Xian,China

Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is situated in the fertile Wei River Valley. One of the few Chinese cities where the ancient fortress walls can still be seen. Xi'an dates back more than 3, 000 years and has an impressive collection of archaeological relies to help explain its rich history. Formerly known as Chang'an ("Eternal Peace"), the city of Xi'an had served as a capital under 13 dynasties Xi’an is best known as within the local arts and crafts community for its thriving archaeological reproductions industry, which features painted Neolithic pottery; life-size Qin terra-cotta figures, glazed Tang funeral wares, and Tang tomb murals. A wide variety of folk crofts is also produced in the region, including needlework, ceramics, paper cuts, and rubbing (made from the impressions of stone carvings). China had 231 emperors and one ruling empress, 79 of whom were buried in Shaanxi. One imperial mausoleum in Shaanxi, which appears to most of visitors, is the Qiauling Tomb where Wu Zetian. China's only ruling empress, and her husband Li Zhi. who was Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. were buried. Other prime scenic spots include the Vaults of First Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses acclaimed as the "eighth wonder of the world, " Huaqing Hot Springs known as "Star Pool" in the Zhou Dynasty 2, 800 years ago. the Neolithic Banpo Museum with a history of 6, 000 years--an important excavated restored Neolithic Chinese: village, the China's best-preserved City Wall built in the early Ming Dynasties(1368-1644), the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was erected in 652, the Forest of Steles, the largest stone library in China and also called a treasure house of Chinese calligraphy with a super collection by famous calligraphers from Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) to Qing Dynasty (1644-191 l).