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EAST
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NORTH
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NORTHEAST
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NORTHWEST
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SOUTH
CENTRAL
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SOUTHWEST |
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 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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