Xian is the provincial capital of Shaanxi province. Famous as the world-class city of history and culture, Xian conventionally is the important base of scientific research, higher education, industry of national defense and hi-tech research and development in mid-west area of China. In 1992, Xian was approved to be the inland opening city and became the largest central city on New Eurasia Continental Bridges.
Xian Singing and Dancing Performance of Han and Tang Dynasties is another cultural attraction in Xian, and is widely famous and welcome among travelers.
Reputation of Xian
Xian takes great advantages of developing tourism thanks to its great history and culture over the past long time. Xian traditionally is one of the world famous tourist cities in China. Inferior to Beijing, Xian currently is the most famous historic and cultural city known in the European and American countries. Xian also boasts the cradle of Chinese traditional culture and Chinese ancient civilization, even the birthplace of Asian human beings and the center of prehistoric culture of Asia. As the Asian city, Xian has more than 3100 years of history. It used to be the national capital of 13 dynasties such as Zhou Dynasty, Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty and Tang Dynasty. Xian renowned as Chinese political, cultural and economic center as well as Chinese earliest opening city is the starting city of Ancient Silk Road. Leveled with Rome, Cairo and Athens, in 1981, Xian was formally titled World Famous City of History by UNESCO. Thanks to its long history and rich historic relics and heritage, Xian is absolutely different from other cities in China. Its ancient buildings and remainings impress the scholars and travelers too much. Xian is also a city that has the glorious tradition of revolution. After the Xinhai Revolution in 1911, Xian was one of the cities that supported the revolution. During the time of May-Four Movement, students of Xian largely supported the behaviors of Beijing students; Xian Incident actually proved this, and this was the biggest contribution to Chinese Anti-Japanese War
Xian Bell Tower, the landmark of downtown Xian, is strongly featured by its traditonal architectural style and symbolic significance.
Xian Attractions
Xian is also well-known as Natural Historical Museum due to its heritage of history and culture. There are a large amount of historic and cultural relics and heritage. There are 314 sites under the important protections, and among them there are 84 sites under the state-level and province-level protection. In Xian, there are also more than 4000 ancient sites and mausoleums as well as more than 120, 000 unearthed cultural relics. Emperor Qinshihuang’s Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses boasts the World’s 8th Wonder. Former Site of Chang’an City in Han Dynasty, Former Site of Daming Palace of Tang Dynasty, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Qujiang Pond, Stele Forest, Xian City Wall of Tang Dynasty, Bell Tower, Drug Tower, Xian Great Mosque, Emperor Yellow Mausoleum, Emperor Han Wudi Mausoleum, Hanyang Mausoleum, Tangqian Mausoleum, Tangzhao Mausoleum and Famen Temple are all the famous tourist destinations at home and abroad. The modern tourist attractions include: Office Site of General Yang Hucheng, Xian Mansion of General Zhang Xueliang, Zhiyuan Garden as well as Old Site of Xian Incident; Moreover, Shaanxi History Museum is also the popular destination in Xian. The attractions featured by natural and humanistic landscape are Huashan Mountain, Zhongnan Mountain, Taibai Mountain, Wangshun Mountain, Huaqing Pool of Lishan Mountain and many famous lakes and caves.
Xian Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is the most famous and welcome tourist attraction in Xian. It boasts The Eighth World Wonder.
Besides, Xian is also famous for its local food and folk customs. Xian as the important west city in China attracts a lot of tourist annually to enjoy its local snacks and food. Xian local food characterized of the west-style cooking methods is largely welcomed by local people and travelers. The local folk customs and festivals are also unique and impressive. Qinqiang Opera, Paper-cut, Shadowgraph and Temple Fairs as well as massive local festivals are the large supplement of Xian attractions. Xian as the famous tourist city is rich in the tourist resources both in tangible and intangible heritage.