History of Shaanxi
Overview
Shaanxi Province (陕西) spans the northwest and southwest regions of China and was historically known as Yongzhou and Liangzhou (陕北 and 关中 belonged to Yongzhou, while 陕南 was part of Liangzhou). It is also referred to as the land of the Three Qins (三秦大地), extending north to south and connecting east to west, located in the central area of China’s geographical map, situated between the middle reaches of the Yellow River (黄河) and the upper reaches of the Han River (汉江). With a long history, it is the cradle of the Chinese nation and the birthplace of Chinese civilization.
Here, you can find the early human remains of the Lantian Man (蓝田猿人), the richest discoveries of the Yangshao Culture (仰韶文化), and significant archaeological sites such as the Banpo (半坡) and Yangguanzhai (杨官寨) sites. This area is home to the ancient capital of Chang’an (长安), revered as the birthplace and burial site of cultural ancestors Yan Emperor (炎帝) and Huang Emperor (黄帝). It is said to be the location of the ancient Huaxu Kingdom (华胥古国), where the Huaxu clan, the progenitor of the Chinese nation, is believed to have originated, giving rise to legendary figures like Nuwa (女娲) and Fuxi (伏羲). The characters “Hua” in both Huaxia (华夏) and Zhonghua (中华) are said to derive from the Huaxu clan (or possibly from Mount Hua (华山), also located in Shaanxi).
Historic sites such as the Qin’s Epang Palace (秦阿房宫), the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (秦始皇陵), Hanyangling (汉阳陵), Qianling (乾陵), and the Qiao Mausoleum (桥陵) all testify to Shaanxi’s ancient culture. The well-excavated Terracotta Army (秦始皇兵马俑) represents a vast underground treasure of sculptural art that reflects the artistic achievements of its time, hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Shaanxi is the root of various ethnicities, with Yan’an (延安) being the soul of the nation and the Huangdi Mausoleum (黄帝陵) symbolizing the spirit of Chinese civilization.
Shaanxi Province (陕西) is recognized as one of the cradles of Chinese civilization, having served as the capital for thirteen feudal dynasties over a span of more than 1,100 years, from the Zhou (周) to the Tang (唐) dynasties.
Xi’an: The Ancient Capital
The province’s principal city and current capital, Xi’an (西安), is among the four great ancient capitals of China and marks the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. This historic route facilitated trade and cultural exchange between China and regions including Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa.
The Northern Silk Road
During the Han (汉) dynasty, the Northern Silk Road was expanded to enhance exploration and military endeavors toward the west. Stretching about 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles), this northernmost Silk Road connected Xi’an to the west via the Wushao Ling Pass, reaching Wuwei and ultimately leading to Kashgar, where it linked to ancient Parthia.
Historical Changes
In the Ming (明) dynasty, Shaanxi was incorporated into Gansu (甘肃) but regained its status as a separate province during the Qing (清) dynasty.
The 1556 Earthquake
One of the most catastrophic earthquakes in history struck near Hua Shan (华山) in southeastern Shaanxi on January 23, 1556, resulting in an estimated 830,000 fatalities, known as the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake.
The Long March
The end of the brief Jiangxi Soviet marked the beginning of the Long March, led by Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communists, as they retreated to the Shaanxi Soviet at Yan’an (延安).
Prehistoric Significance
The Lantian Man site, located in Lantian County (蓝田县) near Xi’an, features hominin fossils dating back about one million years. Classified as a subspecies of Homo erectus, these fossils are exhibited at the Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆) in Xi’an, providing insight into early human history in the region.
Guanzhong Region
The Western Qin Culture (西秦文化) is one of the significant birthplaces of civilization in western China. From the prehistoric Lantian Man to the Huaxu Kingdom as the origin of Chinese civilization, and the legendary Three Sovereigns (三皇) — Fuxi, Nuwa, and Shennong — Shaanxi’s history spans from the Yangshao culture at Banpo to the establishment of the Qin Dynasty and the continuance of the Han, Sui, and Tang Empires. The Xi’an Incident (西安事变) marked a modern turning point in Chinese history, leading to the announcement of the Western Development Strategy (西部大开发) in Xi’an.
Shaanbei Region
Shaanbei (陕北) is a significant revolutionary site in modern China. Mao Zedong and other early proletarian revolutionaries lived and fought here for 13 years, leaving behind a wealth of revolutionary artifacts, memorial sites, and the rich spiritual heritage known as the Shaanbei Revolutionary Spirit.
There are over 140 revolutionary sites in Shaanbei, with key locations including the Phoenix Mountain site (凤凰山旧址), Yangjialing site (杨家岭旧址), Zaoyuan site (枣园旧址), Wangjiaping site (王家坪旧址), and the Wayaobao Revolutionary Site (瓦窑堡革命旧址) Memorial Museum, all of which are nationally protected sites.
Since the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Shaanbei has been a melting pot of the Huaxia ethnic group (汉族’s precursor) and other ethnic minorities, forming a unique cultural identity that is predominantly Han while incorporating influences from northern pastoral cultures. Notable figures like General Meng Tian (蒙恬) and Fusu, the eldest son of Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇), were stationed here during the Qin Dynasty, building the Great Wall and leaving behind a rich historical and cultural legacy related to ancient border defense.
