Shaanxi Provincial History Museum
Shaanxi Province is the birthplace of Chinese civilization. Xi'an City was the capital city in thirteen
dynasties which in total lasted over 1100 years. In a way, the history
of Shaanxi is a sketched version of the history of China.
This museum is a grand complex of buildings
imitating the architecture style of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).
The exhibition traces history from Stone Age, about 1.7 million
years ago, all the way to the last dynasty in Chinese history, which ended
in early 20th century.
The articles being displayed include stone tools used by ape man, pottery,
bronze sacrificial vessels, silver and gold utensils, scroll paintings,
fine china..., all of them to be relished by eyes.
Wild goose pagoda
Built in 652 AD, the pagoda was built to hold sutras and figurines of
Buddha that were brought to China by the Buddhist translator and traveler
Xuanzang.
Terra Cotta Army
Terra Cotta Army is a collection of 8,099 life-size terra cotta figures of
warriors and horses located near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor.
The terracotta figures were buried with the emperor in 210-209 BC. Their
purpose was to protect the Emperor in the afterlife.
These figures include infantry, archers, and officers, either in a
crouching or standing pose. Each figure was given a real weapon such as
bronze spears, halberds or swords, which dated to as early as 228 BC and
may have been used in actual warfare. Along with the soldiers and
officers, chariots made with great detail and precision were also included
as part of the army.
Mount Hua
Mount Hua, as the holy mountain of Taoism, is the western Mountain of the
Five Sacred Mountains in China. It is said that Lao Tzu, the founder
and patriarch of Taoism, once lived and gave sermons here. Now, many
Taoism temples that were once used by emperors to perform sacrificial
ceremony, remain on Mount Hua. Many of temples were constructed by
using manual labors to carry all the construction materials up to steep
terrains.
There are five main peaks, the highest one of 7087 foot high.
However, this is no ordinary hike to go to the top. Mount Hua is famous for its
precipitous cliffs with tremendous exposure. The trail is made of steps
carved on stones; most of it extremely narrow and steep. Some parts
are almost vertical. Iron chains have been installed for safety. To
reach the very top, you have to pass a section of plank road no more than
1 foot wide running above a deep gorge by hanging on to a chain installed
on the cliff face.
To ascend Mount Hua, you have the option of either climbing the 5000 ft of
elevation gain by foot or take a cable car to two thirds of the way up and
hike the rest 1600 ft of elevation gain.
Hua Qing Hot Spring
This hot spring is the bathing place for the favorite concubine of an
emperor of Tang Dynasty. The tragic love story between
the two is one of the favorite subjects of Chinese traditional literature
and drama.
Filed Trip on Loess Plateau
This field trip to the villages perched on Loess Plateau has been regarded
as one of the most unique and thought-provoking experience by our past
travelers.
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