Post by blackcloud on Nov 8, 2013 4:02:27 GMT -5
Xi'an is a treasure trove for travellers interested in archeology and ancient Chinese history. The Shaanxi Provincial History Museum stands as testament to the importance of this region in the development of Chinese culture. The museum boasts 113,000 artefacts collected in the area and is well worth a visit. Another exciting archeological site to visit is the Banpo Village which date back to 5,000 BC and constitutes the most well-preserved and complete example of an agricultural Neolithic settlement in the world. Xi'an (where you start your Silk Road tours) is also home to the Forest of Steles, a collection of 3,000 steles (stone tablets and ancient inscriptions) collected over the centuries in a library which is a haven for the travelling scholar, or anyone interested in the history of language and the written word.
Of course, when it comes to sightseeing, Xi'an is synonymous with its foremost attraction: the famous Terracotta Army Museum with its collection of nearly 8,000 warriors, unearthed in 1974. This is a not-to-be-missed experience for any visitor to China. The recently opened Tomb of Emperor Jingdi in Xi'an also displays a number of terracotta statues and it is a far less crowded museum. On the way to the Terracotta Army it is a good idea to stop off at the Huaqing Hot Springs to bathe in the same pools used by ancient emperors and their concubines.
The Xi'an city wall is the highest in the world and hiring a bicycle to cycle along the top is a wonderful introduction to the city. You can also walk the wall, stopping along the way to take some amazing photographs of both ancient buildings and new age skyscrapers.
Of course, when it comes to sightseeing, Xi'an is synonymous with its foremost attraction: the famous Terracotta Army Museum with its collection of nearly 8,000 warriors, unearthed in 1974. This is a not-to-be-missed experience for any visitor to China. The recently opened Tomb of Emperor Jingdi in Xi'an also displays a number of terracotta statues and it is a far less crowded museum. On the way to the Terracotta Army it is a good idea to stop off at the Huaqing Hot Springs to bathe in the same pools used by ancient emperors and their concubines.
The Xi'an city wall is the highest in the world and hiring a bicycle to cycle along the top is a wonderful introduction to the city. You can also walk the wall, stopping along the way to take some amazing photographs of both ancient buildings and new age skyscrapers.