Things to do in Zhenyuan
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Top 10 attractions in Zhenyuan
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, also known as the Terracotta Army, is located about 1.5 kilometers east of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and forms part of the extensive necropolis. There were more than a thousand terracotta soldiers unearthed here, each with a different facial expression. Standing before the massive underground army, you will feel the extraordinary might of the Qin Emperor that enabled him to unify six warring states two thousand years ago. The Qin Emperor Ying Zheng began building the mausoleum for himself at the age of 13. Nearly 720000 men and 38 years were required to complete this vast project.China · Xi'an
Shaanxi History Museum
History background: Shaanxi History Museum is located in the northwest of the Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an. It is one of the landmark attractions of Xi'an. The museum was planned in 1983, started in the summer of 1986, and officially opened on June 20, 1991. It was named Shaanxi History Museum. In 2016, Shaanxi History Museum was selected as "China's 20th Century Architectural Heritage" by the Chinese Cultural Relics Society and the Chinese Architectural Society. Museum Features: Shaanxi History Museum is a large modern museum, and its completion marks a new milestone in the development of China's museum industry. This museum is a Tang-style building complex with a "central hall and four corner towers". The main and secondary buildings are well-organized, the heights are staggered, and the momentum is solemn. It integrates national traditions, local characteristics and the spirit of the times. The museum covers an area of 65,000 square meters, and houses more than 380,000 cultural relics ranging from simple stone tools used in the initial stage of ancient humans to various artifacts in social life before 1840, covering a time span of more than one million years. The cultural relics are not only numerous and diverse, but also of high quality and wide value. The collections in the museum are dazzling and exquisite. It is an art hall that showcases the history and culture of Shaanxi and ancient Chinese civilization, and is known as the "Pearl of the Ancient Capital, the Treasure House of China." There are many treasures in the museum, including bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, pottery figurines from various dynasties, gold and silver utensils from the Han and Tang dynasties, and murals from Tang tombs. Most of them are treasures from the prosperous periods of the Han and Tang dynasties, and some of them are fine items that are prohibited from leaving the country. Collection treasures: There are three exhibition halls in the center of the museum. The first exhibition hall displays cultural relics from the prehistoric civilization of Lantian ape-man 1.15 million years ago to the Qin Dynasty; the second exhibition hall displays cultural relics from the Han Dynasty and the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties; and the third exhibition hall is mainly cultural relics from the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Each exhibition hall has its own treasure. There are special exhibition halls on the east and west sides of the central hall. On the west side, there is a "Special Exhibition of Tang Dynasty Treasures (Treasure Hall, Cultural Relics Unearthed in Hejiacun)", where many fine gold and silver wares from the heyday of the Tang Dynasty were transferred to be exhibited. On the east side, there is a "Treasures of Tang Dynasty Murals Exhibition", which exhibits a number of authentic Tang Dynasty tomb murals. The tripod The tripod is placed in the first exhibition hall at the entrance of the museum, and it can be said to be the treasure of the first exhibition hall. The replica is placed here, and the original is kept in the warehouse. Inscription on the outer wall: The inscription "All under heaven is the king's land; all the people are the king's subjects" reflects the land ownership system in the Western Zhou Dynasty. There are four lines of inscriptions with 28 characters on the inner wall of the Yi Ding. The general meaning is: In early August of a certain year, Wang Jiang took back the land originally given to Shi Lu and gave it to Yi, who then made this tripod to commemorate it. Queen's Seal: One of the treasures worth seeing in the second exhibition hall is the jade seal of the empress of the Han Dynasty, which is displayed separately. The seal is made of Xinjiang Hetian mutton-fat jade and is engraved with a Chihu, symbolizing royal power. Three-color camel figurines carrying music: This world-famous tri-color camel figurine carrying music is located in the third exhibition hall of Shaanxi History Museum. Its overall