Xianyang: Calligraphy, Riverside and Old Street

There are several different ways to plan a trip to Xianyang: calligraphy and history, time by the Wei River, or regional cuisine. The places and offerings highlight cultural, scenic and culinary aspects. You can therefore decide in advance which themes you would like to focus on during your stay.

Calligraphy and History

The Xianyang Museum is part of an official Shaanxi Province cultural route focused on calligraphy. The route is centered on urban Xianyang. If you are interested in calligraphy, the museum offers a thematic point of interest within the city.

The historic site of the ancient Xianyang Ferry dates back to the end of the Shang period; its history spans more than 3,000 years. It is considered the first ferry on the ancient Silk Road and one of the Eight Famous Views of Guanzhong. At the same time, it is an important historical and cultural relic of Xianyang and a cultural highlight of the Xianyang Lake scenic area. Its connections to the Silk Road and Guanzhong provide a regional cultural context alongside its long history.

At Zhongshan Street in Xianyang Ming-Qing Old Street, visitors can browse calligraphy and painting shops. Fans or scrolls can be commissioned there as custom pieces. If you have a particular shop or commission in mind, check availability before your visit: individual shops’ offerings may change.

The Qingweilou Art Museum occasionally hosts calligraphy lectures or activities in which visitors trace written works. As these activities take place only occasionally, check the schedule in advance if you would like to plan your visit around one.

Wei River and Architecture

The Xianyang Lake scenic area is located along the urban stretch of the Wei River in Xianyang and extends for 16.82 kilometers. The riverside path along the Wei River is 2.36 kilometers long and is used in the morning and evening for cooling off, exercise and recreation. These two lengths describe different things: 16.82 kilometers refers to the extent of the scenic area, while 2.36 kilometers is the length of the path. When planning, it is therefore important not to confuse the size of the scenic area with the specific length of the path.

The Gudulang Bridge is 748 meters long and 14 meters wide. It has two levels: the first is for pedestrian traffic, and the second is an observation level for recreation. There are also three pavilions. The figures differ from those for the riverside path: a length is given for the path, while the bridge has both a length and a width, as well as two levels.

Cuisine and Neighborhoods

Xianyang Old Street offers 24 local specialties among more than 100 different regional dishes. A 2024 local tourism report also describes Xianyang Old Street as a historic neighborhood bringing together shopping, entertainment, dining and accommodation. If regional cuisine is part of your trip, it offers a distinct focus alongside calligraphy and the riverside.

Discover more destinations: Tongchuan, Linfen, Weinan, Taiyuan, Jinzhong, Changzhi, Yangquan, Yulin

Return to the main travel overview: Shaanxi.