Shannan Region
The central and western areas of Shaanxi are characterized by Shu culture (蜀文化), while the eastern parts embody Qin and Chu cultures (秦、楚文化); these regions are significant birthplaces of the Han ethnicity. Liu Bang (刘邦) was titled King of Han, leading to the naming of the Han Dynasty and the Han people. Liu Bei (刘备) also declared himself king in Hanzhong (汉中), hence the term “Shu Han” (蜀汉) for his regime.
Shaanxi is one of the cradles of ancient Chinese civilization, with evidence of human habitation dating back approximately 800,000 to 1,200,000 years. The Lantian Man and the Longgangsi Man (龙岗寺人) lived in this region, utilizing primitive tools for gathering and hunting. The Longgangsi Paleolithic site, dating to the early Middle Pleistocene, is recognized as one of the three major Paleolithic sites in Asia.
Cultural Relics and Historical Sites
As of 2011, Shaanxi has approximately 35,800 cultural relic sites, 151 museums, and a collection of around 900,000 cultural artifacts. The density, quantity, and quality of these relic sites rank first in China. Notable sites include the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, Qianling (乾陵), Maoling (茂陵), Yangling (阳陵), Huangdi Mausoleum (黄帝陵), and Famen Temple (法门寺), along with the city walls, Stele Forest (碑林), and the Bell and Drum Towers (钟鼓楼) in Xi’an. Shaanxi is home to 72 named imperial tombs, earning it the title of “Valley of Eastern Emperors” (东方帝王谷).
By 2019, the number of national key cultural relic protection units in Shaanxi had increased to 270. According to the third national survey of cultural relics, there are currently 49,058 immovable cultural relics in Shaanxi, ranking among the top in the country.
Museums across Shaanxi display rare treasures like Western Zhou bronzes, Qin copper chariots, Han stone sculptures, Tang gold and silver artifacts, and Song ceramics, showcasing the splendor of the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties.
Revolutionary Sacred Sites
In modern times, Shaanxi is known as the cradle of the Chinese revolution. On October 19, 1935, the Red Army’s Long March reached Wuqi Town in Shaanbei, where the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China operated and fought for 13 springs and autumns. Yan’an became a revolutionary sacred site, where the Communist Party led the national Anti-Japanese War and the Liberation War.
Historical Cities
National historical and cultural cities (6): Xi’an (西安), Yan’an (延安), Hancheng (韩城), Yulin (榆林), Xianyang (咸阳), Hanzhong (汉中).
Provincial-level historical and cultural cities (11): Huangling (黄陵), Fengxiang (凤翔), Qian County (乾县), Sanyuan (三原), Pucheng (蒲城), Huayin (华阴), Chenggu (城固), Mian County (勉县), Fugu (府谷), Shenmu (神木), Jia County (佳县).
Intangible Cultural Heritage
As of 2022, Shaanxi Province has four UNESCO intangible cultural heritage projects: Xi’an Drum Music (西安鼓乐), Chinese Paper-Cutting (中国剪纸), Chinese Shadow Play (中国皮影戏), and Xianyang Fucha (咸阳茯茶), along with 91 national-level representative projects and 674 provincial-level representative projects.
Dialects
Shaanxi dialects refer to the dialects spoken within the province. Influenced by geography, history, politics, and migration, the dialects in Shaanxi vary greatly from pronunciation to vocabulary. Overall, Shaanxi dialects can be divided into three categories: Guanzhong (关中) dialect, Shaanbei (陕北) dialect, and Shannan (陕南) dialect. South of the Qinling Mountains (秦岭), with the exceptions of Luonan (洛南), Shangzhou (商州), and Danfeng (丹凤), is the Shannan dialect area; north of Yanliang (延长), Ganquan (甘泉), and Yan’an (延安) except for Dingbian (定边) is the Shaanbei dialect area; areas outside of the Shaanbei and Shannan dialect zones comprise the Guanzhong dialect area.
The Guanzhong dialect is further divided into the Xifu (西府) dialect (Baoji (宝鸡) and western Xianyang (咸阳)) and the Dongfu (东府) dialect (most of Xi’an (西安), Xianyang, Weinan (渭南), and Tongchuan (铜川)), which is one of the oldest languages in China. During the Western Zhou period, the Guanzhong dialect was known as “Elegant Speech” (雅言), as recorded in the “Shipu” (诗谱): “The Shang kings did not practice elegance, but elegance originated from Zhou.” The Guanzhong dialect served as the official language during the Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties.
Cuisine
Shaanxi cuisine (陕西菜) features bold flavors, spicy and sour dishes, and is characterized by the use of vinegar, garlic, and chili. Xi’an’s Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍) is a must-try dish, consisting of lamb soup served with bread. Other popular dishes include Liangpi (凉皮), a cold noodle dish, and various dumplings. Shaanxi also boasts unique snacks like Roujiamo (肉夹馍), known as the “Chinese hamburger.”
Traditional Festivals
- Chongyang Festival (重阳节): Celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, it honors the elderly and emphasizes health and well-being.
- Qin Culture Festival (秦文化节): Held annually to showcase Shaanxi’s rich history and culture.
- Xi’an Lantern Festival (西安灯会): An important festival showcasing lantern displays, cultural performances, and traditional snacks.
Shaanxi is a province rich in historical and cultural significance, where ancient traditions meet modern life. Its diverse ethnicities, cultural relics, and revolutionary history make it a fascinating destination for those interested in exploring Chinese culture.
