--Xi'An is the capital of Shaanxi Province and was the fabled starting point for the famous Silk Road. It served as the provincial capital for 13 dynasties, spanning a period of 1,100 years. Xi'An is unlike any other major city in China, with an intact city wall, quaint local customs and a long history, even by Chinese standards.
--Xi'An is home of the world renowned Terra Cotta Army, an archeological site of unimaginable size and importance. The Terra Cotta Army was created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb and to protect him in the afterlife. It is estimated that there are over 7,000 life-size terra cotta figures and horses buried here. The museum complex features extensive exhibits, artifacts and a movie of the rich history of the site, plus breathtaking examples of the countless treasures unearthed here.
--After your museum visit, you'll also see another must attraction, the Banpo Relics of a primitive tribe. Dating back about 6,000 years, it was a typical Neolithic matriarchal community. At that time, the Banpo people used tools made primarily of wood and stone. Women, the crucial labor force, were responsible for making pottery, spinning, and raising the family, while men fished. This excavated site of a village was discovered in 1953, 45 houses, 6 pottery kilns, 200 storage pits, 250 adult's tombs and children's burial jars, 10,000 tools and utensils were unearthed.
-- After lunch, you will travel to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a symbol of the city. Built in the Tang Dynasty, the square pyramid stands at 60 meters high and seven-story tall. Before the tour ends you will step on Xi'An's city wall. It is the most complete and best preserved city wall in all of China, dating back some 600 years. More than a monument, the wall is still an active part of city life that bustles all around it.
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