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Hotels in Xian, China - a guide to Xian hotels
Xian hotels and resorts reservation guide - the definitive guide to Xian accommodation.
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Introduction
Xian provides China a rich historical and cultural backdrop. From the 11th century
BC, an astonishing eleven dynasties including the Han, Sui, Tang, Ming and Qin
ruled from here. Emperor Qin Shihuang, who united the whole of China, made Xian
his seat of power. At this time all roads led to Xian, which became the last
stop on the famed trade route of the Silk Road. As a center of international
trade many forms of commerce passed through the city giving it a truly multi-cultural
society.
Found within the now rather isolated and arid province of Shaanxi, modern-day Xian is polluted and industrial due to its fast pace of modernization, like so many capitalist driven cities of 21st century China. Today it is difficult to believe that Xian once challenged such cities as Rome for the title of the greatest city in the world and that for thousands of years this booming metropolis was unrivalled in Asia. Not much remains of its grand legacy, though it is one of the few cities in this vast land that still has an intact city wall. It is, however, the world renowned Terracotta Warriors that put Xian on the map, making it an essential part of any trip to China. These dramatic guardians of the buried Emperor Qin provide a fascinating insight into the ancient dynasties and their intriguing cultures. Rivalling such attractions as the Great Wall and Forbidden City, few leave Xian without being impressed by the sheer beauty and audacious scale of this buried army.
With so much history, there is a lot to do in Xian and the surrounding Shaanxi County, indeed several weeks could be spent absorbing everything. However, two to four days are usually enough for most visitors to sample what the city has to offer, with many treating Xian as a side trip when visiting the capital, Beijing.
Attractions
Terracotta warriors
The Terracotta army no doubt is Xian's main draw. Housed about 45 minutes from
the city center by car or a little over 1 hour away by coach, the warriors give
an impressive insight into the importance Xian once had on the world stage.
Arranged tours are more convenient as all entrance and transport fees are included
from the start. Most can be booked through the major hotels.
Three main buildings make up the tour. The first is more a museum with display cases housing some of the finer pieces from the excavation with a background on the different types of warriors provided. Within the second building, the largest of the three, the magnificence of the Terracotta Warriors can be seen. The tour leaders provide wonderful theories as to how the "army" ended up entombed here as well as plenty of information on the site's excavation and the measures used for preservation. The last building displays more of the army in its regimental layout with horses and chariots, a stark contrast from the second building with all its row upon row of warriors. This last building is very much work in progress as excavation is still underway.
The gift shop and canteen are good for a break after the long stroll through the buildings. Be aware as much of what is on offer are poor replicas sold at exorbitant prices. There are some terracotta pieces supposedly unearthed from the dig site, however, their authenticity remains very suspect. Also note Customs laws regarding the exporting of artifacts are strict in China and you may be inconvenienced at the airport.
Also in the same area as the Terracotta army is the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang covered by a small mound of earth. It is yet to be uncovered as there is a lack of sufficient machinery and techniques to excavate the tomb, reportedly full of booby traps and automatic crossbows.
The Bell and Drum Towers are the centerpieces of the city itself with the ancient wall providing a suitable backdrop. These two buildings functioned as timekeepers for the residents at dawn and dusk, but later became more useful in warning of impending wars or invaders something of a necessity given Xian's past.
The Great Mosque was built for the many Muslim traders who caravanned the Silk Road to Xian. It is reputed to be one of the largest Islamic buildings in China and is still an active place of worship today. Surrounded by gardens, the mosque is built in a Chinese style and sits in the Moslem quarter of the city. The main prayer hall leads to many other pagodas and rooms to explore and investigate with centuries old carvings and furniture.
Big Goose Pagoda and Small Goose Pagoda are both linked to modern Buddhism. The Big Goose Pagoda was originally a temple built by Emperor Li Zhi in memory of his mother whilst Small Goose Pagoda's construction paid homage to Emperor Gao Zong. After many wars and degradation, both were rebuilt by monks and eventually became places for housing the Buddhist scriptures brought from India and painstakingly translated into Chinese.
