Xi’an: City of lights
An ancient capital of China gets the spotlight at Toronto’s lantern festival
Jul 19, 2007 04:30 AM
Marc Atchison
Toronto Star
XI’AN, CHINA–There’s a reason this ancient capital is called the Jewel of China – it sparkles at night.
As you fly into this 3,000-year-old city which every major Chinese dynasty, from 2nd century BC to 14th century AD, called home, a cavalcade of coloured lights that sparkle like precious gems lights your way.
MARKATCHISON/TORONTO STAR
The ancient city of Xi’an is bathed in light every night thanks to the Tang Paradise, the largest cultural theme park in China, which celebrates the enlightenment of the Tang dynasty.
But the most fascinating light spectacle in Xi’an is at a place that celebrates the Tang Dynasty, one of the five great clans of China and the most enlightened period in the country’s history.
“You see that large cluster of lights down there,” points out our Chinese guide Zhong Yu (Jade) as our plane begins its decent into Xi’an’s airport.
“That is where we will be going tonight.
“It’s called the Tang Paradise and it’s our newest attraction,” says the native of Xi’an.
The Tang Paradise is the largest cultural theme park in China where a spectacular laser show lights up the sky each night.
On our way, Jade tells us that more than 70 emperors made Xi’an, then known as Chang’an, their headquarters and the city served as a capital for more than 1,100 years. It is one of China’s five ancient capitals and home to the world famous terra cotta warriors.
“Of all the emperors who lived here, the Tang emperor (Tang Gaozong, who ruled from 650-683 AD) was the most dynamic and revered,” beams Jade.
“It was during his reign that China enjoyed its golden age of poetry, song and art,” she tells us.
“It was also Emperor Tang who traded with Europe and started the Silk Road from Xi’an.
“Many Chinese still refer to themselves as the `Tang People’ in honour of that period in our history,” she says.
The Paradise was built in the shadow of the emperor’s garden and features a number of large traditional structures, gardens and squares, all of which are highlighted by thousands of lights.
Every seat in the amphitheatre is filled and just a few minutes after arriving, the lights dim and the show begins – and wow, what a show!
We are entertained with dances and songs and some of the most spectacular special effects imaginable – made possible by an invention called a “water film” where visuals are blasted onto a screen of water that cascades from high above and creates amazing 3-D visual effects.
The two-hour show excites us and we are anxious to see what other wonders await in Xi’an, one of China’s most diverse cities and home to more than 500,000 Chinese Muslims, descendents of those who converted during the Silk Road period.
Regal Xi’an is home to some of China’s most important historic relics – the terra cotta warriors being on the top of that list – but, according to Jade, has only been recently discovered by foreign tourists.
There is much to see in Xi’an, starting with the warriors exhibit, a one-hour drive from the centre of town.
It’s a journey back in time – to 2,000 years ago when Emperor Qin Shihuang, at the age of 13, began planning his trip to the afterlife by building a tomb complete with life-size clay soldiers, carriages and his live concubines.
After his death at the age of 50, Qin’s tomb was sealed and not opened again until a local farmer stumbled upon it in the 1970s, unearthing one of the greatest tourist attractions in China.
Xi’an is also home to the best hot springs in China – the emperors and their courts liked the pleasures of life – and has a number of nightly shows that give visitors an insight into what life was like back then.
“I believe Paris is called the City of Light,” says Jade.
“Well, we like to think Xi’an is the City of Lights.”
http://www.thestar.com/special/article/236942
