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The story begins at the end of last year. As we were preparing to welcome 2022, Shaanxi was ruthlessly put on hold. The bustling city of Xi'an also experienced a "citywide lockdown."
An unexpected epidemic enveloped the entire city at that special moment. But we always believed that the epidemic would eventually subside, and we would eventually meet again!
Finally! On February 15, 2022, the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government Information Office held a press conference to announce that the entire province of Shaanxi has been downgraded to a low-risk area, and interprovincial group tours and “air ticket + hotel” services have been resumed. The Shaanxi epidemic is finally over, and previously delayed travel plans can now be arranged!
Upon hearing the news, You Xiaoxia became very excited and immediately sorted out the 8 most worthwhile destinations in Shaanxi. Come and have fun in Shaanxi with us in 2022!
The vast Qinba Mountains are home to countless hidden gems, and the Fengyan Ancient Rice Terraces are one of the most understated. The saying, "Sitting on the 3,000-mile Han River, with the Qinba Mountains at its back," perfectly captures the story of these ancient rice terraces.
Located in Hanyin County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province, the terraced fields have a history of over 250 years. Covering an area of 12,000 mu (approximately 16,000 hectares), they are the largest and best-preserved ancient terraced fields from the Qing Dynasty discovered in the Qinba Mountains.
The terraced fields nestled against the mountain and beside the water were crisscrossed with paths and smooth outlines. At the foot of the mountain lay the ancient town of Xuanwo, with its interlaced wooden houses and curling smoke from cooking fires.
When spring arrives, the mountain ranges from foot to summit are covered in golden rapeseed flowers. Spring is also a foggy season, with mist lingering on the mountainside for a long time.
The picture below is from @photo.net
It is said that during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, a large number of immigrants from Hunan and Guangzhou moved to Shaanxi and Sichuan, and this terraced field is a witness to this. Even now, you can still hear some locals speaking with a thick southern accent.
Picture @Photo.net
In the Qinba Mountains, you can not only see a sea of flowers that rivals the spring scenery in the south of the Yangtze River, but also a mysterious underground wonder. This is the Hanzhong Tiankeng, which is also the largest tiankeng group in the world.
Before the Hanzhong tiankeng group was discovered, there were only about 117 tiankengs in the world. It was not until 2016 that the Hanzhong tiankeng group was discovered, with a total of 54 tiankengs explored. The news shocked the world.
Among them, the Didonghe Tiankeng is praised as "the most beautiful tiankeng in the world".
Quanziya Tiankeng in Sanyuan, Zhenba, is ranked fifth in the world in terms of size, with a massive 520-meter diameter and a depth of 340 meters. It is a true super tiankeng, and is also known for its unique heart-shaped entrance.
As early as 2019, China-TravelNote first developed the Hanzhong Tiankeng. Now the route is quite mature. You can follow us with confidence to enter this mysterious underground world and take an adventure!
"To the west of Mount Taibai lies a bird's path, which leads across to the summit of Mount Emei." Thousands of years ago, the great poet Li Bai composed this timeless line while traversing the rugged and precipitous Shu Road. The "Taibai" described in the poem is Mount Taibai, the mountain that created the first difficult obstacle on the treacherous Shu Road.
Mount Taibai, with an altitude of 3,771 meters, is the highest peak east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is this towering mountain that has created the vastly different climatic conditions between north and south China.
It is not uncommon to see snow on the top of Mount Taibai in June, and the spectacle of a sea of rocks stretching for miles is also common here.
The floating stars at night give people the illusion that they can pick stars with their hands, and the half-sunny and half-cloudy scenery makes you understand what "one mountain divides the north and the south" means.
This is the Taibai Mountain that countless tourists and hikers long for and fear.
"Have you not seen that the water of the Yellow River comes from the sky, rushes to the sea and never returns?" The Yellow River rushes eastward, but makes a big turn when entering Shanxi and Shaanxi, creating the famous and wonderful landscape of the Loess Plateau.
