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BanPo Neolithic Village

The BanPo Neolithic Village (banpo yizhi)is six kilometers east of Xi'an. This excavated site of a village dates back to 4500 BC and was discovered in 1953. The village during this period was called Yangshao and 45 houses, 6 pottery kilns, 200 storage pits, 250 adult's tombs and children's burial jars, 10,000 tools and utensils were unearthed. The distinct culture of these villagers was known as Yangshao culture. The most interesting aspect of this is that Yangshao culture was very matrifocal. There are more female tombs and graves here than male, and the women's graves contain more objects and valuables than their male counterparts do.

Today, the site itself is pretty flat and uninspiring. It takes a lot of imagination to picture how this place used to be and the Disney-style "Yangshao Village" which has been reconstructed at the site makes this area less appealing.

How to get there: Take an East tour from Xi'an or the Green Bus tours that leave from the Bell Tower
Cost: RMB20
Opening hours: 8:00-18:00