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Monday, 09 December 2013 16:00

Xian Travel Tips, Xian Travel Advice, Xian Tour Tips, Xian Tour Advice.

It was in Xian where the Chinese Emperor Gao Zong agreed the official practice of Islam in China in 651. Since then a large Muslim community has been formed in Xian. Currently, the Muslim community is located behind the Drum with a Muslim population of over 60,000. There are about seven ancient Chinese style mosques located in Xian’s Muslim community. IslamiChina has summarized the following Xian Muslim travel tips to our Muslim brothers and sisters to travel Xian during a short period of time.

Tour Itinerary Planning

For Muslim Business Travelers

If you are a Muslim and you are on business here in Xian and you have one day off to tour around Xian, we suggest to arrange a visit to the Terra Cotta Warriors of Emperor Qin, back to the city in the afternoon you may join the local Muslims at Xian Great Mosque for Salat prayer.

For Muslim leisure travelers

3 Days and 2 Nights Xian Muslim Tour is the best choice for Muslim leisure travelers because this tour itinerary allows you to have enough time to know both Xian’s culture heritages as well as Muslim heritages. You are not in a hurry to get around Xian from one place to another. Please check IslamiChina’s Xian Muslim Tour 3 Days for details.

Accommodations

Currently there is no Muslim hotels in Xian. However, there are quite a few hotels located very close to the Muslim community where you can easily find Halal restaurants.

4-star Xian Grand New World Hotel

Xian Grand New World Hotel is located in the Muslim community of Xian. Walking out of the hotel to the right, you will find a small lane with all sorts of shops and Halal restaurants. The ancient mosque is about 10 minutes walk to the south.

4-star Xian Bell Tower Hotel

Xian Bell Tower Hotel is located right in the city center and facing the Ming Dynasty built Bell Tower. Walking towards the Drum Tower you will find the Muslim community behind the Drum Tower, souvenir shops and Halal restaurants are almost everywhere in this area. The Great Mosque is located in this area.

Halal Restaurants

As a matter of facts, Xian local snacks are Xian local Halal snacks because most Muslims in the old days are in the food business. The most famous local Halal food is Yangrou Paomo (Mutton soup with baked bread pieces). Many restaurants in Xi'an serve Yangrou Paomo but among the best known is the Lao Sun Jia, established in 1898 and the Tong Sheng Xiang where they have been serving excellent food for almost a century.

Mosques

Xian is the place where you can find one of the oldest mosques in China. Historical records showed that Xian Great Mosque was built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty, while the Daxuexixiang Mosque was built in the Ming Dynasty 600 years ago. All seven mosques in Xian’s Muslim community were built in the traditional Chinese architecture. You won’t find any Arabic style domes or minarets in Xian’s mosques.

Money Exchange

You can exchange traveler's checks or cash at most banks, and most 5-star and 4-star hotels always have a money exchange counter. You can also get a cash advance on your credit card on ATM machine. The exchange rate all over China are the same fixed by Bank of China. To change money, you have to have your passport at hand. If you want to change money in a hotel, you usually have to be a guest there. Sometimes if you are not a guest in a hotel but need to change money there, you can just say a random room number, but this doesn't always work. Remember to keep the exchange slip well because you need this slip to change the Chinese Yuan back to your currency if you do have this need at the end of the tour. At present, the RMB is not exchangeable on the International market, so it is only usable within the country. So when you are changing money, don't change too much, because it is difficult to change back into other currencies. To change RMB back into your home currency, you must retain the exchange slips that are given to you at the bank or money exchange counter.

Published in Xian Travel Information & Guide

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Monday, 09 December 2013 15:59

Xian Buddhist Temples, Xian Catholic & Chritian Church, Xian Taoist Temples, Xian Mosques.

Xi'an has several names in history: Fengjing, Gaojing, Fenggao, Xianyang, Chang'an, Jingzhao, Daxing, Yongxing, Fengyuan, and Xijing. Among them, Chang’an is the most famous one, for it was the capital name of the prosperous Han and Tang dynasties.

Xi'an is not only the important birthplace of the Chinese nation, but also one of the important birthplaces of human being and prehistoric cultural centers of the whole Asia. Xi'an had a history of over 3100 years of city construction, and 13 dynasties including Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang Dynasty successively established their capitals here. Xi'an once was China's political, economic and cultural center and the first city opened to the outside. The famous "Silk Road" starts from Xian. Therefore, it enjoys equal fame with world-renowned ancient capitals in history, including Athens, Rome and Cairo.

Among those past dynasties, the Han dynasty and the Tang dynasty were the most prosperous periods in Chinese history. Under the rule of the two dynasties, Xi'an was an international metropolis and also one of the largest cities in the world. Weiyang Palace in Han dynasty and Daming Palace in Tang dynasty both had great influence then. TheDaming Palace is the largest as well as the most gorgeous palace in ancient China.

Church (Catholic & Christian) in Xi'an

South Church--- St. Francis of Assisi Church ( View In Map )

Catholicism

Description: St. Francis was founded by Ma Daidi, an Italian Catholic missionary who was appointed by the Bishop of Shaanxi Catholic Church, between 1716 and 1727. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals and ecology, and was the founder of the Franciscan order.

Address:17 Wuxing Jie, Xi'an

East Church--- Christ the King Church ( View In Map )

Address:3 Dianchang Xilu, Baqiao District, Xi'an

Dongguan Church ( View In Map )

Address:55 Dongxin Xiang, Dongguan, Xi'an Postcode; 710048

North Street Church

Address:99 Bei Dajie, Xi'an Postcode: 710003

West Church---Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

Address:29 Yimin Xiang, Xi'an

South New Street Church

Address:Fu1 Jixian Xiang, Nanxin Jie, Xi'an Postcode: 710004

Buddhist Temples in Xi'an

Wuzhen Temple

Wuzhen Temple is situated on Lianhua (lotus) Coulee, 15 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of Lantian County. It is a cradle of Buddhism and a famed royal fane in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). Travelers can take a bus from the east square of Xian Railway Station to Lantian County. It runs regularly and arrives in Lantian in about one hour at CNY 10 per person. Upon arrival at Lantian, take a taxi to the Wuzhen Temple Scenic Area (CNY10). Alternatively, travelers may take a coach running from Xi'an to Shangzhou and get off at Wuzhen Temple on the way. The bus fare is CNY8 per person. The entrance fee for the temple is CNY 20 per person.

2Opposite the temple is Shuilu Nunnery, which is known for the well-preserved painted sculptures from the Five Dynasties and Ten States (907 - 960). There are over 3,700 vivid sculptures of people, animals and plants on the walls, beams, and pillars. Take a bus back to Lantian County and then connect a coach to Xian.

Xingjiao Temple

Located 20 kilometers south of Xi'an, Xingjiao Temple is a burial place for Master Xuanzang, the noted traveler, Buddhist scholar and translator of the Tang Dynasty. Take bus No. 917 from Dongyi Road and get off at Xingjiaosi stop in about 1.5 hours. Xingjiao Temple, literally meaning “the Temple of Flourishing Teaching”, plays a significant role in Buddhism culture. After Master Xuanzang passed away, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty ordered a five-level pagoda to be built in memory of the Xuanzang. The temple, named Xingjiao by the emperor, was built around the pagoda in the following year. Two students of Xuanzang were also buried in the temple, and another two pagodas were built on their tombs. There are also statues of Xuanzang and his students. The entrance fee is CNY 10 per person.

