Xi'an — Cradle of Chinese Civilization

The Eternal City

Xi'an (西安), formerly known as Chang'an (长安), meaning "Perpetual Peace," was the capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, including the mighty Tang Dynasty when it was the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the world.

Historical Significance: Xi'an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. At its peak (Tang Dynasty, 618–907 AD), Chang'an had over 1 million residents and was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road.

Top Attractions

Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑)

Discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a well, this is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The army of over 8,000 life-sized warriors, horses, and chariots was buried with China's First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in 210–209 BC.

Detail	Information
Entrance fee	¥120 (March–November), ¥90 (December–February)
Time needed	3–5 hours
Distance from city	40 km (1 hr by bus)
Best time	Early morning (8:30 AM) to beat crowds
Getting there	Tourist Bus 5 (306) from Xi'an Railway Station

Pit Guide:

• Pit 1 — The main attraction: 6,000 infantry soldiers in battle formation
• Pit 2 — Mixed forces: cavalry, archers, and chariots
• Pit 3 — The command center: highest-ranking officers

Ancient City Wall (西安城墙)

The most complete city wall still standing in China. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1370 AD), it's 13.7 km in circumference, 12 meters tall, and 15–18 meters wide at the top.

• Activities: Cycling (bike rental on top), walking, sunset views
• Best time: Late afternoon, sunset views are spectacular
• Entrance: ¥54, bikes ¥45 for 2 hours

Muslim Quarter (回民街)

A vibrant neighborhood dating back to the Silk Road era when Arab and Persian merchants settled in Xi'an. The Great Mosque of Xi'an here is one of the oldest and most renowned mosques in China, blending Chinese architecture with Islamic function.

Food Experience: The Muslim Quarter is Xi'an's #1 food destination:

• Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍) — Crumbled flatbread in lamb soup
• Roujiamo (肉夹馍) — "Chinese hamburger" with spiced meat
• Biangbiang Noodles (Biángbiáng面) — Wide hand-pulled noodles
• Lamb Skewers (羊肉串) — Uyghur-style cumin-spiced skewers

Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔)

Built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang. The surrounding square features the largest musical fountain in Asia (evening shows).

Food in Xi'an

Xi'an's cuisine reflects its Silk Road heritage — a fusion of Chinese and Central Asian influences:

Dish	Description
Roujiamo	Flatbread stuffed with braised pork or lamb
Yangrou Paomo	Dense bread soaked in rich lamb broth
Cold Noodles (凉皮)	Refreshing rice noodles with chili oil
Biangbiang Noodles	Belt-wide noodles — the character "biáng" has 58 strokes!
Lamb Soup (水盆羊肉)	Clear lamb soup, a winter favorite

Getting Around

From Airport

• Xi'an Xianyang Airport (XIY) — Airport bus (60 min, ¥25) or taxi (~¥120)

Public Transport

• Metro: 8 lines, connects major attractions
• Bus: Extensive network, Tourist Bus 5/306 to Terracotta Warriors
• Didi: Affordable and convenient

Where to Stay

Area	Best For
Bell Tower area	Central, walking distance to Muslim Quarter
South Gate area	Historic vibe, boutique hotels
Near Big Wild Goose Pagoda	Modern, upscale hotels
Near Railway Station	Budget-friendly, bus to Terracotta Warriors

Suggested Itinerary (3 Days)

• Day 1: Terracotta Warriors → Huaqing Hot Springs → Evening at Bell Tower
• Day 2: Ancient City Wall (bike ride) → Shaanxi History Museum → Muslim Quarter dinner crawl
• Day 3: Big Wild Goose Pagoda → Great Mosque → Small Wild Goose Pagoda → Dumpling Banquet

Day Trips

• Mount Hua (华山) — One of China's Five Sacred Mountains, famous for the "world's most dangerous hike" (30 min by high-speed train)
• Hanyangling Mausoleum — Han Dynasty tomb with smaller terracotta figurines (40 min by taxi)

Best Souvenir: Terracotta Warrior replicas from the factory near the museum, where you can see how they're made. Buy directly for the best prices.