Released on: October 28, 2008, 1:39 am

Press Release Author: Eric, an excellent China tour operator with China Connection
Tours

Industry: Internet & Online

Press Release Summary: Located in Xian, the ancient capital of China, Gao's Family
Compound is really worth visiting. Being here, you will be exposed to the unique
Shaanxi folklore, including the paper-cut, shadow play, etc.

Press Release Body: Located in west region of China, Xian which is the ancient
capital of China now becomes a modern city. However, history still can be seen in
every corner of the city, the 400-year-old Gao's family Compound is one of these
relics.

Among the major cities in China, Xian is a city famous for its completed ancient
City Wall which is a must-see for every traveler who travels to Xian. The center
area surrounded by the 14 kilometers' long wall was formed in Tang Dynasty, about
over 1000 years ago. Today it remains the center of Xian as well as the place where
keeps the largest number of historical relics in Xian. Gao's Family Compound just
suites in Beiyuanmen Street, the west part of this center area.

Walking on this bluestone-built street, you can not miss the Gao's Family Compound.
The 4-meter high magnificent gate is rather eye-catching in this narrow pedestrian
street. It is said by the local people that you can ride a horse through it without
bending your head. Therefore, the gate is also named as "horse walking gate".

Entering this compound, you are "blocked" by a dedicated caved stone wall, also
named "shadow wall". In ancient China, most of the affluent families had this kind
of wall in their yard. Its main function is to prevent people passing by from
looking into the situation in the courtyard. In addition, the camphor wood-caved
screen can be seen around. This also reveals the master's intention to protect his
own privacy from the public space.

Being here, you can experience the immense folklore culture with typical Shaanxi
local characteristics. It takes quite a while for you to appreciated the nearly
hundred of paper-cut works are displayed here. Compared with the paper-cut custom in
other regions, the Shaanxi paper-cut is bolder and rough, full of local color.
There is one thing you shouldn't miss when you visit the Gao's Family Compound, i.e.
the performance of Shadow Play. Shaanxi Province is the birth place of shadow play.
It has a history of more than 2,000 years. Shadow play is a play presented by
casting shadows of puppets or actors on a screen. These shadow figures are
exquisitely made. First, choose the superior skin of donkey or cattle. Put it into
the water to soften it until it looks smooth and transparent. Now the actor, house,
animals or scenery can be carved delicately and then you need to paint them in
bright colors. When these figures are fully dry, paint them in Chinese wood oil. The
last step is to attach some fine thread to them and you can operate them by holding
this. When the shadow play is performed, a light is usually set behind a white
cloth. The artists stand behind the cloth to perform the figures as well as sing the
lines while the audiences watch the performance with absorbing interests at the
other side of the cloth.

Xian Travel Guide: Gao's Family Compound is located at Lianhu District, close to the
Drum Tower. In order to better express the traditional Chinese culture to travelers,
there are Chinese-speaking, English-speaking, French-speaking and Spanish-Speaking
guides available. These guides will provide detailed introduction for travelers.
When enjoying the Shadow Play, audiences can not only watch the performance but also
see how the artists operate the shadow figures in backstage. The entrance fee for
Gao's Family Compound is RMB15/Person.


Web Site: http://www.china-tour.cn

Contact Details: China Connection Tours has over twenty-years of experience in tour
operating and specializes in custom China tours for individuals and groups; offers
more than 300 China tour packages: Classical China tours, Yangtze tours, Yunnan
tours, Tibet tours...
Tel: (800) 320 9088 (for US & Canada area, 7 X 24 service)
+86 (29) 8765 0440 (local number, 7 X 24 service)
+86 (29) 8765 0440 (9:00am to 7:00pm)
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Email: info@china-tour.cn
Website: www.china-tour.cn