Shaanxi Province is located in the very heart of China. Boasting a population of more than 36 million in an area of over 200,000 square kilometers (about 77,225 square miles), Shaanxi includes most of the middle stretch of the Yellow River. It borders Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan, Gansu and Ningxia.
When to Go
Shaanxi Province's climate is temperate and semi-arid in the north and subtropical and humid in the south. Annual average temperature of Shaanxi is between 8
C and 16C and its annual rainfall averages from 400 millimeters to 1,000 millimeters. Spring and fall are the best times to visit Shaanxi, since the winters are cold and summer is often rainy.
History
Shaanxi Province is one of the most important cradles of ancient Chinese civilization. As far back as one million years ago, some of China's earliest inhabitants lived in this region, and began spreading their culture along the life-sustaining Yellow River. Throughout the province's long history, there are 13 dynasties who established capitals here, including the Zhou, the Qin, the Han, and the Tang. Because of this rich history, cultural relics and ruins are plentiful, and may be found preserved both above - and underground. So Shaanxi is called the 'authentic history museum' in China.
What to See
There are many historic places to be seen. One of the oldest is the Banpo Village Remains, the site of a 6,000-year-old village which belongs to the Neolithic Age. In the capital city, Xian, you can see the City Wall, which was begun in the Han Dynasty, a century before the Christian era, and is now the largest and most well-preserved ancient wall, existing in China. Xian Forest of Stone Steles Museum boasts a largest collection of the stone tablets in China, 114 of which are engraved with 'classic' texts. In or near the city are 72 ancient tombs and remains, including the mausoleum of the Tang emperor Xuanyuan (the Yellow Emperor), who initiated Chinese civilization. There are many more ancient structures and temples such as the Big Goose Pagoda built in 652, Famen Temple, Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. The highlight of a Shaanxi tour for many visitors is the amazing Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses who guard a site honored as the Eighth Great Wonder of the world.
Shaanxi is also abundant in natural beauty beyond its rich historical legacy. As one of the five best-known mountains in China, Mt. Huashan, 120 kilometers (or 46 miles) east of Xian, is famous for its breath-taking cliffs and awe-inspiring landscape. The Hukou waterfall on Yellow River, the second biggest one in China, is very overbearing and magnificent. And Moutain Lishan and the nearby Huaqing Hot Springs are very attractive. Their beautiful legends will bring you into a moving love story between emperor Xuanzong and a beauty named Yang Yuhuan.
Shaanxi is both a base area of Chinese new-democratic revolution and a place with unique folk customs. The loud resounding Shaanxi opera, the joyous clattering of gongs and drums, the exquisite cut - paper art and the peasants' paintings full of a rich flavor of life attract more and more tourists' attention from home and abroad.
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Travelers' Voices on Shaanxi Province
1.
Nov. 13,2009 00:50 Reply
Mr.williams(China) said:
im doing research project for shaanxi province and i'd like too ask who if anyone wrote this page
thanks,
2.
Oct. 28,2009 15:20 Reply
Mr.Elisa(USA) said:
Is it easy to get to the Terracotta warriors without being on a tour? What about Huashan?
Oct. 28,2009 21:46
Mr.Leo replied:
The Terracotta museum could be reahced easily from downtown Xi'an by city-bus: tour special bus No.5. However, there are only several tour special buses departing to Mt. Huashan. So, you have to pay attention to the bus timetable in advance.
3.
Oct. 26,2009 01:45 Reply
Mr.Colin(New Zealand) said:
My command of Mandarin is not so good. Is there much knowledge/use of English language in Xian?
Oct. 27,2009 22:25
Mr.Qi replied:
No problem in star hotels but little use of language in the places, such as taking a taxi, city bus, markets, etc.
4.
Jan. 24,2009 13:34 Reply
Mr.walcer(usa) said:
we have a short visit to China --will arr in 'Shanghai and leave from Beijing --how do we get to Xian and can we do this on a one day (in befor noon and out as late as possible to catch a plane--or any better way
thanks
Apr. 3,2009 02:45
Mr.li(china) replied:
I think you can fly to xi'an from shanghai at 08:10,arrive xi'an at 10:20 , you can fly to shanghai from xi'an at 20:15
Oct. 11,2009 21:25
Mr.Paul(New Zealand) replied:
We travelled to China earlier this year and went from Beijing to Xi'an by train. This was a very pleasant way to travel, sleeper train, left Beijing at approx 8:00pm and arrived in Xi'an at 7:30am. Relatively cheap too.
5.
Aug. 20,2009 22:13 Reply
Mr.Dave(Canada) said:
nin hao. what would be the best way to get to Kingtzekwan, Henan is located 10.3 kilometre from Xianghejie, Shaanxi? xie xie
Aug. 24,2009 02:53
Mr.jerry(cn) replied:
Is there a place called kingtzekwan, i do not think it is a chinese pinyin. Could you please check the spelling!
