Things to do in Zhashui

Niubeiliang Forest Park is truly a hidden gem, a natural oxygen bar that no one knows about. Xi'an is especially hot, so I looked up nearby summer resorts, and they were really cool and refreshing. Hiking and playing in the water was so much fun!

#### Review of the Qin-Chu Ancient Road in Zhongnan Mountain, Zhashui (Historical Perspective) The Qin-Chu Ancient Road in Zhongnan Mountain, Zhashui, is not only a scenic hiking route but also a "living fossil" carrying a rich history. As a section of the historically vital "Yigu Road," connecting the Qin and Chu states, it has witnessed thousands of years of vicissitudes. This ancient road stretches 15 kilometers from Xiaoyukou in Yingpan Town, Zhashui County, Shaanxi Province in the south to Tianduchi in Chang'an Prefecture in the north. It was once a crucial transportation route between the ancient Qin and Chu states. Walking along this ancient post road, one can almost hear the echoes of history and feel the bustling activity of merchants and soldiers. The ancient road not only boasts stunning natural scenery but also preserves many precious cultural relics, such as Zhao Kuangyin's gambling den, Wang Bozi's shop, and the ruins of the Flower Gate Tower. These relics, like pearls scattered in the river of history, string together vivid historical stories, adding a rich cultural atmosphere to the ancient road. Embarking on the ancient Qin-Chu road is not only a journey to conquer mountains and get close to nature, but also a cultural exploration that transcends millennia. Here, you can touch the traces of history, feel the sedimentation of time, and experience the unique charm of "a mountain dividing north and south, a step across a thousand years."

The Shaanxi History Museum is incredibly popular; I tried to book several days in advance but couldn't get a reservation… so I booked a guided tour, which made my trip to Xi'an worthwhile. I saw so many treasures inside, but the most memorable were: 1. The Duoyou Ding: A bronze vessel from the reign of King Li of the Western Zhou Dynasty, with a 278-character inscription cast on its inner wall. My teacher said that the more inscriptions on a bronze vessel, the more valuable it is, and the more helpful it is for modern research into specific periods of ancient history. This elevated the value of the ding to an all-time high. 2. The Sancai Camel Carrying Musicians: A masterpiece of Tang Dynasty Sancai pottery, this camel carries eight small terracotta figures, each with expressive features and holding various musical instruments, depicting a scene of dance and music reflecting the fusion of Han and non-Han cultures during the prosperous Tang Dynasty. It would definitely be considered overloaded on a modern road, haha! 😂 3. The Gold-Inlaid Beast-Head Agate Cup: Listed by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage as one of the first 64 national treasures permanently prohibited from being exhibited abroad. Exquisitely crafted, the cup's body mimics the shape of animal horns, with the front carved into a bull-shaped head, its eyes wide open and piercing. This is a unique piece in China. 4. Gilded Silver Ewer with Dancing Horse and Cup Design: The only artifact that provides concrete evidence of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's "Dancing Horse Birthday Celebration" ceremony. The dancing horse and cup design on the ewer is clearly defined and features flowing lines. It is said that there is a heartbreaking story behind these dancing horses: During the Tang Dynasty, these meticulously trained court dancing horses would kneel and bow, holding wine cups in their mouths, to offer birthday wishes to the emperor. However, after the An Lushan Rebellion, they were scattered into the military camps of regional warlords and mixed into the army. When the dancing horses heard the drums and horns of the military camp, they thought the performance had begun and began to dance to the beat. The stablemen, terrified, considered this "monster" and whipped them. The dancing horses, mistaking the rhythm for being off, danced even more vigorously. Seeing this, the stablemen whipped them even more, killing them. The dancing horses thus disappeared. Therefore, this treasure is a top-tier national treasure, prohibited from leaving the country, bearing witness to the legend of "Dancing Horses and Cups." The teachers only explained the museum's most prized possessions during this visit, and there were still so many artifacts we didn't have time to see. I look forward to visiting Xi'an again next time.