appearance and color are well preserved. There are seven men sitting on the camel's back, holding different musical instruments in their hands. Among them, the figurine holding the clapboard is listening attentively, as if intoxicated by the wonderful music. The woman in the middle is performing, and the camel opens its mouth wide and looks up to the sky, as if it is also singing with its master. Gold-inlaid animal head agate cup: This cultural relic, located in the special exhibition "Tang Dynasty Relics Special Exhibition", is one of the first 64 national treasures listed by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage that are never allowed to be exhibited abroad. There are also many other treasures such as black-glazed oil-drip bowls, green-glazed porcelain pots with handles, gilded silver bamboo-joint copper incense burners, gold bowls with mandarin duck and lotus petal patterns, and so on.China · Xi'an
Xi'an City Wall
Xi'an City Wall is a landmark of this ancient city. The city walls that we see now were built in the early years of the Ming dynasty and they are now more than 600 years old. The walls were built on the foundations of the imperial city of the Tang Dynasty and they are formed together with a series of defensive installments such as moats and turrets. At present, Xi'an City Wall can be accessed by many city gates. Visitors can choose the nearest one to them. The South Gate is the visitor entrance of Xi'an City and is also the city gate with more tourists. Cycling on the ancient walls is a good experience. Riding on the wall overlooking the ancient capital of the thirteenth dynasty, you will have a feeling of travelling through time.China · Xi'an
Huaqing Palace
Huaqing Palace attraction is located 30 km east of Xi'an, adjacent to the Terracotta Warriors. Renowned for its timeless hot spring resources and numerous historical events, it has become an iconic cultural tourism attraction of Tang Dynasty palaces in China. Palace scenic spots Huaqing Palace boasts a long history, serving as an imperial retreat for emperors from the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties. The palace features cultural zones like the Tang Imperial Hot Spring Relics Museum, the Xi'an Incident site—Five-Room Hall, Nine Dragon Lake and Lotus Lake scenic areas, and the Tang Pear Garden Museum. Notable architectural complexes include Feishuang Hall, Wanshou Hall, Changsheng Hall, Huanyuan Garden, and Yuwang Hall. The stele of "hot spring ode" Mount Li hot springs, developed early and favored by emperors throughout history, enjoy the reputation of being "the imperial hot springs under heaven." As far back as the Yangshao culture period 6,000 years ago, the ancient Jiangzhai people began utilizing these springs. With their profound cultural heritage spanning millennia, Mount Li hot springs represent an indispensable part of Chinese historical culture. The stele of hot spring ode in the attraction stands 154 cm tall, 72 cm wide, and 19 cm thick, featuring a coiled dragon design and a trapezoidal base. Engraved by Yuan Chang, the governor of Yongzhou during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the inscription reads, "The hot spring is nature's prescription and the primordial healer of the universe. People from all nations and those suffering from ailments come with provisions to seek relief in its waters." This stele is the earliest surviving written artifact at Huaqing Palace. Tang Imperial Hot Spring Relics Museum This is the site of the bathing pool described in the "Song of Everlasting Sorrow" where Yang Guifei emerged from her bath. After the An Lushan Rebellion, little remained of the original structure. In 1982, while constructing the "Guifei Pavilion," the Lintong County Government accidentally discovered the ruins of a Tang Dynasty bathing pool. After excavation and restoration, the Huaqing Palace imperial hot spring ruins museum was established. This small yet exquisitely designed pool measures 3.6 meters east-west and 2.9 meters north-south, with an oval-like shape. The pool walls are entirely built with bluestone slabs, featuring a two-tiered terrace structure composed of 18 arched stone sections. Inside the pool lies a dedicated bathing stone for Yang Guifei, engraved with the character "Yang." At the center of the pool bottom is a 10 cm diameter water inlet. A white marble lotus pedestal was unearthed here, connecting to both a showerhead above and ceramic water pipes below that linked to the main water source. Due to natural pressure, hot spring water would spray outward through the lotus showerhead, creating a mist effect remarkably similar to modern showers. Adjacent to the Guifei Pool to the east lies Emperor Xuanzong's exclusive imperial hot spring. During the Tang Dynasty, the Nine Dragon Hall stood above this pool, featuring nine white jade-carved