A Grand Museum of China - Xian, Shaanxi

Province of Shanxi  (陕西) situated almost at the center of China map, with Huang River crossing over, was one of the world earliest human civilization starting spot. Its main city, Xian, known as Chang-An in the past, was the greatest political capitol of the country for more than thousand over years covered 12 dynasties. It was 3 times bigger than Rome Empire of that time and was the major inter-link and inter-change international bazaar for the trade and economic between the east and west side of the earth. It became a reputable metropolis where races from different corners, with different customs, religions, culture, commodities, literature and arts were met and gathered, exchanged and shared, learned and influenced among each other.  The high prosperity period of this city ended when the last Emperor of Tang Dynasty was chased out of the Kingdom Capitol in the year of 904.  Xian plays a very important role at the stage of Chinese history. Large scale of historical relics, artifacts, ruins and remains unearthed and discovered had made Xian a Grand Museum of China. Its armored Terracotta Warriors and Horses, its Buddha's bone relics at Famen Temple, its Grand ancient mosque, its centuries old bell and drum towel, attract great interest from people all over the world. Xian glittering like a big diamond in ancient China and still is shinning in the modern China of 21st century.



The outstanding centuries old stone carving altar, the Chinese pavilion styled Muslims reflection hall (省心楼 ) and the main shrine hall where the old Arabian Islamic literal still can be vividly seen at the front top and the two pillars.






The ancient mosque in Xian is an attraction to locals and overseas tourists. It reflects the beautiful ancient Chinese buildings style and also the Muslim history in China.



The Chinese buildings assimilate the mosque's architectural style from the west. Chinese wording 一真 （yi zhen) specified Islam which means immortality of Allah's teaching. Structure and design of the roofing and entry door are originals. Clearly stated at the entrance overhead plague was Chinese wordings - Allah worship Temple for Muslims.



The entrance of ancient mosque complex is the famous Muslim One Street where all kinds of Muslims products and food are sold and supplied in small stores owned by Muslims. The puppet in all costumes are beautifully displayed at one the stores.



The 7-story Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔） was built 1300 yrs ago to store Buddhist Scripts brought back from India by Dharma Master Rev. Xuan-Zhuang. It becomes one of the famous spots in Xian not only due to its long history but also its ancient Chinese architectural achievement. In memory of Xuan-Zhuang master, a huge status is erected right in front of the Pagoda Temple. Many Mahayana Chinese Sutras recited and practiced at temples today, were brought back and translated by him.



The 45m high Small Goose Pagoda, (小雁塔） which was also the landmark of Xian, was built in the year 707 with 15 stories originally. Its unique and pretty architecture constructed feature attracts many's attention. Large volumn of Buddhist Scripts taken back by sea route with Dharma Master Yi Jin was translated into Chinese at the Pagoda's Jianfu Temple.



Bell and Drum towers, built in the year of 1380 and 1384 was the tool for announcing time in the olden days and are the two magnificent building symbols of Xian City today. Both towers are rectangular in shape, with arch doors at 4-sides, 4-spiral corners, with layers of copper constructed internally, like an antique pavilion at the busy traffic in Xian.



Discovery of the armored terracotta warriors and horses in 1974 by a local farmers when digging a well, amazed the whole world. It was listed the most unusual cultural heritage on earth. The Bronze vehicle horse unearthed in 1980, size and lively sense are similar to real ones. Horses and armored terracotta, vitalized as alive. Each armored Terracotta Warrior in almost uniform size, had characteristic expression individually. And surprisingly, the identification of individual craftsman was found at the base of each figure. It shows that products manufactured with quality assurance, had been in forced in China 2200 yrs ago. China should do it better in this 21st century.









Five royal bathing pools of Tang Dynasty together with more than 3000 precious artifacts were discovered in April, 1982.



The bathing pool of Princess Yang Kui Fui (杨贵妃) had no much difference from the modern Jacuzzi pool used in the spa parlor today. The scenic Hua Qing Hot Spring where the ancient bathing pools were discovered, was once a resort for Tang royal family.

