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Xianyang

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Xianyang is a large city located in central Shaanxi province. It sits on the banks of the Wei River. The city is very close to the provincial capital, Xi'an. Together, they form a huge urban area. This area is home to more than 7.17 million people.

Xianyang is also a major hub for travel. It is the site of the Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. This is the largest airport in Northwest China. It is also one of the 40 busiest airports in the world.

The land around Xianyang has a very interesting shape. The city sits in the Guanzhong Basin. The ground steps down from the north to the south. In the northeast, you will find Shimen Mountain. It reaches a height of 1,826 meters. The southern part of the city is a flat plain. This area is called the Wei River Plain.

Most of the water comes from rivers like the Jinghe. These rivers flow into the Wei River. The Wei River eventually flows into the Yellow River.

This city has a very deep history. It was the capital of the Qin dynasty. This was the first centralized empire in Chinese history. In 350 BC, the city became the capital of the state of Qin. The name Xianyang means "fully yang." This comes from the sunny hills and river nearby.

Later, the city became a center for politics and culture. The first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, even built many palaces here. He built a network of 300 palaces in the valley. He even built a huge palace called the Epang Palace.

Because of its past, Xianyang is full of treasures. There are over 5,000 registered cultural heritage sites. You can find 1,037 ancient ruins and 1,135 ancient tombs.

The city has many beautiful pagodas and stone carvings. One famous place is the Giant Buddha Temple. The city was also a stop on the ancient Silk Road. It is a place where many famous people lived. For example, the Ban family was born here. They were important historians and explorers.

Today, Xianyang is a very important place for learning. It is one of the top 200 cities for scientific research. Many people go there to study at Northwest A&F University. This is one of the best schools in the world for agriculture science.

The city also has large modern areas like Xianyang Lake. This is the largest artificial lake in Northwest China. From ancient palaces to big airports, the city connects the past to the present. It remains a vital part of China's northwest region.

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