Daxingshan Temple

Daxingshan Temple, with a history of more than 1,600 years, is located in West Xingshansi Street, Xiaozhai of Yanta District, Xi'an. It is 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Xi'an railway station and 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Xi'an Xianyang Airport. The Temple can be accessed by buses No. 3, 5, 14, 11, 215, 239, 701, 704 or 722. First constructed in the Jin Dynasty (265 - 420), it is one of the oldest temples in Xi'an. In the Sui and Tang dynasties, Indian monks traveled to Chang'an (old name of Xian) and translated sutras and tantra in the temple. So the temple became one of the three largest temples that were responsible for translating sutras, the birthplace of Chinese tantra, and a historical site for cultural communication between ancient China and India. The present Temple is majestic and scenic and is surrounded by cypresses. Along its central axis, there is Hall of Heavenly King, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Guanyin, East and West Meditation Room, and statues of Buddha from the Tang and Song (960 - 1279) dynasties. The temple is free of charge, and opens from 08:00 to 17:00 daily. Every year at the Laba Day (the eighth day of December in Chinese lunar calendar), the temple provides free Laba porridge (a kind of porridge made of eight kinds beans and ingredients). You need to get up early if you want have a taste of this special porridge.

Qinglong Si (Green Dragon Temple)

The Qinglong Si (Green Dragon Temple) was a famous temple of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It was known as a place where Buddhist monks were trained, and it was a favorite destination in China for Japanese monks to learn Buddhism. The temple's history is well known in Japan because a Japanese monk named Kukai studied there and brought back his Buddhist teachings to Japan in the year 806. His influence was part of what made Buddhism popular in Japan. The original temple was destroyed, but a new one was built in 1963. The temple and the surrounding garden and halls are a favorite attraction for Japanese tourists who much appreciate the cherry trees that bloom between about March to May depending on the year's climate. So if you go there when the cherry blossoms are blooming, you'll likely see Japanese tourists. Beside the Green Dragon Temple, you can see a recently-built monument to the Japanese monk Kukai, exhibition halls, some remaining Tang-era monuments, and beautiful cherry trees.

Famen Temple

Famen Temple is located in Famen town, Fufeng County, 120 kilometers west of Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China. It was widely regarded as the "ancestor of pagoda temples in Guanzhong area".

One theory, supported by unearthed eaves-tiles and carved bricks of Han Dynasty, is that the temple was built during the Northern Zhou Dynasty, by Emperor Huan and also by Emperor Ling of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The literature record indicates that during Northern Wei Dynasty, Famen Temple already existed on a quite large scale. However, Buddhism was greatly suppressed in Emperor Wu's years of Northern Zhou Dynasty, and Famen Temple was almost completely destroyed. After establishment of Sui Dynasty, Buddhism was venerated, and Famen Temple was rebuilt, although it couldn't be recovered to its heyday in Northern Wei Dynasty. Its name was changed to Cheng Shi Dao Chang, and soon it merged with nearby Baochang Temple, and became a temple-owned farm.

Famen Temple entered its halcyon days after formation of the Tang Dynasty. During the first year of the reign of Wude Tang Dynasty (618), it was named Famen Temple, and monks were recruited the following year. Later the temple took in homeless people fleeing chaos caused by war at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and was unfortunately burnt. It was rebuilt later by monks. In Zhenguan 5th year (631), Zhang Liang was appointed to demolish Wangyun Palace to build the pagoda. It was rebuilt in Gaozong Xianqing 5th year(660), and was a four-storied pavilion-like pagoda. It was named later by Tang Zhongzong "True Relic Pagoda". Tang Zhongzong actively advocated Buddhism, and along with Empress Wei buried their hair under the pagoda (unearthed in autumn 1978). Jinglong 4th year (710), the temple was renamed "Grand Empire Carefree King Temple", and the pagoda "Grand True Relic Pagoda". In Wenzong Kaicheng 3rd year (AD 838), it was renamed "Fayun Temple", but soon reverted to the name Famen Temple. When Buddhism was suppressed in Huichang in the year of Wuzong, Famen Temple was affected. During Yizong's reign, the last Buddha relic acquisition in Tang Dynasty took place. At that time, Famen Temple was rebuilt, and its underground palace was not later altered. The emperors of Tang Dynasty acquired Buddha relics 7 times here, and every time donated generously, which facilitated the expansion of the temple and pagoda. After being built and renovated multiple times, Famen Temple evolved into a scale of 24 courtyards.

Taoist (Daoist) Temples in Xi'an

Temple of the Eight Immortals (Ba Xian An)

Temple of the Eight Immortals (Ba Xian An in Chinese, also, Eight Immortals Palace, formerly Eight Immortals Nunnery), as its name indicates, is mainly dedicated to the legendary Eight Immortals: Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, Han Xiangzi, Tieguai Li, Cao Guojiu, Lv Dongbin, Lan Caihe and He Xiangu. Located on Changle Fang Street in the eastern suburb, it is the biggest Taoist temple in Xian and is a famous Taoist architecture in northwest China.

Temple of the Eight Immortals is also called Ba Xian An Palace because when the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded Beijing in 1900, Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi escaped to Xian and lived in the Temple of the Eight Immortals. Therefore, Empress Dowager Cixi donated taels of silver later to fund the renovation of the monastery and gave it the name of Ba Xian An Palace.

The temple is said to be built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and was repaired and expanded many times in succeeding dynasties. The structures that can be seen today were mainly built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Not counting Mountain Gate, Paifang, Screen Wall, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, it can be divided into three sections. The first section includes five halls, dedicating to the protective god of Taoism-Wang Lingguan. The second section has two halls, and the color-painted statues of the Eight Immortals are worshiped in the back hall. The third section is the Main Hall with a tablet hanging on its lintel. The four characters 'Dong Tian Yun Ji' was inscribed on the tablet by Empress Dowager Cixi. Inside the hall, sacrifices were made to Dou Mu Yuan Jun (a high ranked god in Taoism) Taoists in the Temple of the Eight Immortals, Xi'anand other gods. Its annexes contain Lvzu (Lv Dongbin) Hall and Yaowang (King of Chinese medicine) Hall on the east and accommodations for Taoists on the west.

Besides visiting the monastery and burning incenses to pray for felicity, you should also look around the street outside the monastery. It's really a short street at a length of only 100 meters (110 yards) lined with two-storey buildings on both sides. Many curios like bronze mirrors, folding screen, four treasures of study, gallipots, porcelain and folding fans are sold here, most of which were commodities of the common people in olden times.

Temple of the Eight Immortals is a popular and important spot for Taoist celebrations in Shaanxi Province. On the 14th, 15th and 16th day of the fourth lunar month, the annual temple fair will be held. Ceremonious religious activities on the Double Nine Festival (9th day of the 9th lunar month) also attract a lot of adherents and tourists from near and far.

Mosques (Masjid) in Xi'an

Xi'an Great Mosque

Xi'an Great Mosque is the largest, and one of the most important islamic place in China. Covering an area of 6,000 square meters, the whole complex can be divided into four courtyards. In the first courtyard, there is a wooden arch. The arch is nine meters high, with glaze-covered tiles, and can be traced back to the seventeenth century. Three chambers stand either side of the arch, in which is now displayed some furniture preserved from the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the center of the second yard stands a stone arch with two steles on both sides. On the steles are famous calligraphic writings from prominent ancient calligraphers. The fourth courtyard contains a big prayer hall which can accommodate over a thousand people. The mosque has become a famous tourist attraction in the Xian, which receive a lot of visitors each year. See our tours to visit this mosque

Location: It is located at 30 Huajue Lane in the center of the city.

Daxuexi Lane Mosque

Dxuexi Lane Mosque is lcoated on the north side of Daxuexi Lane, facing the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane. It is the second largest mosque in Xian, next to the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane. It is also called the West Mosque.

Xian Xiaopiyuan Mosque

The Xiaopiyuan Mosque was first built in the late of Tang Dynasty(618-907). It is one of the first masques in Xi'an.

