Live Your Best Lives
Encounter traditional folk art under the old city wall, taste a variety of delicacies in Yuanjia Village, explore the Buddha's relics in Famen Temple, and climb up to Fudi Tower to overlook the Qinling Mountains... When talking about traveling in Shaanxi, we can't avoid the magnificent history of the great Tang Dynasty and the Chang'an City described in poetry and Han Fu.
Shaanxi boasts not only a thousand-year history and a dazzling array of delicious cuisine, but also a unique and vibrant folk culture. Every winter, especially during the Spring Festival, Xi'an comes alive with unique folk activities such as Qinqiang opera, shadow puppetry, crosstalk, and quyi (Chinese opera).
Fast-paced urban life has caused many folk customs to disappear, but here, the most traditional folk experiences are still preserved. So, what are the unique folk customs of the Sanqin area? If you are traveling to Shaanxi, don't miss the following experiences!
Yuanjia Village is as well-known as any other major tourist attraction in Shaanxi Province. The large-scale tourism development here often makes it the most popular folk tourism destination around Xi'an during the Spring Festival.
Yuanjia Village is just a short drive from Xi'an and is located at the foot of the tomb of Li Shimin, the world-famous emperor of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Entering the village, the first thing that catches your eye is a picture of farm life that is close to the original ecology. This place is mainly divided into two tourist areas: the Guanzhong Folk Village and the Farmhouse Inn.
The village is divided into two streets, north and south. On the north street, you will see some traditional workshops for making vinegar, weaving cloth, pressing oil, and grinding chili powder. Walking further in is the most popular snack street.
While the food on the snack street is a bit pricey, it's undeniably full of authentic and delicious Shaanxi specialties! Every stall has something unique, with dishes like mutton soup with steamed buns, sour soup dumplings, oil-splashed noodles, sauerkraut noodles, mutton in a basin, roujiamo (Chinese roujiamo), and cold noodles... you name it, you'll find it here!
The bar street next to the snack street has also adapted to local customs and switched to drinking in large bowls. The nearby inns are classical and solemn, and have a lot of Guanzhong cultural characteristics.
Tips:
Admission: Free
Address: Yanxia Town, Liquan County, Xianyang City
Yuanjia Village Food Guide [Recommended Tasting]
1. Yuanjiacun Old Yogurt
Recommendation index: ★★★★★
Recommended reason: The raw material is milk from our own cows. When you open the yogurt lid, you will see a thick layer of cream, which is rich and nutritious.
2. Donkey hoof noodles
Recommendation index: ★★★★
Recommended reason: Shaped like a donkey hoof, chewy texture, sour and spicy
3. Chili Oil
Recommendation index: ★★★★
Recommended reasons:
Fragrant but not spicy, how can you miss the "Oil-Splashed Chili Dish", one of the ten wonders of Shaanxi?
4. Tofu Pudding Soup with Steamed Bun
Recommendation index: ★★★★
Recommended reason: Tofu pudding is made with high-quality soybeans using traditional methods. It is fresh, tender and smooth in the mouth, with a rich flavor and endless aftertaste.
"The Grandmaster of Guanzhong Pagodas and Temples," "The Imperial Temple of the Tang Dynasty," "The Emperor's Buddhist Kingdom"—these prestigious titles all derive from a single location: Famen Temple. Located in Baoji, Shaanxi Province, Famen Temple has been renowned since ancient times for its ancient Buddhist relic, the finger bone relic of Sakyamuni Buddha.
"One mountain, four seas meet; one finger opens the Dharma door; one lineage transmits the Tathagata." The broad Buddha Light Avenue is decorated with ten shimmering statues of giant Bodhisattvas, as well as the Eighteen Arhats. The scenic area is divided into two parts: the former site includes the Famen Temple and the Treasure House, while the cultural area is centered around the Yiheshi Relic Pagoda. To see all the treasures within the temple, you must visit all three areas.
Famen Temple not only has great achievements in Buddhist culture, but also in philosophy, politics, art and other aspects, demonstrating the splendid history and culture of the Chinese nation.
Tips:
Ticket price: 120 yuan in peak season, 90 yuan in off-season
Address: Fufeng County, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province
Opening Hours:
Peak season (March 1st - November 30th): 08:00-17:30
Off-season (December 1st - February 28th): 08:30-17:00
Note: The finger bone relics of Sakyamuni Buddha enshrined in the underground palace of the Heshi Stupa are raised from the underground palace on the first and fifteenth day of every lunar month, as well as on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays for tourists and believers to worship.
Louguantai is known as "the most blessed place in the world" and is also "the first of the 72 blessed places of Taoism."
