (Yuchuan si), to its five peaks, you
will get the chance to see some impressive scenes, including the strangely
shaped granite peaks and the twisted pines, that make up this, one of the
lesser visited of the holy mountains. The peaks from above are said to resemble the petals of a huge plant,
with the middle peak as the corolla, hence the mountain's name. Of the
five peaks it is the southern peak (2,100 meters) that is the largest,
closely followed by those in the east and west. The ascent provides not
only natural scenery, but also a number of man-made constructions that,
for better or worse, are now a part of the mountain's tourist culture.
The route to conquer the peaks passes by temples, shrines, pavilions,
terraces, carvings, statues, food stalls and hawkers, that appear
interspersed between the stark granite paths and forested margins. Along
the Green Dragon Ridge (Bilong ji), which connects the northern peak with
the remaining peaks, the way is cut along a narrow rock ridge with steep
cliffs on either side. Some of this route can be a little dangerous,
despite the iron chains that are linked on the more precipitous
sections. As one of the five best-known mountains in China, Huashan Mountain is
located to the south of Huayin City, 120 kilometers east of Xian, in
Shaanxi Province, with an elevation of 2200 meters above sea level. In
ancient times, Huashan Mountain was called Taihuashan Mountain. Seen from
afar, the five peaks look like five petals of a flower. Hence its name,
Huashan Mountain(= five flowers). Today, it is listed as one of the
renowned national scenic spots.
Huashan Mountain is famous for its breath-taking cliffs. Along the
12-kilometer-long winding path up to the top are awe-inspiring precipices,
looking into which will take your breath away. Among the five peaks, East
Peak (Facing Sun Peak), West Peak (Lotus Peak) and South Peak (Dropping
Goose Peak) are comparatively high. Standing at the top of East Peak, one
can enjoy the rising sun early in the morning. West Peak, in resemblance
to a lotus flower, is the most graceful peak in Huashan Mountain. In
addition, there are Middle Peak (Jade Maiden Peak) and North Peak (Clouds
Stand). The middle peak got its name because of a story telling that once a
young lady rode a white horse among the mountains. North Peak, like a flat
platform in the clouds, is the place where the story Capturing Huashan
Mountain Wisely took place.
Huashan Mountain boasts a lot of places of interest. Here and there
stand Buddhist and Taoist temples, pavilions and buildings as well as
sculptures and engravings. Of the ruins, Yuquan Temple (Jade Springs),
Zhenwu Palace, and Jintian Palace are, comparatively speaking, famous.
Xiyue Temple, seven kilometers north of Huashan Mountain is the place
where people of ancient times paid tribute to the Mt. Huashan God. Along
the cliff of South Peak is a planked path equipped with an iron chain,
with the help of which, adventurers can walk on the frightful path.
There is a giant rock in front of Cuiyun Palace on West Peak. As it
takes the shape of a lotus flower, the mountain is also called Lotus Peak.
As legend has it, Chen Xiang, a filial young man, once split the mountain
and rescued his mother out of it. Now a crack can be witnessed in a giant
rock beside Cuiyun Palace as if an axe made it. Thus, the rock is called
'Axe-splitting Rock,' beside which is a huge axe with a long handle. The
northwest side of the peak is called Fatal Cliff for it is as steep as if
it was cut by a sharp sword. North Peak, with cliffs on three sides, has only one road leading to
the south. From here one goes south to Ca'er Precipice, the fourth most
dangerous place along the only path in Huashan Mountain. The cliff path is
less than 30 centimeters wide, and faces such a deep valley that the
tourists have to edge along carefully. Then one comes to Sky-leading
Ladder, Sun and Moon Precipice and the well-known Blue Dragon
Mountain.
East Peak, with a rising-sun platform favorable for viewing the
morning sun, is also called Facing Sun Peak. As the sun emerges from the
sea of clouds, one cannot help but show great admiration. Every year one
can take advantage of the best visiting times through May to October. At
the foot of Huashan Mountain there are a variety of restaurants where
comfortable accommodation is available. As well, one might be refreshed in
the restaurants on Qingke Stand, South Peak and North Peak as well as in
temples, big or small. The area of Huashan Mountain specializes in gingko, thatch weaving
and traditional paper-cutting. The shops are mostly at the foot of the
mountain, where one can rent walking sticks, gym shoes, warm clothes,
electric torches and so on.
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Hukou Waterfall located at the intersection of
Shanxi Province and Shaanxi Province, some 400 kilometers from Xian, is
the second largest waterfall in China.
