Xianyang
Xianyang (咸阳; Xiányáng) is a city in Shaanxi Province.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]- 1 Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (西安咸阳国际机场, XIY IATA), Dizhang Town, Weicheng District (渭城区底张镇) (about 18 km north of the city center by road), ☏ +86 29 96788, service@xxia.com. The airport serves both Xi’an and Xianyang, hence the name. However, the location of the airport is actually in Xianyang, not in Xi’an. Flights are available to most major Chinese airports and International flights are available to many destinations including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Macau, Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo. As the city is in the heartland of China, it takes no more than 2 hours to fly to most major Chinese cities. ₩.
A bus service operates between the airport and Xianyang West Railway Station. The bus departs from Terminal 3 and stops at Terminal 2 before heading to Xianyang West Railway Station. Buses to Xianyang West Railway Station run between 09:00 and 21:00. Buses going in the opposite direction, from Xianyang West Railway Station to the airport, operate between 08:00 and 19:30. There is one bus every 40 minutes in each direction. The fare is ¥15 and the journey time is about 40 minutes.
By train
[edit]- 2 Xianyang Railway Station (咸阳站), 1 Kangzhan Road, Weicheng District (渭城区抗战路1号) (bus nos. 1, 6, 9, 12, 16, 29, 31, 33, 38, 58 and 67, and the Xianyang-Guodu bus all stop here).
- 3 Xianyang West Railway Station (咸阳北站), Biquan Road, Qindu District (秦都区碧泉路) (Line 1 of the Xi’an Metro has a station just next door and there is a long-distance bus terminal here too; the bus stops outside the complex are served by several bus routes, including the airport bus as well as bus nos. 1, 4, 13, 17, 19, 21, 27, 31, 36, 37, 50, 51, 59, 61 and 70).
- 4 Xianyang North Railway Station (咸阳北站), Zhanqian Road, Qindu District (秦都区站前路) (bus no. 66). This station is not as useful as the others as it’s relatively far from the CBD and there are few places of interest in the area.
By long-distance bus
[edit]- 5 Xianyang North Bus Station (咸阳汽车北站), Xilan Road, Qindu District (秦都区西兰路) (bus nos. 2, 6, 9, 12, 14, 53, 66, 67, 68 and 1141, and the no. 1 Xianyang-Huyi Intercity Bus), ☏ +86 29 33123663. Xianyang’s main long-distance bus station.
- 6 Xianyang High-Speed Rail Bus Interchange (咸阳高客综合枢纽站), Intersection of Caihong 2nd Road and Yuquan Road, Qindu District (秦都区彩虹二路与玉泉路交叉口) (next door to Xianyang West Railway Station and the metro station of the same name), ☏ +86 29 32201700. Opened in 2023, this is one of the city’s newest bus stations.
By local public transit
[edit]If coming from Xi’an, it is often easier to take a public bus or metro train.
Line 1 of the Xi’an Metro links downtown Xi’an with downtown Xianyang. Xianyang West Railway Station is the terminus of the line.
Line 14, which runs between the airport and Xi’an North Railway Station, has multiple stations in Xianyang.
Get around
[edit]The metro lines mentioned in the Get-in section may also be used to get around the city. There is, however, no direct line linking the western part of the city with the eastern part, so if you wanted to travel from Qindu District to the eastern part of Weicheng District by metro train, you would need to go into Xi’an first and change trains two times. Obviously, it would be somewhat easier in that case to catch a mainline train from Xianyang to Xi’an North Station, then get a metro train from there.
Of course, public buses are also available. WeChat users can use the same mini-app to pay the bus fare that they would use in Xi’an.
One bus that travellers might find useful is bus no. 1010, which runs between Feng River Forest Park Station on Metro Line 1 and Qingong Station on Metro Line 14. By taking this bus, you can travel between the western and eastern parts of the city without going through Xi’an.
See
[edit]Museums
[edit]- 1 Qin and Han Museum (陕西历史博物馆秦汉馆), East Section, Lanchi 3rd Road, Qinhan New City, Xixian New Area (西咸新区秦汉新城兰池三路东段) (near Qingong Metro Station - you can walk here from the station or catch the shuttle bus; there are also shuttle buses to the museum from the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi and the Shaanxi History Museum in Xi’an), ☏ +86 29 85253806, toll-free: +86 4000293806, sxhm1991@sxhm.com. 09:30-17:00, no entry after 16:00, closed on Tuesday (except when Tuesday falls on a public holiday). Opened in 2024, this new museum is a branch of the Shaanxi History Museum. It specializes in displaying artifacts from the Qin and Han Dynasties. Visitors are expected to make a booking on the museum’s WeChat account before visiting the museum. The museum’s WeChat account may be found by searching for “陕西历史博物馆” on your WeChat app. Free.
- 2 Qingweilou Art Museum (清渭楼美术博物馆), Weiyang East Road, Weicheng District (渭城区渭阳东路) (about 1 km east of the Xianyang Museum; take bus no. 19, 56, 60 or the Xianyang-Guodu bus), ☏ +86 29 33263183. 09:00-17:00，no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays and public holidays. The museum building is a reconstruction of the Qingweilou, a famous historical tower that was demolished during the 20th century. It displays both ancient and modern artwork, including paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, bronzeware and jade artifacts. Free.
