Xi'an is a cradle of ancient Chinese civilization. Nurtured by the imperial culture of successive dynasties, it boasts a profound tradition of etiquette and retains the elegant charm of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Local people are simple and sincere and the folk culture here is rich in connotations. People in the Guanzhong region have developed distinctive lifestyles in clothing, food, housing, transportation and entertainment.
Local folk culture is inherited and promoted through various folk crafts and traditional cultural and sports activities. It covers calligraphy, painting, paper-cutting, carving, operas, songs, dances and folk arts, as well as featured activities such as Shehuo folk performances, spring swing playing, spring outings and kite flying, and the Ancient City Wall Marathon. Tourists can not only savour the profound imperial cultural heritage of the ancient capital, but also experience the rich and simple local customs of Northwest China.
Qinqiang Opera:
Qinqiang opera, one of China's oldest operas, is a national-level intangible cultural heritage. It originated in Guanzhong Area with 2,000-year history, known as the “Ancestor of Operas”. It features powerful and resonant vocals as well as bold and unrestrained performances. Accompanied by gongs and drums, it mostly depicts historical stories and folk tales.
Shadow Puppetry:Shadow puppetry originated in the Han Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty. It is a classic traditional folk art, known as the living fossil of Chinese folk operas. Puppets are carved from animal hides. With lights and screens, they tell vivid stories, combined with singing and music. This art has been popular for thousands of years and remains timeless.
Xi'an Drum Music：Xi'an Drum Music evolved from court banquet music of the Tang Dynasty and fully preserved its traditional performance repertoires, musical notation styles and performance practices. In 2009, it was officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Shaanxi Paper-cutting:It is a classic local hollow-out folk art of Shaanxi. Featuring vivid and exquisite designs with distinct regional characteristics, it enjoys widespread popularity.
Huxian County Farmers' Paintings:Rooted in rural folk culture, they feature simple and straightforward brushwork, vividly depicting rural daily work, life and folk festivals. Their plain style carries strong artistic appeal.
Xi'an Capital City God Temple:Built in the Ming Dynasty, it is one of China's largest and best-preserved city god temples.
City Wall Spring Festival Lantern Show:It has been held every Spring Festival since 1984. As an iconic traditional folk cultural event in Xi'an, it combines traditional lantern art with modern lighting design.
Xi'an City Wall Marathon:Xi'an City Wall Marathon was first held in 1993. The race runs along the 13.7-kilometer-long ancient city wall built in the Ming Dynasty and is hailed as the world's only marathon race staged on an ancient city wall.
Hongquan Boxing:Originating in the Zhou and Qin dynasties, it is a traditional local martial art school native to Shaanxi Province. It was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2008. Featuring powerful and unrestrained movements, it boasts both practical combat value and ornamental appeal.