The mighty Yellow River, the
second largest river in China, surges its way from Qinghai Province to the
border of Shanxi and Shaanxi Provinces where it suddenly finds its way
through a narrow valley, blocked in by mountains. The riverbed abruptly
narrows down from 300 meters to 50 meters, turning the placid water into
rapids.
The tremendous weight of water splashes onto the rocks, forming a
magnificent waterfall, 15 meters high and 20 meters wide, as if the water
is pouring down from a huge teapot, hence the name Hukou(‘mouth of
teapot’). The scene can be overwhelming, water stiring up masses of smoke
and cloud, colors turning from yellow to grey, grey to blue. The locals
call this awesome scenery ”smoke from the river”.
Hours: 08:00-18:00
Transportation: Taking bus from Xian train
station to Yichuan county
Address: 48km, East of Yichuan county,
Shaanxi province
Others: Recommended season for a visit: July, August,
September
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Lying at the north foot of Taibai Mountain (the peak of Qinling
Mountain), Taibai Mountain National Forest Park, is located in Meixian
County, Shaanxi Province. Covering an area of 7,287 acres, 94.3% of which
is covered with forest, it contains 10 scenic districts and over 180
attractions. Since its height above the sea level varies from 0.39 miles
to 2.18 miles, Taibai Mountain National Forest Park is the highest
national forest park of China. It was officially established in 1991 and
has been formally open to the public since July, 1992.
Taibai means 'too white' in Chinese, used here to describe the color
of the mountain. Because of the cold climate in the mountain, thick layers
of ice have always been covering its summits all the year round. Endowed
with prosperous forest resources, rich animal species, odd mountainous
physiognomy together with its profound historical scenes, Taibai Mountain
National Forest Park has attracted countless tourists from home and
abroad.
Various Creatures
Titled as the 'Asian Natural Botanical Garden' and the 'Natural Zoo
of China', the forest park has more than 1,850 kinds of seed plants and
over 1,690 kinds of insects and animals, including more than 230 kinds of
birds and over 40 kinds of beasts. Among them are some rare animal
species, such as pandas and golden monkeys. Thanks to this natural
advantage, the park is also considered to be an inartificial gene
warehouse of natural species.
Lively Mountainous Scenery and Wonderful Hot Springs
Traveling in the mountain, visitors cannot help but admire the
unique appearance of the rocks and the streams joyfully tottering along
the winding mountain road. Your eyes will be stricken by the continuous
chains of mountains, while your ears will be pleased by the melodious song
of the running water. Unconsciously, you will find yourself absorbed in
the beautiful natural scenery. Another wonder of the park is its natural
mineral water. There are abundant supplies of terrestrial heat in the low
mountainous area in the park. The temperature of the hot spring can reach
as high as 72 degrees centigrade (162 F) and it contains scores of mineral
substances and microelements that are beneficial to people's health. There
are also three lakes and several pools on the mountain top called Daye
Hai, Erye Hai, Sanye Hai, Yuhuang Pool and Star Pool respectively.
Profound Historical Sights
Charm is added to Taibai Mountain National Forest Park by its
profound historical sights. Historically, Taibai Mountain has received
recognition from many emperors in past dynasties. Plentiful cultural
relics, poetries and folklores have been left through generations. Many
Chinese ancient poets, such as Li Bai, Du Fu (the two most prominent poets
in Tang Dynasty (618 - 907)) and Su Shi (a famous poet of Northern Song
Dynasty (960 - 1127)), traveled here and wrote some of their notable
poems. There is also plenty of ancient architecture in this park,
including 14 sites of temples, 32 ancient houses, 5 stone steles, 10 iron
tablets, over 110 iron Buddha statues, 64 woodcarvings and several iron
bells and furnaces.
Taibai Mountain National Forest Park is a fantastic place for
visitors to find relaxation and refreshment. With respect to its climate,
it is better to travel here in July and August, but do not forget to bring
a cotton coat and rain gear. Traveling by ropeway (with a length of 0.68
mile) gives visitors the chance to appreciate the marvelous spectacle of
glacier relics and sea of clouds.
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Qinling Zoological Park is the first park of its
kind to be established in the northwest region in China. 28 kilometers
(about 17 miles) south of the downtown area of Xian City, Shaanxi
Province, this zoological park has more than 300 species of animal, with
many different types of birds, mammals, amphibians and
reptiles.
