Hi,
We will be traveling to Xi'an for a stay of 3 1/2 days. Is the Bànpo Bówùguan (Bànpo Neolithic Village)worth seeing? Love archaeology- so anything else in that vein would be welcome.
What is the best way to get to Shanghai from Xi'an?

I'd be interested to hear what someone with a serious interest in archaeology thinks of this. To the average visitor it's little more than a rather poorly presented collection of holes in the ground, which used to be marked with absurd labels suggesting that early Chinese were naturally communist, as demonstrated by this or that evidence of communal activities. The site certainly isn't curated to Western standards, and tends to try and boost attendance with side exhibitions of salacious content dressed up as ethnology. Another hall makes ridiculous comparisons between Banpo and Africa. Visitors without a special interest in archaeology should really give it all a miss. The burial jars for children are haunting, but little else at the site is memorable.

China's record on archaeological sites is not good. There's recently been public criticism of the state of the Peking Man site, which was in a pretty poor state when I last saw it. There are other sites outside Beijing and outside Shaoxing which I've seen which have been well looked after and are worth visiting, as well as others, should you return to China another time. These are both tomb sites, and of course the greatest of their kind yet discovered in China is also just outside Xi'an, as hardly needs pointing out.

There are several flights a day from Xi'an to Shanghai, and seven train services, the fastest of which take about 17 hours.

Peter N-H
http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

Hi,mweiner,
The Banpo Neolithic Village Siteis still under repair, I don't think you can see anything there because the main hall was closed last year.
The overnight train from Xi'an to Shanghai:T140(depart at 18:26 and arrive at 11:25)
Flight:
1)Hongqiao Airport
CA1215 10:10--11:55
MU2523 11:20--13:25
FM204 11:30--13:20
HU7845 11:45--13:40
MU2501 15:50--17:40
EM202 17:00--18:45
2)Putong Airport
MU295 8:00--9:50
mu291 8:20--10:10
Enjoy your trip!

[email protected]

Ymasimon's helpful post reminded me of a Very Important Point - if you do fly, BE SURE TO FLY INTO HONG QIAO AIRPORT if at all possible. Pudong airport is at least an hour outside of town, wheras Hong Qiao is only 20 - 30 minutes, depending on where you're going (well, if your hotel is in Pudong, it would be 40 minutes from Hong Qiao, but still likely faster than Pudong airport, which is nearly an hour even from the outskirts of the hotel area in Pudong).

Have a great trip!

Thank you everyone- especially Peter. Are there any other archeaological sites outside Xi'an or Shanghai? I know there are some near Beijing, but do not have time for them this trip. I would welcome the opportunity to meet some Chinese paleoanthropologists if anyone knows any.