Xi’an (Xī ǎn [西安]), the capital city of Shaanxi Province (Shǎn xī [陕西]), is also referred to as Xian, Chang’an (Dynastic name), Hsi-An (Wade-Giles), and Sian (old Postal System). Xi’an is recognized as one of the most important cities in China, both historically and currently. Xi’an, as it’s named now and under different names, has been the capital region for 13 dynastic periods. It also happens to be the Eastern end of the Silk Road.
It is the home of ancient Neolithic Age ruins discoveries, and several important Buddhist sites. Beyond the history; Xi’an is surrounded by natural beauty, including; rivers, mountains, plains, and rolling hills. If today’s urban environment is your flavor, you will be well served in this metropolitan city.
The City Wall of Xi'an is one of oldest existing Chinese city wall. It is based in Xi'an, an ancient capital of China.
194 BCE: Construction of the first city wall of Chang'an began, which did not finish until 190 BCE. The wall measured 25.7 km in length, 12-16 m in thickneat the base. The area within the wall was ca. 36 km2.
1370: Ming Dynasty built a new wall to protect a much smaller city of 12 km2. The wall measures 11.9 km in circumference, 12 m in height, and 15-18 m in thickneat the base.
The Great Mosque is located in Huajue Lane, which branches off from the West Main Street. It is the major spot for the religious activities of over 60,000 Moslems in Xi’an. It is also an important historical monument in Shaanxi Province. Unlike Arabian mosques with splendid domes, skyward minarets, and dazzling patterns, this mosque possesses much Chinese tradition in both design and artistic outlook. It assumes the striking features of Chinese Pavilions, with painted beams and engraved ridgepoles.
However, it would be useleto talk about the Great Mosque without knowing how Islam was introduced into China.
Islam, as a religious order, was founded in the early period of the 7th century and was introduced to China in the mid-7th century. At that time, some Arabian merchants and travelers came to the northwestern region by way of Persia and Afghanistan to establish diplomatic, trade, and military contacts with China. Others started their voyage from the Bangladesh Bay, crossed the Strait of Malacca, and arrived at Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Hangzhou, Yangzhou and other Chinese cities. Later, many of them settled down and married the local women. Their children became the first generation of Chinese Moslems. However, massive immigration of Moslems to China did not take place until, as late as, the early period of the 13th century. As a result of his Western Expedition, Genghis Khan conquered vast expanses of land from Central Asia to East Europe, including the northern part of Iran. Many of the Moslems in these conquered areas were forced to enlist in the army. Later, they made China their permanent home. Many of them were soldiers; and some were smiths and officials. They were called the Hui people in the history books of the Yuan Dynasty. The Hui people later followed Kublai Khan down to the South, helping him unify China and establish the Yuan Dynasty. In the wake of this conquest, Islam spread all over China and mosques began to appear everywhere. Many Moslems held positions both in the military and civil services in the Yuan Dynasty.
