Xian, located in central-northwest China, records the great changes of the country just like a living history book. Called Chang’an (meaning the eternal city) in ancient times, it is one of the birthplaces of the ancient Chinese civilization in the Yellow River Basin area. As the eastern terminal of the Silk Road and the site of the famous Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Dynasty, the city has won a reputation all over the world. More than 3,000 years of history including over 1,100 years as the capital city of ancient dynasties, have endowed the city with an amazing historical heritage. Travelers marvel at the numerous historical sites and cultural relics in the city.
Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army in Xian, aka Terracotta Warriors and Horses, is a super large collection of life-size terra cotta sculptures in battle formations, reproducing the mega imperial guard troops of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 – 210BC), the first emperor of the first unified dynasty of Imperial China.
Being the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Terracotta Army is no doubt a must-see for every visitor to Xian.
Originally the ancient funerary project for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, it is now a live museum, officially named Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, showing the life stories of the emperor and the once powerful Qin Empire (221 – 207BC) in those days of pomp and vigor.
Ticket Price:
March to November: CNY150
December to February: CNY120
Notes:
1. The fare is for the through ticket of Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, including the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site Park (Lishan Garden), and the shuttle bus between the two spots available from 8:30 to 18:30.
2. Visitors need to show identity cards or passports when buying tickets and entering the museum.
Opening Hour:
March 16 to November 15: 8:30 – 18:00, ticketing stops at 17:00;
November 16 to March 15: 8:30 – 17:30, ticketing stops at 16:30.
Xian City Wall
Xian City Wall is the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.
When Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), captured Huizhou, a hermit named Zhu Sheng admonished him that he should ‘built high walls, store abundant food supplies and take time to be an Emperor,’ so that he could fortify the city and unify the other states. After the establishment of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang followed his advice and began to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang Dynasty (618 – 907), forming today’s scale of Xian City Wall.
After the extension, the wall now stands 12 meters (40 feet) tall, 12-14 meters (40-46 feet) wide at the top and 15-18 meters (50-60 feet) thick at the bottom. It covers 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) in length with a deep moat surrounding it. Every 120 meters, there is a rampart which extends out from the main wall. All together, there are 98 ramparts, which were built to defend against the enemy climbing up. Each rampart has a sentry building, in which the soldiers could protect the entire wall without exposing themselves to the enemy. Besides, the distance between every two ramparts is just within the range of an arrow shot from either side, so that they could shoot the enemy, who wanted to attack the city, from the side. On the outer side of the city wall, there are 5,948 crenellations, namely battlements. The soldiers can outlook and shoot at the enemy. On the inner side, parapets were built to protect the soldiers from falling off.
Ticket Price:
CNY 54 for adults.
CNY 27 for children between 1.2 and 1.4 meters (3.9 – 4.6 feet); free for children under 1.2 meters.
CNY 100 for a combo ticket of the wall and Forest of Stone Steles Museum.
Opening Hour:
South Gate: 8:00 – 24:00
East/North/West Gate, Hanguang Gate, Wenchang Gate, Heping Gate, Zhongshan Gate, Shangde Gate:
May – Oct.: 8:00 – 19:00; Nov. – Apr.: 8:00 – 18:00
Mt. Huashan
Situated in Huayin City, Mt. Huashan is 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Xian. It is famous for natural vista of steep and narrow paths, precipitous crags and a high mountain range. Its five peaks are the representative attractions and each has its distinctive charms: East Peak is the best place to enjoy the sunrise; South Peak has the highest altitude; West Peak is the most elegant; North Peak is famous as the Cloud Terrace Peak and Middle Peak is also called Jade Lady Peak.
The Mt. Huashan is also home to several influential Taoist temples, where many emperors of past dynasties took part in Taoist activities and sacrificed to the god of mountain, making it a holy land of Taoism.
Ticket Price:
Mar. – Nov.: CNY 180;
Dec. – Feb.: CNY 100
Note:
1. It includes the main peaks scenic area, Jade Spring Temple, Xianyu Scenic Area and Xiyue Temple.
2. The ticket is valid for two days.
Opening Hour:
The mountain is open all day.
Xiyue Temple: 09:00 – 17:30
Jade Spring Temple: 09:00 – 19:00