Strolling into the park, the first thing that
catches your eyes is a group of wooden sculptures facing the gate. They
have been made to resemble lifelike and dainty human beings, eagles, black
bears, monkeys and other creatures, and tell different stories about 'man
and animals' and 'man and nature'. And looking at these beautiful and
unforgettable sculptures, you would hardly guess that they've been made
from petrified wood. It is the wonderful skills of the gardeners that
endow these deadwoods with life again. The animals' exhibition area is divided into two
parts: the walking area and car-riding
area.
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Qujiang Ocean World The Western Largest Ocean Theme
Sight. The western yellow land, mainly in reddish brown
and orange and overflowing with the soul of Great Tang, is dipping into
the ocean blue. For Qujiang, the Qujiang
Ocean World enriches the tourism items, advances the culture of the
city, and impact the blue of the yellow land. It is the continuation
and illumination of spirit of Great Tang, and also another explanation
to feature of Xi’an culture. "Seawater moistens Chang'an, the Qujiang
Ocean World is a largest modernized education base for ocean science and
technology in northwestern region, a window for communication between
human and nature, and a bridge for people to get a knowledge of
ocean, to understand life, to concern nature, and to love
life. Qujiang Ocean World, together with Tang
Paradise and Tang Sleepless Town, has jointly realized the combination
of history and modern of Qujiang section, and amalgamation of
appreciation and experience, making the tourism in Qujiang with bearing
and pattern of accepting hundreds rivers.
The project of Van Qujiang Ocean World locates in the center scenery
spot of Qujiang new district, very close to Tang paradise and north of
Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It is made up of three parts: ocean hall, ocean
rhyme plaza, and ocean business chamber. The ocean hall, the core of
the project of Qujiang Ocean World, has got an investment of about
RMB210 million with a body construction area of 18,600 square
meters, Outside it, as its matching establishment, the ocean
rhyme plaza includes performance plaza, water surface sight, and
establishments for business, food & beverage, leisure and
entertainment, with an area of 30,000 square meters and an
investment of over RMB 30 million. In addition, it also includes the
second phase project of ocean business chamber, and polar region
world, etc. The ocean business chamber, a project that has been
started, has got an investment of about RMB 150 million with a
construction area of over 30,000 square meters. It is planed to start
operation from early of 2006. At present, the polar region world has
been started to construct, which will become the largest-scale polar
region-experiencing project in the country, with an area of 30,000
square meters planed to open from May 1, 2006 .
On February 5, 2005, during the spring festival days in year of
chicken, Qujiang Ocean Hall began to open up to public. Since then,
the hall can receive 120,000 person-time visitors every month because
of desire of people lived on the yellow land for the blue sea. In the
bizarre and motley ocean world, visitors can appreciate over 300
species and 12,000 kinds fresh water and seawater creatures, and
feel the broad and profoundness of the ocean. Besides its outside
appearance, exposition originality, top five scale in domestic ocean
world as well as exposition level, you can also fully enjoy yourself in
the blue ocean world composed with its establishments, including
dolphin performance hall, Ocean science popularization hall, tropic
rainforest hall, seabed tunnel, grand garden of seabed, as well
as matching service establishments for food & beverage, retail of ocean
gifts, interactive entertainment items, etc.
Ocean Rhyme Plaza
Entering Qujiang Ocean World, you will find
you are facing the Ocean Rhyme Plaza with an area of 30,000 square
meters and an investment of RMB 30 million Yuan. In the sea breeze and
under the light, the colorful square music fountain combines with the
gorgeous performance stage, putting yourself in this place you will
feel you are in heaven .the magnificent exhibition hall is reflected in
the blue wave undulates over 10,0000m2 artificial lake, the ocean
looks to be even bigger.
Ocean Science Popularization Hall
Wandering about in the ocean hall, listening to the professional
teacher narrates ocean knowledge, you can learn all kinds of ocean
knowledge, the kids can make samples with their own hands, observe
the growing process of ocean creatures, and watch some rare animals
perform on the stage. The ocean hall has a floor area of 400 square meters, 400 kinds
of ocean creatures and a national first rate protected animal, Bushi
whale witha 13.5 meters long body, are displayed here. There are 150
seats in the science popularization room, through high-tech 3D cinema
introducing and publicizing ocean creature protection, tourists can
learn ocean knowledge here.
