Xianyang Travel Guide
Population: 5,040,000
Area: 10,213 square kilometers (3,943 square miles)
Nationalities: Han
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Qindu, Weicheng); 10 counties (Sanyuan, Jingyang, Qianxian, Liquan, Yongshou, Changwu, Xunyi, Chunhua, Wugong); 1 county-level city (Xingping)
Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 029-33210445
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Location: Located in the central part of Shaanxi Province, Xianyang is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of Xian with the Weihe River flowing along its south edge.
History: Xianyang is an ancient capital. The first feudal dynasty in Chinese history, Qin Dynasty, put it as the capital city and opened the brilliant history of the city. Historically, it once served as the capital city or capital environs of thirteen dynasties, leaving it twenty-seven tombs of emperors and hundreds of graves of imperial households.
Physical Features: The north part of Xianyang belongs to the Loess Plateau, while the south is a part of the Weihe Plain. On the whole, the terrain gradually inclines downward from the north to the south.
Climatic Features: Xianyang has a warm temperate continental monsoon climate that featuring chilly winter and torrid summer. Its annual average temperature is between 9-14C (48-57F). Overcast and rainy days may frequently appear in summer and autumn. Extreme heat may attack the city in summer causing high temperature in excess of 40C (104F).
When to Go: Actually, visitors can choose any time to Xianyang if they feel free. However, avoiding hot summer and chilly winter is suggested.
Special Local Products: Xifeng Liquor, Huanggui Thick Wine (Huang Gui Chou Jiu), Amber Candy (Hu Po Tang), embroider craftwork
Scenic Spots:
Qian Mausoleum: The mausoleum is reposed by the Emperor Gao Zong of Tang Dynasty (618-907) and his empress Wu Zetian, the only female monarch in Chinese history. The mausoleum is built backed by the Liangshan Hill, and the design of the tomb replicates the ancient Chang'an city.
Great Buddha Temple (Da Fo Si): 10 kilometers west of Binxian County, this Buddhist site has stood there for over 1,300 years. The total 130 grottoes on the 400-meter-long rock surface store thousands of Buddha statues of all size. Within the temple, the 20-meter-tall Buddha is the most spectacular one.
Other Scenic Spots: Maoling Mausoleum, Zhaoling Mausoleum, Xianyang Museum, Tomb of Crown Prince Yide, Tomb of Crown Prince Zhanghuai, Tomb of Huo Qubing, Tomb of Princess Yongtai
Tourist Tips:
1. Xian Xianyang International Airport is 13 kilometers northeast of Xianyang downtown, operating flights to over sixty cities at home and abroad. There are six airport bus lines departing daily from the pick-up points in Xian and Xianyang.
2. Due to the short way between Xianyang and Xian, visitors can take Bus No.59 shuttling between the two cities. In addition, the Xianyang Bus Station is in the Xilan Road, Qindu District, where provides buses to cities and counties inside the province. The West Bus Station in Xian has buses running to Xianyang departing as soon as the buses are full.