Xi'an

Xi'an ( pinyin:Xī'ān) is the capital city of the Shaanxi Province in China. Its metropolitan area has a population of 6 million people in 2011.  This city is famous for the splendid Terracotta Army was found inside the tomb of Chinese first emperor Qin Shi Huang.

 History  
In past China, it was the capital of 13 dynasties, including the Zhou Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, the Sui Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty. It was the eastern end of the ancient Silk Road and was commercial hub linked to home of silk production city Suzhou and Hangzhou. 
Xi'an is regarded as one of the most oldest capitals in the world history together with the other three Athens, Rome and Cairo.

 Name   
Xi'an was called Chang'an in ancient times. In Classical Chinese it literally means "Perpetual Peace". But from 9 AD-23 AD, during the Xin Dynasty, it was renamed "Constant Peace" (it is said the same way). By the time of the Ming Dynasty it had been named Xi'an (which means "Western Peace"). It was named Xi'an because was in the western part of the Ming Empire. 

 Political divisions 
+ Map of Xi'an political divisions 













Xi'an Municipality is divided into 10 districts and 3 counties.
 Beilin District
 Yanta District
 Weiyang District
 Baqiao District
 Xincheng District
 Lianhu District
 Chang'an District
 Yanliang District
 Lintong District
 Gaoling District
 Lantian County
 Zhouzhi County
 Huyi District

 Culture  
Xian's profound culture is featured by many kind of traditional festivals, handicrafts and more ethnic flavor. 
 Yango - Popular rural folk dance 
 Qinqiang - Shaanxi  local opera
 Shaanxi Shadow Play
 Fengxiang Clay Figurines

 Tourism  
As ancient capital, Xian's rich history is reflectey by the relic of Chinese dynasties such as ancient emperor story, imperial tombs, palace legends in the Qin, Han and Tang Dynasty. The following attractions is top among them.  
 Banpo Neolithic Village
 Terracotta Army & Warriors 
 Xian Ancient City Wall   
 Bell & Drum tower
 Big Wild Goose Pagoda
 Hanyangling Mausoleum

References

Category:Cities in China
Category:Provincial capitals in China
Category:Shaanxi