The temple is a construction that combines the Chinese palace-style and Islamic temple-style. It covers an area of 5,986 square meters with an constructed area of 2,032 square meters. The temple is a four-entrance courtyard. The first entrance is to the female temple. The second entrance is to the imam office and learning house. The third entrance is to the chanting room. The four entrance is to the moon platform. The major constructions are the prayer hall and other two buildings.

Address: Xiaopi Lane, Xi'an, Shanxi

Xian Dapiyuan Mosque

The Dapiyuan Mosque was first built in the 9th year (1411) of Yongle, Qing Dynasty(1644-1911). The existing temple covers an area of about 3,333 square meters with a constructed area of 1,610 square meters. The prayer hall occupies an area of 354 square meters. It is a Chinese classical architecture. There are many big trees in the temple. The environment of the temple is quiet and clean. The temple keeps 51 Arabic Classic. There are 4 imams, 13 Xurdong and 5 Manla in the Masque. The Masque hold 480 households of Muslim people and the total population is the 4,000 people.

Address: 108 Dapiyuan, Beilin District, Xi'an, Shanxi

Xi'an North Guangji Street Mosque

The North Guangji Street Mosque was first built in the late of Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) and was rebuilt in Qing Dynasty(1644-1911). The temple design combines Chinese nationality characteristic with Arabic temple style. The existing temple covers an area of 2,000 square meters with a constructed area less than 1,000 square meters. The major constructions are the prayer hall, Bunker building, south and north pavilions, bath house and other facilities. The prayer is 12 meters high and 13 meters wide. It is consisted by the Juanpeng, middle hall and the back hall. The Bunker building is a double hexagon shape with 13 meters high.

Address: 83 Guangji Street, Lianhu District, Xi'an, Shanxi

Xian Dongxinjie Mosque

The Dongxinjie Mosque was fist built by Hui people in 1939 and was rebuilt for many times. The existing temple covers an area of 1,000 square meters. The major constructions are the prayer hall, teaching room, water house and other facilities. In the important festival, Eid al-Fitr Day and Id al-Adha Day, there will 3,000 to 4,000 local and foreign Muslim people taking part in the religious activities.

Address: 62 Jianguo Lane, New Town District, Xi'an, Shanxi

Published in Xian Travel Information & Guide

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Monday, 09 December 2013 15:57

Night Life in Xian, Entertainment in Xian, Xian Night Activities, Xian Night Life Guide.

Nightlife in Xi'an is varied and colorful, and it is vibrant enough to satisfy a whole range of taste and tempos, catering for both young and old. It tells the world how the site of an ancient civilization can blend well with new culture.

Places such as night clubs, karaoke, discos, bars and cafes are all good places for you to get yourself a relaxation. You can sing and dance, which will take tiredness away. In a word, you will be captivated by the various entertainment activities in Xi'an.

One of the great delights of Xian is the way in which our ancient culture blends with the new in order to give the visitor a memorable experience of life in the city both as it was long ago and as it is today.

A good place to start your exploration is the Bell Tower as it stands in the historical center of the city and is adjacent to the flourishing modern commercial district. In the evening both the Bell Tower and Drum Tower are illuminated and provide a striking setting for the myriad of traditional Chinese restaurants and bright modern shopping malls where with a riot of color and movement the neon lights together with the street lighting present a veritable magical picture. As the bell tolls in the Bell Tower you can imagine yourself standing in the city as it was centuries ago.

As you stroll on the Bell & Drum Tower Square you will encounter many fellow pedestrians, who like you will be enjoying the spectacle of light and color against the dark blue dome of the night sky. Pass through the gate of the Drum Tower and the appetizing aroma of food will tempt your senses. Here you will find Muslim Snack Street a location famous for its many and varied restaurants, each with its own specialty dishes. Here you will be sure to find something that will appeal to your taste buds from the many novel and captivating dishes on offer.

A bar in DefuxiangOnce your appetite has been satisfied you may wish to find a place to relax with a drink and if it is a quiet and romantic setting you desire, then wander along Defu Lane. Along this lane there are over twenty bars, cafes and teahouses. Each has a distinct style and an intriguing name such as Roman Holiday, Blue Heart, Captain, Old Tree, etc. An archway signifies the entrance to the lane and can be found on Fen Xiang, Nan Dajie. For a dozen of Carlsberg, Heineken, Budweiser or local Tsingtao beer may cost about 150 to 300 Yuan.

If you wish to go to a movie, A Pang Gong Cinema is close to the Drum Tower at No. 61 Zhubashi Jie. In addition there is another cinema at No.323 Dong Dajie. This is Northwest Film City and is some 500 meters to the east of the Bell Tower. Cinema tickets in Xian are inexpensive. Generally speaking, it will cost you between 20 and 30 Yuan to see a film. It is a great pity that films are seldom shown in English and are dubbed into Chinese. Never the less, if you are interested in improving your command of Chinese, what better way can there be to learn more of our language!

If on the other hand, you would like to enjoy some hot music and dance, your destination of first choice will be 1+1 Disco Bar here you are guaranteed unlimited fun and entertainment. About a kilometer from the Bell Tower at No 285 Dong Dajie,Shaanxi Opera show, Xian the bar is decorated in a trendy style with a hint of 'heavy metal', which is rare in similar bars in Xian. The lighting and acoustics at the 1+1 Disco Bar are up to top class international standards and the venue offers a variety of shows as well as the opportunity to dance and hang out with your friends.

In Xian many working people and students alike enjoy going to KTV in their spare time to sing along with their friends. Not only is this a popular recreation in Xian but also in most other large cities in the country. Real Love is one of the best-known and most popular luxury KTV in Xian. Situated in Nan Erhuan Lu (South 2nd Ring Road), it is opposite the Province Library. Another venue where young people like to party is the Xialudi KTV. This is on the 4th Floor of No. 23 Yanta Bei Lu.

If you want to enjoy a more traditional Chinese evening, then the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show at the Tang Dynasty Palace or Shaanxi Song and Dance Theater is a must. The Tang Dynasty is regarded as the most progressive and prosperous era in the days of Imperial China and its music and dance symbolize the glory and splendor of Chinese civilization. The Tang Dynasty Theatre Restaurant is located at No. 75 Chang'an Lu and an evening here is sure to be a memorable highlight of your tour. At each performance there are over 100 artists who entertain with a colorful spectacle of dance and music. Here you will enjoy music played on ancient Chinese instruments such as the Pi Pa, a hand plucked string instrument, the Rang, Gu Zheng, Erhu, Yanquin, Dizi, Sheng, Pai Xiao, 24 tone Bronze bell chimes, Tang Dynasty music and dance show in Tang ParadiseSuo Na and a group of percussion instruments. Do not let these names daunt you, you are sure to enjoy their rich and varied sounds and the wonderful music they provide. The musicians also play the more easily recognized western style instruments, of course. To complete your Tang Dynasty experience, don't forget to enjoy a Dumpling Dinner!

Finally, another place deserving of some of your time is the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Covering an area of some 110,000 square meters and with an investment cost of 500 million Yuan, this is the largest music fountain square in Asia. The large-scale musical fountain is quite amazing. Here also you can see eight groups of magnificent sculptures and forty delightfully landscaped areas. This is not only one of the most impressive squares in China but is also becoming an important national monument to Tang Culture.

Best Recommendation:

Fountain and Music Show

Big Wild Goose PagodaThe Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Address: North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Time: Every 12:00 and 20:00 from Monday to Sataurday; 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 21:00 in weekends; and no show from November to January in the next year.

Covering about 110,000 square meters, the music fountain in the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the biggest one in Asia. The Fountain and Music Show has the most benches, the longest light-belt, and the largest-scale acoustic complex in the world.

