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Shaanxi Province, in the very heart of China, receives its name because it lies to the west (xi) of Shaan (Henan Province's old name). Encompassing most of the middle stretch of the Yellow River, the 200,000-sq. meter province boasts a population of 35 million, a relatively large concentration for its size and backwater location. The province has long been a strange mix of harsh living, with its barren and dusty northern plains, and luxurious civilisation, centered upon its ancient capital Xi'an. In such varied circumstances the province has a rich historical legacy, both ancient and modern.

Settlement in the province spans back to the Neolithic age, and some of China's oldest inhabitant remains were found here, spread along the life-sustaining Yellow River. It was in the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 BC), however, that settlement became more widespread, and it was from this time that written records have been recovered. It was after this reign, beginning with the Zhou Dynasty (1100-221 BC), that the province's most famous city, Xi'an, was to take the stage, as dynasties took either the city or "cities" in its locale, as their capital. Xi'an has served as the capital for altogether 13 kingdoms and empires, spanning some 1,100 years. The Han Dynasty (206 BC-220AD) took their capital near Xi'an, and brought a period of prosperity to the province that has rarely been seen since. The Silk Road, that came to prominence then, was to bring not only monetary wealth, but also a range of cultural treasures, from western settlers to Buddhism. This second treasure was to become most significant in Shaanxi, both in its capital Xi'an and in a pretty nearby mountain, Huashan. Xi'an was to be, fairly consistently, China's main political center up until the end of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).

From the Tang things went downhill for Shaanxi. Being so close to the hard to control north, the province had long been fairly unstable, and as the less volatile eastern coast became favoured by successive emperors, Shaanxi was left behind. Poverty stricken peasants were again to become the norm here, and so it remained for many years. Rebellion and famine left many dead, and it was in such a condition that the communists, harassed into a Long March by a carefully Machiavellian Nationalist Government (Guomindang), were to find the province in late 1936. The "Red Army", under the overall command of a Mr. Mao Zedong, were to set up base in a little known town called Yan'an. From this area, and from a fame derived from practical "Policies for the People" (land redistribution, arming the peasants, protection etc.), the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) were to start their attempts to overcome both the devilish foreign menace, the Japanese, and the betrayers of patriarchy, the Guomindang.

After the CCP was officially established in Beijing on the first of October 1949, and the weary leaders of the revolution settled themselves comfortably into Zhongnanhai, the new Forbidden City, Yan'an quickly became a Mecca for millions of communist believers. As the years passed, however, this journey of moral obligation for all has become one of interest for only the very motivated. The province looked again to be heading towards obscurity and poverty, until a group of peasants, digging a well in a field near to Xi'an, dropped into what is now considered to be one of China's most important tourist destinations, the terracotta guards of the dead tyrant-emperor Qin Shihuang (Qin Dynasty, 221-206 BC).

Located in the transitional belt between the southeastern humid zone and and the northwestern arid zone, Shaanxi Province belongs to a basically continental climate. However, due to the strong effect of the varied topography, there exists great meteorological differences between the north and south. Generally speaking, travelers to Shaanxi should avoid both the cold winter and rainy summer.

The northern Yellow Soil Plateau (Huangtu gaoyuan) is within a dry zone, with relatively lower annual temperatures compared to other parts of the province. The coldest month, January, boasts a monthly temperature as low as -10 degrees C. while the temperature in the hottest season, September, stays around 23 degrees C. It is on the edges of this zone that Yan'an, the revolutionary stronghold, is to be found.

The mid-part of the province belongs to a semi-humid zone and has the normal characteristics of a continental climate--a distinct four seasons, although with mild temperatures all year round. This area is located within a basin, so is frequently plagued by heavy precipitation in summer and autumn. Both Xi'an and Huashan belong in this zone.

The southern part of the province boasts a relatively high annual temperature, a typical feature of a subtropical climate. Winter here is not too cold while summer is not too hot, although there is frequent heavy precipitation here.

Located in the transitional belt between the southeastern humid zone and and the northwestern arid zone, Shaanxi Province belongs to a basically continental climate. However, due to the strong effect of the varied topography, there exists great meteorological differences between the north and south. Generally speaking, travelers to Shaanxi should avoid both the cold winter and rainy summer.

The northern Yellow Soil Plateau (Huangtu gaoyuan) is within a dry zone, with relatively lower annual temperatures compared to other parts of the province. The coldest month, January, boasts a monthly temperature as low as -10 degrees C. while the temperature in the hottest season, September, stays around 23 degrees C. It is on the edges of this zone that Yan'an, the revolutionary stronghold, is to be found.

The mid-part of the province belongs to a semi-humid zone and has the normal characteristics of a continental climate--a distinct four seasons, although with mild temperatures all year round. This area is located within a basin, so is frequently plagued by heavy precipitation in summer and autumn. Both Xi'an and Huashan belong in this zone.

The southern part of the province boasts a relatively high annual temperature, a typical feature of a subtropical climate. Winter here is not too cold while summer is not too hot, although there is frequent heavy precipitation here.

Although this province was once the epicenter of culture and travel, and the start of China's most famous "road", the Silk Road, nowadays the area is, outside of Xi'an, little visited for tourism. Thankfully the transport situation here is in a fairly good condition, partly due to the Terracotta Warriors, and partly due to the fact that this used to be a communist Mecca for those heading to Yan'an.

By plane:
There are airports in three of our listed sights: Xi'an, Yan'an and Yulin Town. Unless time is of the essence, flying to Xi'an is really the only one worthwhile, the other two destinations have infrequent flights and variable schedules. The Xi'an Xianyang International Airport is located about 40km from town and has daily direct flights to and from most major domestic cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Guilin and Chengdu.

By train:
The Lianyungang--Lanzhou Railway Line runs all the way from the eastern coast to the western inland area, linking almost all the important cities and towns in the province: Huashan, Lintong, Xi'an, Xianyang and Baoji. It is also possible to head north from Xi'an to Yan'an, a comfortable route that takes you past some of the provinces most attractive scenery. Recent years have witnessed the completion of the Xi'an--Ankang Railway Line that has cut down considerably the distance (500km) and time between Xi'an and Chongqing. A good way to reach this distant city and start your Three Gorges Tour.

By bus:
Xi'an is proud of its claim of having the greatest number of State-level expressways (altogether nine). Although a train will be more comfortable and you will see the scenery more easily, there are far more bus services which could make it more convenient. Buses to and from all of the main destinations in the province including Xi'an, Huashan, Yan'an, and Yulin Town. There are also a number of services out of the province (although a train would normally be easier for this).