- 3 Xianyang Museum (咸阳博物院), 53 Zhongshan Street, Weicheng District (渭城区中山街53号) (bus nos. 19, 56 and 60, and the Xianyang-Guodu bus), ☏ +86 29 33231998 (bookings and enquiries), +86 29 33213015 (complaints), sxxb62@126.com. 09:00-17:30, no entry after 17:00, closed on Monday (except when Monday is a public holiday). Free.
Historical sites
[edit]- 4 Maoling Mausoleum (汉武帝茂陵 Hàn Wǔdì Màolíng), Nanwei Town, Xingping City (兴平市南位镇) (If coming from Xi’an, get a long-distance bus to Xingping (兴平) from the Xi'an Chengxi (City West) Bus Station, then transfer to bus no. 301; if coming from downtown Xianyang, take bus no. 4 and transfer to bus no. 301 when you get to Fujia Bridge (付家桥); there are bus stops at both the tomb and the museum), ☏ +86 29 38456140, 1483852205@qq.com. 08:00-18:00 (March to November), 08:00-17:30 (December to February). Large pyramid tomb of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (汉武帝), and largest of the Han imperial tombs. Emperor Wu is known for the pacification of the Xiongnu, greatly expanding the empire's borders to include what is today Xinjiang and part of northern Korea and Vietnam, construction of 4 garrison towns in Gansu, and touring the entirety of China during his 54-year-long reign; a record that would not be broken until the reign of the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty more than 1,800 years later. The first Silk Road was established under his reign. 1 km to the east of the pyramid is the museum which houses many stone carvings. ¥75 (March to November), ¥55 (December to February).
- 5 Qianling Mausoleum (唐乾陵 Táng Qiánlíng), National Highway 312, Chengguan Town, Qian County (乾县城关镇312国道) (get a train to Qian County from either Xi'an Railway Station or Xi'an North Railway Station, then catch bus nos. 1 or 2 and get off at the final stop; alternatively, you can get a bus to Qian County from the Xi'an Chengxi Bus Station, then take bus no. 2 to the mausoleum), ☏ +86 29 35510222, +86 29 35510458, ql35510584@163.com. 08:00-18:00 (March to November), 08:30-17:30 (December to Feburary), no entry in last 60 minutes. The shared tomb of China's first and only female emperor Wu Zetian (武则天) and her husband Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty (唐高宗). The best preserved of the Tang imperial tombs. The main burial chamber has not been excavated, though the burial chambers of the tombs of five attendants, one court official, one military officer, two princes and one princess have been excavated, and the latter three are open to the public. ¥100 (March to November), ¥80 (December to February).
- 6 Tomb of Emperor Jingdi (汉阳陵 Hàn Yánglíng), Jichang Road (Airport Road), Jinghe Industrial Park, Weicheng District (渭城区泾河工业园机场路) (near the airport; it is possible to get to the site via tour or share a taxi (around ¥200 round-trip, not including waiting time); by public transit, the easiest way (as of 2021) is to take the special shuttle bus that departs from Qingong Station on the Airport Intercity Railway - the bus fare is ¥5), ☏ +86 29 62657569 (enquiries), +86 29 62657530 (tickets), +86 29 62657533 (tour guide bookings). 08:30-18:30 (March-November), 08:30-18:00 (December-February), no entry permitted in last 90 minutes. A Han dynasty tomb containing 50,000 doll-sized terracotta figures. There are human figures (think small and naked version of the terracotta warriors) as well as a whole army-like formation of life-like animals (pigs, dogs, etc). The "Underground Museum" at the excavation site has a glass floor so that you can look down on the ongoing excavations and is definitely worth a visit (especially easy to do if done as part of a journey to or from the airport). There's a unique holographic movie experience as part of the exhibit (no 3D glasses required, English and some other language translation available, ¥10 though it is unclear if it's a legitimate fee). It's also worth getting a guide or following one around (note that English ones are more expensive than Chinese ones) because they will explain things in much more detail than the captions. Some people also climb up to the top of the burial mound (you can see a worn trail going up the side). If you cross the road you can see the Archaeological Exhibit Center (where some of the best figures are kept), a deer park (with actual live deer), and ruins of a "sacrifice temple" (not too impressive). The grounds around the mausoleum are nice to stroll in, with fragrant wild grasses and a rose garden next to the Archaeological Exhibit Center. ¥70 during peak season (March-November), ¥55 during slack season (December-February); half-price students.