Louguan Terrace stands at the foot of Mount Zhongnan. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, lush forests and bamboos, and lush greenery, it has always been an ideal place for self-cultivation and self-improvement.
Legend has it that Laozi wrote the 5,000-word Daodejing here, leaving behind the name "Louguantai." Louguantai's scenic spots and historical sites include the God of Wealth Cultural Area, Zhongnanshan Ancient Louguan, and Louguantai National Forest Park. The Baizhu Forest, the Sutra-Preaching Platform, the Alchemy Furnace, Lüzu Cave, Yangtian Pond, Qizhen Pavilion, Huanu Spring, ancient pagodas, and Laozi's Tomb are among the numerous sites.
During the Spring Festival every year, tourists from all over the world come to Louguantai to pray for blessings, and the scene is spectacular and lively! It must be said that Louguantai's scenic spots integrate nature and culture, making it a great place for people who have lived in the city for a long time to relax and vacation.
With the arrival of winter, soaking in the hot springs at Louguantai becomes a travel experience not to be missed.
The spring water from Mount Zhongnan in the Qinling Mountains is rich in various minerals that are beneficial to your health. Just thinking about taking a bath in the quiet and peaceful environment to relieve your fatigue is very comfortable!
Tips:
Tickets:
1. God of Wealth Cultural Area/Peak Season: 60 yuan, Off-season: 40 yuan
2. Zhongnanshan Ancient Tower Observation Deck/Peak Season: 70 Yuan, Off-Season: 50 Yuan
3. Louguantai National Forest Park / Peak Season: 45 yuan, Off-season: 30 yuan
Address: 15 kilometers southeast of Zhouzhi County, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province
The quaint courtyards, the family motto on the door lintels, the lush old locust trees, the playful children, the frolicking yellow dog... Dangjia Village, an ancient village with a 700-year history, is a center of folk culture that integrates with the present and is both inclusive and traditional.
The village's residents are primarily surnamed Dang and Jia, earning it the name "Dangjia Village." Influenced by the Shanxi merchant culture across the Yellow River, villagers migrated to engage in commerce, eventually building over a hundred courtyard houses in their hometown. After centuries, these structures remain intact and magnificent.
After entering the village, there is an old street paved with bluestone slabs. The brick and wood carvings on the door lintels and screen walls are exquisite and intricate. Wenxing Pavilion, Jia Zu Temple, Dang Zu Temple, ancient wells from the Yuan Dynasty, etc. are scattered in the village. It is a niche destination for experiencing traditional folk culture and a treasured place for people who love architectural art.
Tips:
Ticket price: 60 yuan, explanation fee: 30 yuan
Address: Dangjia Village, Xizhuang Town, Hancheng City, Shaanxi Province
At the foot of Nan Wutai Mountain near Xi'an lies a museum. This vast complex of ancient Guanzhong residential buildings draws far fewer visitors than the city's renowned museums. Its 40 courtyards, along with several towering gatehouses, stand out. Passing through the city gate, inscribed with the plaque "Xijing Heroic Town," you'll arrive at a street of Ming and Qing dynasty dwellings.
The ancient houses lining the road were mostly the residences of high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and are quite impressive. Over 30,000 folk artifacts, such as pipes, horse posts, horse troughs, red-tasseled spears, and Han Dynasty stone carvings, are displayed within the houses.
This is not only a must-see for ancient town enthusiasts and folk culture lovers, but also a great place to relax and unwind. At the Yuan Dynasty Pear Garden within the museum, you can enjoy performances of the traditional Guanzhong culture "Huayin Laoqiang" and listen to veteran artists share the stories behind the "Laoqiang."
Ticket price: 120 yuan, explanation fee: 80 yuan
Address: No. 1, South Wutaishan Road, Chang'an District, Xi'an
"The dust is flying across the 800-li Qinchuan Plain, and 30 million Shaanxi people are singing Qinqiang in unison."
Someone once said, "To listen to Qinqiang is to read Shaanxi." The history of Qinqiang is as rich as this ancient city, and as warm and loyal as its people.
Qinqiang originated in the Western Zhou Dynasty and matured during the Qin Dynasty. For the authentic Xi'an residents, Qinqiang is an integral part of their lives. It's no exaggeration to say that every older generation in Shaanxi can sing a few of these songs, their hoarse and desolate voices carrying a strong penetrating and infectious power.
Qinqiang is known as the "oldest rock music," a title largely attributed to its shared characteristic: its roar. Unlike the singing of other operas, the essence of Qinqiang lies in its roar, its passionate and powerful voice awe-inspiring. Growing up listening to this kind of music surely makes rock music a natural fit!
