2008年11月15日星期六

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the Tang Dynasty Dinner ShowThe 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. To complete your Tang Dynasty experience, don't forget to enjoy a Dumpling Dinner!





Dumpling BanquetIngredients for the dumpling fillings include various meats, vegetables, and seasonings. Cooking methods include steaming, boiling, pan-frying, deep frying, and roasting. Many flavors, including salty, sweet, hot, and sour are offered.

Getting in & Getting out

By Air
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (IATA: XIY) is located 50 km (31 miles) northwest of the Xi'an's Bell Tower (zh:钟楼), the well-known city center. Flights are available to all other major Chinese cities including Beijing (zh:北京), Chengdu (zh:成都), Chongqing (zh:重庆), Dunhuang (zh:敦煌), Fuzhou (zh:福州), Guangzhou (zh:广州), Hangzhou (zh:杭州), Hohhot (zh:呼和浩特), Hong Kong (zh:香港), Kunming (zh:昆明), Lhasa (zh:拉萨), Lanzhou (zh:兰州), Macau (zh:澳门), Nanjing (zh:南京), Shanghai (zh:上海), Urumqi (zh:乌鲁木齐), etc. Newly opened domestic routes include those from Jiuzhaigou (zh:九寨沟), Ningbo (zh:宁波), Zhengzhou (zh:郑州) and Lianyungang (zh:连云港). There are direct international flights between Xi'an and Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Travelers from Europe, America and other countries can get to Xi'an through stops in Beijing (zh:北京), Shanghai (zh:上海), Hong Kong (zh:香港) or Macau (zh:澳门).
Taxi cabs and the airport bus are the two major transportation tools between downtown and the airport. The one-way bus ticket is 25 yuan per person, and the taxi costs about 100 - 120 yuan. It's not unusual that you encounter people asking for money at the final bus stop, as it's a good place to find wealthy domestic and international visitors.

By Train
Xian Railway Station is the major link for trains going west and east. The station is at the north side of the town. Buses to the station can be found on all the main streets, and the cost is only 1 or 2 Yuan. For taxi, the fare should not be more than 10 Yuan if you are not too far away from the city wall.
There are direct trains from Xi'an to
Beijing (北京) (16 hours), Shanghai (上海) (17 hours), Guangzhou (广州) (27 hours), Chengdu (成都) (17 hours), Zhengzhou (7 hours), Hefei, Qingdao (青岛) and Urumqi (乌鲁木齐) (45 hours), etc. Potential train riders from foreign countries are advised to compare with traveling by air, as it takes many hours by train to get to other major tourist attractions in China (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Yunnan), and air ticket (especially with discount) sometime costs less than the train ticket.
The ticket office for foreigners is on the second level of the train station with hours from 8.30AM -11.30AM and 2.30PM -5.30PM. Make sure you bring your document (passport, visa, etc.). You can also buy hard seats at an office on Lianhua Road.
However, foreign visitors are not encouraged to purchase train tickets directly from the ticket office because of the language barrier and the usual crowd at those offices. Most major hotels will book train tickets for you for a nominal fee. Reserve about 30 minutes to get to the train station from city center. For peace of mind, buy train tickets one week in advance, especially during the peak travel seasons.

By Bus
Xi'an is a major highway hub second only to Beijing. There are nine national highways crossing Xi'an, and long-distance buses go to many other cities in China. Below are some important bus stations in Xi'an.
Xi'an, Shaanxi Provincial Bus Station: at the northeast of the city opposite Xi'an Railway Station. There are buses from here to Mt. Huashan (2~3 hours) and other cities in Shaanxi and neighboring provinces, such as
Zhengzhou (6 hrs), Taiyuan (7 hrs), Beijing (15 hrs), Yinchuan (13 hours), Yan'an (9 hrs).
Xi'an West Passenger Station: No.17 Mid-Changle Road. There are regular buses to southern Shaanxi and also east side of Xi'an (such as Lintong County).
Xi'an City Bus Station: No.19 Fengqing Road. There are buses to many neighboring cities and counties (such as Baoji, Zhouzhi and Louguan).

