Xi'an has several names in history: Fengjing, Gaojing, Fenggao, Xianyang, Chang'an, Jingzhao, Daxing, Yongxing, Fengyuan, and Xijing. Among them, Chang’an is the most famous one, for it was the capital name of the prosperous Han and Tang dynasties.
Xi'an is not only the important birthplace of the Chinese nation, but also one of the important birthplaces of human being and prehistoric cultural centers of the whole Asia. Xi'an had a history of over 3100 years of city construction, and 13 dynasties including Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang Dynasty successively established their capitals here. Xi'an once was China's political, economic and cultural center and the first city opened to the outside. The famous "Silk Road" starts from Xian. Therefore, it enjoys equal fame with world-renowned ancient capitals in history, including Athens, Rome and Cairo.
Among those past dynasties, the Han dynasty and the Tang dynasty were the most prosperous periods in Chinese history. Under the rule of the two dynasties, Xi'an was an international metropolis and also one of the largest cities in the world. Weiyang Palace in Han dynasty and Daming Palace in Tang dynasty both had great influence then. TheDaming Palace is the largest as well as the most gorgeous palace in ancient China.
Church (Catholic & Christian) in Xi'an
South Church--- St. Francis of Assisi Church ( View In Map )
Catholicism
Description: St. Francis was founded by Ma Daidi, an Italian Catholic missionary who was appointed by the Bishop of Shaanxi Catholic Church, between 1716 and 1727. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals and ecology, and was the founder of the Franciscan order.
Address:17 Wuxing Jie, Xi'an
East Church--- Christ the King Church ( View In Map )
Address:3 Dianchang Xilu, Baqiao District, Xi'an
Dongguan Church ( View In Map )
Address:55 Dongxin Xiang, Dongguan, Xi'an Postcode; 710048
North Street Church
Address:99 Bei Dajie, Xi'an Postcode: 710003
West Church---Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
Address:29 Yimin Xiang, Xi'an
South New Street Church
Address:Fu1 Jixian Xiang, Nanxin Jie, Xi'an Postcode: 710004
Buddhist Temples in Xi'an
Wuzhen Temple
Wuzhen Temple is situated on Lianhua (lotus) Coulee, 15 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of Lantian County. It is a cradle of Buddhism and a famed royal fane in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). Travelers can take a bus from the east square of Xian Railway Station to Lantian County. It runs regularly and arrives in Lantian in about one hour at CNY 10 per person. Upon arrival at Lantian, take a taxi to the Wuzhen Temple Scenic Area (CNY10). Alternatively, travelers may take a coach running from Xi'an to Shangzhou and get off at Wuzhen Temple on the way. The bus fare is CNY8 per person. The entrance fee for the temple is CNY 20 per person.
2Opposite the temple is Shuilu Nunnery, which is known for the well-preserved painted sculptures from the Five Dynasties and Ten States (907 - 960). There are over 3,700 vivid sculptures of people, animals and plants on the walls, beams, and pillars. Take a bus back to Lantian County and then connect a coach to Xian.
Xingjiao Temple
Located 20 kilometers south of Xi'an, Xingjiao Temple is a burial place for Master Xuanzang, the noted traveler, Buddhist scholar and translator of the Tang Dynasty. Take bus No. 917 from Dongyi Road and get off at Xingjiaosi stop in about 1.5 hours. Xingjiao Temple, literally meaning “the Temple of Flourishing Teaching”, plays a significant role in Buddhism culture. After Master Xuanzang passed away, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty ordered a five-level pagoda to be built in memory of the Xuanzang. The temple, named Xingjiao by the emperor, was built around the pagoda in the following year. Two students of Xuanzang were also buried in the temple, and another two pagodas were built on their tombs. There are also statues of Xuanzang and his students. The entrance fee is CNY 10 per person.
Daxingshan Temple
Daxingshan Temple, with a history of more than 1,600 years, is located in West Xingshansi Street, Xiaozhai of Yanta District, Xi'an. It is 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Xi'an railway station and 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Xi'an Xianyang Airport. The Temple can be accessed by buses No. 3, 5, 14, 11, 215, 239, 701, 704 or 722. First constructed in the Jin Dynasty (265 - 420), it is one of the oldest temples in Xi'an. In the Sui and Tang dynasties, Indian monks traveled to Chang'an (old name of Xian) and translated sutras and tantra in the temple. So the temple became one of the three largest temples that were responsible for translating sutras, the birthplace of Chinese tantra, and a historical site for cultural communication between ancient China and India. The present Temple is majestic and scenic and is surrounded by cypresses. Along its central axis, there is Hall of Heavenly King, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Guanyin, East and West Meditation Room, and statues of Buddha from the Tang and Song (960 - 1279) dynasties. The temple is free of charge, and opens from 08:00 to 17:00 daily. Every year at the Laba Day (the eighth day of December in Chinese lunar calendar), the temple provides free Laba porridge (a kind of porridge made of eight kinds beans and ingredients). You need to get up early if you want have a taste of this special porridge.