dragons spouting water outside. This pool's surface resembles a realistic lotus shape, hence its alternate name "Lotus Pool." Xi'an incident site The five-room hall at the Xi'an incident site in Huaqing Palace is where the Xi'an incident took place. To this day, the glass windows and walls of the five-room hall still bear bullet marks from the fierce battle during the military remonstrance. The desks, chairs, beds, sofas, tea sets, stoves, carpets, telephones, and other office items in each room are replicated and arranged according to their original appearance. Historical events: Beacon fire to deceive the feudal lords In 779 BC, King You of Zhou obtained the beautiful Bao Si, yet she never smiled. To solve this, the king conspired with the treacherous minister Guo Shifu and lit the beacon fires at the Huaqing Palace attraction. The feudal lords across the land saw the signals.Beacon fireHe quickly led his troops to rescue the king, but King You told the feudal lords, "I lit the beacon fires just to make my queen laugh," upon which Bao Si burst into laughter. The feudal lords arrived valiantly but left resentfully. Seeing King You's incompetence and the people's discontent, the Quanrong tribe seized the opportunity to launch an attack. As the enemy troops approached the mountain, King You urgently raised the beacon fires.Beacon fireHe mobilized troops, but none of the feudal lords came to his rescue. King You fled with Bao Si toMount LiHe was later killed by the Quanrong tribe, leaving behind historical anecdotes such as "a smile worth a thousand gold," "losing the kingdom for a smile," and "playing with beacon fires to deceive the feudal lords." And this beacon tower at Huaqing Palace attraction towers at an altitude of 913.6 m.Mount LiThe beacon tower at Huaqing Palace attraction on the first peak of Xixiu Ridge. Su Dongpo composing poetry at Mount Li During the Jiayou era of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Lishan hot springs, meticulously restored by Liu Ziyong and others, became breathtakingly beautiful, attracting crowds of visitors who composed poems and essays to express their nostalgia. Among the countless poetic works, the emerging literary giant Su Shi stood out with his masterpieces like "Lady of Guo's night outing" and "Lishan" during his visit to the hot springs. Xi'an incident The Xi'an incident, also known as the "double-twelfth incident". Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng launched a mutiny at Huaqing Palace, detaining the then chairman of the Military Commission of the National Government. Performance items You can watch a large-scale dance drama at the attraction. ▲ The Song of Everlasting Sorrow is China's first large-scale live historical dance drama created by Shaanxi Tourism Group. Based on Bai Juyi's timeless poem of the same name, it fully utilizes the attraction's resources and employs high-tech stage lighting to combine historical storytelling with live performances, recreating the love story of Emperor Li Longji and Yang Guifei at Huaqing Palace over 1,300 years ago. ▲There is also the historical adaptation "12-12 Xi'an Incident," which vividly and authentically recreates the lesser-known details of the "Xi'an Incident."China · Xi'an
Beishikuyi Scenic Area
Beishiku Yi Scenic Area is located in Zhenyuan County and features attractions such as the Scenic Covered Bridge, Iconic Que Gate, Lansheng Terrace, Zhenyuan Culture Garden, and Silk Road Customs Park.Zhenyuan · 30.7 km from downtown
Mount Hua
Mount Hua, formerly known as "Xiyue", is one of the five famous mountains in China. It is located in Huayin City, Shaanxi Province. Huashan is also known as "Taihuashan". It is the birthplace of Chinese civilization. The "Hua" in "Zhonghua" and "Huaxia" comes from Huashan. The words "strange and dangerous" are the essence of Huashan's scenery. "Since ancient times, there has been only one road to Huashan" describes the steepness of Huashan. The Attraction has many thrilling attractions such as Changkong Plank Road, Kitesurfing, Qianchi Chuang, Baichi Gorge, Laojun Ligou, etc., which are carved out on the steep cliffs. Those who visit them in person will be amazed. Huashan Attraction covers a vast area, including the Main Peak Attraction, Xiyue Temple Attraction, Xianyu Attraction, etc. The Main Peak Attraction is the core Attraction of Huashan, including "Huashan One Road" and the five main peaks in the southeast, northwest, and center. Huashan in most people's minds refers to the Main Peak Attraction. Five main peaks The East Peak is about 2,100 meters above sea level and is named for its location in the east. There is a platform on the top of the peak, which is high and dangerous with a wide view. It is a good place to watch the sunrise. It is called Chaoyang Terrace, and the East Peak is also called Chaoyang Peak. The East Peak consists