Aug. 24,2009 19:56
Mr.dave(canada) replied:
This is what i have
Kingtzekwan, Henan
Kingtzekwan, Henan is geographically located at latitude (33.27 degrees) 33 16' 12" North of the Equator and longitude (110.994 degrees) 110 59' 38" East of the Prime Meridian on the Map of the world.
The locations related to Kingtzekwan, Henan are represented by the nearest distances for a beam of light to travel and may not be nearest by road. For example, Kingtzekwan, Henan is located 0 kilometre from Ching-tze-kuan, Henan. Kingtzekwan, Henan is located 0 kilometre from Tszintszoguan, Henan. Kingtzekwan, Henan is located 0 kilometre from Ching-tzu-kuan, Henan. Kingtzekwan, Henan is located 4.2 kilometre from Jinziguan, Henan. Kingtzekwan, Henan is located 10.3 kilometre from Xianghejie, Shaanxi
Aug. 26,2009 03:56
Mr.jerry(cn) replied:
Okay, I guess it is 荆紫关 （Jingziguan in Chinese Pinyin）, an old town at the joint part of Shaanxi, Henan and Hubei. For the data you provide, I thing it should be this place. It is in Nanyang City, Henan Province. You can take train to Nanyang from Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Ningbo, Nantong, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Wuxi and Xian. So, where are you leaving from?! Then change to another bus to Xichuan County then go to the place. You can also get to Shiyan City, Hubei, first. Then take bus to YUnxian County, then to Jingziguan. It is not convenient.
Aug. 26,2009 21:38
Mr.DIGGER(Canada) replied:
Thank you Mr Jerry.
My Great Grandfather is burried there. He lived in China from 1876 to 1931.
I'm planning on coming to China in late September and this will be one of te areas that I want to travel to.
Hopefully not convenient is an adventure :).
Where would you recommend as a start point... Shiyan?
Aug. 27,2009 03:11
Mr.Jerry replied:
I understand, Mr Dave. Yes, it is a meaningful trip to this place for you. To your question, no big difference, actually. I have heard that it has direct bus from Wuhan to Jingziguan around Chinese Spring Festival, but not sure. If you get to Shiyan, find bus to Bailang Town of Yunxian County (or get to Yunxian first then change to Bailang Town). Bailang is 3km to Jingziguan. You can just find local vehiles to help you out to the place. Good Luck~
6.
Aug. 1,2009 03:59 Reply
Mr.sanjeev khanna(india) said:
where is dongyi road in xian shaanxi,is it a commercial place for marketing or office area or factory area sanjeev khanna from india
Aug. 4,2009 21:07
Mr.Qi replied:
Dongyi Road in Xian is not a very commerical place, but it is very closed to the city center. Walk a block south, it is the East Street, one of the most prosperous shopping streets in Xian. Not good for office area, I think.
7.
May. 5,2009 10:20 Reply
Mr.jagdish(India) said:
Pls let me know nearest international Air port to reach Shaanxi
May. 5,2009 22:07
Mr.James replied:
Xian, the capital city of Shaanxi has a international Airport. It seems there are direct flights from New Delhi to Xian. Three flights a week.
8.
Nov. 30,2008 20:46 Reply
Mr.bob(USA) said:
Xian is a wonderful tour spot it has many fun and exciting places to go to. Some are The Terracotta Warriors that protect the Qin emperor from evil spirits, there is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda for Buddhists to pray, and the City Wall of Xian, but there are many more places to explore. The other places to visit in Xian are the drum tower, which was beat at sunset, Mt. Huashan, with fantastic scenery, and the Forest of Stone Steles.
Xian’s weather is hot and rainy in the Fall and cold and dry in the Winter.
Xian is located on a flood plain. It is surrounded by eight rivers. It covers 9,983 km. South of Xian is the Qinling Mountain range. It has approximately seven-and-a-half million people living all over Xian, but only four million live in the city. Shaanxi is the province for Xian which is the capital.
Shaanxi was founded millions of years ago. A village called Banpo Village, which was a 6,300 year old village. Xian’s closest cities are Xianyang and Weinan.
Dec. 1,2008 02:21
Mrs.Samantha(South Africa) replied:
Wooooow... you are really an expert on Xian. you must love this city very much!
Dec. 2,2008 02:00
Ms.Kinso(Philippines) replied:
Have you lived in Xian? Maybe you would like to write more about this city? I'm going to visit Xian next year, so it is interesting to know anything in advance...
May. 3,2009 21:32
Mr.Warren(China) replied:
Hello, Bob,
I feel ashamed because I come from shanxi province. But I knows this a little. Thanks for coming. thank you.
9.
Nov. 30,2008 20:47 Reply
Mr.Joe(USA) said:
纨 this is the charater for clothes
Dec. 2,2008 02:01
Mr.Hanz replied:
interesting to know what's the pronounce in pin yin?