Qinglong Si (Green Dragon Temple)
The Qinglong Si (Green Dragon Temple) was a famous temple of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It was known as a place where Buddhist monks were trained, and it was a favorite destination in China for Japanese monks to learn Buddhism. The temple's history is well known in Japan because a Japanese monk named Kukai studied there and brought back his Buddhist teachings to Japan in the year 806. His influence was part of what made Buddhism popular in Japan. The original temple was destroyed, but a new one was built in 1963. The temple and the surrounding garden and halls are a favorite attraction for Japanese tourists who much appreciate the cherry trees that bloom between about March to May depending on the year's climate. So if you go there when the cherry blossoms are blooming, you'll likely see Japanese tourists. Beside the Green Dragon Temple, you can see a recently-built monument to the Japanese monk Kukai, exhibition halls, some remaining Tang-era monuments, and beautiful cherry trees.
Famen Temple
Famen Temple is located in Famen town, Fufeng County, 120 kilometers west of Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China. It was widely regarded as the "ancestor of pagoda temples in Guanzhong area".
One theory, supported by unearthed eaves-tiles and carved bricks of Han Dynasty, is that the temple was built during the Northern Zhou Dynasty, by Emperor Huan and also by Emperor Ling of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The literature record indicates that during Northern Wei Dynasty, Famen Temple already existed on a quite large scale. However, Buddhism was greatly suppressed in Emperor Wu's years of Northern Zhou Dynasty, and Famen Temple was almost completely destroyed. After establishment of Sui Dynasty, Buddhism was venerated, and Famen Temple was rebuilt, although it couldn't be recovered to its heyday in Northern Wei Dynasty. Its name was changed to Cheng Shi Dao Chang, and soon it merged with nearby Baochang Temple, and became a temple-owned farm.
Famen Temple entered its halcyon days after formation of the Tang Dynasty. During the first year of the reign of Wude Tang Dynasty (618), it was named Famen Temple, and monks were recruited the following year. Later the temple took in homeless people fleeing chaos caused by war at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and was unfortunately burnt. It was rebuilt later by monks. In Zhenguan 5th year (631), Zhang Liang was appointed to demolish Wangyun Palace to build the pagoda. It was rebuilt in Gaozong Xianqing 5th year(660), and was a four-storied pavilion-like pagoda. It was named later by Tang Zhongzong "True Relic Pagoda". Tang Zhongzong actively advocated Buddhism, and along with Empress Wei buried their hair under the pagoda (unearthed in autumn 1978). Jinglong 4th year (710), the temple was renamed "Grand Empire Carefree King Temple", and the pagoda "Grand True Relic Pagoda". In Wenzong Kaicheng 3rd year (AD 838), it was renamed "Fayun Temple", but soon reverted to the name Famen Temple. When Buddhism was suppressed in Huichang in the year of Wuzong, Famen Temple was affected. During Yizong's reign, the last Buddha relic acquisition in Tang Dynasty took place. At that time, Famen Temple was rebuilt, and its underground palace was not later altered. The emperors of Tang Dynasty acquired Buddha relics 7 times here, and every time donated generously, which facilitated the expansion of the temple and pagoda. After being built and renovated multiple times, Famen Temple evolved into a scale of 24 courtyards.
Taoist (Daoist) Temples in Xi'an
Temple of the Eight Immortals (Ba Xian An)
Temple of the Eight Immortals (Ba Xian An in Chinese, also, Eight Immortals Palace, formerly Eight Immortals Nunnery), as its name indicates, is mainly dedicated to the legendary Eight Immortals: Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, Han Xiangzi, Tieguai Li, Cao Guojiu, Lv Dongbin, Lan Caihe and He Xiangu. Located on Changle Fang Street in the eastern suburb, it is the biggest Taoist temple in Xian and is a famous Taoist architecture in northwest China.
Temple of the Eight Immortals is also called Ba Xian An Palace because when the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded Beijing in 1900, Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi escaped to Xian and lived in the Temple of the Eight Immortals. Therefore, Empress Dowager Cixi donated taels of silver later to fund the renovation of the monastery and gave it the name of Ba Xian An Palace.