of four peaks, one main peak and three s-ervant peaks. The peak where Chaoyang Terrace is located is higher, the Yunv Peak is in the west, the Shilou Peak is in the east, and the Botai is in the south. There are more than dozens of landscapes on the East Peak. There is a natural stone pattern on the cliff on the side of the East Shilou Peak, which looks like a giant palm print. This is the Huayue Immortal Palm, which is listed as the first of the eight scenic spots in Guanzhong. The story of the giant spirit opening the mountain and guiding the river originated from this. The West Peak is about 2,000 meters above sea level. Because there is a huge rock on the top of the peak that looks like a lotus petal, ancient literati often called it Lotus Peak or Hibiscus Peak. Xu Xiake wrote in his "Diary of Traveling to Mount Taihua": "There is a rock rising on the peak, and there are stone pieces covering it, like a lotus flower." This stone must be referring to it. There are many landscapes on the West Peak, including Cuiyun Palace, Lotus Cave, Giant Spirit Foot, Axe-Split Stone, Sheshen Cliff, etc., and there are many beautiful myths and legends. Among them, the well-known story of Chenxiang splitting the mountain to save his mother is circulated here. The South Peak is over 2,100 meters above sea level and is the highest peak of Huashan. The ancients called it the "Head of Huashan". On one side of the South Peak is a thousand-foot cliff, standing straight like a knife, and below is a deep ravine, which is separated from Sangong Mountain and Sanfeng Mountain. The South Peak consists of one peak and two peaks. The east side is called Songhui Peak, and the west side is Luoyan Peak. The origin of the name of Luoyan Peak is said to be because the migrating wild geese often land here to rest. The North Peak is about 1,600 meters above sea level, with cliffs on all sides, covered with clouds above and connected to the earth veins below. It stands tall and unique, and is also called Yuntai Peak because it looks like a cloud platform. Li Bai of the Tang Dynasty wrote in his poem "A Song of the Cloud Platform of Mount Xiyue to Complimentary Danqiuzi": "Three peaks stand as if about to collapse, and the green cliffs and red valleys are high. The golden essence of the White Emperor mobilizes his vitality, and the stones become lotus flowers and the clouds become platforms." The famous story of "Taking Huashan by Strategy" took place here. There are many landscapes on the mountain, including the Zhenwu Hall, Jiaogong Stone Chamber, Changchun Stone Chamber, and the place where Laojun hung the plow. The Middle Peak is the only way to the other four peaks. It is located in the middle of the East, West and South Peaks. The forests on the peak are lush and green, and the environment is quiet. There is a Taoist temple named Yunu Temple on the top of the peak. It is said that it was the place where Qin Mu Gong's daughter Nong Yu cultivated herself in the Spring and Autumn Period, so it is also called Yunu Peak. Main landscape: There are more than 210 famous Attraction in Huashan. From ancient times to the present, countless literati and poets have left various classic poems here. Skywalk The Changkong Plank Road is located on the east side of the Huashan South Peak. It was built by the master of the Huashan School, Taoist He Zhizhen of the Yuan Dynasty, who wanted to get away from the world and practice Taoism. He built it by inlaying stone piles on the cliffs and paving wooden boards. At the end of the plank road, you can see the "Hezu Cave" where Master He practiced self-cultivation. The road builders chiseled stone holes on the cliffs, wedged stone piles into the holes, and laid wooden boards about 40 cm wide between the stone piles. Visitors must stick to the cliff wall, pull the iron chain with their hands, step on the wooden boards, and move forward slowly sideways. Xiyue Temple Xiyue Temple, also known as Huayue Temple, is a temple where emperors of all dynasties worshipped and offered sacrifices to Shaohao, the Great Emperor of Xiyue. It was first built during the Yuanguang period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (134-129 BC) at the entrance of Huangshengu (now Huangfuyu) at the foot of Huashan Mountain. It was moved to its current location during the reign of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty (147-167 AD) and renamed today. It was rebuilt many times during the Tang, Song, Ming and Qing dynasties. Canglong Ridge The steps on Canglong Ridge are only 2 feet wide, with deep ravines on both sides, as steep as a knife. The height difference between the ridge and the top is about 500 meters, and the slope is more than 45 degrees. Looking at the green pines and white clouds in the distance and hearing the sound of the wind is dizzying. Jinsuoguan Jinsuoguan is one of the five