The Golden Era of Hexi Corridors

The Province of Gansu is the key state of silk road journey after Han Dynasty. The unearthed artifacts disclosed the thousand years history of Hexi Corridor (河西走廊). Great volume of cultural relics like Buddhist scripts, murals, sculptures, found at grottoes, temples, pagoda, in places like Dunhuang, Zhangye, reflected the golden era of Buddhism in western and eastern Asia. The Wooden Tower in Zhangye was constructed in 582 AD and its centuries old Great Buddha Temple possess large quantity of Buddhist relics, documents and wide collection of Buddhist Scripts. Zhangye today is an essential place for research on Buddhist history.  The tomb, copper galloping horse, carts, cows, people unearthed at Wuwei Han Grave and the printed bricks, copper wares found at 1400 yrs tomb at Jiuguan, bring forth the social and daily life style of people during that era. At olden time, Gansu was considered western frontier where nomads gathered. Dunhuang, Zhangye, Jiuguan and Weiwu were the four cities first built during Han Dynasty. Han races moved in bringing along their living skills. Nomads started growing crops and Hans started loving horses. More and more people were attracted to shift into this different yet harmonious society later during war time. Long period of large migrants from different areas developing into a mixed tribal culture, made the west side of Huang River (so called Hexi) grow into glory and prosperity.



There was a well inside the tomb and people throw down money to seek for luck.



The prestige bronze galloping horse, unearthed at a general's tomb in Wuwei city, is one of the finest and most marvelous cultural relics of Chinese. It is of high value in art, science and historical research. Bronze horses, carts, followers and the tomb's inner building reflecting the life style and living of a general in Han Dynasty. Its a great discovery for scholars who make research on history of Han Dynasty in Hexi Corridor.












The imitation of ancient city in Wuwei



Mingsha mountain （鸣沙山） is made up from accumulation of different colored sands and being uplifted to form shape by the night wind. The scenic spot remains as it is from years to years, without changes.






Troop of camel riders with special orange sand-walking shoes ready to explore into the top part of Mingsha mountains.



Hundreds of camels while waiting to service the guests has become the main character snap shot.






Crescent-shaped spring （月牙泉), 30mx20mx5m in depth, is circled by Mingsha mountain and sand. It was a great miracle that for centuries, the clear blueish water never dried up by the high evaporation of desert heat nor covered up by sand storm.



Mingsha mountain （鸣沙山）is known and named by the natural echo of nature. Sliding down from mountain side is a way to experience the thundering sound made by the quicksands.



Mogao Grotto (莫高窟) also known as Grotto of Thousand Buddhas, was constructed at year 366. It is located at Dunhuang, west of Gansu Hexi Corridor. Until today, it still maintains and reserves huge numbers of grottoes in different shapes and kinds, excavated from nearly 1800 years ago inclusive of 700+ murals, 45,000+ sq.m. of color painted sculptures, 2000+ wooden grotto frame and treasure collections of Buddhist Scripts, arts and ancient documents etc. This is an excellent human culture relics of the world.



Entrance to Mogao Grotto.



The painted clay Bodhisattva sculpture and colorful flying Devi in the murals at one of the cave, show no much sign of fading, still vivid and brilliant.



Buddha's nirvana statue with the 72 disciples mourning murals. The Buddha's graceful look in contrast to the sad feeling expression of the disciples still can be seen clearly (photographing prohibited).



Stupa are type of pagoda where monks' body or ash were kept after they died and cremation. The stupa built nearby the site of Mogoa Grottoes are beautiful though they might be of recent structures.



We had a great time with great food in this village restaurant, where we were entertained by Chinese traditional music and by the end, we were in the performance with our joker leader and brought high the atmosphere for all foreign tourists dinning inside.



Great view of scenery at the village resort house where we stayed near Dunhuang.



Moonlight cups (夜光杯) are one of the most interesting souvenir from Gansu. The kind of marble material used for the items produced by the local manufacturers are able to illuminate lights at night.