The temple is said to be built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and was repaired and expanded many times in succeeding dynasties. The structures that can be seen today were mainly built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Not counting Mountain Gate, Paifang, Screen Wall, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, it can be divided into three sections. The first section includes five halls, dedicating to the protective god of Taoism-Wang Lingguan. The second section has two halls, and the color-painted statues of the Eight Immortals are worshiped in the back hall. The third section is the Main Hall with a tablet hanging on its lintel. The four characters 'Dong Tian Yun Ji' was inscribed on the tablet by Empress Dowager Cixi. Inside the hall, sacrifices were made to Dou Mu Yuan Jun (a high ranked god in Taoism) Taoists in the Temple of the Eight Immortals, Xi'anand other gods. Its annexes contain Lvzu (Lv Dongbin) Hall and Yaowang (King of Chinese medicine) Hall on the east and accommodations for Taoists on the west.
Besides visiting the monastery and burning incenses to pray for felicity, you should also look around the street outside the monastery. It's really a short street at a length of only 100 meters (110 yards) lined with two-storey buildings on both sides. Many curios like bronze mirrors, folding screen, four treasures of study, gallipots, porcelain and folding fans are sold here, most of which were commodities of the common people in olden times.
Temple of the Eight Immortals is a popular and important spot for Taoist celebrations in Shaanxi Province. On the 14th, 15th and 16th day of the fourth lunar month, the annual temple fair will be held. Ceremonious religious activities on the Double Nine Festival (9th day of the 9th lunar month) also attract a lot of adherents and tourists from near and far.
Mosques (Masjid) in Xi'an
Xi'an Great Mosque
Xi'an Great Mosque is the largest, and one of the most important islamic place in China. Covering an area of 6,000 square meters, the whole complex can be divided into four courtyards. In the first courtyard, there is a wooden arch. The arch is nine meters high, with glaze-covered tiles, and can be traced back to the seventeenth century. Three chambers stand either side of the arch, in which is now displayed some furniture preserved from the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the center of the second yard stands a stone arch with two steles on both sides. On the steles are famous calligraphic writings from prominent ancient calligraphers. The fourth courtyard contains a big prayer hall which can accommodate over a thousand people. The mosque has become a famous tourist attraction in the Xian, which receive a lot of visitors each year. See our tours to visit this mosque
Location: It is located at 30 Huajue Lane in the center of the city.
Daxuexi Lane Mosque
Dxuexi Lane Mosque is lcoated on the north side of Daxuexi Lane, facing the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane. It is the second largest mosque in Xian, next to the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane. It is also called the West Mosque.
Xian Xiaopiyuan Mosque
The Xiaopiyuan Mosque was first built in the late of Tang Dynasty(618-907). It is one of the first masques in Xi'an.
The temple is a construction that combines the Chinese palace-style and Islamic temple-style. It covers an area of 5,986 square meters with an constructed area of 2,032 square meters. The temple is a four-entrance courtyard. The first entrance is to the female temple. The second entrance is to the imam office and learning house. The third entrance is to the chanting room. The four entrance is to the moon platform. The major constructions are the prayer hall and other two buildings.
Address: Xiaopi Lane, Xi'an, Shanxi
Xian Dapiyuan Mosque
The Dapiyuan Mosque was first built in the 9th year (1411) of Yongle, Qing Dynasty(1644-1911). The existing temple covers an area of about 3,333 square meters with a constructed area of 1,610 square meters. The prayer hall occupies an area of 354 square meters. It is a Chinese classical architecture. There are many big trees in the temple. The environment of the temple is quiet and clean. The temple keeps 51 Arabic Classic. There are 4 imams, 13 Xurdong and 5 Manla in the Masque. The Masque hold 480 households of Muslim people and the total population is the 4,000 people.
Address: 108 Dapiyuan, Beilin District, Xi'an, Shanxi
Xi'an North Guangji Street Mosque
The North Guangji Street Mosque was first built in the late of Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) and was rebuilt in Qing Dynasty(1644-1911). The temple design combines Chinese nationality characteristic with Arabic temple style. The existing temple covers an area of 2,000 square meters with a constructed area less than 1,000 square meters. The major constructions are the prayer hall, Bunker building, south and north pavilions, bath house and other facilities. The prayer is 12 meters high and 13 meters wide. It is consisted by the Juanpeng, middle hall and the back hall. The Bunker building is a double hexagon shape with 13 meters high.
Address: 83 Guangji Street, Lianhu District, Xi'an, Shanxi
Xian Dongxinjie Mosque
The Dongxinjie Mosque was fist built by Hui people in 1939 and was rebuilt for many times. The existing temple covers an area of 1,000 square meters. The major constructions are the prayer hall, teaching room, water house and other facilities. In the important festival, Eid al-Fitr Day and Id al-Adha Day, there will 3,000 to 4,000 local and foreign Muslim people taking part in the religious activities.
Address: 62 Jianguo Lane, New Town District, Xi'an, Shanxi
