Shaanxi | Molding a Millennium of Spirit in Yellow Earth

Liuying Village in Fengxiang, Shaanxi Province, known as "China's First Clay Sculpture Village," has a history of clay sculpture dating back to the Western Zhou period of pre-Qin era. The villagers' ancestors were soldiers under Zhu Yuanzhang who, after retiring from military service, resumed their pottery craftsmanship, creating "clay goods" from yellow earth to ward off evil and bring good fortune. Today, these clay sculptures have gained recognition far beyond the village: the main designs for the 2002 Year of the Horse and 2003 Year of the Sheep zodiac stamps were created by Liuying Village artisans. Hu Xinmin's "Peace Horse" and "Prosperity Sheep" have become "national gifts." Most interestingly, though villagers had never seen a real tiger, they created majestic "Sitting Tigers" from imagination. The tiger's facial patterns hold hidden meanings - peonies replace the character for "king" to symbolize prosperity, a chili pepper in the nose represents spiciness, and the fish-shaped eyebrows originate from the fertility worship of the Yangshao culture. When tired from exploring, a bowl of hot and sour Xifu Saozi noodles is perfect to awaken your taste buds. At Fengxiang Restaurant in Liuying Village, you can enjoy tofu flower paomo and cured donkey meat. Like the clay sculptures, the local cuisine embodies the boldness and ingenuity of northwestern people. During festivals, you can watch shadow puppet shows - the leather puppets behind the screen engage in a dialogue with clay figurines, demonstrating the beauty of traditional arts in harmony. From humble "earth toys" to "national gifts" featured on postage stamps, the story of Shaanxi's clay sculpture village is one of clay's triumph. The artisans mold not just clay but their love for life, as reflected in a Liuying Village saying: "The more clay sculptures you make, the more profitable it becomes" - what was once a "money-losing business" has now become a "golden industry" for rural revitalization. Next time you're in Shaanxi, don't forget to take home a "Sitting Tiger." It guards not just peace but also a cultural legend spanning three thousand years. Opening Hours 1. China Clay Sculpture Cultural Park - Recommended visiting time: 1-2 hours (can be extended to half a day for in-depth clay sculpture culture experience or intangible cultural heritage study activities). 2. Clay Sculpture Experience Park and Intangible Cultural Heritage Study Base - Experience hours: Generally aligned with daytime visiting hours, some activities require advance reservation - Accommodation: Standard rooms or hostel accommodation available in the village, priced at CNY 45 per person, check in available 24 hours. - Admission: China Clay Sculpture Cultural Park is free to enter, but some experience activities require additional fees (such as CNY 25 per person for intangible heritage coloring craft, CNY 30 per study program). - Transportation Tips: - Self-driving: Navigate to "Liuying Village parking lot," free parking available 24 hours. - Public transport: Take a bus from Xi'an West Bus Station to Fengxiang (about 2.5 hours), then transfer to local bus or taxi.