Generally, the fountain contains 1360 sets of pumps, 1124 sets of transducers, 3300 sets of lampion and more than 2,000 sets of nozzles in all. Besides, it equips with high technological lighting system and professional audio systems.

What is most amazing is that the sound, the light, the water and the color of the fountain are harmoniously combined.

Tang Dynasty Show

Tang Dynasty Show The Tang Dynasty Show

The Tang Dynasty Show offers you the chance to experience a traditional Chinese evening. The Tang Dynasty is regarded as the most progressive and prosperous era in the days of Imperial China and its music and dance symbolize the glory and beauty of Chinese civilization. There are over 100 artists for a performance with a colorful spectacle of traditional music and dance routines.

Location: Tang Dynasty Palace, 75 Chang'an Road, Xi'an

Time: 18:50-20:10 (Dumpling dinner); 20:30-21:40 (Show)

Transportation:

Subway: Take Line 2 and get off at Nanshaomen Station.

Bus: Take No. 603, 215 or 239, and get off at Caochangpo Stop.

Ticket Pricing: 220 CNY / Person (show only, dumpling dinner not included); 370 CNY / Person (Show and dumpling dinner included)

Pubs and Bars

In Xi'an, night club is one of the main entertainment places. The bar is a great place for people to relax themselves. People sing and dance to relieve stress there. It's a good place for making friends as well, with a comfortable atmosphere.

Besides pleasant music and tasty drinks, there are also many fascinating performances. Night club is a wonderful part of nightlife that you can't miss. Here will we brief you on some famous clubs.

Salsa Club

Popular among local young people, especially on weekends.

Address: No.6, West Avenue, Lianhu District

Tel: (29)-87286666

Hours: 20:00 - midnight

Xi'an Diwang Club

Known as the best club in Xi'an, it is also the most state-of-the-art and expensive.

Address: No.231, East Avenue, Beilin District, Xi'an

Phone: (29) 85227569

Hours: 20:00 - midnight

Xi'an Longdu Disc Club

One of the most popular disco bars with the young and hip in Xi'an, the DJ is great, and the ambience and service are good.

Address: No.72, Nanyuan Gate, Xi'an

Phone: (29) 87250342

Hours: 20:00 - midnight

Shaanxi Royal Nightclub

Address: No.276, North Avenue, Beilin District

Phone: (29) 87266967

Hours: 20:00 - midnight

One plus One

This is the most popular bar among foreigners.

Address: No.285, East Avenue, Beilin District, Xi'an

Tel: (29)87280008

Hours: 20:00 - midnight

Charlie's Bar

Located in the Jianguo Hotel, it is really a pleasant place to relax.

Address: No 2, Huzhu Road, Xincheng District

Phone: (29) 88238888

Hours: 24 hours

Cafes and Teahouses

Sicily Cafe

Address: the 1st and 2nd Floor of Yu Cheng Buiding, No. 98-2, Huancheng South Road, Beilin District

Tel: (29) 82092996

Ivy Coffee

Address: 4/F, Parkson Shopping Center, West Avenue

Tel: (29) 87270077

Fu Bao Ge Teahouse

Address: No.66 Defu Lane, South Avenue, Beilin Avenue

Tel: (29) 87211031

Published in Xian Travel Information & Guide

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Monday, 09 December 2013 15:56

Xian Shopping, Shopping in Xian, Xian Shopping Guide, Things to Buy in Xian.

Xian is one of the most important industrial and commercial cities in western China. With the progress of the local commerce, shopping in Xian is much convenient now. Commercial districts are comparatively centralized inside the ancient city wall of Xian; it is easy for tourists to find the daily necessities and local products in and around the city center area.

Replica of Tang Dynasty Tri-colored Pottery

The early Tang Dynasty (618-907) was a manifestation of political harmony and economic strength. Manufacturing techniques improved, as did those of pottery. The emergence of tri-colored pottery brought China's age-old traditional ceramic industry to a new high. Although its production lasted only 100 years at its peak, tri-colored pottery nevertheless had a great influence on succeeding dynasties, and was replicated both at home and abroad, resulting in Song-Dynasty tri-color, Liao-Dynasty tri-color, and Japan's Nara tri-color, to name only three.

Tang Dynasty tri-color pottery is the generic name for color-glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty. Its colors include yellow, green, brown, blue, black and white, but the first three shades of yellow, green and brown are its major tones. The body was made from white clay, and after the clay mold had been fired into a fixed shape, a mineral frit containing such elements as copper, iron, cobalt and manganese was applied. The body would then be fired again at a temperature of around 900 degrees centigrade. Since the frit was high in lead compounds, its fusing degree was low, and it would therefore diffuse while being heated, allowing different colors to permeate. Though tri-color pottery took more time and went through a complex process in its making, it was not as solid and durable as porcelain, and had a high lead content. It was, therefore, used mainly for burial utensils, and rarely for items of daily use.

Since ancient Chinese attached equal importance to their earthly and after life, different types of tri-color were made to represent each aspect of earthly life, and included articles of daily use, human and animal figures, furniture, vehicles, miniature landscapes and buildings. The human and animal figures are notable for their excellence of workmanship, which is far superior to many contemporary plastic art works.

Most of the tri-color human figures are female. They range in size from a dozen centimeters to over one meter tall, and wear gorgeous, fashionable costumes whilst emanating grace and refinement. Their full figure and round face are in conformity with the criteria of beauty in the Tang Dynasty. Human figures also include depictions of Hu people (a general term for people of non-Han origin), which make them a unique feature of the Tang Dynasty.

Xian Shuyuanmen Art Street

Beside the ancient city wall behind the Forest of Steles in Xian, there is a well-known street in the style of ancient style – Shuyuanmen which starts from the South Gate and ends at the Museum of Stone Steles. Ming and Qing dynasty buildings are lined up along this one kilometer long stone paved street. Various local handicrafts and arts including Chinese paintings, rubbings of stone tablets are sold on this crowded street all year long. Historical relics, calligraphy, paintings, antiques, jewels, and folk art fine works are all tourist favorites.

Rubbings of Stone Tablets

Stone tablets bear evidence to ancient records, statues and architectural decorations. From column bases, door frames, stone coffins to stone tablets, all of these objects are valuable because they reveal the facts of ancient politics, economy, culture, science and technology, military affairs, art, ethnical contact and religious activities. Over 3000 stone tablets from the Eastern Han Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty are preserved in the Forest of Stone Tablets in Xi’an. Most of the tablets were carved by some famous ancient calligraphers. The best examples are the “Tablet to Duobao Pagoda” by Yan Zhenqing, the “Tablet to Mysterious Pagoda” by Liu Gongquan, works of cursive writing by Monk Huai Su, and works of Ouyang Xun and Chu Suiliang. Therefore, they are always favored by calligraphy fans as copies for practice.

Xian Huajuexiang Muslim Market

Right beside the Drum Tower begins the Muslim quarters. The Xian Muslim Market is a myriad of interesting handicraft shops, Muslim restaurants and vendors and narrow streets where you can spend much time shopping and walking. The Muslim Quarters feature a mix of Chinese and Islamic cultures where small alleyways have been turned into marketplaces. The street food here is good, as with all Muslim areas, and along with the vast array of tourist goods such as replica antiques, copied paintings, etc, on sale, there are a lot of interesting ordinary shops and stalls. Remember that you need to bargain very hard here.

