Why Xianyang
Xianyang is a prefecture-level city situated along the Wei River in central Shaanxi province, located just west of the provincial capital of Xi'an. Covering more than 10,000 square kilometers within the Guanzhong Basin, the area's landscape features elevation changes from the Loess Plateau and northern hills down to the flat alluvial plains in the south. Today, Xianyang is integrated into the Greater Xi'an Metropolitan Area and functions as a prominent regional center for education and scientific research.
Historically recognized as the first imperial capital of China, Xianyang was designated as the capital of the Qin state in 350 BC before becoming the political center of the unified Qin empire. Under Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the city expanded with an extensive network of palaces, though much of the original layout was destroyed during the fall of the dynasty. In subsequent centuries, the surrounding region served as an essential territory for over ten dynasties, including the Han and Tang, and acted as the primary departure point for travelers on the ancient Silk Road.
The city's extensive history has left a dense concentration of historical attractions and thousands of registered cultural heritage sites. Prominent destinations include twenty-one imperial mausoleums from the Han and Tang dynasties, such as the Mao Mausoleum and the Yang Mausoleum of Han, alongside ancient ruins like the Xianyang Palace Site. Across the wider municipality, visitors can see notable historical architecture, including the Giant Buddha Temple grottoes in Binzhou, the Chongwen and Kaiyuan pagodas, and traditional temple structures.
In the urban center, the historical footprint of the Ming and Qing eras can be explored around Beiping Street. Key sights in this historic district include the Xianyang Confucian Temple, Shengmu Palace, and Phoenix Terrace, which is the only remaining segment of the Ming dynasty city wall. Nearby, Xianyang Lake offers expansive waterfront public areas along the Wei River. As the largest artificial lake in northwestern China, its northern bank features Unity Square, a central public plaza situated adjacent to the historic Xianyang ferry site.
Xianyang serves as a major transport junction for the surrounding region. The city houses Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, which stands as the largest airport in northwestern China. Travelers can also reach and navigate the city via China National Highway 312, the Xianyang West railway station, and direct connections to the Xi'an Metro network.
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