Shaanxi Province is situated in the center of China, on the middle reach of the Yellow River. It covers an area of 205,600 square kilometers with a population of 29.3 million. It serves as the vital industrial transportation and communication junction to link the central parts of China with the southwestern and northwestern parts of the country. Xian is the provincial capital city. 

Shaanxi is considered one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. About one million years ago, some of China's earliest inhabitants lived in this region, and began spreading their culture along Yellow River. Banpo people of Neolithic matriarchal community inhabited here about 6,000 years ago. Thirteen dynasties have established capitals here, including Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang. With such rich history, Shaanxi has plentiful cultural relics and well-preserved ruins.

Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is one of the eight major miracles of the world. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place forBuddhists. City Wall of the Ming Dynasty is the largest and most intact Ming Dynasty castle in the world. Shaanxi History Museum is a Tang-Dynasty style pavilion which houses a large collection of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi. The Great Mosque is the largest and best-preserved early mosques of China . Famen Temple is renowned to be the "forefather of pagodas and temples in Central Shaanxi," because it preserves the finger bones of Sakyamuni--the founder of Buddhism. Forest of Stone Steles Museum preserves some precious stone steles, exhibiting the works of calligraphy, painting and historical records on achievements in the development of Chinese culture and cultural exchanges between China and other countries.The places of interest around Xian is also amazing. Mt. Huashan is one of the five best-known mountains in China, for its breath-taking cliffs and unique characteristics. "Han Yang Ling" Mausoleum has the largest human sacrifice graveyard ever found in China

Besides historical sites, the restaurants in Xian will not disappoint your stomach too. You can taste not only snack food in Muslim Street, but also the delicious dumplings at the famous local restaurant---De Fa Chang. You can even view the fantastic performance Tang Dynasty Musical Show at Shaanxi Grand House.

To get to the city of Xian, you can easily take flight or trains from most other Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai.

With the construction of subway stations which are underway at present, travel in Xian will be more and more easier for tourists home and abroad.