Xian Huxian Farmer’s Painting

The special type of souvenir from Xi'an is the Shaanxi Farmers' Paintings drawn by the farmers of Shaanxi. The farmer painters obtain creative materials and find their inspiration from the cultural and historical figures, animals, flowers and birds etc. Their compositions of the paintings are simple and aesthetic. The paintings are laid emphasis on colors and pursue strongly visualized effects. They with very strong rural life atmosphere, and have formed a unique artistic style, and so they have been reviewed favorably by the travelers and experts from home and abroad. The paintings are mostly distributed in Hu County of the central Shanxi plain, Ansai County and Luochuan County of Northern Shaanxi Province. Among them, Hu County is extolled as the Home of Farmers' Paintings, and now this county has more than 2,000 native-born painters, most their best works have been kept by art galleries at home and abroad. The beautiful farmers' paintings can be bought at many tourist attractions from vendors and in small shops nearby, but you have to drive a hard bargain if you want to make a reasonable purchase.

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Monday, 09 December 2013 15:54

Dining in Xian, Xian Cuisine, Restaurants in Xian, Xian Dining Guide.

Xi'an is honored as the "Capital of Delicacies". The chefs in the Shaanxi province have accumulated styles and tastes from around the country, and adjusted them to the local flavor. A trip to Xi'an will not be complete without trying out its local food.

Shaanxi Cuisine, also known as Qin Cuisine, is the representative culinary achievement in the northwest China. In comparison to other Chinese cuisines, it is outstanding in three aspects. Firstly, due to Shaanxi's geographical location in the center of China, various kinds of materials deriving from both north and south China are adopted by Shaanxi Cuisine. Second is the special cooking skills of the local chefs, including Tun (deep-fry), Qiang (fry quickly in hot oil, then cook with sauce and water), Chao (stir-fry), Zheng (cook by use of steam), Dun (braise) and so on. Finally is its frequently use of salt, vinegar, capsicum and garlic, making the savory flavor of sour, spicy and fragrant.

The history of Shaanxi Cuisine is said to be as long as the national's civilization, retaining the table characteristics of the Qin, Han and Tang dynasties. At present, the Shaanxi Cuisine is divided into the Guanzhong (central Shaanxi), Shannan (south Shaanxi) and Shanbei (north Shaanxi) cuisines according to their geographical locations. Here, in Xian, the Guanzhong Cuisine plays the vital role in the citizens' daily lives as well as the Shannan and Shanbei dishes supply the gastronomists with another choice

Xi'an has a long history in culinary culture and has developed a unique cuisine with two culinary styles-the traditional and the modern. The traditional is characterized by the Tang Dynasty cuisine while the modern by the Shaanxi cuisine. The traditional recipes include such delicacies as Roast Piglet and Chicken in Bottle Gourd. The local flavour snacks include Steamed Bun Soaked in Mutton Soup and the Fan-Family Cured Meat Broth. Dumpling banquet and Tang Dynasty banquet in Xi'an are two great inventions.

Xi'an cuisine has a good, hearty style that should never let you leave the table hungry. Noodles and dumplings are the staples of the local food and these are almost always filling and warming.

Xi'an Local Snacks:

Fan's Pancake with Stewed Lazhi Meat

Qishan's Saozi Noodles with Minced Meat

Hulutou

Jiasan Guantang Baozi

Liang Pi

Buckwheat noodles

Zeng Gao

Biang Biang Noodles

Yangrou Paomo is a tasty Xi'an specialty that consists of a mutton soup served with wheat flour flat bread. The hard bread is broken up and added to the soup. Then the mixture is eaten along with pickled garlic cloves.

Yet another interesting culinary experience to be had in Xi'an is the Xi'an Dumpling Feast. This concept, introduced in 1984 by the Xi'an Dumpling Feast Restaurant on Jiefang Road, offers up to 108 different kinds of Chinese dumpling (Jiaozi). Also worth trying are the Defachang Restaurant and the Baiyunzhang Northwest Style Snack Restaurant.

Some other Xi'an snacks and special dishes include: Sour Soup Dumplings and Guantang Steamed Baozi.

Three famous Xi'an specialties:

Dumpling Banquet

Dumpling or Jiaozi in Chinese is a traditional and popular food in China, especially in the north. At the banquet, nearly 20 varieties of dumplings that are steamed and stuffed with different delicious fillings such as vegetables, meats and seafood are served, these dumplings are not only tasty, but also characteristic with their colors and fragrance, style and culture meanings, all these make the dinner so unique that you should not miss it when traveling in Xi'an.

The most famous venues for the dumpling banquets are Defachang restaurant, also Tang Dynasty Palace and Shaanxi Grand Opera Theatre where dumpling banquets can be combined with Tang Dynasty show.

Tang Dynasty Banquet

Tang Dynasty was one of the most prosperous dynasties and an open era in Chinese history, there were lots of exchanges between China and outside world, as a result, the culinary culture including the imperial cuisine was inevitably enriched.

Shaanxi people have tried to research the imperial cuisine of Tang Dynasty making it possible for you to taste typical dishes of Tang Dynasty in some of the restaurants in Xi'an. These dishes are not only tasty, colorful and fragrant with well-selected materials, but also full of cultures and legends with ancient styles.

Tang Dynasty Banquet is in the style of Tang cuisines, which is one of the most three famous things in eating (the other two are Jiaozi Banquets and Mutton Paomuo respectively) in Xi'an. The dishes in the banquets are diverse and plentiful and with special flavor. To partake of the banquet is something different from the other banquets. The waitresses who serve beside the tables in the Tang Dynasty Banquet have to wear Tang-style garments, and their buns are highly coiled up, they look very beautiful. The dishware and goblets on the tables are all imitated the Tang-styles. When the banquet is getting under way, a eunuch (not a true eunuch) with a horsetail whisk in his one hand proclaims the imperial decree to explain the purpose. Then the royal band plays the tuneful ancient music, and at this moment the toasters begin to drink a toast to each other. When a dish is served, its name is read aloud by a Tang Dynasty officer, and then he explains the cultural attraction of this dish. During the banquet, The Tang-style music and dance are performed, and Tang poems are recited. The wine served in the banquet is Huanggui dense wine, which was ever drunk by Lipo (a very famous poet in Tang Dynasty) and Concubine yang (the most caressant concubine by emperor Li long-ji). The dishes, pastries and soup are cooked by an ancient menu called cooking cauda banquet menu which was written by Wei Ju-yuan, and the dishes on the banquet tables are all the dishes which ever served for one of the Tang Dynasty emperors, Li xian (A.D.656--- 710).

Yangroupaomo (Steamed Bun Soaked in Mutton Soup)

The way of preparing the dish has made you interested already before it is ready to serve: first a bowl and one or two pieces of flat bread will be served, you need to break the bread into tiny chunks all by yourself, and after that, delicious mutton soup will be added in the bowl, now, it is ready for you to enjoy the broth and the break.

People visiting Xi'an must be surprised by the numerous historical sites and interesting places, as well as being left with a deep impression of the food of the city.Xi'an's food, generally speaking, is served in large portions, is inexpensive and each dish has its own story.

Xian Local Restaurants:

Xi'an diet culture is rich in the Northwest flavor; it is indeed one of a major enjoyable in tasting Xian local snacks. As noodles and dumplings , which are always filling and warming, are the staples of the local food, both Xi'an beloved Yang Rou Pao Mo and “Xian dumpling banquet” that famous at home and abroad, all carry a distinctive local characteristics. In addition, Biang Biang Noodles, bean jelly, Guokui, oil pastries and other special snack, all of which as well appeal tourists.there are many other famous restaurants in the town that you might want to try during your visiting in Xi'an.

Xi'an diet culture is rich in the Northwest flavor; it is indeed one of a major enjoyable in tasting Xian local snacks. As noodles and dumplings , which are always filling and warming, are the staples of the local food, both Xi'an beloved Yang Rou Pao Mo and Xian dumpling banquet?? that famous at home and abroad, all carry a distinctive local characteristics. In addition, Biang Biang Noodles, bean jelly, Guokui, oil pastries and other special snack, all of which as well appeal tourists.