passes of Huashan Mountain. It is built on a stone archway at the entrance of the three peaks. It is the throat of the Wuyun Peak to the four peaks of East, West, South and Center. There is no way to pass after the pass, so it is also called Tongtianmen. Taoists believe that Huashan is the fairyland of gods. Only after passing Tongtianmen can you enter the fairyland. Therefore, there is a folk song that "after passing Jinsuoguan, there is another world". There has been only one road to Mount Huashan since ancient times "There has been only one road to Mount Hua since ancient times" refers to the "Huashan Valley" hiking trail, which includes various scenic spots along the Huashan hiking trail since ancient times. When connected together, it is what is commonly referred to as "There has been only one road to Mount Hua since ancient times." How to visit Huashan has two mountain gates (entrances): East Gate and West Gate (also known as Huashan Gate). Take the cable car up the mountain and go to the East Gate; if you climb the mountain on foot, enter from the West Gate. Huashan currently has two cable cars, the East and West Lines, which reach the North Peak and the West Peak respectively (please plan the climbing route in advance before purchasing the ticket and purchase the corresponding ticket type, and you cannot change it midway.). Route 1: Hiking route There has been only one road on Mount Huashan since ancient times. It is an ancient mountaineering road with a total length of 12.5 kilometers and 9,567 steps. It takes about 4 hours to hike from Yuquanyuan, through Wuli Pass, Shaluoping (night climbing), Qianchi Chuang, Baichi Gorge, etc. to the North Peak, and then start the tour from the North Peak. Route 2: "Up West and Down West", a mountaineering route suitable for the Seniors and tourists with children This route goes up the West Peak Cableway of Mount Huashan and down the West Peak Cableway, that is, going up from the west and down from the west. The whole route takes a relatively short time, about 4 hours, and is also more energy-saving, making it more friendly to the Seniors and tourists with children. Route 3: "Up West and Down North", a one-day mountaineering route chosen by 80% of tourists This route goes up by cable car from the West Peak of Mount Huashan and down by cable car from the North Peak, that is, going up from the west and down from the north. The entire route is a classic one-day tour route, which takes about 6 hours. You can visit all the attractions without backtracking. Most tourists choose this route because this road almost goes straight down, which is easier and faster than the uphill road. Route 4: "North up and north down", a time-saving, economical and panoramic mountaineering route This route goes up by cable car at the North Peak of Huashan and down by cable car at the North Peak, that is, going up from the north and down from the north. The whole route is a relatively low-cost cable car mountaineering route. If your sightseeing time is limited, you can choose this route and visit the North Peak, which has the Memorial Pavilion, Ear-Crushing Cliff, Canglong Ridge, Huashan Sword Contest Monument, panoramic Huashan and other attractions.China · Huayin
Grand Tang Mall
Grand Tang Mall is a large-scale Tang-style architectural pedestrian street in Xi'an's Qujiang New District, built around the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. It stretches from the Xuanzang Square at the foot of the pagoda in the north to the Tang City Wall Ruins Park in the south, connected by a approx. 1500 m central axis view boulevard running north-south. The boulevard itself resembles an open-air sculpture gallery, featuring themed sculptures arranged sequentially from north to south: Buddhist culture of the Tang Dynasty, Tang heroes, the Zhenguan era governance, Empress Wu's procession, and the Kaiyuan heyday. Statues of eminent monks like Xuanzang and Jianzhen stand at the front, followed by Tang luminaries such as Li Bai, Wu Daozi, Sun Simiao, and Lu Yu in the middle section, with ceremonial processions of Emperor Taizong, Empress Wu Zetian, and Emperor Xuanzong concluding the display. Walking through this boulevard is akin to reading a three-dimensional history of the Tang Dynasty. The block connects three themed squares from north to south—Xuanzang square, Zhenguan square and Kaiyuan square—with Tang-style pavilions lining both sides. Among them are four cultural venues: Xi'an concert hall, Shaanxi grand theater, Xi'an art museum and Qujiang cinema. Enjoying concerts, visiting exhibitions and shopping for photos can all be arranged along the same route. By day, admire the architecture and sculptures, but the real highlight of this street comes after nightfall—when the lights come on, the Tang-style pavilions glow with radiant colors, and the entire street seems to recreate