Discover Xinzhou: History, Crafts and Cuisine

The ancient city of Xinzhou brings together its founding during the Eastern Han period, a reconstruction based on a Ming-era model, and the building history of the Caishen Temple, alongside craft traditions, local cuisine and Xiurong Academy. There are several ways to explore the city on your trip: discover it through its historical layers, focus on a major attraction, or explore its crafts and food. Nearby, Diao Chan’s home is located in Muzhi Village.

A City with Several Historical Layers

The ancient city of Xinzhou was founded in 215 AD during the Eastern Han Dynasty. It was reconstructed based on research into its original Ming-era form. These details refer to different periods: the founding date points to the city’s early history, while the reconstruction draws on a later historical model. Xinzhou’s history of construction therefore cannot be reduced to a single period.

One specific site within the ancient city is the Caishen Temple. It was founded during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty; however, the buildings that survive today mostly date from a renovation in 1845, during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty. On June 6, 2007, the temple was designated a municipally protected cultural heritage site. The founding date and the construction date of the buildings that mostly survive are therefore not the same—a useful distinction when considering the building’s history.

Xiurong Academy and Its Museum

Xiurong Academy is considered a major attraction within the ancient city. It sits on a hill in the southwest and offers views across the entire ancient city. Its location and outlook provide a different perspective from the building history of individual structures: here, you can take in the urban landscape as a whole.

The Xiurong Academy Museum includes a themed exhibition hall titled “A Century of Brilliance.” If this particular exhibition is important to your visit, it’s best to check in advance whether it is currently on display.

Crafts and Performances

The ancient city has shops featuring intangible cultural heritage crafts, including wood carving, carved gourd bottles and distinctive paper cutting. These crafts give your exploration a tangible local focus; the selection at individual shops may vary.

A performance of the intangible cultural heritage art of iron flowers has also been staged in the ancient city, drawing many visitors to stop and watch. If you’re planning your visit specifically around a performance like this, it’s best to check the current schedule. That way, you can consider it as a possible addition to your trip without assuming it is a regular feature.

Local Specialities

Local dishes in the ancient city include Hongmian Yuyu, Yiwosu and oat noodle nests. These names give you three specific starting points if you’d like to explore Xinzhou’s specialities. Which ones individual vendors serve may vary. Together with the craft traditions, the dishes offer another way to experience the city, whether you’re more interested in history, handicrafts or food during your visit.

Choosing a Focus for Your Stay

When choosing a holiday rental in Xinzhou, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip. Would you like the ancient city—with its history, Caishen Temple, academy, crafts and cuisine—to be the centre of your stay? Or would you also like to include a place to visit nearby? Diao Chan’s home is in Muzhi Village, three kilometres southeast of Xinzhou, on the route from Taiyuan or Xinzhou to Yuwang Cave. This gives you a distinct nearby point of interest in addition to the attractions within the ancient city.

Discover more destinations: Weinan, Xi’an, Tongchuan, Shangluo, Shuozhou, Yan’an, Lvliang, Ankang

For the broader travel overview: Shaanxi.