Xian then - Xian now

                       

Much of early Xian's art reflected everyday life. Acrobats and jugglers entertain royalty and merchants alike. Arabian horses are the preferred luxury mode of transportation. A camel from 630CE is encouraged to rise, but would only have been used to transport goods, being too valuable to carry this or any rider who would have been on donkey, horse or foot.

                         

Xian's famous 300 foot tall Bell Tower was built in 1384, marking the geographical center of the city  and seen here on the upper left.  It is the largest and best maintained of its kind in China. Today, traffic circles the tower like a giant rotary. Four roads emanate to compass point gates with moats, towers and 40 foot high walls. The highly decorative pagoda topping the gate wall towers over the street below. We were greeted upon arrival by period dressed guards and local royalty at Yongning, the southern "gate of eternal peace" seen here on the lower left and then spent the evening watching this river transversing modern city begin to glow as the sun went down. 

Had we arrived during the Silk Road period, passports with letters of introduction would have been required and an entrance toll paid. When it comes to travel and supporting the local municipality, some things haven't changed. 

If you come to Xian today expect a large modern city. Of course you'll take the trip to see the Terracota Army and possibly the Great Wall. We'd also strongly suggest you go to the bustling Moslem quarter to stroll and sample the food, particularly the kabobs with pomegranate juice on the side. Visit its mosque, which looks oddly pagoda like and although the people look somewhat Mongolian Chinese, their dress will remind you that this is not a Budhist population. The mosque and its gardens are a piece of absolute tranquility in a bustling city. 

Xian in Brief:

- Formerly Chang'an and then Chian, this 1st ancient Imperial Capital is now called Xian

- Ancient population 120,000 vs 8 million today

- Religious demographics - Budhism and Islam, followed by Confucianism, Taoism and Lamaism

- Silk Road Significance - as the Ancient Capital, beginning in 210BCE and the most eastern land departure and terminus point, this was a hub of diverse ethnic identities and religious beliefs. This confluence brought the city vast material wealth as well as religious and cultural melting for over 1,000 years.