Large Portions

On a downtown street, everywhere one can see signs, including "Old Sun Family's Paomo (steamed bun soaking in mutton soup), "Old Ma Family's Mutton" and "Old Liu Family's Hulutou (a local snack)". At the food street, food stands one after another stretch several hundreds meters. At night, temporary food stands fully line both sides of the street. Everywhere, there is a smell of delicous snacks.

Inexpensive

On the street, small restaurants and temporary food stands serve very cheap snacks. A bowl of hulutou costs only three yuan. Many temporary stands sell Chengdu's hot specialty, 20 cents per cube. With so many rich snacks, a lot of local people do not prepare meals at home and are willing to eat at food stands.

First, western fast food joints in China aren't cheap. In America, when you eat the crap that fast food places serve up you at least don't have to spend much money. That can't be said for China.

There are literally thousands of restaurants all over Xi'an serving noodles, dumplings, fried rice, and other Chinese staples for between five and ten RMB a plate.

To enjoy the kabobs, you can go to the Huis (nationality) Street or the street near the Drum Tower where the night market are very busy, many people often gather there to eat these tasty foods.

If one wants to taste all the special local food at one time, the Xian Restaurant, Xian Fan Zhuang in Chinese, would be the wonderful choice where more than 100 different kinds of delicacies are offered by the self-service restaurant on the first-floor. As well as indoor enjoyment, evening market of the Moslem Street of the east lightly in the south, can also go snack street right behind the drum-tower, that with archaic-styled constructions on both sides. On the 500-meter street, there are many restaurants of different cuisines along with unique snack shops. While enjoying true Muslim cuisine, tourists can learn customs of the Hui people. In a word, local-featured food are permeated here everywhere.

As a popular saying that Xian is a legendary as the "capital of table delicacies" where provides a wide range selections in front of the people at home and abroad.more>>>Xi'an Restaurant

Western food inXi'an

Paying a visit of Xi'an you may look for western food. Don't worry about that you can not find a good western restaurant. In Xi'an there are dozens of western restaurants offer western foods besides the hotels we recommend on our website. In your free time when visiting this city you can hang around on Dongdajie (East Street) where there are many western restaurants, also on the northwestern outskirts of the city near the Flats.

In Xi'an, most of western restaurants offer both veg and non-veg menus in a spotless and non-smoking ambience. You can find restaurants of all the major countries of the world offering ethnic foods. The restaurants specialize in Indian, North American, South American, French, Japanese and Italian gastronomy.

As the center of northwest China, Xian provides a wide range of table delicacies in addition to local and traditional cuisine.

Canton Cuisine

Guangdong cuisine is probably the most familiar in the west. Egg rools, are among the most famous in China. The dishes are prepared carefully and exquisitely. Quick-fried or stewed, they turn out to be fresh, crisp, tender, slippery and not salty with all flavours and tastes. They vary with, the change of seasons, conforming to modern dietetics. The cooking skill pays priority to light, fresh, clear, slippery, tender and nutrition, which also change with the seasons. From morning till night, there are the morning tea, lunch, night snack of different taste. The "morning tea", which becomes popular all of China, has delicate and tasty dim sum. Guangzhou flavor snack has large variety and diversity, such as the inexpensive and tasty radish cake, rice noodle, steamed zongzi (rice wrapped in leaves), fried river snail, cattle entrails, Shahe rice noodle, wonton with noodle, skinned milk, stewed stuff, boat porridge, jidi porridge and pot rice.

Xi'an Seafood

The northwestern city of Xian has historically been a melting pot for the multitude of cuisines which China can produce. But now, with the western region opening up to investment, restaurateurs have decided to freshen up their reputation for serving a superior quality of Cantonese seafood.

Everywhere you go in China, even in the smallest town you can find, there will always be an Sichuan restaurant nearby. The flavor mostly depends on the price rates. Though 'the more expensive, the better' is not always true.

To western standards, the food is very inexpensive. Typically, cold dishes cost around $5 to $15 yuan, and hot dishes cost around $10 to $20 yuan. This is just generalizing on average food cost - a full meal for 8 to 10 people will cost around $150 to $200 yuan, which converts to about $25 USD

Sichuan hotpot is also very popular in xian

With the "theme" hotpots, you must go to specialty hotpot restaurants that serve that theme. For example, a frog hotpot restaurant, a lamb hot pot restaurant, or a rabbit or duck hotpot restaurant. With this style, you get the main theme meat in the hot pot you order. A large pot costs around $50 yuan (more or less), and if you need additional meat, it will cost you by pound - ie. fish head hot pot usually cost around $15-$18 yuan per pound of fish head. Besides the main course in the hot pot, you can still order all types of other items as mentioned above in the same price range. A typical hot pot meal for 8 to 10 people will cost around $150 to $200 yuan. So it's very inexpensive.

Jiangsu-Zhejiang Style

Jiangsu-Zhejiang cuisine is popular in the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang River and is chara, cterized by its sweet flavor. It is based on four cooking

Halal Food (Muslim Restaurants) in Xian

Xi'an cuisine is simple and hearty; you won't leave the table hungry. Noodles and dumplings are predominan. Due to the large Hui community, Muslim food is common. The Muslim Snack

Street is absolutely on the top of our highly recommended list for nice place to eat in Xi'an.However, there are many other famous restaurants in the town that you might want to try during your visiting in Xi'an.

vegetarian food restaurant in xian

With the fashionable dining style, vegetarian dishes also spring up in Xian and are popular with Xian people. But the cost is more than meat dishes presently.

People visiting Xi'an must be surprised by the numerous historical sites and interesting places, as well as being left with a deep impression of the food of the city.

Famous restaurants:

Xian Laosun Jia Restaurant

Add: Dongguan Main St, Xian

Tel: 82482993

Description: This is the most famous Muslim restaurant in Xian. It features the Yangrou Paomo (pancake in mutton or beef soup).

Type of Cuisine: Local Cuisine

Opening Hours: 11:30am-2:00pm, 5:00pm-9:00pm

Average Spending: $$

Credit Cards: Not Accepted

Menu: Chinese

Language Spoken: Mandarin

Xiangyue Lou Restaurant

Add: Youyi E. Rd, Xian

Tel: 82233259

Description: It serves all kinds of delicious porridge.

Type of Cuisine: Local Cuisine

Opening Hours: 11:30am-2:00pm, 5:00pm-10pm

Average Spending: $-$$

Credit Cards: Not Accepted

Menu: Chinese, English

Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Shaanxi Local Food Restaurant

Add: Dongda Jie, Xian

Tel: 87251166

Description: It provides the most authentic local specialties.

Type of Cuisine: Local Cuisine

Opening Hours: 11:30am-2:00pm, 5:00pm-9:00pm

Average Spending: $-$$

Credit Cards: Not Accepted

Menu: Chinese

Language Spoken: Mandarin

Guangdong Xuehua Restaurant

Add: #14 Hanguang Rd, Xian

Tel: 88224449

Description: It features Cantonese seafood. The fresh and rare materials are airlifted from Guangdong twice a day.

Type of Cuisine: Cantonese Cuisine

Opening Hours: 11 am-9 pm

Average Spending: $$-$$$

Credit Cards: Not Accepted

Menu: Chinese, English

Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Jiefang Lu Chinese Dumpling Restaurant

Add: Jiefang Rd, Xian

Tel: 87288305

Description: The most famous Xian Dumpling Banquet is served.

Type of Cuisine: Dumpling

Opening Hours: 11 am-9 pm

Average Spending: $$

Credit Cards: Not Accepted

Menu: Chinese, English

Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Xiang Palace

Add: Shangri-la Hotel, No. 8 Changle Rd. Xian

Tel: 83232981

Description: The most luxury restaurant featuring Cantonese Cuisine in Xian.

