1、1About XianXian is the champion among the six ancient Chinese capitals and has the longest history in China. General introduction Xian is the connecting point between the western Region of China and the Middle Region of China both geographically and socially. She is the gateway and communication axi
2、s for western provinces. Xian is the biggest central city in the second European-Asia Continental Bridge-LongHai and LanXin Road, its economic strategic importance is naturally indicated. Because of its geographic and historic priority, Xian has become the number one commodise distribution center an
3、d goods exchange place in the whole Northwest Region of China. Besides, the rich historical culture treasure and advance arts and science resources have helped Xian seats top of the Six Ancient Capitals in China, as well as one of the four World Ancient Civilization Capitals. Geographic Information
4、Xian locates at 33 N and 107E, in the sourthern part of GuanZhong Plain in Shaanxi province. Look to North, Xian faces an alluvial plain; turn to South, it links to a denudation hilly area. The topography shows that it is a sloping shape from Southeast down to Northeast and Southwest. In 1998, there
5、 are 8 districts and 5 country towns under Xian municipals goverment. Business, Industry and Communication Information Xian is the largest commercial and trade-hub, as well as the largest material distribution center in the Mid-Western Region of northern China. As shown in a report in 1998, there ar
6、e more than 100,000 commercial service networks, 435 consumption markets, and 485 various types of wholesale markets, and nearly 1,000 wholesale agencies. Through fifty years development, Xian has already set up sordidindustry basement in certain areas. Aviation, aerospace, electronics, machinery, c
7、ommunications, instruments and meters, and electric power are typical industry in Xian. In some of these areas, the industries in Xian has not only reached the top level in China, but also has equaled to the world advance level. Xian has formed a transportation network of air routes, railways and hi
8、ghways. Xian Civil Airline Service has opened 95 domestic airlines to 44 cities, two international airlines to Nagoya and Hiroshima in Japan and regio nal airlines to Hongkong and Marco. It also has opened direct lines to Okinawa and Fukuoka in Japan and Jidda in Saudi Arabia. Highways, first and se
9、cond grade highways, as well as the under-construction first-grade highways and express ways continually increase the transportation capability of Xian. Post and Telecommunication also grow rapidly in Xian. Xian has opened direct dialing services to more than 190 foreign countries and regions and 29
10、00 Chinese cities and country towns. EMS has expanded to 94 countries and near 2,000 Chinese cities. About The Terracotta ArmyThe Terracotta Army (Chinese: 兵马俑; Pinyin: Bng M Yng; literally “military servants“) or Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses is a collection of 8,099 life-size terra cotta figures
11、 of warriors and horses located in the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (秦始皇陵; Qn Sh Hung Lng). The figures were discovered in 1974 near Xian, Shaanxi province, The terracotta terkt赤色陶器 figures were buried with the first Emperor of Qin (Qin Shi Huang) in 210-209 BC. Consequently, they are also som
12、etimes referred to as “Qins Army.“ The Terracotta Army of China was discovered in March 1974 by local farmers drilling a well to the east of Mount Li. Mount Li is the name of the man-made necropolis and tomb tu:m墓穴 of the First Emperor of Qin; Qin Shi Huang. Construction of this mausoleum began in 2
13、46 B.C. and is believed to have taken 700,000 workers and craftsmen kr:ftsmn工匠 36 years to complete. Qin Shi Huang was interred inside the tomb complex upon his death in 210 B.C. According to the Grand Historian Sima Qian, The First Emperor was buried alongside great amounts of treasure and objects
14、of craftsmanship, as well as a scale replica of the universe complete with gemmed ceilings representing the cosmos, and flowing mercury. representing the great earthly bodies of water. Recent scientific work at the site has shown high levels of mercury in the soil of Mount Li, tentatively indicating
15、 an accurate description of the sites contents by Sima Qian. The tomb of Qin Shi Huang is near an earthen pyramid 76 meters tall and nearly 350 meters square. The tomb presently remains unopened. There are plans to seal-off the area around the tomb with a special tent-type structure to prevent corro
16、sion from exposure to outside air. However, there is at present only one company in the world that makes these tents, and their largest model will not cover the site as needed. Qin Shi Huangs necropolis complex was constructed to serve as an imperial compound or palace. It is comprised of several of
17、fices, halls and other structures and is surrounded by a wall with gateway entrances. The remains of the craftsmen working in the tomb may also be found within its confines, as it is believed they were sealed inside alive to keep them from divulging any secrets about its riches or entrance. It was only fitting, therefore, to have this compound protected 3by the massive terra cotta army interred nearby.
