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Xi'an 西安

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Xian, ChinaXian, China
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xi%27an_-_City_wall_-_006.jpg
Author: Maros M r a z
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Xi'an (西安) is the capital of Shaanxi Province, China. The modern city of Xi'an has a population of 2.6 million people within metropolitan area of 8.2 million people. It is an industrial and education center for the central and northwest part of China, and is also a major tourist destination, with its biggest attraction being the Terracotta Warriors and the Silk Road.

Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in China, with a history spanning 3,100 years. Xi'an is also one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, having been a capital during the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui and Tang Dynasties.

Pavilion in Xi'anPavilion in Xi'an
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xi%27anviewbuilding4.jpg
Author: Haldini/Sam Haldane
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The name Xi'an means "western peace". It got this name during the Ming Dynasty, when the name was changed from Chang'an. These are just two of the many names of the city. It was known as Fenghao during the Zhou Dynasty around 1,046 BC. It was first called Chang'an during the Han Dynasty, around 206 BC. Then it became known as Daxing during the Sui Dynasty, in AD 581.

Xi'an was renamed Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty in AD 618, but was also known by various other names including Fengyuan, Anxi and Jingzhao during the Yuan Dynasty. It has held the name Xi'an from 1369 to 1930, when it was renamed Xijing, but then in 1943 it once again reverted to Xi'an until present day.

View of Xi'an from Dayan TowerView of Xi'an from Dayan Tower
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Square_north2DayanTower.jpg
Author: Pubuhan
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Planning your trip to Xi'an

The Xi'an Xianyang International Airport is located some 40 km to the northwest of downtown Xi'an. It gets mostly domestic flights with some international scheduled flights including from Bangkok, Nagoya and Tokyo.

The best way to get out of the city is to take the airport bus, which runs every half an hour and costs ¥ 25 to go to downtown Xi'an, near the Bell Tower, which is right at the center Xi'an. The same journey by taxi will cost ¥ 100.

Exploring Xi'an

Walking may be the best way to see downtown Xi'an. However the Terracotta Warriors are quite a distance from downtown, and should either be reached by bus or a local tour. The local taxi is not a recommended choice, as the drivers have been known to hike up prices for non-locals.

At time of writing (April 2010), a subway is being built in Xi'an but is not yet ready.

Terracotta Army, XianTerracotta Army, Xian
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xian_guerreros_terracota_general.JPG
Author: airunp
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Places of Interest in Xi'an

  1. Terracotta Army
    The world-famous Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an are the warriors of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi in the afterlife.

  2. Shaanxi History Museum
    Museum chronicling the history of Shaanxi civilization, housing over 370,000 relics.

  3. Xi'an City Walls
    Well-preserved medieval walls around the city center.

  4. Forest of Stelae Museum
    Museum housing commemorative stone tablets dating back to the Han Dynasty.

  5. Bell Tower
    Historic structure in downtown Xi'an housing an enormous bronze bell.

  6. Drum Tower
    Historic structure near the Hui Muslim quarter of Xi'an.

  7. The Great Mosque of Xi'an
    Principal place of worship for the Muslim community in Xi'an.

  8. Minaret of Xi'an
    Minaret of the Great Mosque of Xi'an.

  9. Eight Immortals Temple
    The largest Taoist shrine in Xi'an.

  10. Small Goose Pagoda (Xiaoyan Ta)
    One of the important historical relics from the Tang Dynasty.

  11. Great Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta)
    Pagoda built in memory of the emperor's mother Empress Wende.

Sights Farther Afield

Sights outside of Xi'an includes the aforementioned Terracotta Army, and the following places of interest. Many of these are mausoleums to past rulers of China.
  1. Xianyang City Museum
    Museum displaying relics from the Qin and Han Dynasties, including 3,000 miniature terracotta warriors.

  2. Mao Ling
    Tomb of Han Dynasty emperor Wudi

  3. Qian Ling
    Burial site of Tang Dynasty Gaozong emperor and his consort.

  4. Zhao Ling
    Mausoleum of the Tang Dynasty Taizong emperor

  5. Famen Temple
    One of the first Buddhist temples in China.

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