China Travel

Without a doubt one of China's most famous and popular tourist sites, the Terracotta Warriors rank among the world's top archaeological finds. This incredible collection of well over 6,000 figures was accidentally unearthed by a group of peasants trying to dig a well in 1974. Instead of water, they found a 2,000-year-old statue of a warrior made to protect the tomb of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the founder of the Qin Dynasty and the first man to rule over a unified China. Fast-forward thirty-some years and the emperor's underground army has become an enormously popular tourist destination, even as archaeologists continue to painstakingly excavate and preserve the fragile statues. Qin created his empire by brutally smashing the armies of rival kings, and the the life-size warriors are testament to a dynasty founded on and ruled by force of arms. Standing in ranks as if awaiting a... more »

Before the Terracotta Warriors were unearthed and stole the limelight, Xi'an's number one tourist attraction was Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta). It's located in the Temple of Great Maternal Grace (Daci'en Si) complex. This square pyramid structure was built in 652 A.D. by Tang Emperor Gaozong. The original five stories were added to and renovated over the centuries, leaving us with the current seven story building standing at a height of 64 m (210 ft). Built from brick and wood in classic Ming style architecture, Big Wild Goose Pagoda was constructed to house and protect the Buddhist sutras and figurines brought from India by monk Xuan Zang, who would later translate them into Chinese. Though no one is absolutely certain, it is surmised that the "Big Goose" name comes from the classic novel Journey to the West, which features a fanciful version of the famous mon... more »

This  museum's collection of steles (huge stone slabs bearing important calligraphic engravings) is the largest in the country and housed in a historic Confucian Temple. Some 2,300 steles, gathered and accumulated over the centuries and numbering in the thousands, are now on display behind glass.  The steles provide a fascinating window into China's history, especially of influences that came in along the Silk Road that terminated in Xi'an. One stele, for example, documents the arrival of Christianity in China in 781 AD, with the founding of a Nestorian Church. Others mark significant dates in China's history. A series of Buddhist steles fascinate with their depictions of increasingly sinocized images of the Buddha, who arrived from India well before Christ made his debut. Native belief systems are well represented, too, as in the "God of Literature Pointing the D... more »

Unlike so many of China's modernized but ancient cities, Xi'an has managed to retain a major piece of its past intact. Forming an enormous rectangle around the old imperial heart of the city, the Xi'an city walls date back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), though they attained their present brick-faced form in 1568 and several sections have been recently rebuilt. The most complete city wall in China still in existence, they run approximately 12 kilometers in length and feature imposing guard towers and gates. In their heyday, the city was further protected by a moat complete with drawbridges; today, the moat has been filled in and converted to park land. The wall is fully walkable, with access provided at the major gates, making it a great way to get a feel for the lay of the land. A shuttle runs between the South, East and West Gates and bikes can be rented for RMB 20 an hou... more »

Located at the foot of the Lishan (Mount Li) lies the tomb of China's first Emperor—Qin Shihuang—whom the Terracotta Warriors were built to protect in the afterlife. Derived in part from the history of Qin written by the Han historian Sima Qian, legend has it that the tomb was originally decorated with vast amounts of gold, silver and pearls, and that ornate maps of the empire were carved into the floors complete with rivers of flowing mercury. The history is clouded by the apparent fact that all the artisans who built the tomb were buried alive upon its completion; however, recent digs have found walls and watchtowers of a large underground complex that corresponds roughly to the apocryphal record, and spot test on local soil have turned up unusually high levels of mercury. Given the extravagance of the Terracotta Warriors, only discovered in 1974, it's not har... more »

The Bell Tower rises from the heart of downtown Xi'an where the cityh's four main roads—Bei, Nan, Dong and Xi Dajie (North, South, East and West Avenues)—converge. Originaly built in 1582 and restored in 1739, the tower was used to announce the time of day for Xi'an residents and serve as a watchtower. The previous Bell Tower, dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), stood two blocks to the west. Today, one enormous bell dominates the top level of the four-story tower, accompanied by several smaller bells and chimes, most of which are replicas of the originals. A wrap-around balcony offers terrific views of the city, including the nearby Drum Tower, which marks the entrance to the Muslim Quarter, which no longer contains the giant drum once signaled the end of the day and closing of the city gates, though it does retain some good views, including ... more »

As with the uncovering of the Terracotta Warriors by well-digging peasants, we owe the discovery of Famen Si's treasures to chance. In 1981, torrential rains led to the collapse of the western half of this ancient temple, revealing an enormous crypt that had been sealed up for over 1,000 years.  Legend had long claimed that the Buddha's finger bones were secreted away somewhere within the temple, and sure enough, the bones were found in a silver reliquary, along with an astonishing array of Tang Dynasty artifacts including ancient Buddhist sutras, gold and silver and jade relics, and even glassware from the Roman Empire that had been brought to China via the Silk Road. The temple itself dates back to around 200 AD and the time of the Eastern Han Dynasty, making it one of the earliest centers of Buddhist worship in China. In 147 AD, King Asoka of India arrived and le... more »

These pleasant hot springs situated at the foot of Lishan (Mount Li) have been in use for around 2,500 years; the mineral-rich waters bubbling up from the earth have soothed emperors dating back to the notorious Qin Shihuang, and during the Tang Dynasty they became a primary imperial summer residence. Today, many imperial-era buildings and pools remain, accompanied by a small museum and marble boat (both of which date from the latter half of the 20th century). Today, you can take a dip in the waters once reserved for members of the emperor's court. For RMB 70, you can have a  bit of privacy at the Huaqing Hot Spring Bathhouse; for a mere RMB 20 you can soak with the masses in the public bathhouse (bring your own towel for the latter). History buffs might appreciate knowing that the pools are named after famed Tang concubine Yang Guifei, whose love affair with Empero... more »

Adjacent to Huaqing Pool, the Lintong Museum features an intriguing collection of over 10,000 relics dating from the Stone Age through the Qing Dynasty. The best part of the museum is its catch-all nature: everyday items such as silver chopsticks and ceramics share the spotlight with ancient weaponry, Han Dynasty relics, ancient Zhou and Qin Dynasty artifacts of bronze and jade, monumental stone stelae, exquisite jewelry and a range of other objects spanning roughly three millenia of Xi'an-centric Chinese history. If you're in a believing mood, you'll even find a reliquary holding the ashes of Buddha.   more »

A popular spot for its cool breezes and panoramic views of the area's ruggedly beautiful countryside, Lishan was once favored by Tang Dynasty emperors as a summer resort. Today, it's a great place to enjoy a day hike. You'll find hot springs and ancient pavilions off many trails and a splendid view from the top (1,256 meters above sea level). It's a good idea to bring along a bit of food and water, as dining options on the mountain are largely limited to a few snack stands at the top. If hiking isn't your cup of tea, a cable car is in service to whisk you to the peak.   more »