Daniel Li,
I am writing to you to thank you very much for our wonderful trip to Xian. The tour that you organised was fantastic. Sorry for the delay in feedback. I thank you for all your prompt and quick replies to our needs and desires for the tour that we took on Feb 10, 2008. You are very professional and provided what we had requested. I enjoyed my tour of Xian - from start to finish. It was most comforting to have my tour guide meet me at the airport. Your tour guide - Ms Mary Ma is exceptional in both her English and her knowledge of her subject. She is to be congratulated.
I have no hesitation in recommending your company to other travellers.
Thank you once again.
Kind regards
Janet Hawke
USA
Located in the center of Qinling, Xian is known as “the Cradle of Chinese Nationality”. It is not only the birthplace of Chinese Nationality, but also the important human birthplace and one of the prehistoric culture centers in Asia. With a long history, Xian is the capital of 12 Dynasties from Zhou with the flourishing slavery to Tang Dynasty with the peak of feudalism. It bears too much historical mark, which provides rich and colorful life material.
With the rapid development of economy, too many large-scale shopping mall, department store as well as supermarket come forth in Xian City, most of which gather in Xi Dajie, Dong Dajie, Jiefang Road, etc. The commodities here are complete and at about 8 or 9 pm they will be closed. There are also many cultural relic stores such as Shuyuan Gate near Beilin Museum, Xian curio Market in the middle of Zhuque Road as well as Wenbaozhai in No.5, Yanta Road. They are full of the archaize craftworks such as imitation of Terra-cotta warriors and horses, Tang Tricolor and the folk handcraft including Paper-cut, Buyi,etc. In addition, do not forget to make the bargain.
Local Art in Xian
Tang Tricolor
Tang Tricolor is a kind of crockery prevailing in Tang Dynasty with the dominant colors of yellow, brown and green. Later people used to call it “Tangsancai”. With a history of 1300 years, it assimilates the trait of traditional Chinese painting as well as sculpture coming into being its own vignette with straightforward line.
In accordance with the aesthetic values of Tang Dynasty, the shapes of the Tang Tricolor are usually rounded and full. They are dissimilar modifies, expressive face. The female figures stand fairily with binding high hair and full sleeve. The soldier figures have strong muscle, big staring eyes and wield swords. The popular animals are horses. They are vigorous expressions with varied gestures, running, standing, drinking or strolling and so on.
Shan-bei Paper Cut
As one of the distinctive visual art of Chinese handcrafts, Paper-cut is liked by all Chinese nationalities. Its origin could be traced back to 6 century BC. Among all the paper-cuts, Shan-bei paper Cut is particularly characteristic. Using the style of Qin and Han Dynasty for reference, Shan-bei Paper Cut is more simp, exquisite, unconstrained and decent. Its reputation has been renowned both home and abroad. For several consecutive years, Shan-bei Paper Cut has been exhibited in several cities such as Xian Beijing and so on. In recent years, the Paper Cut art has frequently gone abroad to show their skills to draw the attention of the whole world.
Imitation of Terra-cotta warriors and horse
Along with the excavation display of Qin Terra-cotta warriors and horse, the imitations have been one of the desired souvenirs. Some of the imitations as large as the original ones and some zoomed in term of different proportion. The imitations of Terra-cotta warriors and horse are lifelike, sturdiness and martial. It is a good choice to exhibition them in the museum or display in the house. Following the footstep of visitors, the Qin Terra-cotta warriors and horse can be found everywhere.
Fengxiang Colored-Drawing Clay Sculpture
With a recorded history of more than 300 years, Fengxiang Colored-Drawing Clay Sculpture has renowned both native and overseas for its elegant shape, beautiful color and vividness. The sculptures are made of local clay mixed with a pulp and is painted after it is shaped. The subject of the figure has a wild-range. Their bold and short shapes are exaggerated and brightly colored with local flavor. The Colored-Drawing Clay Sculpture reflects the superb creative ability in art of the peasants. As the development of the tourism, this ancient flower of folk art grows more and more prosperous, and it has become an important tourist souvenir.
Dough Flower
Dough Flower is a kind of widespread folk custom prevailing in Guangzhong area of Shaanxi and Shanbei. Whenever there is wedding or funeral, the villagers make all kinds of dough flower with unique shape, living modality. Dough Flower is ingenious facture, handsome sculpt as well as abundant connotation. The handicraftsmen could make tens of thousands varieties including birds and beasts, flower, bird, fish and insect.
Qinqiang Lian Pu
Qingqiang Lian Pu is got-up according as the characters of Qingqiang drama. Nowadays it has coming into being normalized art technique. Different color means different characteristic. For example, red implies faithfulness, black stands for honesty, powder indicates turpitude, and gold symbolizes supernatural being. So far, it is not only a kind of exquisite craftwork, but also the prolongation of folk art.
Grass-intertexture
It is a kind of peculiar handicraft rooted in Shan-bei. Corn skin is the main material. It is intwined into various shapes like bags, shoes, accoutement by hand. It feature refined weave, excellent quality, exquisite appearance. It is the favorite souvenir for the tourist all around the world.