Tips & Practical Info

ATMs, Banks & Currency Exchange
Bank of China (Xi'an city branch) is at 157 Jiefang Lu. It's about 1/4 mile south of the railway station, on the west side of Jiefang Lu, next to the Silk Road Hotel.
Bank of China (Shaanxi Province branch) is close to the Bell Tower (center of Xi'an) at 306 Dong Dajie (corner of Juhua Yuan at Dong Dajie).
Bank of China (Nan Dajie branch) is at 29 Nan Dajie, 200 yard south of the Bell Tower.
Bank of China (Lianhu Lu branch) is at 95 Lianhu Lu.

Post Office
(Opening Hours: 8:30-18:00)
City Center: Bell Tower Post Office, Northeast corner of Bell Tower Square
South Suburb: Xiao Zhai Branch, No.3 Xiao Zhai Xi Lu
North Suburb: Bei Guan Branch, No.18 Bei Guan Zheng Jie

Visa Extensions
You can apply for the visa extension at Xi'an Public Security Bureau, located at 138 Xi Dajie (2 blocks west of the Bell Tower on the south side of the road). The regular processing time is 3 days. The office hours are from 8am to noon and 2 to 6pm Monday through Friday.

Emergency Numbers
Fire: 119
Traffic: 122
Ambulance: 120
Police: 110

Hospital
People's Hospital of Shaanxi Province (Shaanxi Sheng Renmin Yiyuan)
Address: 214, Youyi Lu, Xian
Tel: (029) 85251331
No. 2 College Affiliated to Xian Medical Unviersity (Xian Yike Daxue Di'er Fushu Yiyuan)
Address: 36, Xi Wu Lu, Xian
Tel: (029) 87273634
Xian First Aid Center
Address: 24, Jiefang Lu, Xian
Tel: (029) 87427504

Useful Numbers
Zip code Inquiry: 184
Taxi Complain: 88624509
Mayor's Hotline: 87295170
Xian Tourists Complain: 87630166
Shaanxi Tourists Complain: 85261437
Consumption Complain: 12315
Telephone Number Inquiry: 114
Public Buses Complain: 16801315
China Mobile Customer Hotline: 1860
China Unicom Customer Hotline: 1001
China Telecom Customer Hotline: 10000

Bookstores
Xin Hua Book Store
Address: 377, Dong Dajie (100 meters away from Bell Tower)
Shaanxi Foreign Language Book Store
Address:.349, Dong Dajie (500 meters from Bell tower)

Famous Universities
Xian Jiaotong University: Address: 28, Xianning Xi Lu, Xian
Northwestern Polytechnical University: Address: 127, Youyi Xi Lu, Xian
Northwest University: Address: 229, Taibai Bei Lu, Xian
Xian International Studies University: Address: 437, Chang'an Nan Lu, Xian

Dining




Xian is legendary as 'the capital of table delicacies'. The ancient city is famous for the delicious Shaanxi snack, the delicate Guangdong cuisine, various kinds of fashionable foreign delicacies, and the popular Sichuan cuisine, such as hot pot.
Local Food