- 7 Zhaoling Mausoleum (唐昭陵 Táng Zhāolíng), Liquan County (礼泉县) (about 12 km by road north of Yuanjia Village; there is no public transport in the area but you can save money on taxi fares by first getting a bus to Yuanjia Village; buses to Yuanjia Village depart from Xianyang North Bus Station), ☏ +86 29 35767009. 08:30-18:00 (March-November), 09:00-17:00 (December-February). Tomb of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty (唐太宗), widely regarded to be one of the most capable emperors to ever rule over China. Prior to becoming emperor, he was a brilliant military commander who participated in the rebellion against the preceding Sui Dynasty, and subsequently helped to consolidate his father's rule over the former Sui territories. Despite having gained the throne by murdering his elder brother and forcing his father to abdicate, he turned out to be a benevolent and just ruler, and was open to criticism from his court officials. He is known for having pacified the empire's enemies in the north and west, including the Eastern Turks and Western Turks, and recovering most of the territories previously held by the Han Dynasty. The Silk Road, which had fallen into disuse in the years after fall of the Han Dynasty, was re-opened during his reign. The mausoleum complex is known for the Six Steeds, which are stone relief carvings of six war horses that the emperor had ridden into battle, though the ones seen on-site are now replicas; four of the originals are in the Beilin Museum, while the other two were stolen and smuggled to the United States, where they can be seen today at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia. This is the largest of the Tang imperial tombs, and also the largest royal mausoleum complex in the world by land area. The mausoleum is often visited together with Yuanjia Village, a notable tourist village. The 8 Zhaoling Museum is about 2 km south of the village. Tickets for the mausoleum are ¥30 during peak season (March-November) and ¥20 during slack season (December-February); tickets for the museum are ¥40 during peak season and ¥25 during slack season.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- Set wo with you · Mi garden (集禾与你·谧园), Southeast side of the first Ganxiu Community, Shenping Road (Jietong detection inward 20 meters), ☏ +86 18091061916.
- He Mu teahouse (和沐茶馆), Jincheng Road east section Hui Hao world street front shops, ☏ +86 18082565569.
- Bayu private chef (巴渝私厨), Yongle Town Yongle Industrial Park origin East fourth Road turntable to the south 50 meters, ☏ +86 15619617687.
- Beggar's Sauce Donkey (Nanyang Store) (乞丐酱驴(南阳门店)), West side of Nanyang Gate, Weiyang East Road, ☏ +86 29-33272450.
- Waku 33(Xianyang Branch) (瓦库33(咸阳店)), Binhe West Road Sunshine United States 5-6, ☏ +86 18591088585.
- Peace feast (和宴), 2F Shop, No. 1 Riyue Mansion, Dongfeng Road (next to Decos), ☏ +86 19029155168.
- Tang Banquet (唐宴), 6 / F, Datang Shopping Center, No.10 Renmin Middle Road, ☏ +86 29-33630992.
- Chen Jude Fried Beef (Xianyang Direct Store) (陳聚德炒牛肉(咸阳直营店)), People's West Road 49 Xingxin International business building facing the bottom of the street, ☏ +86 15336111098.
Drink
[edit]- Hidden Domain •Franchise Bar (隐域•Franchise Bar(龙湖彩虹店)), Rainbow First Road, Longhu Rainbow commercial Street, Building 5, s2001, ☏ +86 132-0151-5941.
- The Bund Bar (The Bund • 外滩 Bar), No. 5-F04, Floor 1, Bund Plaza 1, Tiejiangzui Road, ☏ +86 132-8923-0403.
- Last Market Bar (後市 Bar), Xinxing South Road north of the south hot pot second floor, ☏ +86 132-0171-4948.
- LIONPARK (来昂公园(西咸店)), Energy second Road and Shanglin Road south intersection of corporate headquarters building 23, ☏ +86 131-9338-4731.
- PAN-LIFE START (溿), No. 27, Weiyang Middle Road, Weiyang East Road, ☏ +86 15664949315.
Sleep
[edit]- Quanji Hotel (Xi 'an Xianyang International Airport Airport) (全季酒店(西安咸阳国际机场空港)), First floor, Building 7, Phase 4, Xinglinli, Airport New City, Weicheng District, ☏ +86 29-33268555.
- Nanshan Garden Hotel (南山花园酒店), Yingbin Avenue, Yongshou County, Guanjun Street office, ☏ +86 29-37721666.
- Addo Hotel (亚朵酒店), 1st floor, Building 1, Jindi Sky City, west of Lizheng Road, South of Jingye Street, Weicheng District, ☏ +86 29-37150888.
- Licai Tianxiang Hotel (Qindu Wanda Branch) (咸阳丽彩天祥酒店(秦都万达店)), 29 Renmin West Road, Qindu District, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, ☏ +86 029-33766888.
- Vienna International Hotel (Xi 'an Xianyang International Airport) (维也纳国际酒店(西安咸阳国际机)), Building 4, D Area, Airport Garden, Weicheng Avenue, Weicheng District, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, ☏ +86 029-38037666.
- Meihao Ritz Hotel (Xi 'an High-tech Flagship Store) (美豪丽致酒店(西安高新旗舰店)), Intersection of Guangtai Road and Gaoxin 3 Road, Yanta District, Xi 'an City, Shaanxi Province, ☏ +86 029-81339555.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Xianyang |
| Lanzhou ← Baoji ← | W  E |
→ Xi'an → Zhengzhou |