AddThis Social Bookmark Button
16
May
2009
History flows freely in Xi'an E-mail
Reviews - Travel
Written by Harry Shattuck
From architecture to cuisine, Xi’an reflects the influence of 13 Chinese dynasties headquartered here — Qin (221-206 B.C.) to Tang (618-907) — and illustrates longer-lasting traditions.

As a guide on our organized excursion said, “Shanghai is where we show you the future of China. If you want to see the China of the past 600 years, you go to Beijing. But if you want to see the China of 5,000 years ago, go to Xi’an. “The canopy of the tree is Shanghai. The branches are Beijing. But the roots of the tree are Xi’an. ” The terra-cotta warriors have been the main impetus for tourism. But among scores of landmarks, you’ll find one of the world’s best-preserved 14th-century city walls (you can circle the city by foot atop the wall); pagodas constructed more than 1,000 years ago; an eighth-century great mosque, the center of Xi’an’s Muslim quarter; some of China’s grandest Buddhist temples; renowned Ming Dynasty bell and drum towers (now minus the bell and drum); even the remains of a 6,000-year-old Neolithic village.

The Forest of Stone Steles, which includes about 2,300 inscribed slabs, illustrates the calligraphic art of multiple dynasties. A large, modern history museum applies perspective.

Still, typical of 21st-century urban China — though not to the degree of Shanghai and Beijing — Xi’an is a paradox of the old and new.

I sat on a bench in front of the beautiful glass-ensconced Shangri-La Golden Flower hotel and watched a seemingly endless street parade of rustic three-wheeled carts whose drivers balanced TVs, stereos, sofas and groceries as they negotiated a busy boulevard, all the while puffing on cigarettes or chatting on cell phones.

One teen balanced a basketball as he pedaled his two-wheeler among taxi drivers known here as Chinese mice. “That’s because they are always zigging and zagging through the streets,” our guide said.

If the acrobatics and music in a Tang Dynasty dinner show I attended were authentically aged — and I wouldn’t dare question hand-plucked stringed instruments, a sorcerer’s dance and a song imitating the sounds of orioles — the 650-seat theater’s banquet feast of king prawns, beef tenderloin and honey-glazed walnut chicken was plenty up-to-date.

The pure silk costumes were exquisite, too, though I doubt the original Tangs complemented their meal with a glass of Great Wall Cabernet as we did.

Just when you begin to think Xi’an’s only real appeal is its link to the past, you learn this region is China’s version of California’s Silicon Valley, a hub of modern technology. This metropolitan area of 7.5 million people is at the forefront of the nation’s aerospace industry, medical research and rock-music craze. More than 40 universities are spread about the town and suburbs.

And the cuisine here is different from that in most of China. When they aren’t uncovering ancient warriors, farmers grow wheat, not rice. The main diet is noodles and dumplings. Guests at the Shangri-La Golden Flower can choose familiar steamed shrimp and pan-fried pork dumplings or experiment with steamed celery and carrot dumplings.

Construction is rampant, much of it inspired by the surge in tourism created by the warriors’ unearthing. In stark contrast to ultra-modern Shanghai, however, you’ll see no skyscrapers, with the tallest building at 10 stories. And almost all construction is done by hand.

Be prepared for air pollution. A problem throughout China, it’s notable in Xi’an where dust blows off the Gobi Desert to the west.
Our valuable Editor Harry Shattuck has been with us since Sunday, 04 April 2010.

Show Other Articles Of This Author

Do you have a story to share? Do you want to be a ND Author? Send your own story, write about family, friends, life in Xi'an, business, real estate, education, travel, entertainment, write a review, suggest a column and more! In any language! Please include at least one picture about your story if possible, your name, email address, blog-/web-address, so we can give you credit. Go ahead, click here: Submit your Story now and we will publish it and list you as a ND contributor! Alternatively you can send us your story to: xianstories@newdynasty.com.cn

Add comment


Security code
Refresh

Current Reviews Categories

NEW DYNASTY TV - Xi'an Reports, Interviews and Movies

ND TV - Premier Web TV Reports, Interviews, Movies about Expats and Locals in Xi'an/China! This is UNIQUE in Xi'an!

ND proudly presents: Xi'an Models Volume 1

Xi'an Models

Advertisement

RECOMMENDED LINKS  
MANGO - Women's Collection
HaoHao - China Stories		 Silk Road International (SRI)

New Dynasty Comics


We want you! - 加入我们!

We're currently looking for some down to earth people who can spare a little time each week to write about anything related to Xi'an and China, who are eager to share stories, news, insight info and be a part of the most sophisticated and fastest growing Digital Magazine in Xi'an. Whether you're young or old, we'd like to hear from you. Click for more info.

High-End Model Photography

Editorials

Xi'an goes digital
To all readers, subscribers, friends: Welcome to Xi'ans most sophisticated, multilingual digital magazine. We are excited to offer you from today on, 15. June 2009, a new and superior kind of publication in Xi'an and a refreshing new concept. Of course, as with any technology-related... Click here to read the full story!

Skype ND!

Skype ND!

Featured Website

¡XABOO! is a brand new interactive Community Platform for Locals and Expatriates in Xi'an (China).¡XABOO! is an interactive Community Platform for Locals and Expatriates in Xi'an. Click here & register now!

Editor Team

We have a team that works on the articles presented on ND. Please contact us if  you are interested in helping us out with the creation of articles or researching information in Xi'an. Contact:  info@newdynasty.com.cn

Post translation

ND has readers from all over the world and in several languages. If you translate one of our articles please let us know so we can add a link at the original article! Your site and name will be posted as well. Thanks!

Restaurants

article thumbnail Tuscany Restaurant

We are a family owned restaurant and take pride in everything we do. From the fine ingredients we use to the wines we carry, you...

ND Digital Magazine Xi'an - Subscribe now!

ND Digital Magazine Sample Cover
*Sample Image

Hotels

article thumbnail Grand Noble Xi'an

The hotel has 428 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, a full range of dining, recreational and conference facilities. ...

ND on your Mobile Phone Browser - Coming soon

ND Mobile v1.0 is online! Browse ND's eMag with your mobile device by typing the address m.newdynasty.com.cn in the browser of your device or be auto-redirected to our mobile site by typing newdynasty.com.cn. You can read our articles, watch ND TV and more even better in the future with your iphone, android etc. Stay tuned. Click here for more Info or here if you want to report a bug.