This section of the Yellow River flowing from north to south winds down and through mountains, creating steep cliffs along the coast and bringing us one of the most beautiful canyons in China, the "Shanxi-Shaanxi Grand Canyon".
At the same time, the Hukou Waterfall, known as "the Yellow River in the world is collected in one pot", was also born. "The Yellow River comes from the west and breaks through Kunlun, roaring for thousands of miles and touching Longmen." The waterfall is like a giant dragon, roaring down from south to north.
This mighty dragon is also China's most storied river. From the dawn of the Yanhuang Civilization to the prosperity of the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, the splendid Chinese civilization continues along the banks of the Yellow River to this day.
Picture @Photo.net
If you come to the historic city of Xi'an and can only visit one museum, I would definitely recommend you to go to the Forest of Steles Museum.
It doesn't have the extensive collections of the Shaanxi History Museum, nor the world-renowned Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, nor the long history of the Xi'an Museum. However, it contains the essence of Chinese culture.
Chinese calligraphy, known as "poetry without words, dance without steps, painting without pictures, and music without sound", is the inheritance of thousands of years of Chinese history and culture.
Picture @Photo.net
In the Forest of Steles Museum, you can see authentic works by renowned calligraphers, including Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, Ouyang Xun, Zhang Xu, Wang Xizhi, and Zhao Mengfu. (P.S. Wang Xizhi's authentic work is the "Sacred Teachings Preface" Stele, carved from his own handwriting.)
The only complete Kaicheng Stone Classics that exists today proves that we read the same classic articles as students thousands of years ago. The famous quotes in "The Analects of Confucius", "Mencius" and "The Book of Songs" have remained unchanged after thousands of years.
Hidden in the vast Loess Plateau lies a wonder. Resembling the Antelope Canyon in the United States, the canyon is filled with ripples and curves, appearing colorful under the light. This is the Yucha Grand Canyon.
Picture @Photo.net
Shaanxi has the largest known Danxia geological relic landscape belt in China, and the Yucha Grand Canyon is one of its representatives.
Picture @Photo.net
Millions of years ago, a dramatic geological change caused huge cracks to appear in the valley.
Picture @Photo.net
After being washed by rain for a long time, it has become what we see today. Each canyon has different scenery and is definitely a good place for photography.
Picture @Photo.net
Have you ever seen the place where the desert and loess meet? The vast and desolate desert and the ravine-covered loess landscape merge here, which is the Mahuangliang Loess Geological Park.
If you want to understand the Loess Plateau, you absolutely must come here. The diverse landforms of the Loess Plateau, including plateaus, ridges, hills, and river valleys, can be seen here, while the Maowusu Desert across the river is exceptionally vast and desolate.
In "Ghost Blows Out the Light: Mystery Cave of Dragon Ridge", Hu Bayi and Wang Pangzi once hailed a boat to cross the river from a small loess island. This island is Hanchuan Island in Mahuangliang. If you come to northern Shaanxi, promise me that you must come here!
This is a city with a history of over 2,500 years. Here, you can see the majestic Qin Dynasty underground army, the vast Tang Dynasty palaces, and the pristine Ming Dynasty city walls. History has left its mark here.
Picture @Photo.net
As you walk in the brightly lit Tang Dynasty City that never sleeps, the prosperous scene of a thousand years ago slowly unfolds before your eyes.
Picture @Photo.net
Along the mountainside Zhongnanshan Avenue, you can admire the majestic Qinling Mountains. The crisscrossing alleys of the Huifang Village offer a variety of delicious snacks.
Explore a thousand years of history in a variety of themed museums and experience the city's rich heritage. Xi'an has so much to tell, just waiting for you to come and experience its charm!
Picture @Photo.net
Just like the spring breeze caressing Chang'an, the ancient capital has been reopened. The people of Xi'an can finally enjoy the life with fireworks, and our happiness has returned. Follow China-TravelNote and go to Shaanxi to have fun!
