Xi'an is one of China's oldest and most historically significant cities, serving as the capital for 13 ancient dynasties over a period of more than 1,100 years. Best known as the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road and the home of the legendary Terracotta Army, Xi'an offers an extraordinary journey through Chinese history. The city's rich heritage is visible at every turn — from the imposing Ancient City Wall that encircles the old town center to the towering Bell and Drum Towers, from the ancient Muslim Quarter with its vibrant street food culture to the world-class Shaanxi History Museum. Xi'an is a city where the past feels palpably alive, and where every street corner tells a story spanning millennia. For history enthusiasts and cultural explorers, Xi'an is an absolutely essential destination.
The Terracotta Army (Bingmayong) is Xi'an's most famous attraction and one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a well, this vast underground army consists of approximately 8,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots that were buried with Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, around 210 BCE to protect him in the afterlife. Each soldier has unique facial features, hairstyles, and expressions, making them individual works of art as well as historical artifacts.
The site consists of three main excavation pits, each housed in massive hangar-like structures. Pit 1 is the largest and most impressive, containing over 6,000 figures arranged in battle formation. Pit 2 contains a mix of soldiers, cavalry, and archers, while Pit 3 appears to be the command headquarters. The accompanying museum displays exquisite bronze chariots and weapons found at the site. Allow at least three hours for your visit, and consider hiring a guide to fully appreciate the historical context and significance of what you are seeing.
Travel Tip: The Terracotta Army is located about 40 km east of Xi'an city center. You can reach it by public bus (Tourist Bus Line 5 from the train station), by taxi (about 150-200 RMB one way), or as part of an organized tour. Audio guides are available in multiple languages. Arrive early (before 9 AM) to avoid the largest crowds, and be aware that photography without flash is permitted in all pits.
The Xi'an Ancient City Wall is one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China and the most complete ancient city wall remaining in the world. Originally built during the Tang dynasty and extensively rebuilt during the Ming dynasty (1370), the wall forms a rectangular perimeter of approximately 13.7 kilometers around the old city center. It stands 12 meters tall, is 12-18 meters wide at the top, and features 98 watchtowers, 18 ramparts, and four main gates.
One of the best ways to experience the wall is to rent a bicycle and ride along the top, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the full circuit. The wall is beautifully illuminated at night, and an evening ride offers a magical perspective of the city. You can also walk the wall, which takes about three to four hours. The four main gates — South Gate (Yongning), North Gate (Anyuan), East Gate (Changle), and West Gate (Anding) — each have their own architectural character and historical significance. The South Gate is the most impressive and serves as the main tourist entrance.
The Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) is one of Xi'an's most vibrant and atmospheric neighborhoods, located just behind the Drum Tower in the old city center. This area has been home to Xi'an's Hui Muslim community for over 1,000 years, and it remains a thriving center of Islamic culture and cuisine. The main street and its branching alleyways are packed with food stalls, restaurants, and shops selling everything from dried fruits and nuts to calligraphy and souvenirs. The aromas of grilling meat, baking bread, and simmering spices fill the air, creating an intoxicating sensory experience.
The Muslim Quarter is a food lover's paradise. Must-try dishes include yangrou paomo (pita bread soaked in lamb soup), roujiamo (Chinese hamburger with braised meat), biangbiang noodles (wide, hand-pulled belt noodles), grilled lamb skewers, persimmon cakes, and pomegranate juice freshly squeezed from local fruit. Visit in the evening when the area is at its liveliest, with crowds of locals and tourists filling the narrow streets and the food stalls operating at full capacity. Also worth visiting is the Great Mosque of Xi'an, one of the oldest and largest mosques in China, featuring a unique blend of Chinese and Islamic architectural styles.
The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are two of Xi'an's most iconic landmarks, located at the center of the old city. The Bell Tower, built in 1384 during the Ming dynasty, is a grand wooden structure standing 36 meters tall at the intersection of the city's four main avenues. It originally housed a large bronze bell that was rung at dawn to mark the start of the day. Today, visitors can climb to the top for panoramic views of the city center and admire the traditional Chinese architecture.
The Drum Tower, located just 300 meters to the northwest of the Bell Tower, was built in 1380 and housed a massive drum that was beaten at sunset to signal the end of the day. The tower is slightly smaller than the Bell Tower but equally impressive, with a striking double-eaved roof and a collection of ancient drums on display. Both towers are beautifully illuminated at night and are connected by a pleasant pedestrian square. A combined ticket offers admission to both towers at a discounted price.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta) is one of Xi'an's most famous Buddhist monuments, originally built in 652 AD during the Tang dynasty to store the Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang (the real-life inspiration for the character in "Journey to the West"). The seven-story, 64-meter-tall brick pagoda is an outstanding example of traditional Chinese Buddhist architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Silk Road listing.
The pagoda stands within the scenic Da Ci'en Temple complex, which features beautiful gardens, traditional halls, and a peaceful atmosphere. In the evening, the North Square in front of the pagoda hosts Asia's largest musical fountain show, with water jets synchronized to music and lights — a spectacular free performance. The surrounding area has been developed into a cultural district with museums, shops, and restaurants, making it a pleasant area to spend an afternoon or evening.
The Shaanxi History Museum is widely regarded as one of the best museums in China, housing an extraordinary collection of over 370,000 artifacts spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era. Given that Shaanxi province was the cradle of Chinese civilization and home to several ancient capitals, the museum's collection is exceptionally rich. Highlights include Tang dynasty gold and silver artifacts, ancient bronze vessels, terracotta figurines, murals from Tang dynasty tombs, and the iconic "Flying Horse of Gansu" (a replica of the original in Lanzhou). The museum is free to enter, but you must present your passport to obtain a ticket, and daily numbers are limited. Arrive early, especially during peak season, or book tickets online in advance. An audio guide is highly recommended.
Xi'an is one of China's great food cities, with a culinary tradition shaped by its position at the crossroads of the Silk Road and the influence of its Hui Muslim community. The local cuisine is hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying, with an emphasis on wheat-based dishes, lamb, and bold spices.
The best time to visit Xi'an is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when temperatures are mild and rainfall is minimal. Spring brings blooming flowers and comfortable temperatures of 15-25 C, while autumn offers clear skies and cool evenings. Summer (June to August) can be very hot with temperatures exceeding 35 C, and the city receives most of its rainfall during this period. Winter (December to February) is cold but dry, with temperatures around -5 to 5 C, and the city sees fewer tourists during this season. The Xi'an Ancient City Wall International Marathon, usually held in November, is a unique event for active travelers. Avoid the Chinese National Day holiday (October 1-7) and the Spring Festival period when crowds are overwhelming.
Getting There: Xi'an is well-connected by air, rail, and road. Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) has direct flights from major Chinese and international cities. The Xi'an North Railway Station is a major hub on China's high-speed rail network, with direct services to Beijing (4.5 hours), Shanghai (6 hours), Chengdu (3.5 hours), and many other cities. Within Xi'an, the metro system is efficient and covers most major attractions, supplemented by buses and taxis.