Type of Cuisine: Cantonese Cuisine

Opening Hours: 11am-2: 30pm, 5:30pm-10pm

Average Spending: $$-$$$

Credit Cards: Not Accepted

Menu: Chinese

Language Spoken: Mandarin

City Hotel Restaurant

Add: 2nd Floor of Xian City Hotel, 70 Nanda Jie, Xian

Tel: 87219988

Description: It features Chinese Hot-pot.

Type of Cuisine: Local Cuisine

Opening Hours: 11:30am-2: 30pm, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Average Spending: $$$

Credit Cards: Major credit cards

Menu: Chinese, English

Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Xiaobei Ke Restaurant

Add: Zhuque Rd, Xian

Tel: 85230017

Description: It provides genuine Sichuan hot and spicy food.

Type of Cuisine: Sichuan Cuisine

Opening Hours: 11:30am-2:00pm, 5:00pm-9:00pm.

Average Spending: $$-$$$

Credit Cards: Not Accepted

Menu: Chinese

Language Spoken: Mandarin

Oyster Restaurant

Add: #2 Fenxiang Lane, Xian

Tel: 87275658

Description: As one of the best western restaurants in Xian, it serves buffet both for lunch and dinner. Nice atmosphere and good food.

Type of Cuisine: Western Cuisine

Opening Hours: 11am-10pm

Average Spending: $$

Credit Cards: Not Accepted

Menu: Chinese, English

Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

Huili Restaurant

Add: #1 Changan N. Rd, Xian

Tel: 87285625

Description: It provides Japanese food.

Type of Cuisine: Japanese Cuisine

Opening Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm

Average Spending: $$-$$$

Credit Cards: Not Accepted

Menu: Chinese

Language Spoken: Mandarin

Bob and Bettys

Add: Dongda Jie, Xian

Tel: 87221255

Description: Selling pizza and apple pie.

Type of Cuisine: Western Cuisine

Opening Hours: 9:00am-9:00pm

Average Spending: $-$$

Credit Cards: Not Accepted

Menu: Chinese, English

Language Spoken: Mandarin, English

A good night-food street is DongxinJie between Jiefang Lu and Zhongshan Gate. Much of the local street food is of Islamic origin, and some common dishes are: fenzhengrou, made by frying chopped mutton in a work with fine-ground wheat; dark brown sorghum or buck wheat noodles called heluotiao; and migao, deep-fried rice cakes with s sweet rose-water filling.

For western foods, you can select Small World Restaurant at the outside of Jianguo Gate 300m eastern of Heping Gate. Kentucky Fried Chicken Chains can be noticed in all main streets in downtown area. Coffee Language is a world chain coffee, lies in Gaoxin Rd.

The cheap downstairs restaurant in the May First Hotel is good for staple northern-China food like pork dumpling and hearty bowls of noodles. Its popular with locals and always busy. Upstairs is a more up market restaurant with an English menu listing barbecued gourd in honey and other delicacies.

The East Asia Restaurant was founded in 1916 in Shanghai, but moved to Xian in 1956. The restaurants better sections on the 2nd and 3rd floors have arguably the citys best Chinese cuisine. The East Asia is southeast of Bell tower at 46 Luoma Shi, a lane running off Dong Dajie.

The Xian Restaurant is at 298 Dong Dajie. In the cheap section downstairs, the house specialty is a salty fried dumpling called guotie. Upstairs is geared mainly to banquets, but they also have a section for general guests with a shorter menu in English. The food ranges from mediocre to outstanding.

If you believe their blurb, the Qujiangchun Restaurant at 192 Jiefang Lu specializes in Tang Dynasty cuisine and has waiters in costume.

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Monday, 09 December 2013 15:53

Getting around in Xian, Xian Traffic, Xian Transportation, Xian Tranport Information.

Xian is situated in the very heart of China’s transportation network, thus it plays a crucial role in linking the West China and the East China. It possesses a variety of modern and three-dimensional communication network consisting of flights, railroads and highways. The convenient transportation network in Xian will make your travel here comfortable and enjoyable.

Getting to Xian by Air

Xian Xianyang International Airport is located 50 kilometers northwest of Xian in Xianyang, a neighboring city. Ranked as the fourth most frequented airport in China, Xianyang International Airport is home to 68 domestic daily flights from almost every major city in China. What’s more, the airport also has well established international lines to Japan, Korea,Malaysia and Thailand totally 10 Asian cities. In 2005, it opened 7 new international airline routes from Germany,France, Britain, America and Canada via transfers in Beijing. In 2006, another 8 international routes were opened via transfers in Shanghai. Till now, this airport has a total of 25 international airline routes. Hence, Xian has become the city with the most international connections in Western China.

Getting to Xian by Train

With a reputation as “the Gateway to the West China”, Xian Railway Station is one of the most pivotal terminals of the domestic railway system. It is the key junction between the southwest and the northwest, and forms a connecting link between the east and the west of China

Getting to Xian by Long Distance Bus

The highway transportation to Xian extends in all directions. Long-distance buses commute between Xian and many large cities, covering 18 provinces and 300 cities and countries. The Xian long-distance bus line terminal, which has been ranked as the highest class station in the whole nation, lies to the southwest of the railway station. People usually buy tickets on the same day of travel. Generally speaking, though the price is much more economical, foreigners are not encouraged to take the long-distance buses due to general hardship and fatigue. If at all possible, the plane and train are better choices.

Getting around Xian by City Bus

The public transit system in Xi’an is well developed. Those various buses here can take you to every part in this city. There are three types of buses in Xi’an: the normal bus, the air-conditioned coach and minibus. In 2008, the city government opened 4 night lines and the opening hours are from 23:30 to 05:30. As a hot tourist destination, Xi’analso has 7 special tourist lines. Usually, the daily tourist bus will arrive at the scenic spot in the morning and return to Xi’an City in the afternoon.

Getting around Xian by Taxi

There are more than 10,000 taxis running in Xian. There are many taxi stops in the city zone, thus it is easy for visitors to call a taxi here. There’s one thing to be noted that the taxis in Xian only stop on fixed waiting stops. What’s more, the taxi drivers usually take a shift at 4 or 5pm everyday, thus it will be a little difficult to call a taxi at that time.

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Monday, 09 December 2013 15:51

Weather & Climate in Xian, Xian Climate & Weather, Xian Climate & Weather Guide, Xian Climate & Weather Information.

Xi’an belongs to the sub-humid temperature continental monsoon climate. There are four distinct seasons and moderate rainfall. The hottest month is July with an average temperature between 26.4℃ and 26.9℃ and the coldest month is January with an average temperature between -0.5℃ and 1.3℃.The annual average temperature is 13.3℃ and the annual average precipitation is between 507mm and 719mm.

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Monday, 09 December 2013 15:47

Introducing Xian, Introduction of Xian, Brief Introduction to Xian, Xian Travel Guide.

Xian is the capital of Shaanxi province, located in the southern part of the Guanzhong Plain. With the Qinling Mountainsto the south and the Weihe River to the north, it is in a favorable geographical location surrounded by water and hills. It has a semi-moist monsoon climate and there is a clear distinction between the four seasons. Except the colder winter, any season is relatively suitable for traveling.

Traditional downtown Xian refers to the area encircled by the city wall, this has now been expanded to encompass the area within the second ring road. The Bell Tower is the geographical center of Xian and the four main streets are respectively Dong Dajie (East Street), Xi Dajie (West Street), Nan Dajie (South Street) and Bei Dajie (North Street) which are also the main commercial streets. Xiao Zhai, the busiest commercial area is in the southern part of the city and is popular with both youths and students since many universities are located here. Shuyuanmen and the still under construction Luoma Shi are must-visit pedestrian streets in the city. Xian is also famous for its quantity of colleges throughout China. The old campuses of many colleges and universities are massed in the southern suburb of Xian, but most have established new campuses in far southern suburb - Chang’an District due to the lack of space within the city.