Tropical Rainforest Hall
The tropical rainforest, full of primitive and natural
landscape, is scattered and embellished with the evidences of mankind's
activities, forming culture cave series to the point. With the
evidences, tourists may trace back to the stories that once took place
in the rainforest, which provide visitors with infinite fantasy room
and profoundly create mysterious and primitive atmosphere. Listening to varieties of sounds in the rainforest, observing the
animals and plants done by uncanny workmanship, and touching the
impossible in mind are all available to you. This is the world of
species, which is full of unknown and unlimited expectation with
provision of shocking sights and funny hunting. The tropical rainforest
exhibition adopts high-tech directory method to demonstrate the
multiformity of the species and to show the marvelous nature. The
exhibition is divided into five areas by theme, 1. Secrete out of
remote antiquity 2.Wonder of rainforest 3. Man and nature 4. Exotic flavor
5. Wandering in the future.
Secrete out of Remote Antiquity Real objects and space, with the
metaphor of origin of species, demonstrate a great deal of unknown in
dinosaur age by synthetic approaches so that the whirligig of the time is
shown, which precedes the rainforest area's coming. For the diversified
approaches served, you may as an adventurer experience the civilization
and antiquity or life and history such as: erupting volcano, dinosaur
excavation site, emulatiional dinosaurs, emulational elephants,
and emulational giant spiders etc, illustrating the once giant
speciesage to the tourists. Wonder of Rainforest The wonder of rainforest adopts versatile
demonstrating ways, from animal and plant to sound, light and
electric, andapplies the plants' growing shapes such as parasitism,
buttress and symbiosis, integrated with the environment of animals,
insects and birdsto show the symbiosis and coexistence of diversified
creatures in the rainforest.
The game for braver, with deadwood and stream, snake worm
appearing and disappearing and rain drizzling, make you feel much
moreexciting. Backdrop painting further decorates the scene and enhances
the effects.
Human and Nature The crocodile, a kind of ferocious and
ancient amphibian animal, is provided in luminous atmosphere for
visitors themselves to feed with small chicks, thereby to perceive the
rare scene.
Exotic Flavor Mysterious Mayan civilization and additional
totem, delicate embossment group, suspension bridge, decks in the
woods and so on are full of exotic flavor. And the rainforest pub serves
the tourists with relaxed and romantic tastes. Wandering in the Future Wandering here while appreciating the
dreamlike scenery, bizarre transgenic animals and ornate pompons,
people will be called forth the infinite fantasy about future.
Dolphin
Performance Hall
Enjoying elvish dolphins, simple and honest sea
lion, huggable seal all this draw children' laughers and relaxations of
adults' childishness…… Since its opening to the public, Dolphins performing world is
always the most popular zone, inside of which can hold 1680 people,
the intellectual performance of dolphins, sea lions and seals always
draws chipper laughter of the audiences. Under the guide of
domesticators, the intelligent dolphins like the excellent water ballet
dancers. Sky loop-leaping, singing of dolphins, calculating and
ball-holding all this draw the applause of audiences, especially the
interactive stage of the dolphins’hugging and kissing makes audiences
unforgettable. The ridiculous performance of the simple and honest sea
lions not only ball tipping and shooting but also ballet and break dancing
also very exciting.
270º Seabed Tunnel
There are over 10,000 various ocean fishes at the 80m-seabed
tunnel and the splendid seabed world exhibits clearly to the audiences.
Staying here, your mind will drive away, you can enjoy coral
reef, fishes and their living conditions. The ancient wrecked ship at
the seabed reproduces the struggling history; in this sea world, you
can enjoy reef and rock, visual seaweeds, freely swimming of various
fishes and ocean animals, at the same time appreciates the wonderful
seabed world.
The seabed tunnel has over 90 kinds of fishes and animals with the
quantity over 5000 from different parts of the world, of the creatures
among which, you will appreciate formidable ferocious sharks,
fluttering rays and other halobios with different features .the over 300
kinds of aquicolous wildlife with over 12,000 in quantity will slow
your paces in the seabed world. In the process of appreciation, you can
self feed wildlife, dive into seabed and swims together with fishes,
at the same time, really experience that human can so closely touch
with halobios and live harmoniously with them.
Ocean Theatre
Entering into ocean theatre, it seems the real ocean world around
you, where a huge glass window seems showing the story of the ocean
world, the lighting weaver, the teetering of elder turtles, the
shuttling cruise of formidable sharks. Especially, the mermaid show of
actual people will drive you to the visional fairyland, following her
wiggly tail fin; you can freely rush into the ocean with her
Grand Garden of Seabed
Among colorful, various featured coral reef, clustered
garibaldi swim elegantly and the dollish fish named "Nimo‘ seems very
merry. In the quality fish jar, there are some man cultivated colorful
mini coral aquatic animals, such as sea horses, jellyfish sea
flowers and live corals. In the touching pool, there are fishes like
"horseshoe crab", "starfish" etc, which can be touched without
distance. Acrylic glass column-shaped jars, whose diameter ranging from
0.3 meter to 2.4 meter, are arrayed in an upward order in the route way
to the coral ocean, looks like some pearls beset in the viewing route.