If you come to Xi'an for a trip and want to experience a professional Qinqiang performance, Yisu Society is your first choice.
Yisu Society, formerly known as the Shaanxi Lingxue Society, is a renowned Qinqiang opera troupe. Along with the Bolshoi Theatre and the Royal Academy of Drama, it is considered one of the "three oldest theatre companies in the world." Its quaint setting showcases professionalism in the stage, lighting, sound, and costumes, offering a full range of roles, including male, female, and clown.
Tips:
Price: VIP ticket 100 yuan, ordinary ticket 50 yuan
Address: North Section of Anban Street, Xi'an
Behind the curtain, there is only a piece of cloth.
The experienced craftsmen deftly manipulated the puppets, speaking, reciting, singing, and performing with ease. Through the thin curtains, the puppets revealed thousands of faces and stories from ancient times to the present.
The world's best shadow puppets are in China, the best in China are in Shaanxi, and the best in Shaanxi are in Huaxian County. Huaxian shadow puppetry, originating in the Qin and Han dynasties, is a truly artistic hodgepodge, beautifully blending history, folklore, drama, paper-cutting, and art. Through a thin curtain, the puppets tell stories of the ages and sing of life's ups and downs.
Shadow puppet artists bring a variety of characters, landscapes, gardens, flowers, birds, insects, and fish to life, presenting them to the audience in a variety of ways, from documentary to exaggerated. A visit to Xi'an is a must, as it allows you to experience an authentic shadow puppet show and witness the heroic and majestic emperors and the graceful and elegant concubines of ancient China.
Tips:
address:
Xi'an City: Gao Family Courtyard, No. 144 Beiyuanmen
Ticket price: 15 yuan
Huaxian Shadow Play: Huazhou International Shadow Play Cultural Ecological Park, 5 km east of Huaxian City
If you're in Shaanxi for crosstalk, head to Qingqu Society. A group of young people perform authentic Shaanxi-style crosstalk, using down-to-earth performances, internet-inspired language, and the occasional burst of Shaanxi dialect. The atmosphere is relaxed and entertaining.
Qingqu Society really became popular when crosstalk artists Miao Fu and Wang Sheng made a splash on Beijing TV's Spring Festival Gala in 2014. However, if you want to hear them perform live now, you really have to be lucky!
Qingqushe offers more than just crosstalk performances; the teahouse also serves coffee, light meals, and desserts. Performances begin at 8:00 PM every evening and last for two and a half hours. If you enjoy Shaanxi-style crosstalk during your visit to Xi'an, don't miss this opportunity!
Tips:
Price: 70 yuan for the first three rows, 50 yuan for the last three rows
Address: No. 10, Baishulin Street
The area stretching from Beiyuanmen in the east to Damaishi Street in the west is known as Xi'an Huifang. Preserving the Tang Dynasty street layout, Huifang boasts a wealth of halal cuisine and Islamic culture. Many mosques in Huifang feature brick carvings depicting Chinese floral motifs, a hallmark of Islamic art.
The Huajuexiang Grand Mosque, Xiaopiyuan Mosque, and Daxuexiang Mosque are among the most worthwhile mosques to visit in Xi'an. Not only do these mosques contain valuable historical and cultural heritage and architectural art, they are also highly accomplished teaching venues, nurturing numerous Muslim religious scholars. These mosques also offer a glimpse into the authentic lives of local Muslims.
Tips:
Muslims pray five times a day, and every Friday at noon there is a Friday prayer. Although you can't watch the service at will, listening to the call to prayer is a unique experience to appreciate the Islamic culture of Xi'an Huifang.
Ansai Waist Drum, a folk performance from northern Shaanxi that has amazed the world, is also known as the "disco" of the East.
When it comes to Ansai waist drum, images of strength, boldness, and grandeur come to mind. Waist drum performances can be performed by a single person or by groups of dozens or even hundreds of people, accompanied by drums, gongs, cymbals, and suona instruments.
The Ansai waist drum skillfully combines yangge dance and martial arts movements. It is not only a cultural wonder on the Loess Plateau, but is also known as the "No. 1 drum in the world"!
As history has progressed to the present day, waist drumming has gradually evolved into a purely civilian entertainment activity. During festivals and New Year celebrations, people in northern Shaanxi celebrate the harvest by playing waist drums, adding to the festive atmosphere of reunion and joy.
If you travel to northern Shaanxi, you must experience this spectacular atmosphere with your own eyes.
The daily life of the old Xi'an people is still going on. To feel a city, we naturally have to start with the life here, and the "Folk Experience Tour" is the beginning.