Ban Po Village is purportedly one of the best examples of a Neolithic settlement
and matriarchal village in China. Over 6,000 years old, excavations have unearthed
40 or more houses, kilns, cellars and over 250 graves - all on display. A tour
of the village can be incorporated with the Terracotta Warriors and/or Huaqing
Hot Springs. Its location is approximately 30 minutes from the city centre.
Street Market
Though not wide spread, a few department stores can be found by the Bell Tower
and along the East and West Road. East Road offers many retail shops for clothes
and shoes ranging from sports wear to casual and business attire.
Behind the Drum Tower in the Muslim quarter you will find lots of antique and curio shops as well as cheap tourist goods. This area is a great source of souvenirs. Haggling is recommended. Check all goods before you take them away and if you feel you've found a real bargain that may be valuable, make sure you get the receipt, as it might be an issue at Customs on departure.
This is certainly the case at the Terracotta warrior's gift shop. The authenticity of the replicas found in the shop tends to be questionable. However in one section with glass cabinets and display cases, you might find some genuine art pieces. You must get a receipt from the shop as Customs at Xianyuan Airport love to rummage through your bags and see what you've bought and may even ask you to declare it and charge you for it (this is where the receipt is handy).
5 star hotels in Xian
ANA Grand Castle Hotel Xi'an - 12 Xiduan Huanchengnanlu Xi'an
Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza Hotel Xi'an - 18 West Section Huancheng South Road
Xian 710068
Jinshi International Hotel Xian - 398 East Section Nan'erhuan Road Xi'an Shaanxi
Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel Xian - 8 Chang Le Road West Xian 710032
Sheraton Xian Hotel - 262 Feng Gao East Road Xian Shanxi 710077
Sofitel Hotel Of Renmin Square Xian - 319 Dong Xin Street Xian 710004
Wan Nian Hotel Xi'an - No.93 Changle Zhonglu Xi'an 7100032
4 star hotels in Xian
Aurum International Hotel Xi'an - No.30 Nan Xin Street Xian
Bell Tower Hotel Xi'an - No. 110 Nan Da Jie Xi'an
Canaan International Hotel Xi'an - 132 East Street Xi'an Shaanxi Province
Diamond International Hotel Xi'an - No 177 Jiefang Road Xian
Garden Hotel Xi'an - No.40 Dong Yan Yin Road Da Yan Ta Xi'an Shaanxi 710061
Grand New World Hotel Xi'an - 172 Lian Lu Road Xian Shaanxi Province 710002
Hotel Royal Garden Xi'an - No.334 Dong Da Jie Xi'an710001
Jianguo Hotel Xian - 2 Hu Zhu Road 710048 Xian Shanxi
Le Garden Hotel Xian - Xian Lao Dong Road 8 South Xian
Orient Hotel Xi'an - 393 Zhu Que Avenue Xi'An Shannxi
Quest International Hotel Xi'an - 328 Around City Westroad Xian 710082
Tianyu Gloria Hotel Xi'an - No.15 North Yanta Road Xi'an
Xian Hotel Xian - 58 North Chang'an Road Xi'an 710061
3 star hotels in Xian
Canaan International Hotel Xi'an - 132 East Street Xi'an Shaanxi Province
City Flower Hotel Xi'an - 288 West Ring Road North Section Xian 710082
Dynasty Hotel China Xian - 55 Huan Cheng Road Xian
Hongye Hotel Xi'an - 137 Han Guang North Road Xian 710068
Melody Hotel Xi'an - 86 Western Street Xian 824000
Post Hotel Xi'an - No.61 Dong Wu Road Xian Shannxi
Prince International Hotel Xi'an - No 32 South Street Xian 710001
Shuyuan Youth Hotel Xian - No. 2 Xi Shun Cheng Road Da Nan Li Xi'An