Overview
Shaanxi is a north-central province that was the cradle of Chinese imperial civilization, with Xi'an—the ancient Chang'an—as its capital and the home of the Terracotta Army.
Province
Shaanxi
陕西省 · Capital: 西安
Map & Prefectures
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Prefecture-level cities
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Geography
Divided by the Wei River valley between the Loess Plateau to the north and the Qinling mountains to the south, Shaanxi is a crossroads of the Yellow River basin.
History
The heart of the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties; Xi'an (Chang'an) was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and the capital for over a thousand years.
Culture
Shaanxi carries the gravitas of imperial China, the Qinqiang opera, and the bold, wheat-based folk culture of the Guanzhong plain.
Cuisine
Shaanxi food centers on noodles and buns: biangbiang noodles, roujiamo (meat burger), and yangrou paomo (bread in mutton soup).
Highlights
Highlights: the Terracotta Army, the Xi'an city wall and Bell Tower, the Huaqing hot springs, and the steep Huashan mountain.