Rare fish like devil cannonball", yellow fox" and "poisonous eels"
attract tourists to come here and enjoy themselves.
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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. According to historical records engraved on a stone tablet inside,
this mosque was built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). This was a
result of Islam being introduced into Northwest China by Arab merchants
and travelers from Persia and Afghanistan during the mid-7th century when
some of them settled down in China and married women of Han Nationality.
Their descendants became Muslim of today. The Muslim played an important
role in the unifications of China during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties.
Hence, other mosques were also built to honor them.
In Xian, it is really well worth a trip to see the Great Mosque, not
only for its centuries-old history but also for its particular design of
mixed architecture - traditional Muslim and Chinese styles. Occupying an area of over 12,000 squaremeters, 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.
The first courtyard contains an elaborate wooden arch nine meters
high covered with glazed tiles that dates back to the 17th century. In the
center of the second courtyard, a stone arch stands with two steles on
both sides. On one stele is the script of a famous calligrapher named Mi
Fu of the Song Dynasty; the other is from Dong Qichang, a calligrapher of
the Ming Dynasty. Their calligraphy because of such elegant yet powerful
characters is considered to be a great treasure in the art of
handwriting.
At the entrance to the third courtyard is a hall that contains
many steles from ancient times. As visitorsenter this courtyard, they will
see the Xingxin Tower, a place where Muslims come to attend prayer
services. A 'Phoenix' placed in the fourth courtyard, the principal
pavilion of this great mosque complex, contains the Prayer Hall, the
surrounding walls of which are covered with colored designs. This Hall can
easily hold 1,000 people at a time and according to traditional custom,
prayer services are held five times everyday respectively at dawn, noon,
afternoon, dusk and night. Mosques in China, this Great Mosque is the only one open to
visitors from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Non-Muslims, however, are not admitted
to the main prayer hall or during times of prayer.
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In China, many temples house treasures and
artifacts, but the sheer quantity and quality of treasures in the Famen
Temple are rare. Situated in Famen Town of Fufeng County, about 120
kilometers (about 74.57 miles) west of Xian, Famen Temple is renowned for
storing the veritable Finger Bone of the Sakyamuni Buddha. Famen Temple was established in the Eastern Han
Dynasty (25--220), for carrying forward Buddhism. The most representative
structures in the temple are the Famen Temple Pagoda and Famen Temple
Museum.
At the center of the temple is the 13-tiered octagonal pagoda
under which it is said, a sliver of the finger bone of Sakyamuni buried.
In 1981, subsidence of the pagoda led to reconstruction, during which, an
Underground Palace was discovered unexpectedly in 1987. Many royal
treasures and jewelry were found here-more than 2,000 pieces surrounded
the Tang mandala (geometric designs, usually circular, symbolizing the
universe). The most precious one is the veritable Finger Bone of the
Sakyamuni Buddha. At present, this is the biggest Buddhist underground
palace so far discovered.
From the grand architectural style, it is said
to have been established in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). But why, and how
such precious treasures were stored under the pagoda. Tracing back to a
most flourishing time in Chinese history, formerly, Famen Temple was the
royal temple during the Sui Dynasty (581-618) and Tang Dynasty. Emperors
in Sui and Tang believed that enshrining and worshiping the bone of
Sakyamuni would bring riches and peace to the land and its people. So an
offering of treasure to the finger bone was made, it was housed in the
Underground Palace.
Due to the appropriate collection and further expounding of the
cultural connotations of the treasures to the public, the Famen Temple
Museum was established in 1987, which includes most of the precious
treasures from the Tang Dynasty removed from Underground Palace, including
gold and silverware, colored glaze ware, porcelain and silks. Owing to
more and more tourists and their curiosity to the relics, two new
exhibition halls were established in 2000. The exhibition area expanded
from 500 square meters to 3,000 square meters, which well caters for the
interest of tourists. Nowadays, Famen
Temple, which is the most famous Buddhist temple, plays a sovereign role
in Chinese Buddhism, and appeals to tourists from all over the
world.
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