Mind Philosophy 艺门

City of Ancient History & Good Food 必游的帝王之都 -西安

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Formerly known as Chang’an, Xi’an is one important ancient city in the world that you absolutely must visit! It is now a popular tourist site because of its rich history and good food.

5 top places in Xi’an:

  1. Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
    Listed as a world UNESCO heritage site, the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum located in the Lintong District is the tomb of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. It also holds the world famous Terracotta Army.
  2. Bell Tower
    Built in the early Ming Dynasty, the Bell Tower of Xi’an is located right at the centre of the city and is an important landmark of Xi’an. It is one of its finest kind in China.
  3. Famen Temple Cultural Scenic Area
    Known as the second cultural symbol of Shaanxi, the Famen Temple Cultural Scenic Area is renowned for storing the Finger Bone of the Sakyamuni Buddha. One of its sectors, the Namaste Dagoba, has a fascinating theatre performance of the history of Famen Temple you should not miss!
  4. Qianling Mausoleum
    The Qianling Mausoleum is where tombs of the imperial family of the Tang Dynasty are located. This includes the tombs of the famous Emperor Tang Gaozong and his wife, Emperor Wu Zetian, the only female Emperor to ever rule in China.
  5. Muslim Quarter
    Rich in culture and it’s abundance of delicious food, the Muslim Quarter not only enclaves the majority of the Muslim population of Xi’an, but has also turned into one of the most visited tourist spots in the district!

5 top dishes in Xi’an:

  1. Biang Biang noodles
    Savoury and chewy in taste, the classic Biang Biang noodles made from wheat flour are served with vinegar and topped with assorted vegetables and braised meats. ‘Biang’ describes the sound made when the noodle dough is slapped against the working surface repeatedly.
  2. Liang Pi （凉皮)
     Made from wheat or rice flour, Liang Pi (Cold Skin Noodles) is a local snack where cold thinly sliced rice noodles are  drizzled with chilli oil sauce and topped with spices and vegetables. It is a yummy vegan dish!
  3. Rou Jia Mo（肉夹馍）
     Invented in the Qin Dynasty, Rio Jia Mo is the oldest hamburger in the world, It is a crispy handmade bread with tender stewed fatty pork patty stuffed in the middle! Other meat alternatives are also available.
  4. Yang Rou Pao Mo（羊肉泡馍）
     Yang Rou Pao Mo is a dish where hand-pulled flatbread crumbles are cooked in a flavourful mutton broth with rice vermicelli and topped with slices of lamb or beef of your choice and pickled sweet garlic. Hand-pulling the flatbread is also a time to gossip and socialize for locals!
  5. Suan Tang Shui Jiao （酸汤水饺）
     Suan Tang Shui Jiao with locally made mutton dumplings are boiled in a mouth-watering hot and sour soup. Every dumpling is an explosion of flavour! Sesame seeds, chopped leeks and cilantro are added to make the dish pop!

原以为誉有古都之称的西安还是古旧的城都，其实西安古城墙的外围远比上海、北京都来得先进繁荣，具时代感的高楼大厦比比皆是。宽阔的马路车辆络绎不绝，道路上的清洁维持指标更是令人赞叹。

古时的西安，即是繁华的长安，也是帝王之都。历代帝王的皇陵几乎都在这里。

因为涉及国家文物的保存和江山社稷龙脉之地的风水，不少皇陵至今仍然是原封不动地矗立着。这里的每一寸土地几乎是历史的最佳见证。

西安不仅是国外游客多，国内游客量也很高，毕竟那是身为龙的传人必访之地。西安的天气不是极度的燥热，就是极度的寒冷，极少有适度的气候。当地的人民风情有别与中国一般的区县，说华语身著回服的回族，多种的主食面类，都是当地的特色。不少景点，还特设该地历史有关的舞台剧，让古时事迹重现眼前，如:《长恨歌》、《法门往事》等。

说到五大必访的景点有：秦始皇陵、钟楼、法门寺、乾陵、回民街。

五大必吃的地道美食有: “BiangBiang”面、凉皮、肉夹馍、羊肉泡膜、酸汤水饺。

English  text by Madilyn Y , Chinese text & photography by Layzhoz Yeap