Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi Province, China. A sub-provincial city on the Guanzhong Plain in northwestern China, it is one of the oldest cities in China, and the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals, having held the position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history, including Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Sui, and Tang. Xi’an is the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
This scribe had the opportunity to visit this ancient city recently and was surprised by Xi’an’s rich and culturally significant history. The Lantian Man was discovered in 1963 in Lantian County, 50 km southeast of Xi’an, and dates back to at least 500,000 years before the present time. A 6,500-year-old Neolithic village, Banpo, was discovered in 1953 on the eastern outskirts of the city proper, which contains the remains of several well-organized Neolithic settlements carbon dated to 5600-6700 years ago. The site is now home to the Xi’an Banpo Museum, built in 1957 to preserve the archaeological collection
Xi’an was the first city in China to be introduced to Islam. Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty officially allowed the practice of Islam in AD 651. Xi’an has a large Muslim community, the significant majority are from the Hui group, there are an estimated 50,000 Hui Muslims in Xi’an. There are seven mosques in Xi’an, the best known being the Great Mosque.
Because of the city’s many historical monuments and a plethora of ancient ruins and tombs in the vicinity, tourism has been an important component of the local economy, and the Xi’an region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China.
In 2012, Xi’an was named as one of the 13 emerging megacities, or megalopolises, in China. It is our honour that Lahore became a twin sister city for Xi’an in 1992
The city has many important historical sites, and some are ongoing archaeological projects, such as the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang and his Terracotta Army, which comprises the eighth wonder of the world. A Terracotta soldier was presented to Lok Virsa Museum in Islamabad, where it stands in all its splendour. There are several burial mounds, tombs of the Zhou Dynasty kings located in the city. Xi’an also contains some 800 royal mausoleums and tombs from the Han Dynasty, with some of them yielding hundreds of sculpted clay soldiers, and remains of sacrificial temples from the Han era. The city has numerous Tang Dynasty pagodas and is noted for its history museum and its stele forest, which is housed in an 11th-century Confucian temple containing large stone tablets from various dynasties.
With Chinese President Xi Jinping’s endeavour to rejuvenate China’s rich and ancient culture, Xi’an has taken major steps to attract both domestic and international tourists. The whole city wears a festive look, intricate street lights designed in the shape of Chinese knots adorn lamp posts and beckon visitors.
The city is surrounded by a well-preserved city wall which was re-constructed in the 14th century during the early Ming Dynasty and was based on the inner imperial palace of Tang Dynasty. The Bell Tower and Drum Tower, both are located at the city’s central axis. The city’s Muslim Quarter offers a wide array of Muslim cuisine, with ushers inviting visitors to partake of the exquisite delicacies presented. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda are both spectacular towers being well over 1,000 years old and have survived great earthquakes. The former is next to a large square with the largest fountain in Asia which projects water high into the air, rising and falling in time to music during one of the daily performances (usually at noon and soon after sunset). They protected Buddhist writings and literature in the past.
The Stele Forest is famous for its numerous historic inscriptions and stone works. The Famen Temple and its towering pagoda located 120 kilometers west of Xi’an.
A visit to Xian would be incomplete without a trip to Mount Huashan, located 120 kilometers from Xi’an. It is famous for natural vista of steep and narrow paths, precipitous crags and a high mountain range. Its five peaks are the representative attractions, and each has its distinctive charms: East Peak is the best place to enjoy the sunrise; South Peak has the highest altitude; West Peak is the most elegant; North Peak is famous as the Cloud Terrace Peak and Middle Peak is also called Jade Lady Peak. The Mount Huashan is also home to several influential Taoist temples, where many emperors of past dynasties took part in Taoist activities and sacrificed to the god of mountain, making it a holy land of Taoism. At its foot, are the representatives of its Taoist elements. To get to the top, cable cars have been installed, which provide a spectacular landscape and panoramic view. The installation of the cable cars is a feat of engineering skill.
In 2012, Xi’an was named as one of the 13 emerging megacities, or megalopolises, in China. It is our honour that Lahore became a twin sister city for Xi’an in 1992.
The writer is a retired Group Captain of PAF. He is a columnist, analyst and TV talk show host