Day 8: 7th June 2008
Xian is the capital of Shanxi Province, lies in the middle of the Guanzhong Basin, with Weihe River to its north. As one of China’s seven ancient national capitals, it was the capital of 12 dynasties over 1000 years. Thus, Xian has a great number of precious relics and historical sites. Xian was the start point of the Old Silk Road. Main tourist attractions include the Terracotta Warriers And Horses, Great Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Huaqing Pool, Banpo Site, Stele Forest, Mosque, QuinLing Mausoleum, Famen Temple and Maoling Mausoleum.
Terracota Warriers Museum: The Mausoleum, located in Lintong County, 35 km east of Xian, capital of northwest China’s Shanxi Province, is regarded as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’ and has been listed as a world heritage site by the UNESCO in December 1987. It draws millions of visitors from home and abroad every year. According to Records of History, Qin Shihuang started building his own tomb in Lishan Mountain soon after he came to the throne. Construction expanded after he unified China in 221 BC and involved 70,000 laborers. It was completed 38 years later.
The mausoleum has a square rammed earthen base and is still 76 meters high. The mausoleum site contains more than 400 tombs and vaults of articles buried with King Shihuang; they cover an area of 56.25 square kilometers. The main vaults include the Fault of the bronze carriage, the vault of horses, the vault of rare and precious birds and animals, the vault of stables and the vault of warriors and horses.
The exteranl appearance of the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum
Nearly 8,000 life-sized terracotta warriors and horses along with tens of thousands of pieces of weaponry have been uncovered from 3 pits, where the terracotta warriors and horses have slept for almost 2,200 yrs. Many terracotta warriors wore overcoats and armatures with each having a weapon in their hands. They also wore leather waistbands, a pair of square-rimmed shoes and leggings, a typical costume about 2,200 years ago. Over the past few years, a total of 50,000 historical and cultural relics have been unearthed. The painted and colored bronze carriage, drawn by bronze horses unearthed in 1980, is the largest and most elegant of its type discovered in China. The carriage is made of more than 3,000 parts, over 1,000 of them gold and silver. The Terracotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the twentieth century. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.
Terracotta Army, Pit No.1
Terracotta Army Pit No.2
View of the largest excavation pit of the Terracotta Army
Bronze Chariot: Housed in the exhibition hall to the left hand side built over Pit One are two magnificent bronze chariots. Originally buried 20 meters west of the Emperor’s mausoleum, two chariots faced west in large 7-meter-long (23 feet in length) and 2.3 meters wide (7.54 feet in width) wooden coffins. They were thought to be half the actual size and were supposed to serve as the vehicle for the emperor’s inspection tours in his after life. The colorful square carriages are decorated with geometric and cloud patterns. Coachmen armed with swords guard the chariots on both sides.
The Bronze Chariot
We saw a movie about Terracota Warriers in the dome theatre and thereafter the Terracotta Warriers Museum. Later, we had Chinese Lunch at a restaurant in the Museum Complex itself. In Xian, there is no Indian Restaurant.
At 6 pm, we left for dinner followed by the Tang Dynasty Dance Show in a beautifully decorated auditorium. Tang Dynasty Cultural Theater and Restaurant .
The Tang Dynasty Show showcases the costumes, music, and dancing of China's golden age: the Tang dynasty (618 - 907). The show begins with an ancient Chinese musical instrument ensemble while you dine and then later the cultural dance segment begins. The costumes are splendid and you can get some really nice photos if you sit near the stage. The Tang Dynasty Show we are going to see is performed by Shaanxi Song & Dance Troupe with a long history and renowned reputation, and also is the largest performing group in western China. This group has become the cultural window to the world of the ancient capital Xian. Shaanxi Song and Dance Troupe boasts a powerful staff of artists. The young performers are highly gifted and have also received rigorous training in the arts since 1982. It initiated the first show of song and dance in the imperial style of the Tang Dynasty. Shaanxi Song and Dance Troupe has performed in over 40 foreign countries and has received government heads of state and VIPs from over 100 countries. It is reputed to be the oriental art and treasure of distinctive songs and music in the Tang Dynasty style.
Xian Tang Dynasty Show
Day 9: 8th June 2008 Ram’s birthday.
After breakfast, we headed for sight seeing.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda at Xi'an
Sightseeing included Wild Goose Pagoda. Built during the Tang Dynasty (around 648 AD), the Pagoda is the symbol of Xian today. The Pagoda is at the end of the Yanta Road, at the south edge of Xian. On the eastern side of the temple is the Tang Dynasty Arts Museum, with a collection specifically devoted to the Tang period in Xian. I Offered / lighted 1 candle and 3 bunches of incense sticks at the Pagoda (temple).
Had KFC’s bun with pepsi and chips for lunch and headed to the airport to catch Flt. No. MU2307 leaving Xian 13.40 for Guilin.
No comments:
Post a Comment