Through a series of surveys and votes, the people of Shaanxi province (home to the city of Xi’an and the Terracotta Army) have been asked to select the top 10 places of their region.

The 10 places that made the list reflect the unique history of the area, from the might and power of the First Emperor of China, down to the cultural splendor of the Silk Road that flourished from Xi’an under the Tang dynasty. The locations encompass the very best of the history, culture and scenery of Shaanxi province, quite arguably the true heartland of traditional China.

Read part 1 of Top 10 places around Xi’an here

Mount Hua 华山

With 210 famous views, Mount Hua is without doubt the Number One Mountain of China. The site of many a famous poem and eulogy, the mountain has been climbed by countless emperors and for anyone making the effort to scale its lofty heights they will not be disappointed.

Add: Huanyin City, 120 km east of Xi'an (3 hrs), Shaanxi 西安以东120公里的华阴市
Website: http://www.huashanly.com/ (Chinese)

Getting there by train:
Daily Xi'an-Huashan trains depart from Huashan Village Train Station.
Trains from Xi'an: K214, 2129, and N352

It is only 6 kilometers from Huashan Train Station to Yuquan Valley. Travelers arriving at Huashan train station can take a taxi or take the tourist bus to Huashan. The bus price is RMB 3, and taxi is RMB 10-15.

Getting there by long-distance bus:
Take Tourist Bus No. 1 at Xi'an Railway Station. (The bus departs Xi'an for Huashan at 7:30, 9:40, 12:00 pm, and the last bus departing from Huashan to Xi'an is at 5:00 pm).The tour is about 1.5 hours and the ticket costs RMB 20.

Getting there by taxi:
Taxi will take travelers to the area for approximately RMB 300-400 one way.

Mount Taibai 太白山

If Mount Hua hasn’t left you ‘mountained out’ then you might want to tackle the even higher Mount Taibai. This mountain is famous not just for being peaked in snow in June, but also for the fact that it is part of the central mountain range between the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers that separates the two and forms part of the North/South divide in China.

Add: 70 kilometers west of Xi’an
How to get there:
Take Tourist bus 2 heading to Mount Taibai at 8:00 am from Xi’an Train Station Square
Website: http://www.taibaishan.com/ (Chinese)

 

Yellow River Kettle Waterfall 黄河壶口瀑布

This is China’s second biggest waterfall and the largest on the Yellow River, which in itself is a formidable sight.

Photo: sina.com.cn

Add: 25 km Southwest of Ji County, Shanxi 山西省吉县城西南25公里
How to get there:
First take a train from Xi’an to Yan’an and then take a bus from Yan’an South Long Distance Bus Station.

Xi’an Drum and Bell Tower 西安钟鼓楼

A classic example of fine Ming dynasty architecture, the Drum and Bell houses the Two Sister drums and the tower stands in the centre of Xi’an. A trip to the tower makes for part of a pleasant afternoon’s stroll around the city centre, taking in the great views from the top. The tower is also within easy reach of Xi’an’s famous Muslim quarter.

Add: City center, Xi’an 西安市中心
Website: http://www.xazgl.com/ (Chinese)
How to get there: Bus No.1, 6, 8, 11, 45

Forest of Stele Museum 碑林博物馆

A stele is a standing stone upon which a message is written. Throughout most of Chinese history these were used to convey all sorts of information, from the most trivial ‘Please Dismount from your Horse Here’, to the most crucial instructions from the emperor. Xi’an is host to an impressive collection that testify Xi’an’s role as a centre of historical importance. Look out for the stones left in Latin by the Nestorian Christians of Tang dynasty Xi’an.

Add: 15 Sanxue Jie, Xi'an 西安三学街15号
Tel: 029-87210764
Website: http://www.beilin-museum.com/ (Chinese)
How to get there: Bus No.14, 402, 512, 223, 704, 208

Source: Xi’an Xinwen

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Related links:

Top 10 places around Xi’an (Part 1)
Xi’an: A Big Small City
Best of China in Ten Days: Day 4 and 5
The 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in China

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