Visit the Chinese City of Xian with TourChina.com

No trip to China can be complete without a stop to the ancient city of Xian, a city that incorporates great cultural background, scholarly knowledge and artistic, architectural beauty. Over 3,100 years of age, Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in China, and one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals. The city is located at the eastern edge of the old Silk Road that crosses Asia and served as a central rout for merchants, political messengers, army men, missionaries, soldiers and nomads. As such, it played a prominent role in the country's rich history and China's great past is carved within the city's wall. But Xian is much more than a great path to old ages. In modern times it became a center of modernization and industrial development and represent today China's essence - deep, complex history and high-speed, new age present.

With so many archeological treasures, monuments, religious shrines and important buildings, it is hardly surprising that Xian had evolved to be a main Chinese tourist attraction. The only dilemma facing tourists is what sites to choose and which areas of the city and its region to cover first.

Places to See in Xian

The Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum is a well known tourist destination. Visitors to this old and magnificent crypt can view the Terracotta Army - lifelike figures of horses, warriors, acrobats, heralds of Qin Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor of China. There is an estimated number of over 9,000 figures, even though most of them are still buried. The figures are real works of art and their number and magnitude make a long lasting impression.

The Drum Tower was built at around 1380 and it offers breathtaking view of the city and its area. The tower receives its name from the gigantic drum that in old times was used to mark the end of the workday and echoed throughout the city each sunset. Visitors to the tower can enjoy magnificent exhibitions of different decorated drums - some in the tower's halls and some in the unique drum museum that includes some old true masterpieces.

The Bell Tower was built at 1384, around the same time as "Drum" and they are in fact twin towers. The Bell Tower was used every dawn, and blessed the opening of each sunrise with its powerful, majestic tone. Almost 40 meters high this building is a true architectural work of art and over the years it served both as one of the city's main symbols and as an inspiration to romantic and tragic tales.

The city of Xian is full of religious centers and travelers can visit them and absorb the spiritual atmosphere of the different religion. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda are two outstanding, old and well-preserved Buddhist pagodas and famous tourist attractions. Take the chance to visit the city's Great Mosque which offers an interesting insight of the intertwining of Chinese and Arab cultures.

Xian is also a great place for lighter entertainments - pleasant restraint that serve delicious local dishes, nightclubs and flourishing shopping areas. For more information regarding the city and its many extraordinary sites, try travelchinaguide.com or asiarooms.com