Xian is a world renowned tourist destination due to its historical significance and attracts millions of visitors every year. Wandering through this city is like taking a walk through an ancient museum. One of the oldest cities in the world, Xian is located in the northwest of China, in the central part of the Weihe Plain. Called Chang’an in ancient times, this city has a long and rich history.
Xian was the capital of ancient China and served as a national capital of 12 dynasties from the Western Zhou dynasty (1046-771 BC) to the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). This city was the starting point of the Silk Route to the west and is one of the most interesting place places to visit in China because of its place in history.
Finding History in Xian
Located in Shaanxi province, Xian has a great many precious historical relics and sites. More than 4,000 historical sites and tombs and over 120,000 relics have been excavated in and around the city. Some of the major historical finds include the terra cotta warriors and horses, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, The Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the Huaqing Hot Springs, the Bampo Neolithic Village, the Drum Tower, the Forest of Stone Tablets and the Bell Tower.
Xian Today
Today Xian is a modern industrial and manufacturing center, has a population of 6.5 million and covers an area of 9,983 square kilometers (6,205 miles). Xian University is located in the city and is considered to be one of the best universities in China. Unlike Beijing or Shanghai, Xian is more of a tourist destination for people interested in understanding China and exploring its rich past.
Xian Weather
This city has an average annual temperature of 13° C (55°F) and is best visited in the summer. Xian has a temperate climate with a cold winter and a hot summer. The rainy season lasts from July to September.
Inside Xian
Xi'an City has jurisdiction over eight districts which include:
Xincheng
Lianhu
Beilin
Baqiao
Weiyang
Yan-ta
Yanliang
Lintong
Xian City also has jurisdiction over five counties which are:
Chang'an
Lantian
Gaoling
Zhouzhi
Huxian
Located in the center of the city is the ancient city of Xianyang, which is surrounded by a city wall. The inner city of Xian was built in the Ming Dynasty over 600 years ago. There are four main attractions in this area of the city: the Great Mosque, the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower and the Provincial Museum (which houses the famous Forest of Stone Tablets and other ancient artifacts). With the Bell Tower situated in the middle of the city, with four main roads that stretch out from it in all four directions. East Street is the busiest street in the city with the only five star hotel, the Hyatt Regency Xian Hotel, within the ancient city wall. On West Street is the city’s Muslim residential area with the Great Mosque. South Street is the oldest street in the city and is used to reach the imperial city gate (known as the South City Gate) and on North Street lies the Defachang Hotel that leads to Lianhu Park.
Outside Xian
Most of Xian’s historical attractions are outside the ancient city.
North is the Xian Economic and Technical Development Zone, and the Town God’s Temple.
East is the Bampo Village Museum, the Huaqing Hot Springs, the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the terra cotta stone warriors.
West is the Qainling Mausoleum, the Tomb of Princess Yong Tai and the Famen Temple.
South of the city lies Big Wild Goose Temple on Xiaozhai Road and Small Wild Goose Temple off Youyixi Road.
