Shaanxi

Shaanxi is situated on the Northwest China Loess highland on the middle reaches of the Yellow River,it is one of the birth places of Chinese civilizations with a long history and traditional culture.There are 13 dynasties established capitals here over a period of 1,180 years.So it is a place with many ancient stories,and , it is known by all that Xi'an marked the start of the famous "Silk Road" that linked China with central Asia and the Roman Empire.

The map of Shaanxi province

Ethnic Minority Groups
Shaanxi has a population of over 32 million.The Han ethnic group accounts for 99.4 percent of the total. Other groups include the Hui, the Manchu,and the Mongolian.

Climate
Shaanxi has a continental monsoonal climate, it is a cold and dry climate with great difference between the areas north and south of the Qinling range. The mean annual temperature is 13.6 oC.Except the colder winter, any season is relatively suitable for traveling.

Cities and Highlights
Xi'an known as Chang'an in ancient times, is famed all over the world for it's glorious history. So far, Xi'an enjoys equal fame with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the four major ancient civilization capitals.Xi'an is also the most important city in northwest China,and there are abundant relics and sites in this old city.
The Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is praised as 'the eighth major miracle of the world',it is part of the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang--the first emperor in chinese history.It is quite unique and magnificent that many visitors go a long way to Xi'an only want to see it .

The Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses

Dayan pagoda(built in 652) and Xiaoyan pagoda are still well preserved from Tang Dynasty,both are famous Buhhist temples.The Huaqing Pool , being a villa palace and resort for emperors and kings in anceint times, it has a history of more than 3000 years.Now,it is the famous location of hot springs. In Xi'an,you can also see the City Wall built in the end of the Tang Dynasty while you are wandering.

 The City Wall of Xi'an

Besides relics,Shaanxi is also abundant in natural beauty .Mt. Huashan, 120 kilometers east of Xi'an, one of the Five Mountains,is famous for its breath-taking cliffs and awe-inspiring landscape.It is called that "there is only one way to the top of Mt.Huashan ever since" because of its steeply terrain.

Mt. Huashan

The Hukou waterfall on Yellow River, the second biggest one in China, also the biggest in north China,is very overbearing and magnificent. It is more breath-taking in dry season than in summer.

The Hukou waterfall

Except the above,there are still many places worth to go,such as the Qianling Mausoleum ,The Bell Tower Standing in the center of Xi'an,The Forest of Steles situated at the bottom of the City wall,ect.

Great Taste
Local chefs of Shaanxi Province are good at using local materials to prepare delicious dishes, such as hump and hoof of a camel, fat sheep from north Shaanxi, Qinchuan oxen, carps from the Yellow River and black rice from Hanzhong. Through boiling, stewing, braising, frying and cooking, they produce a wide variety of dishes of different tastes.