RSSXian Museums: Explore The Vast Past Of The City
Feb 23
China China, Xian, Xian China, Xian Museums, Xian Travel No Comments
Xian China is a town full of museums where you can find out how life was during ancient times. The culture of the Chinese people can be explored and you absolutely will be astounded by some of the exhibits in many of the Xian museums. Way back in the 11th century BC and the Zhou Dynasty, the town of Xian was a political and cultural area within China. History goes back much further than that however. People settled in the area and it has been documented by the find of Banpo village that was already 6500 years old when it was found in 1954.
The founding date of Xian is about 202 BCE when Emperor Liu Bang belonging to the Han Dynasty made his capital in Changan and a few years later he built a palace in Xian. During the Sui Dynasty about 582 a new capitol was built and there were three different sections one being Xian Palace. The city is in central China surrounded by 8 rivers and streams. Qinling Mountains are on the southern border and to the north is Wei River. With all the history of the area one would expect there to be some very good museums around and Xian has some excellent museums.
This is the home of the museum of the Terracotta Army. In 1974 some village people were drilling wells and came upon some interesting Bronze Age weapons. They knew the historical significance of these relics and called in help. Three pits were uncovered in an otherwise barren area of land and in these pits of about 16300 square meters more than 7000 life sized terracotta warriors with horses were found. A roof was built over the archaeological find in order to protect it and the excavation of the statues began. The excavation continues and you can see it happening right in front of your eyes.
Visit the Shaanxi History museum righ in the south of town. The building is modern but made with Tang dynasty architecture. The main hall holds about 2700 art pieces from all eras. This museum houses permanent exhibitions and also a few temporary ones. In the permanent collection are artifacts from all dynasties including weapons, statues, gold cast objects and you can also view photos from other archaeological digs in China. When purchasing an item from the gift shop be sure to argue about the price. It is totally acceptable and expected.
One of the newer museums opened in 2006 is the Hanyang Tomb Museum unique because it is new and totally underground. The exhibits are easy to view and there are exhibits in pits with glass floors that will really get you up front with them. The tomb had lain undisturbed for around 2000 years and it has not been partially excavated. There was also a human sacrifice graveyard where over 5000 tombs where found. There are many figurines of animals and humans to view and all are very detailed. There are some areas where guides will give you two plastic bags to put on your feet in order to keep your shoes clean.
The Banpo Village Museum is a Stone Age settlement that was settled in about 5000 to 4000 BC. The museum is inside a building located about 10 miles east of Xian City and was built in 1958. The village was very organized with a building in the center of the village that had a large room circled by several smaller rooms. All around the village was a ditch that was designed to keep large wild animals out. There were 46 individual dwellings, a ceramic production area and a cemetery. In the museum are tools and weapons used by the people and reproductions of what life would be like in the village.
If you love Chinese writing or the art of calligraphy you will need to go to the Stele Forest Museum near the south Gate in Xian. You will find over 1000 stone tablets with calligraphy carved into them that were done in the time of the Han and Qing dynasties. This museum is in an old 11th century temple dedicated to Confucius. Some of the tablets are 4000 years old and they progress up to some made during the 20th century. Guides will instruct you on how to make your own calligraphy with paint and brush.
Xian is a very historic place and the history goes back much further than it does in many places. You can visit a Neolithic village or explore the dynasties of China. The terracotta warriors are definitely worth a visit and you might even try to write in Chinese calligraphy. There are also many other museums rich with the culture of China just in this one city.
Museums in Xi’an will give you extensive background info of the local culture and some will amaze you with the exhibits that are there for you to explore. We have got the ultimate inside info on the best Xian Travel and museums.
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