Visitors to Xian must do two things: one is to see the clay figures of terra cotta warriors and horses. The other is to taste
Yang Rou Pao Mo (a soup dish that involves breaking wheat flour flat bread into a bowl and adding a delicious mutton stock). Before dinner, you will be served one or two pieces of wheat flour flat bread which you into tiny chunks, the smaller the better. The waiter or the waitress will then hand your bowl to the cook who mixes the bread and mutton soup with an appropriate relish. When the steaming hot meal is brought in, the waiter will also offer you sweet crisp pickled garlic, coriander, and hot pepper sauce. The most famous, the Tong Sheng Xiang (Prosperity and Fortune) Beef and Lamb Paomo Restaurant done in Tang Dynasty style, is a time-honored establishment in the Xian Bell and Drum Tower Square.
Next to Tong Sheng Xiang is a great restaurant, De Fa Chang Dumpling Restaurant, with its own version of the
Dumpling Banquet.Ingredients for the dumpling fillings include various meats, vegetables, and seasonings. Cooking methods include steaming, boiling, pan-frying, deep frying, and roasting. Many flavors, including salty, sweet, hot, and sour are offered. Other house specialties include Peking dumplings, steamed sweet bean paste buns, steamed shrimp paste buns, and various uniquely spiced dishes. While guests sample various delicacies, traditionally waiters will explain the cuisine culture of each dumpling.One of Xian's most famous specialties is the Guan Tang Baozi (steamed buns served with sauces inside) served at Jia Brothers' Restaurant in Muslim Snack Street. You'll know you're there when you see the monstrous blue arch over the entrance and a wall festooned with photographs of Xian notables - TV hosts, writers, and musicians. The specialty dish is Guan Tang Bao Zi, with a choice of beef, lamb or 'three flavors' - lamb, mushroom, and prawns. The buns have piping-hot soup inside, so caution is advised. This dish is best washed down with Ba Bao Xi Fan, a bowl of sweet rice porridge filled with peanuts, sultanas, hawthorn, and medlar berries.
Fanji is the famous vendor of Shaanxi's most widely consumed snack, Rou Jia Mo, finely chopped pork stuffed in toasted wheat flour flat bread. A piece of good-quality (youzhi) bread and a bowl of mung bean flour soup will cost you no more than 10 Yuan. The state-run atmosphere is quaint and friendly, and the numerous awards that decorate the walls are well deserved. The restaurant is in a lane opposite the Drum Tower, south of West Main Street.
A fascinating lure for food buffs is Local Snacks Street (
Moslem Street) near Drum Tower in Muslim Square. On the two sides of 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.
Besides guan tang baozi in Jia Brothers''Restaurant, there is barbeque in the Pingwa Kaorou Shop, sour cabbage and beef fried rice in Honghong Suancai Chaomi Restraunt, and beef noodles in Yifenli Restaurant. Other offerings, including fried persimmon cake (shi zi bing), fried dumpling (guo tie), stir-fried bean jelly (chao liang fen), chopped mutton fried in a wok with fine-ground wheat (fen zheng rou), and beef and vegetable pie (xian bing) are available on both sides of the street.
If you would like to taste all the local food at one time in a budget meal, Xian Restaurant (Xian Fan Zhuang) offers more than 100 varieties in its first-floor self-service restaurant. It charges only CNY18 per person, and is very popular with visitors.
As the center of northwest China, Xian provides a wide range of table delicacies in addition to local and traditional cuisine.

Nightlife in Xi`an




If you want to enjoy a more traditional Chinese evening, then the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show 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, Suo 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!

Xian Travel Guide







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 Basin area of the country. During Xian's 3,100 year 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.
Xian is the capital of Shaanxi province, located in the southern part of the Guanzhong Plain. With the Qinling Mountains to 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.
The cultural and historical significance of Xian, as well as the abundant relics and sites, help Shaanxi enjoy the laudatory title of 'Natural History Museum'. The
Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is praised as 'the eighth major miracle 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 Ming Dynasty castle in the world. In the city, there is the 3,000 years old Banpo Village Remains from the Neolithic Age (approximately from 8000 BC to 5000 BC), 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.
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 (Er' huan Lu). The Bell Tower is the geographical center of Xian and the four main streets are respectively Dong Dajie, Xi Dajie, Nan Dajie and Bei Dajie 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. Shuyuan Men 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.
As tourist development grows in Xian, the hotel industry flourishes more and more. It is very easy to find a hotel in Xian, ranging from 5 star hotels to youth hostels. Of course, it will be any traveler's first choice to stay in the city center due to the superior geographical location and the convenient transportation.
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.
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.
The night life in Xian has a unique glamour. Traditional ways include enjoying the night scenery around the Bell Tower, taking part in a Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, strolling on the ancient Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square and watching the music fountain performance. More modern and fashionable ways include singing in the KTV, hanging out in a bar, or dancing in a Disco. All in all, any experience in this ancient city will bring you fun and possibly a little surprise!

