Often considered the cradle of Chinese civilization,
Xi'an is one of the oldest and most influential cities in China's
grandiose history. In its more than 3,100 year history, Xi'an has been
the capital of 13 dynasties, was the Eastern terminus of the great Silk
Road and the earliest link between China and the West, was the
economic, political and cultural center of China during the formative
and influential Qin, Han and Tang dynasties, and has served as a focal
point for the development of both Buddhism and Daoism in China. It is
no surprise that Xi'an is home to numerous historical sites and
countless cultural and religious artifacts.
One
cannot mention Xi'an without making note of the legendary Terracotta
Warriors, an army of 6000 life-sized clay warriors standing watch over
the mausoleum of the first emperor of China. Other must-sees include
the immense Ming Dynasty city walls, the most intact city walls in the
world, measuring up to 18 meters thick in some places; the Great
Mosque, one of the largest in China, incorporating a fascinating blend
of Chinese and Muslim influences; and the Muslim Quarter, home to the
city's Muslim minority (the hui) and where one can find numerous smaller mosques and even an Islamic food market.
With
no scarcity of fascinating places to visit and things to see, Xi'an
also has an almost overwhelming collection of royal palaces, national
parks, museums, temples and shrines. Six of the eight Buddhist
Founder's Temples can be found in Xi'an. Hua Shan, one of the five
sacred mountains in Taoism, can be found just south of the city in the
Qinling mountains.
Fast forward to the 21st century where Xi'an has
resurfaced as a cultural, industrial and technological hub, laying
claim to a flourishing software industry, a growing community of
cutting edge artists, musicians and architects, a plethora of shopping
malls, and the world's largest internet bar with more than 3000
computers.
The city is the birthplace of Qinqiang, the oldest form
of Chinese drama which has influenced many other styles, including
Peking Opera. Xi'an has also emerged as a focal point for various new
art forms. The Chang'an School, a modern school of Chinese traditional
arts, finds its home here, as does the contemporary art factory
Spinning Town. Known also for its underground music scene, Xi'an is
famous for spinning out rock stars.
As a city both steeped in a rich historical legacy and
simultaneously making its footprint in a modern context, Xi'an may
appeal to both the history buff and the techie, the scholar and the
tourist, the artist and the business person. Regardless of where your
interests lie, Xi'an is sure to have what you are looking for.