the splendor of the Tang Dynasty. The area features year-round immersive street performances: a "Tumbler Girl" in Tang attire leans in to hold hands with travelers as she spins; Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui from the "Secret Box of the Tang Dynasty" appear, posing riddles and bantering, with clever answers from selected travelers drawing cheers from the crowd; Hu Xuan dances and Tang-era music performances compete in a colorful parade; and actors dressed as the "Poet Immortal" may challenge you to a verse duel at any moment—strolling around, you might stumble upon a performance. This place gathers trending attractions, highlighting dazzling colors, fantasy, and a tech vibe. Through large-scale installations, it creates a stylish and dynamic interactive experience center, offering a sought-after photo spot for trendy young crowds. In the family-friendly tech zone, scene-based displays and hands-on actions spark children's imagination and creativity, combining play with skill development and experiential gains—making it an ideal destination for family-friendly fun.China · Xi'an
The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
The Hukou Waterfall is a famous waterfall on the Yellow River. The roiling water of the Yellow River roars downward here with great power. The Hukou Waterfall area is divided by the Yellow River. On the west side is Yichuan County, Shaanxi, and on the east side is Ji County, Shanxi. The waterfall is also divided into the Hukou Waterfall (the part of the falls in Shaanxi) and the Shanxi Hukou Waterfall (the part of the falls in Shanxi). Separate tickets are sold for each area. The Shanxi section of the Hukou Waterfall is located 45 kilometers west of the seat of Ji County in Linfen City, Shanxi.China · Ji County
Xi'an Museum
Xi'an Museum is a modern comprehensive museum built upon the cultural relic protection site—the ruins of the Tang Dynasty Jianfu Temple and its iconic structure, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. It integrates cultural relic collection and protection, academic research, exhibition and display, social education, and garden leisure. Its core area is the location of the original Tang Dynasty royal temple, Jianfu Temple, while the precious and striking historical relic existing within the temple—the Small Wild Goose Pagoda—has become the museum's unique landmark and soul. Therefore, the Jianfu Temple ruins and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda are not only the foundation and core carrier for the establishment of Xi'an Museum, but also important outdoor historical exhibition areas and focal points for visitors. The main building of the museum is located on the north side of the ancient temple ruins. The three elements (ancient temple ruins, ancient pagoda, and modern museum building) are organically integrated, jointly forming a unique cultural space that combines "museum, pagoda, temple, and garden," vividly showcasing the historical context of Xi'an from ancient times to the present. Xi'an Museum officially opened to the public on May 18, 2007. Its establishment aims to comprehensively showcase the glorious history and splendid culture of Xi'an (ancient Chang'an) as the capital of thirteen dynasties, filling the gap of a comprehensive museum of Xi'an's urban history. Collection highlights: The museum houses over 100,000 precious cultural relics from various historical periods of Xi'an. The collection spans from prehistoric times to the Ming and Qing dynasties, with particular emphasis on artifacts from the prosperous dynasties of Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang, including bronze ware, jade articles, gold and silverware, ceramics, murals, stone steles, epitaphs, and Buddhist statues, systematically reflecting the political, economic, cultural, social life, and foreign exchanges of the ancient capital Chang'an. Main exhibition: The permanent exhibition "Ancient capital Xi'an" takes the urban development history of Xi'an as the main thread, showcasing the evolution and achievements of Xi'an as a capital (Zhou Fenghao, Qin Xianyang, Han Chang'an, Sui-Tang Chang'an) and a prefectural city (Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties) through a large number of precious cultural relics, models, charts, and multimedia means. Unique environment: The museum's greatest feature lies in its surroundings. Travelers can not only visit modern exhibition halls but also stroll through the expansive heritage park encompassing the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the ancient architectural complex of Jianfu Temple (including structures like the Ming dynasty bell tower housing a Jin dynasty ancient bell), an ancient stone sculpture art exhibition area, and garden views—experiencing the charm of the millennia-old capital at its historical site. The view of "morning bells at the Wild Goose Pagoda" is particularly renowned. Functional positioning: The museum is not only an important center for cultural relic collection, research, and display, but also an urban cultural park where citizens can relax, entertain, and immerse themselves in history and culture, undertaking significant social education and cultural exchange functions.China · Xi'an
