China 2019 - Xi'an Sites

This gallery is a collection of different places we went to that were in, or near, Xi’an. I could have made larger galleries for a few of them, but decided to just post the best photos from each of them all together. Each section below is of a different place. I’ll put a brief bit about each place in that section, but will also include web links to follow if you want to learn a bit more about any of them.

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The Great Mosque of Xi’an This is the largest mosque in China and was first constructed sometime in the mid to late 1300’s. It is a beautiful and peaceful oasis in the bustling streets of the Muslim Quarter. Don’t miss it if you go to Xi’an.

Wood gate opening to the Introspection Tower which functions as the minaret The girls striking a pose in one of the stone gateways Stone Dragon Floor Courtyard in front of the Worship Hall A great door to the south of the main worship hall The Drum Tower and the Bell Tower These two towers are near each within the old city walls. The drum tower was built in 1380 and the bell tower was originally built in 1384. They were essentially grand clocks, with the giant bell being rung at sunrise, and the giant drum being beat at sunset. Ceiling of the first floor of the Bell Tower Bell Tower viewed from the Drum Tower Bell Tower viewed from the Drum Tower at sunset Drum Tower viewed from the Bell Tower One of the drums inside the tower Porcelin figure on display in the drum tower Huaging Palace and Hot Springs I had never heard of this place before planing this trip, but during my pre-trip research I saw a photo of the vine covered tower and got curious about it. After a little bit of reading I requested that we add it to our guided tour of the Terra-Cotta wariors and the Han Yangling mausoleum. I wish we had gotten to spend more time wandering these beautiful grounds but it was a busy and full day. One of many buildings at the Huaqing Palace hot springs A great vine covered tower at Huaqing Palace one of the ponds at Huaqing Palace Water lillys in the pond Yang Guifei, Emperor Xuanzong's consort The large pond at Huaqing Palace Stone tablet on display in the Xi'an museum Jianfu Temple, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Xi’an Museum The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is inside the Jianfu temple, and the grounds connect to the park that has the Xi’an Museum. So they kind of all blend together. The temple has very nice grounds and I enjoyed the view of the pagoda. The museum had a nice exhibit of Buddhist statues and carvings. Stone tablet on display in the Xi'an museum Me with the Jianfu Temple Small Wild Good Pagoda in the background Small Wild Good Pagoda Me striking the large bell at Jianfu Temple Xi’an Old City Wall This is the very tall wall that surrounds the old original city. It’s quite impressive and has some nice views. View looking south from the Xi'an old city wall My friend letting a young boy practice his english A view looking East inside the old city wall Performers coming out of the subway heading to the old city Daci’en Temple and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The temple grounds here are quite large and there is an array of shrines to view and gardens to stroll in. We were treated to the sound of the chimes hanging on the pagoda while we visited. Another must see if you’re in Xi’an. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda at Daci'en Temple An ornate stand for a large drum at Daci'en Temple A very large drum at Daci'en Temple A large Bell One of many vividly painted door frames A Mandala in one of the shrines Buddha statue and Dragon ceiling The 3D dragon coming out of the ceiling The Buddha statue Another Buddha Stone dragon panel between steps Details of a pillar in one of the shrines Statue near the Mausoleum of Prince Jian of Qin The Mausoleum of Prince Jian of Qin. This isn’t a place you’re going to find on any tourist sites or maps. These statues are standing, largely forgotten, behind some building in a small village. The occupant of one of the buildings came out and started yelling at us, presumably telling us to get out of his back yard and the garden. As soon as we moved a little away he left us alone. The area around the statues is covered in trash and serves as a restroom for the residence of the nearby buildings. I didn’t feel comfortable taking out my Nikon, so these photos were all taken with my phone. The statues themselves are very impressive and I hope they soon get the restoration and attention they deserve. There is another related Mausoleum and similar collection of statues nearby (the last photo) that has been formalized and appears to be receiving care. Statue near the Mausoleum of Prince Jian of Qin Statue near the Mausoleum of Prince Jian of Qin Statue near the Mausoleum of Prince Jian of Qin Mausoleum of family of Prince Jian of Qin The Han Yangling Mausoleum This is a burial complex for Emporer Jing of Han and his wife. He was the 6th emperor of the Han dynasty and ruled from 188 to 141 BC. The museum is underground and covers several excavation pits around the mound. You walk on glass floors that cover the excavations. In 2016 they found the oldest know tea leaves in the world, indicating that tea was being drunk as early as the 2nd century BC. Some very old tea leaves Some very old tea leaves Inside the burial mound dig at the Han Yangling Mausoleum Inside the burial mound dig at the Han Yangling Mausoleum Inside the burial mound dig at the Han Yangling Mausoleum Inside the burial mound dig at the Han Yangling Mausoleum