Xiama Ling, also called Xiama Alley, is located near the Heping Gate in Xi'an today, namely the alley between the Wenchang Gate and Heping Gate, about 800 meters long in total.

         

Once, when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty passed by the tomb of Dong Zhongshu, the well-known reformer of the Han Dynasty, the emperor got off the horse to walk by foot, in order to show respect for this master. So the folks called the site Xiama Ling (Xia Ma下马: get off the horse). Since the word "Xia Ma" is pronounced "Ha Ma" in Shaanxi dialect, namely 蛤蟆 (Toad in English), the site is also called Hama Ling.

In the Ming Dynasty, the area that gathered Xi'an Confucian Temple, Guanzhong Academy and Hama Ling always attracted literati and tourists. During the Anti-Japanese War of the last century, Xiama Ling was also the important political center in Xi'an.

Let’s now check the special spots to explore along the Xiama Ling Alley and nearby!

Spot 1: Tomb of Dong Zhongshu

Initiating the concept “The ruler should pay supreme tribute to Confucianism while rejecting all other schools of thought”, Dong Zhongshu, the crucial scholar of the Western Han dynasty, has been marked in history since then. His tomb is located at a courtyard 600 meters west of the Heping Gate now, the southern section of the City Wall.

         

At the beginning of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the tomb with the grave mound had a circumference of more than 40 meters and a height of 6 meters. Before the tomb, there was a stele inscribed "Tomb of Dong Zhongshu of Han Dynasty" by Bi Yuan, the governor of Shaanxi during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. For the tomb was severely damaged in the 1950s, the grave mound is now only 2 meters high, and there is a protection sign set up by the Xi'an Municipal People's Government before the grave.

Spot 2 No.2 Hotpot at Xiama Ling

The shop was one of the earliest Beijing-style hotpot restaurants in Xi'an. With all the classic hotpot dishes here, you may enjoy the authentic Beijing-style hotpot.

The decoration is filled with strong Beijing vibe, with blue brick wall, big teapots, bamboo curtains, red lanterns... You may capture various Beijing elements on the photo wall, such as Beijing Opera, courtyards, and Tanghulu. List of dishes is written on a hand fan with the Chinese brush. There is also a private room full of floor-to-ceiling windows with a few green plants inside, elegant and chic.

                       

         

Spot 3 At This Moment

A small and warm private kitchen, mainly serving seafood, all the dishes together form the private menu of the restaurant.      

         

Spot 4 Squirrel Cafe

The shop has settled in Xiama Ling for 11 years. Though not big, the shop is warm and peaceful enough. There are many niche books in the store, as well as sharing sessions and reading club activities, a special space is thus created to enjoy the time with the City Wall.

                       

         

Spot 5 WAVE BREWERY

This is a small American-style store, with retro green the theme color. The beer is privately brewed via featured factories, coming out with distinctive flavors, each type of craft beer is endowed with its own characteristics and texture.

                       

         

Having collected enough views afar, you may want to retrieve the serenity nearby. Come to Xiama Ling along the City Wall and find your inner peace.

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