Xi'an is known as "the Cradle of Chinese Nationality". It is not only the birthplace of Chinese Nationality, but also the important human birthplace and one of the prehistoric culture centers in Asia. There is a saying, "Xi'an located in the center of Qinling had been made capital since the ancient times." Xi'an is a city with a long history, in which many ancient Chinese dynasties established their capitals. From Xizhou with the  flourishing slavery to Tang Dynasty with the peak of feudalism, there had been a total of 12 dynasties that built capitals here.
As an ancient capital with thousands of years of history and the starting point of the "Silk Road", Xi'an served as an important pivot and center in ancient foreign economy and culture exchange. After the 10th Century A.D., with the focus of Chinese economy, politics and culture moved eastward, Xi'an attracted high attentions from rulers of Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing, because it was, first of all, taken as an important town militarily and politically in northwest, serving as an important strategic position to maintain the stability in northwest and guard the safety in central China.
Climate
Xi'an lies in the temperate zone under continental climate with distinct seasons. The annual average temperature is around 15¡æ. January, the coldest month, is about ¨C3¡æ¡«-4¡æ,while July, the hottest month, is about 32¡æ. The yearly sunshine period reaches 1,500 hours and the annual average rainfall is 500mm-750mm, mainly concentrated in summer and fall.
Local Culture, Art and Food
Xi'an has always been one of the richest central regions of China with regard to food supplies. It is known as "the most prosperous place on earth", the cradle of China's agricultural civilization, and the representative of China's civilization as well, displaying profound and colorful civilization and art: Hu County peasant pictures, shadows play, paper-cuts, clay sculptures, colored steamed buns, embroidery, tri-coloured glazed pottery, drawed porcelain plates, wheat skeleton pictures, etc. Besides, the cooking culture of Xi'an boasts a long history: it converges the most famous Chinese food, as well as American and European food, and various other types of delicious food, such as Japanese, S.Korean barbecue, flavors of Southeast Asia, Islamic flavor, etc. Eight famous dishes from Xi'an have winned the Gold Pot Award, especially the local snacks, are real attraction for guests from home and abroad.
Transportation
Public Transit
There are more than 200 bus routes in Xi'an.
Subway
A subway project is in course of construction, designed 7 lines, the first route will be completed by 2011.
Train
Xi'an Railway Station is the major railway station in the city. Others include Xi'an West, Xi'an East, Sanmincun, Fangzhicheng railway stations. Xi'an North Railway Station is under construction. Xi'an railway station is one of the 6 main transport centers in China.
Airport
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport is the major airport serving the city. It is the largest airport in the northwest region of China. It is outside of the city to the northwest, between Xi'an and Xian yang. Chang'an Airlines and China Eastern Airlines are the main airport tenants. Taxis are a convenient way to get to a hotel although there is also an airport bus which leaves you in the city centre. You may have to get a taxi to your hotel from where the bus stops. Most taxis are unmetered at the airport but metered everywhere else! The asking price from airport to city centre is 150 Yuan. Bargain for about 120-130 Yuan or ask for the meters to be put on.
Main sights
The city is surrounded by a well-preserved City wall of Xi'an which was re-constructed in the Ming Dynasty and based in inner imperial palace of Tang Dynasty. The area in which Xi'an sits is a relatively flat place, making travel on the wall relatively easy unlike the steep inclines of the Great Wall. It is also plenty wide enough to rent a bicycle and cruise along the wall without colliding with others.
 The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang and his Terracotta Army are located 40 km to the east of the city's suburbs.
The city's Muslim quarter, a tourist shopping district next to the Drum Tower, is home to the Great Mosque of Xi'an.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda are both spectacular towers and both are well over 1,000 years old and have survived great earthquakes. The former is next to a large square with the largest fountain in Asia which projects water high into the air, rising and falling in time to music during one of the daily performances (usually at noon and soon after sunset).
The Bell Tower and Drum Tower, located at the city centre.
The Stele Forest is famous for its numerous historic inscriptions and stonework.
The Shaanxi History Museum has a large collection of artifacts both modern and ancient.
The Banpo Neolithic village is located outside the city.
Mount Hua is one of the most visited and steepest mountains in the country. |
