Traveling in Shaanxi
Shaanxi is a province of central China-central geographically, culturally, and historically. Its ancient capital, Xian (or Xi'an), was a starting point for the Silk Road and is also famous as the home to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, an archaeological site known for its thousands of clay soldiers called the Terracotta Army. Other attractions include the Hukou waterfalls, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi History Museum, and the Great Wall of China on Huashan Mountain.
Regions
The Shaanxi Province can be divided into three regions: northern, central, and southern-each with unique geographies, histories, and cultures. The northern part mainly consists of the Loess Plateau and Maowusu Desert, with its best known cities being Yulin and Yan'an. Yulin was a garrison town on the Great Wall of China in the time of the Ming dynasty, and Yan'an is nicknamed the "Cradle of the Revolution" as it was center of Chinese revolution in 1937. Central Shaanxi is a place of rich culture and history, best known as the home of the Terracotta Soldiers in the city of Xian. Xian is also the capital city of Shaanxi Province and was the starting point of ancient Silk Road. Southern Shaanxi refers to the region south of the Qinling Mountains. Covered by mountains, valleys, and plains, it is best known for its beautiful natural scenery like Nangong Mountain National Forest Park, Zhashui Cave, and Yinghu Lake.