Shapotou Scenic Area
The scenic spot is located 16 kilometers west of Zhongwei City, Ningxia, on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert. The scenic spot has successively won honors such as "the first batch of national 5A-level tourist attractions", "the top 500 global environmental protection units", and "the first batch of national tourism standardization demonstration units". The three major cultural elements of the scenic area include the "Yellow River Culture" based on the intangible cultural heritage sheepskin rafts, the "Desert Culture" based on straw grids and Desert Legend Park, and the "Starry Sky Culture" based on the Desert Star Hotel. The tourism resources of these three elements have created a unique and magnificent landscape of "sunset over the long river and starry sky in the desert". The "six major ways to play" are highly praised and loved by tourists. Among them, the Yellow River projects include sheepskin rafting, Huangtengda, Yellow River speedboat, drift boat, passionate sandboarding and high-altitude bungee jumping, etc. The desert projects include Desert Camel, Desert Flying (Stepping into the Blue Clouds), and Sand Sea. Surfing, etc., starry sky projects include stargazing lectures, meteor feasts, sand therapy experiences, star cakes and other special products. In addition, there are also privately customized products for hiking, desert expansion, and educational and entertaining study experiences. The scenic area not only has diverse cultural elements and fun project experiences, but also multi-level accommodation experiences waiting for you: the butler-style Diamond Hotel, the quiet Desert Star Hotel for stargazing, the quiet Yellow River Courtyard in the bustling city, and finally the economical and affordable business-style Tourist Service Center Hotel and other differentiated tourist accommodations for you to choose from.China · Zhongwei
Free things to do in Zhenyuan
What travelers say about Zhenyuan
_We***0726 October 2026
5.0
This trip to the Terracotta Warriors was a fantastic experience! A special thank you to Professor Wang for his excellent explanations. His presentation was professional yet humorous, lively, interesting, and easy to understand. Originally, I just wanted to see the Terracotta Warriors, but after listening to Professor Wang's explanation, I truly felt the weight of Qin Dynasty history and the cultural charm behind the Terracotta Warriors. The entire explanation was well-paced, rich in content, and engaging, making it a truly enjoyable experience. Compared to a casual visit on my own, having a professional guide made a huge difference. I highly recommend Professor Wang!
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
118***0626 October 2026
5.0
The Shaanxi History Museum is incredibly popular; I tried to book several days in advance but couldn't get a reservation… so I booked a guided tour, which made my trip to Xi'an worthwhile.
I saw so many treasures inside, but the most memorable were:
1. The Duoyou Ding: A bronze vessel from the reign of King Li of the Western Zhou Dynasty, with a 278-character inscription cast on its inner wall. My teacher said that the more inscriptions on a bronze vessel, the more valuable it is, and the more helpful it is for modern research into specific periods of ancient history. This elevated the value of the ding to an all-time high.
2. The Sancai Camel Carrying Musicians: A masterpiece of Tang Dynasty Sancai pottery, this camel carries eight small terracotta figures, each with expressive features and holding various musical instruments, depicting a scene of dance and music reflecting the fusion of Han and non-Han cultures during the prosperous Tang Dynasty. It would definitely be considered overloaded on a modern road, haha! 😂
3. The Gold-Inlaid Beast-Head Agate Cup: Listed by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage as one of the first 64 national treasures permanently prohibited from being exhibited abroad. Exquisitely crafted, the cup's body mimics the shape of animal horns, with the front carved into a bull-shaped head, its eyes wide open and piercing. This is a unique piece in China.
4. Gilded Silver Ewer with Dancing Horse and Cup Design: The only artifact that provides concrete evidence of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's "Dancing Horse Birthday Celebration" ceremony. The dancing horse and cup design on the ewer is clearly defined and features flowing lines.
