I. Cultural Icons of Shaanxi
4 Introduction
6 Zhougong Temple: A Symbol of the Virtues Throughout the Millennia
10 Terracotta Warriors: The Eighth Wonder of the World
13 Wuzhangyuan: A Plain Remembered for Immortal Faith and Commitment
17 Dayan Pagoda: Master Xuanzang and His Pilgrimage Westward
20 Guanzhong Academy: Where the Guanzhong School Endures
24 Qinling Mountains: Burning a Plank Road
28 Lishan Mountain: King You Tricking His Lords with Beacon Fires
32 Huashan Mountain: A Peak with Breathtaking Precipitousness
36 Hukou Waterfall: The Flow That Inspires the Yellow River Cantata
40 Pagoda Mountain of Yan’an: A Lighthouse of the Chinese Revolution
43 Bell Tower of Xi’an: A Legend of Trapping a Sea-Turtle
II. Customs of Shaanxi
48 Introduction
50 Biangbiang Noodles: A Fantastic Dish with a Fantastic Name
54 Guokui Flatbread: A Wartime Ration of Old
57 Chinese Chili Oil: The Soul of Shaanxi Cuisine
61 Paomo: Served in a Big Bowl with a Warm Heart
64 Oversized Bowls: Filled with Shaanxi People’s Hospitality
66 Handkerchiefs as Headwear: A Blossom on Women’s Heads
69 Single-Slope Rooftops: A Water-Saving Architectural Style
72 Not Marrying Outsiders: Parental Love for Shaanxi Girls to Be Married
74 Preference for Squatting: A Life Style Unique to Shaanxi
77 Shaanxi Opera: Singing the Enflamed Passion of Shaanxi People
III. Unique Arts of Shaanxi
82 Introduction
84 Shaanxi Opera: The Revival of an Ancient Art
88 Meihu: Singing for the Revolution
91 Xintianyou: “Ballads of the Soul” on the Plateau
93 Shaanxi Paper-Cutting: The Woman Who Made Miracles Out of Paper
96 Huyi Farmer Painting: An Echo of Picasso in the East
99 Fengxiang Painted-Clay Sculpture: A “Living Fossil” Out of the Loess
101 Tri-Colored Glazed Pottery of Tang: A Shining Pearl Among Ancient Chinese Ceramics
104 Shadow Puppets: Light and Shade Coming to Life
107 Dough Sculptures: The Wonders of Flour
109 Ansai Waist-Drum Dance: Performance on Tian’anmen Square
IV. Outstanding Figures of Shaanxi
114 Introduction
116 Xuanyuan the Yellow Emperor: The Forefather of Huaxia
119 Cangjie: The Legendary Inventor of Chinese Characters
122 Sima Qian: Historian Par Excellence
125 Sun Simiao: A Great Physician of Unimpeachable Character
128 Zhang Zai: Champion of Social Values and Principles of Life
132 Lu Yao: Faithful to the Ordinary World
135 Chen Zhongshi: Life and Literature on the White Deer Plain
138 Li Zhensheng: “Lord of Wheat” in Modern Times
V. Accomplishments and Inventions of Shaanxi
144 Introduction
146 Qin Highway: The Precursor to the Modern Highway System
150 Zhengguo Canal: Two Thousand Years Nurturing the Guanzhong Plain
154 The Imperial Academy: The Confucian Ideals of Governance
158 The Silk Road: A Bridge Between the East and West
163 The Ten Computational Canons: A Tome of Ancient Chinese Mathematical Wisdom
166 National Northwest Associated University: Dedication to the Nation and to the Progress of Civilization
169 CHINA RAILWAY Express: An Unusual Postman
172 Fuping Dried Persimmon: The Delicious Taste of Prosperity
175 Charming Xi’an: Dreaming Back to the Tang Dynasty
VI. Spirit of Shaanxi
180 Introduction
181 The Yan’an Spirit: Serve the People Wholeheartedly
184 The Westward Spirit: Fulfilling Personal Ideals While Serving the Needs of the Country