Praised as “the capital of table delicacies” Xian has been rich in the delicious Shaanxi snack, delicate Guangdong Cuisine, various kinds of fashionable foreign delicacies, and popular Sichuan Cuisine such as the hot pot. Among all the delicacies, the most famous and popular one is the Muslim Snack Street, Beiyuanmen.

Xian is the most important city in northwest China, and so there are a lot of shopping outlets for locals and tourists alike. There are many big shopping centers, department stores and supermarkets in and around Xian city - the biggest and most comprehensive being Kai Yuan Shopping Mall and Century Ginwa Shopping Mall located in the city center near the Bell and Drum Tower.

History

Xian, the eternal city, records the great changes of the Chinese nation just like a living history book. Called Chang’an in ancient times, Xian is one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Valley area of the country. During Xian’s 3,100 year’s of development, 13 dynasties such as Western Zhou (11th century BC - 771 BC), Qin (221 BC - 206 BC), Western Han (206 BC - 24 AD) and Tang (618 - 907) placed their capitals here. So far, Xian enjoys equal fame with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the four major ancient civilization capitals.

Natural History Museum

The cultural and historical significance of the area, as well as the abundant relics and sites, help Xian enjoy the laudatory title of “Natural History Museum”. The Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is praised as “the eighth wonder of the world” Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is listed on the World Heritage List, and the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) is the largest and most intact ancient castle still survive in the world. In the city, there is the 3,000 year old Banpo Village Remains from the Neolithic Age (approximately 6000 years old), and the Forest of Stone Steles that holds 3,000 stone steles of different periods from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. Around Xian, the Famen Temple enjoys the reputation of being the “forefather of pagodas and temples in Central Shaanxi” because it holds the finger bones of Sakyamuni -- the founder of Buddhism. The natural landscape around Xian is also marvelous. Mt.Huashan, one of the five best-known mountains in China, is famous for its breath-taking cliffs and its unique characteristics.

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Friday, 06 December 2013 18:01

Shichahai Scenic Area，Shichahai Scenic Area Guide, Shichahai Scenic Area Travel Tips

Shichahai Scenic Area, Shichahai Scenic Area Guide, Shichahai Scenic Area Travel Tips.

Introducing Shichahai Scenic Area

This scenic area contains the largest and best-preserved age-old block in the city. In the Yuan Dynasty it was the capital’s center for commerce. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was home to many high officials and men of many letters. After the Manchu takeover, the emperor-led Pure Yellow Banner Troops were stationed here. In 1992, the Standing Conference of the Beijing Government named it a scenic area of history and culture. Thereafter is was referred to as Shichahai, which is the name it has maintained to date. In 2002, the Shichahai area, which covers 1,467,000 square meters altogether, was designated as one of 25 historical and cultural protection zones of the city.

Shichahai has both a beautiful and unique scenery. A famous essay, once written in ancient times, says that during the Spring it is like the West Lake in Hangzhou; yet during the Summer it reminds one of the Qinghuai River in Nanjing. The poem, whose author is unknown, referred to the Autumn season as a time that makes Shichahai a blissful reminder of the Dongting Lake in Hunan. Shichahai has the densest collection of cultural tourism resources, having altogether 40 historic sites under protection, with three of them under national protection. The best known among them are Prince Gong's Mansion, which used to be the residence of He Shen, the most avaricious minister of the Qing Dynasty, and the Yinding Bridge, which is known as the best place to view mountain side near the area.

Shichahai has rich historical legacies and a number of well preserved Hutongs, Quadrangle Dwellings, mansions and gardens. It has a vast cultural heritage within the walls of the temples, halls, and distinguished former residencies which are now historical sites. These areas are harmoniously blended with natural scenery and with distinctive folk customs. In recent years, bars, homely restaurants and hotels in some Quadrangle Dwellings have began to sprout in this neighborhood, making this place more fashionable to tourists. The tradition and aesthetics of this time period attracts about five million tourists each year from home and abroad. In 2005, it was listed by the Chinese National Geography Center as one of the five best city blocks in China for ‘being fashionably next door to Zhongnanhai.’

Each year, the cultural tourism festival is held in Shichahai. Several ‘Hutong Tours have been set up which convey a different, albeit important side of the area. The area of Shichahai has become a well-known scenic spot among expats living within the city. Tourists may experience the genuine culture of Beijing by joining the tours of Prince Gong’s Mansions, seeing the old streets, ancient temples, former residencies, the city gate towers, the boating areas, the old bars and accommodation arrangements of the Quadrangle Dwellings. It is well worth the visit as it lends one an image into the life of the old city. Take a trip there during your next day off. Bring a friend or a co-worker or simply head there on your own to reflect.

Quick Facts on Shichahai Scenic Area

Name: Shichahai Scenic Area

Name in Chinese: Shichahai Scenic Area, 什刹海

Location: Nnorth of Di'anmen

Dates: Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Admission Fee: free

Opening Hours: 24 hours

How to Get to Shichahai Scenic Area?

By Subway: Line 6 at Beihai North Station.

By Bus: Bus 612, 90, 701, 118, 204, 623, 42, 107, 13, 111,609 at Beihai Beimen (north gate of Beihai Park）.

Article Info

Title: Shichahai Scenic Area

Author: Johnping

Last updated: Dec, 03, 2013

Published in Beijing Attractions Guide

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Tuesday, 03 December 2013 17:35

Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) Guide, Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) Travel Tips

Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) Guide, Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) Travel Tips.

Introducing Beijing Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple)

The Lama Temple, or Yonghe Gong, is a famous lamasery located in the northeastern part of the old city of Beijing. It was a palatial residence built in 1694 by Qing Emperor Kangxi for his fourth son, Prince Yongzheng who later succeeded to the throne. This magnificent temple consists of five main buildings lying on the north-south axis, with annex halls standing on both sides. The temple is listed by the Chinese Government as one of the important historical monuments under special preservation.

After the death of his father, Emperor Yongzheng moved to the Forbidden City. The compound was closed to ordinary people and was renamed Yonghegong (the Palace of Harmony). Green roof tiles were replaced by yellow ones to suit a monarch‘s home. In 1744 his successor Emperor Qianlong converted the palace into a lamasery.

Several renovations have been carried out since 1949. The temple has taken on a new look and was reopened to the public in 1981. It is now not only a functional lama temple, but also a tourist attraction.

What to See at Beijing Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple)?

The Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) is arranged along a north-south central axis, which has a length of 480m. The main gate is at the southern end of this axis. Along the axis, there are five main halls which are separated by courtyards: the Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Tian Wang Dian or Devaraja Hall), the Hall of Harmony and Peace (Yong He Gong), the Hall of Everlasting Protection (Yong You Dian), the Hall of the Wheel of the Law (Fa Lun Dian), and the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses (Wan Gu Ge).

The Falun Dian (Hall of the Wheel of Law) contains a 6m (20-ft.) bronze statue and paintings of Tsongkapa (1357-1419), the founder of the Yellow Hat (Geluk) sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which is now the dominant school of Tibetan Buddhism. Tsongkapa is the teacher of both both Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama. The thrones next to the statue are for the Dalai Lamas when they used to come here to teach. Wan Fu Ge (Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses) houses the temple's prize possession - a huge Tibetan-style statue of Maitreya (the future Buddha), 18m (60 ft.) tall. A gift for Emperor Qianlong from the seventh Dalai Lama, it is carved from a single piece of Tibetan white sandalwood and it took three years to ship it to Beijing.