Home City Search Xian Xian's Daily Life Self-Guided Tour
Xian's Daily Life Self-Guided Tour, Xian
Download iPhone Walking Tours Application for Xian
iPhone Walking Tours Application for Xian
Bookmark and Share
Xian's Daily Life Self-Guided Tour
Guide Location: China » Xian
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 7
Tour Duration: 5 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 12.9 km
Image Courtesy of Flickr and preetamrai
Author: helenp
Xian is a great historic city of China. Of course, the Terracotta Warriors, the Great Mosque, the Goose Pagodas, the Bell Tower and the City Wall should not be excluded from the must-see list of every tourist. The usual places where only locals hang out are overlooked by almost all guides. However, if you want to look at this city from a different angle and discover its hidden "face" you should take a "Daily Life" walking tour in Xian.
Tour Stops and Attractions
Shaanxi Province Stadium
1) Shaanxi Province Stadium
The Shaanxi Province Stadium is a large stadium in the city of Xian that hosts sporting events. It is also called the Zuque Stadium because of its location near Zhuque Square.
The Shaanxi Province Stadium is a multi user stadium. The official name is the Shaanxi Province Jiaodaruisen Stadium. Between the years 2005 and 2007, it was called the Coca Cola Stadium. The Shaanxi Province Stadium can seat an audience of 57,000. It is the home of the Shaanxi Zhongjian Chanba the premier soccer club of the city. It is also used for athletic training and events. It was inaugurated in the year 1999 and renovated in the year 2008.
The Shaanxi Province Stadium has a soccer field where the Shaanxi Zhongjian Chanba team practice soccer and play matches. The stadium is packed with spectators when matches between the local soccer teams, Shaanxi Guoli and Xian Anxinyuan take place. It also has a four lane athletic track and weight training rooms. The Shaanxi International Exhibition Center is located on the east side of the stadium. It is a large exhibition hall with underground parking where events and exhibitions are held. It is the largest modern event arena in the city of Xian.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and wjarrettc
Shaanxi Library
2) Shaanxi Library
Shaanxi Library is situated in the Beilin district, at a distance of 6 km from the city center. The building has a contemporary exterior design with a grandiose semi-circular entrance. Locals, especially students, are constant visitors of this facility, because it is one of the largest libraries in Xian. In 2009, the Shaanxi Provincial Library implemented an innovative technology to ensure easy access to their large collection of books.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and mokmf23
Daxingshan Temple
3) Daxingshan Temple
The Daxingshan Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in China. The present structure is the result of large scale restorations in the 20th century.
The Daxingshan Temple was built during the reign of the Western Jin Dynasty. It gained importance during the reign of the Sui and Tang Dynasties when Buddhism was the state religion. Many Indian Buddhist monks came to the city to translate texts and to spread their religion among the locals. It became one of three temples in China dedicated solely to the translation of Buddhist texts. The teachings were passed on to the Mizong Buddhist sect and the temple became the birthplace of the sect. Most of the original buildings were destroyed between 841 and 845. The present structure was restored between 1955 and 1983.
The interiors of the Daxingshan Temple today have many Qing Dynasty features. There is a Mountain Gate, a Devaraja Hall flanked by the figures of the four heavenly kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Bell and Drum Towers and the Kwan Yin Palace. A wooden statue of Maitreya Buddha stands in the center of the Devaraja Hall. The Kwan Yin Palace has a sandalwood statue of Kwan Yin with a thousand hands. The temple is an active one and worshippers throng the building during Buddhist festivals. The area around the temple has been converted into a small tranquil park.
Jixiang Market
4) Jixiang Market
Jixiang Market is a small local market situated in the southern suburb of Xian. Chinese and imported products are purchased here daily by the locals. Nearby is situated the Jixiang Wholesale Market where fresh vegetables and fruits, including dry fruits, are available. Don't expect the vendors to know English, but if you dare to visit the market be sure you will enjoy the Chinese spirit.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and harryalverson
Martyr Memorial Park
5) Martyr Memorial Park
Martyr Memorial Park doesn't sound like the best place to hang out, but here in Xian it is certainly a place for meditation and contemplation. This urban square has a large, beautiful central alley that leads to a small plaza and then to a small green semi-circle. Locals come here to commemorate their relatives and express their sorrow, but it's also a spot to relax.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Clark Chang
Jiatong University Campus
6) Jiatong University Campus
The Jiatong University Campus houses the Jiatong University which is one of the best universities in China. The University is one of the C9 League which is the Chinese equivalent to the Ivy League in the US.
The Jiatong University Campus covers an area of 410 acres. It was established by Emperor Guangxu as the Nanyang Public School in Shanghai. In 1955, the Communist State Council moved a branch of Jiatong University to Xian to promote education in a remote area. It became an independent university in 1959. Today, it has over 32,000 students and offers 31 departments including Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Medicine, Business Management, Arts, Language and Law.
The Jiatong University Campus consists of the main campus, the medical campus and a new campus that is being developed, called the Qijiang campus, on the southeastern part of the main campus. There are a student’s hostel, a library, a tennis court and several playgrounds within the campus. Also, there are two tranquil green spaces called the East and West gardens with green lawns, a fountain and sculptures. There is also a lake where visitors can enjoy boating. Visitors also come here to see the changing colors of the trees in autumn.
Shaanxi Provincial TV Tower
7) Shaanxi Provincial TV Tower
Shaanxi Provincial TV Tower is located in Xian's southern suburb. It was founded in 1987 and it has a total height of 245 meters. It is a free standing telecommunications tower built from concrete. Besides its primary function, locals like to jump with parachutes from its top. If you are less extreme in your tastes, we advise you to visit the dome-screen cinema situated nearby.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and caitriana
Attractions Map
Visitor's Comments (0)
Visitor's Gallery (0)