Xima Terrace is one of the earliest existing historical sites in Xuzhou. In 206 BC, after Xiang Yu, the heroic figure of the world, destroyed the Qin Dynasty, he proclaimed himself the Hegemon-King of Western Chu and made Pengcheng his capital. On the Nanshan Mountain about a mile south of the city, he built a high platform to watch horse shows, hence the name Xima Terrace. Xima Terrace is built step by step according to the topography of the hill, with an orderly and well-arranged layout.
In different dynasties, many buildings were constructed on the platform, such as Taitousi Temple, Sanyi Temple, Minghuan Shrine, Juguishan Academy, Songcui Mountain House, stele pavilion records and so on. On the north side of Xima Terrace, there are scenic spots such as a winding corridor, Zhuisheng Pavilion, Jicui Pavilion, horse-tying post and Niaozhui trough. There are more than 50 stone carvings of poems and lyrics chanting Xima Terrace by literati and refined scholars of different dynasties embedded in the winding corridor. Xima Hall is the main hall, surrounded by corridors. Twenty-four red pillars are arranged around the hall, and the four walls are carved window lattices. The screen in the hall is the picture of ‘Autumn Wind and Horse Show’, reflecting the scene of Xiang Yu watching his soldiers practicing horse riding under the company of Yu Ji. The murals in the east annex hall are made of 144 square and rectangular brick blanks of different sizes carved and fired. It is 9 meters long and 2 meters high. The picture of Xiang Zhuang performing sword dance describes the tense atmosphere of the Feast at Hongmen. The west annex hall is a large mural, depicting the scene of the Hegemon-King bidding farewell to his beloved concubine after his defeat at Gaixia. As Xima Terrace is located at a relatively high place, when you climb up and look around, the ancient city comes into view. Therefore, it is also a good place for sightseeing in Xuzhou urban area.Opening hours: Open all year round from 09:00 to 17:00.