The History of Xi`an



It is no exaggeration that Xian is the first choice if you are willing to find the longest history of China. This region is one of the vital birthplaces of the profound Chinese civilization. Benefiting from the fertile land and comfortable climate in ancient time, the rulers of 13 dynasties have set up their capitals in Xian successively. Thus, Xian is one of the cities which preserve a wealth of historical heritages in China.PrehistoryThe Lantian Man, which was found in Lantian County of Xian, has inhabited in this land about 800,000 years ago. The founded skulls fossils is said to be the earliest and best preserved ones in China until now. Coming to 300,000-400,000 years ago, the primitive people around Xian have turned into the stage of primitive clan communes gradually. The base of this region’s agricultural production should be started when the Banpo Man made living here about 6,000 years ago. They have settled down in the eastern suburban of Xian City, setting up the Matriarchal clan villages.In the Slave SocietyThe slave society of China mainly refers to the periods of the Xia (21st-16th century BC), Shang (16th-11th century BC), Western Zhou (11th century BC-771BC) as well as Spring and Autumn Peroid (770 BC-476). During this long history, more and more nations have immigrated to the Guanzhong Plain the center of which is just current Xian. Therefore, both of this region's economy and political system has gained rapid development. Until to the Western Zhou Dynasty, the Wenwang have moved the capital-Fengjing to the west bank of the Fenghe River nearby Xian. It played as the dynasty's religious and cultural center. Later, his heir Wuwang built the political center on the east bank of the Fenghe River, namely, Haojing. This should be the first recorded dynasty founded the capital in Xian City.In the Warring State Period (476BC-221BC) and the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC)Coming to the end of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, namely, the Warring States Period, there mainly distributed seven powerful states in China. Qin, one of the seven states, was located in the center of Shaanxi Province and east Gansu Province. Later, Ying Zheng, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, set up the first feudal dynasty in Xianyang (consists of current Xian and Xianyang cites) after unifying the other six states. Although this dynasty fallen soon, a great number of historical relics were left, for example, the so famous Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Until now, some traditions and cuisines from the Qin Dynasty are still kept by the Xian locals.In the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220)The Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24AD), which is the third dynasty setting up its capital in Xian, constructed its capital -Chang'an on the relics of the Qin's Xianyang. Once, Chang'an City was the largest one in the world, covering an area of about 36 square kilometers (13.9 square miles). Now, the site of the Weiyang Palace is preserved well in Xian. The famous 'Silk Road' which starts from the Chang'an City appeared during the period of Wudi, opening the communication between China and overseas countries. On the other hand, the emperors carried out a series of policies to help the rehabilitation of the people. The Chang'an became a thriving city both in economy and polity in the world wide.In the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) DynastiesAt the found of the Sui Dynasty, the Han's Chang'an City has been destroyed seriously owing to long years of wars from 220 to 589. Therefore, the emperor built a new city just to southeast of the old Chang'an City, called Daxing City. After the Tang Dynasty overthrew the Sui and captured the Daxing City, the first emperor of Tang renamed the city as Chang'an City again. Later, some subsequent construct and renovation projects were taken. In the early period of Emperor Taizong, the Daming Palace was constructed, which was the political center of the whole dynasty later. There is no doubt that Tang should be the most prosperous dynasty in Chinese history. Thus, as the center, Chang'an was one of the largest economical, political and cultural centers in the world at that time. Most overseas travelers and businessmen came to Chang'an, enjoying the city's gloss.On the other hand, the Buddhism also expanded rapidly in Chang'an with the support of the governors. Now, the existing Big Wild Goose Pagoda should be the outstanding representation of the Buddhist building in Xian. Additionally, the prosperous and peaceful city attracts a great number of artist and poets, inspiring them to create so many masterpieces throughout the ages. In fact, the Tang culture has influenced this region deeply, spanning from architectural style to food, even to the city's soul.In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)From the end of the Tang Dynasty, the Chang'an City has lost its top position gradually; however, it was still one of the vital prefectures in the later dynasties. In 1369 of the Ming Dynasty, Xian gained its current name officially. From the next year, the current Xian City Wall has been constructed.The Summary of the Modern HistoryOctober 22, 1911---the local revolutionists pulled down the governance of the Qing Dynasty in Xian.1925---the national army led by Dr. Sun Yat-sun overthrew the reactionary warlord in Xian.1927---some members of the Chinese Communist Party launched a military school in Xian, training a number of revolutionists.December 12, 1936---Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng captured the Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek by initiating a military exhortation, namely, the Xian Incident. The incident spurred the Kuomintang to unify the Communist for resisting the Japanese invaders.May 20, 1949---Xian City was liberated by the Chinese People's Liberation Army. May 25, 1949—The People's Government of Xian City was launched.