Xi'an

Xi'an (西安 pinyin:Xī'ān) is the capital city of the Shaanxi Province in China. Its metropolitan area has a population of 6 million people in 2011. This city is famous for the splendid Terracotta Army was found inside the tomb of Chinese first emperor Qin Shi Huang.

History
In past China, it was the capital of 13 dynasties, including the Zhou Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, the Sui Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty. It was the eastern end of the ancient Silk Road and was commercial hub linked to home of silk production city Suzhou and Hangzhou. Xi'an is regarded as one of the most oldest capitals in the world history together with the other three Athens, Rome and Cairo.

Name
Xi'an was called Chang'an in ancient times. In Classical Chinese it literally means "Perpetual Peace". But from 9 AD-23 AD, during the Xin Dynasty, it was renamed "Constant Peace" (it is said the same way). By the time of the Ming Dynasty it had been named Xi'an (which means "Western Peace"). It was named Xi'an because was in the western part of the Ming Empire.

Political divisions
Xi'an Municipality is divided into 10 districts and 3 counties.
 * Beilin District
 * Yanta District
 * Weiyang District
 * Baqiao District
 * Xincheng District
 * Lianhu District
 * Chang'an District
 * Yanliang District
 * Lintong District
 * Gaoling District
 * Lantian County
 * Zhouzhi County
 * Huyi District

Culture
Xian's profound culture is featured by many kind of traditional festivals, handicrafts and more ethnic flavor.
 * Yango - Popular rural folk dance
 * Qinqiang - Shaanxi local opera
 * Shaanxi Shadow Play
 * Fengxiang Clay Figurines

Tourism
As ancient capital, Xian's rich history is reflectey by the relic of Chinese dynasties such as ancient emperor story, imperial tombs, palace legends in the Qin, Han and Tang Dynasty. The following attractions is top among them.
 * Banpo Neolithic Village
 * Terracotta Army & Warriors
 * Xian Ancient City Wall
 * Bell & Drum tower
 * Big Wild Goose Pagoda
 * Hanyangling Mausoleum