Xuan Yuan Temple- A Day of Sightseeing in Xian

Called Chang’an, meaning Eternal City, during ancient times, Xian is a place steeped in history and culture. It is considered one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization, and is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. As can be expected, the city is full of cultural and historical marvels. Xian is home to the grand splendour of the Xian City Wall and the imposing majesty of the Bell Tower; the solitary beauty of the Huashan Mountain and the elegant architecture of the Great Mosque. Along with the many temples and museums across the city, which stand as a testament to its long and illustrious history, there is enough to satisfy even the most seasoned traveller.

When visiting Xian, one can hardly afford to pass up the opportunity to see the Xuan Yuan Temple. The temple is part of the Huangdi Mausoleum. Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor, is considered to be the founder of Chinese civilization, and the mausoleum serves as his tomb. The Xuan Yuan Temple is sometimes called the Temple of the Yellow Emperor. The temple was built during the Han Dynasty, and has been renovated several times since.

Inside the temple, tourists will find 14 ancient cypress trees. These were grown by the Yellow Emperor over 5000 years ago. Among the 14, there is one called the king of all cypresses, and it is the largest cypress tree in the country. The Virtues Altar was built to honour the achievements of the ancient Emperor. It is an intricate structure, full of delicate carvings of deities. The temple is at the base of Mount Qaio, in Huangling county, which is roughly 200 kilometres away from Xian. Getting there is easy, as there are many tour operators who ferry tourists between the hotel and the temple.

Despite its historical nature, Xian is a modern town, with very good public infrastructure. Tourists looking for Xian accommodation will find there are enough and more options available. Serviced apartments Xian, like those offered by the Citadines Central Xi’an, are ideal for tourists looking for residencies that feel like home. The apartments’ convenient location puts guests within easy reach of Xian’s many tourist spots, giving more time for them to enjoy the sights there.