It is said that there is a heartbreaking story behind these dancing horses: During the Tang Dynasty, these meticulously trained court dancing horses would kneel and bow, holding wine cups in their mouths, to offer birthday wishes to the emperor. However, after the An Lushan Rebellion, they were scattered into the military camps of regional warlords and mixed into the army. When the dancing horses heard the drums and horns of the military camp, they thought the performance had begun and began to dance to the beat. The stablemen, terrified, considered this "monster" and whipped them. The dancing horses, mistaking the rhythm for being off, danced even more vigorously. Seeing this, the stablemen whipped them even more, killing them. The dancing horses thus disappeared. Therefore, this treasure is a top-tier national treasure, prohibited from leaving the country, bearing witness to the legend of "Dancing Horses and Cups."
The teachers only explained the museum's most prized possessions during this visit, and there were still so many artifacts we didn't have time to see. I look forward to visiting Xi'an again next time.
Shaanxi History Museum
M22***5726 October 2026
4.0
This is a unique attraction, worth a visit.
The shopping area on the city wall is also quite unique, selling uniform traditional clothing for photo opportunities. There are also photo opportunities along the city wall.
The only drawback is the bicycles; there are no child seats, and seniors over 60 are not allowed to ride. This eliminates many family and parent-child cycling experiences, keeping many such consumers out.
Xi'an City Wall
M47***2523 October 2026
5.0
The front desk service was excellent, the facilities were complete, and the surrounding area was very convenient. There were free late-night snacks and light meals available. The subway station was only 200 meters away, which was extremely convenient. It was also very close to the hospital. I highly recommend it and will stay here again next time.
Huaqing Palace
Anonymous user26 October 2026
5.0
Mount Hua is worth visiting, but it's tough on your legs. Taking the cable car up and down from the west is the most time-saving and energy-efficient option. Unfortunately, the "Eagle's Turn" and "Plank Road in the Sky" were closed, so I didn't get to see or experience them, which was a slight disappointment. Not reaching the North Peak with the west-to-west cable car up and down was also a regret. I didn't feel any leg pain after descending the mountain. This plan is very friendly to the elderly and children. I'll challenge the North Peak next time.
Mount Hua
呦未来可期15 October 2026
5.0
Take a stroll through the Tang Dynasty Never-Sleeping City on a pleasant autumn evening. The evening breeze is cool, the lights are dazzling, and the atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty is palpable. Street performances are everywhere, and tourists come and go, creating a lively scene. No need to plan a route; just wander around and explore as you please. Immersed in this world of lights, feeling the warmth of everyday life and ancient charm, this is what small satisfactions in ordinary days are all about. Chang'an's autumn nights are as bright as ever.
Grand Tang Mall
蓝水悠悠25 October 2026
5.0
Hukou Waterfall is truly a must-see in person; photos simply can't capture its breathtaking beauty. We explored the west side this time, and the Dragon Cave is a must-see – the 20 yuan entrance fee is well worth it! Standing at the bottom of the cave, looking up at the Yellow River crashing down overhead, the spray hitting your face, the deafening roar, you're completely enveloped – an experience you can't fully grasp from above. However, it is indeed very wet inside the cave, so it's best to put your phone in a waterproof case. In the morning, when the light is good, you can even see a rainbow, and if you're lucky, the photos will be stunning. Parking in the scenic area is quite convenient, and the shuttle bus service is smooth.
The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
Anonymous user25 October 2026
5.0
Advance reservations are required through official channels and can be made free of charge. Arrive on time. It's recommended to allow 2-3 hours. The exhibition halls are quite worthwhile to visit first, and then you can explore Jianfu Temple and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda.
Xi'an Museum
Anonymous user26 October 2026
5.0
Shapotou truly exceeded my expectations! Our guide, Xiao Zhou, explained things in a clear, concise, and engaging way, making it incredibly entertaining. He even sang Ningxia folk songs and performed traditional folk ballads. The unique landscape where the Tengger Desert meets the Yellow River is a sight rarely seen elsewhere. The desert dune buggy ride is a must-do – thrilling and exhilarating as you navigate the undulating dunes. The Yellow River zipline spans the river, with the rushing water below and the wind rushing past your ears – a truly immersive experience. Camel riding deep into the desert, watching the sunset paint the sands gold, creates an unforgettable atmosphere. There are many activities to choose from, from thrilling to relaxing, and the service is prompt and orderly. Whether you want to let loose and have fun or simply enjoy the scenery, this is the place for you. Don't miss it when you visit Zhongwei!
Shapotou Scenic Area
