Contributed by Yuni Kweh
After this pandemic is over, my dream destination to travel to is Xi'an, China. You must be wondering why China of all place. Well, even though i have visited it once few years ago, I want to visit to Xi'an again because it's just so historical and beautiful.
Xi'an is a place full of monuments and is one of the"Four Great Ancient Capitals of China". To see the best of Xi'an, I would suggest travelling in April as it is the Mountain Peony season during which you would be able to see this delicate and lovely flower in full bloom.
Xi'an is a large city and capital of Shaanxi Province in central China. Once known as Changan ( Eternal Peace), it marks the Silk Road's eastern end and was home to the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties' ruling houses. At archaeological sites in Xi'an's surrounding plains are the famed Bingmayong (Terra Cotta Army) thousands of life-size, hand-molded figures buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
Surrounding Xi'an's inner core is the Ancient City Wall, standing at 12m tall. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is an iconic, tapering Buddhist temple from the Tang Dynasty. The Muslim Quarter contains twisting lanes with shops, kebab houses and fruit stalls. It also includes the expansive, china-style Great Mosque, founded during the height of the Tang Dynasty in the year 742. The Stele Forest or Beilin Museum holds a large number of inscribed tablets including the Confucian classics. Outside Xi'an, another popular site is Han Yang Ling, Emperor Jingdi's mausoleum, containing Terra-Cotta soldiers, eunuchs and domesticated animals.
Here are a few places I would recommend visiting when you're planning to travel to Xi'an:
1) Mount Hua
Mount Hua is a mountain located near the city of Huayin in Shaanxi province, about 120 kilometres east of Xi'an. It is the western mountain of the Five Great Mountain of China, and has a long history of religious significance.
2) Yongxingfang Street
Though Muslim Quarter is still the most popular food street in Xi'an, an increasing number of Xi'an people and domestic go to Yongxingfang Food Street to try typical Shaanxi food. If you want to see the bustling scenery, Muslim Quarter will be the first choice. If you want to try some Shaanxi food, I will recommend to the Yongxingfang area nearby East Gate of the City Wall.
3) Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty & extensively renovated during Empress Wu ZeTian reign and in Ming Dynasty. The pagoda's main function was to house the Sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuanzang was later appointed by Emperor Gaozong to build the DaCi'en Temple with the pagoda inside the temple and invited monks to translate 1335 Sanskrit Sutras into China.
4) Drum Tower Of Xi'a
The Drum Tower was built in 1380 during the Ming Dynasty where the drum was beat at sunset to indicate the end of the day. On first floor, many large drums are showcase in a hall, each decorated with intrinsic Chinese writing that symbolizes good fortune. The Muslim Quarter which offers plenty Hui Chinese Muslim food is located right beside Drum Tower.
Xi'an is not only a place for Chinese people as even our Muslim friends are recommended to visit. You will find a lot of Halal restaurant, so Muslim can enjoy the local cuisine in Xi'an too with little worry.
Check out Sedunia Travel to find out more about their China travel packages should Xi'an ever be on your bucketlist for next year!