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🏛️ History · Qin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
🌍 Around the time Rome was becoming a Mediterranean power
The First Emperor’s Afterlife
Meet Qin Shi Huang, the Qin ruler who first unified China, through the silent ranks of his terracotta army. Look closely at the varied faces, armor, horses, and traces of an enormous underground world built to guard an emperor beyond death.
Terracotta Warriors兵马俑
The Terracotta Warriors are an awe‑inspiring archaeological attraction just outside Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China. These life‑sized clay figures—each with unique facial features a
Book ahead — tickets open 7 days beforeBring your passport (real-name entry)
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum秦始皇陵博物院
Prepare to have your jaw drop because standing before the Terracotta Army is an utterly surreal, bucket-list experience! Buried for over 2,200 years to guard China's first emperor,
🌍 While Europe’s early medieval kingdoms were taking shape
Chang’an, Capital of the Tang World
Tang means the dynasty that made Chang’an one of the world’s great imperial capitals, filled with diplomats, poets, monks, and merchants. Trace that vanished grandeur from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, once linked to Buddhist scholarship, to the former Xingqing Palace grounds and the city wall.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda大雁塔
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and originally had five stories, although
Bring your passport (real-name entry)
Xingqing Palace Park兴庆宫公园
Step right into the romantic heart of the Tang Dynasty! Built on the historical site of the Xingqing Palace—the political and cultural hub where Emperor Xuanzong ruled alongside hi
Xi'an City Wall Scenic Area Ticket Office西安城墙景区售票处
Standing before the ancient gateway where history whispers through massive stone, the Xi'an City Wall Ticket Office is your physical gateway into one of the oldest, largest, and be
Bring your passport (real-name entry)
Grand Tang Dynasty Feast & Hanfu Experience
Immerse yourself in the culinary delights and culture of the Tang Dynasty
Stand among towers, walls, gardens, and pagodas that evoke the tense, theatrical Chang’an of historical fantasy and television drama. Let the city’s surviving landmarks become your set as you imagine night riders, court intrigue, poets, and supernatural visitors moving through the old capital.
🎬 The Longest Day in Chang'an (长安十二时辰) · 2019🎬 Legend of the Demon Cat (妖猫传) · 2017🎬 A Terra-Cotta Warrior (古今大战秦俑情) · 1990
Xi'an City Wall Scenic Area Ticket Office西安城墙景区售票处
Standing before the ancient gateway where history whispers through massive stone, the Xi'an City Wall Ticket Office is your physical gateway into one of the oldest, largest, and be
Bring your passport (real-name entry)
Bell Tower钟楼
The Bell Tower is a stately traditional building that marks the geographical center of the ancient capital. It is one of the grandest of its kind in China and has become a symbol o
Book ahead — tickets open 3 days beforeBring your passport (real-name entry)
Drum Tower鼓楼Bring your passport (real-name entry)
Xingqing Palace Park兴庆宫公园
Step right into the romantic heart of the Tang Dynasty! Built on the historical site of the Xingqing Palace—the political and cultural hub where Emperor Xuanzong ruled alongside hi
Terracotta Warriors兵马俑
The Terracotta Warriors are an awe‑inspiring archaeological attraction just outside Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China. These life‑sized clay figures—each with unique facial features a
Book ahead — tickets open 7 days beforeBring your passport (real-name entry)
🏮 Culture · Every evening
A City at the Crossroads
In the Muslim Quarter, follow the aroma of spices, grilled meats, and breads through a historic maze shaped by centuries of exchange along the Silk Road. Pause at the Great Mosque, whose courtyards blend Chinese architectural language with Islamic religious space, then return to the lively lanes after dark.
Huimin Street回民街
Muslim Quarter in Xi’an (commonly called Huimin Street) is a vibrant network of historic alleys centered around Beiyuanmen, near the Drum and Bell Towers. It’s a centuries‑old encl
Great Mosque of Xi’an
The Great Mosque of Xi’an is one of China’s oldest and most important mosques, first built in 742 CE during the Tang dynasty and largely reconstructed in its current form during th
Dingjia Crispy Beef定家小酥肉
Tucked away in the buzzing alley of Dapiyuan inside Xi'an's historic Muslim Quarter, Dingjia Xiao Su Rou is an absolute holy grail for adventurous food lovers. While 'Su Rou' typic
Yizhenlou一真楼
Tucked right in the bustling labyrinth of Xi'an's legendary Muslim Quarter on Dapiyuan Street, Yizhenlou is an absolute sanctuary for morning food lovers. This iconic culinary inst
Private Xi'an Neighborhood Walking Tour
Choose your preferred time of day and explore two paired neighborhoods
Taste Xi’an through hand-pulled belts of wheat, chili oil, and roujiamo (a flatbread stuffed with braised pork). Compare wide noodles, crisp-edged pork sandwiches, and pao mo (bread softened in a rich broth) at old neighborhood institutions and a lively Tang-style dining hall.
Ziwulu Zhangji Roujiamo (Ziwu Road Main Branch)子午路张记肉夹馍(子午路总店)
Widely praised by foodies, travel bloggers, and local food guides alike, Ziwulu Zhangji Roujiamo is arguably one of the most legendary places in Xi'an to taste China's iconic 'Chin
Fanji Lazhi Roujiamo樊记腊汁肉夹馍
Ma Hong Xiao Chao Pao Mo马洪小炒泡馍
Xi'an Traditional Food Cooking Experience
Craft classic Xi'an dishes with your own hands and savor authentic flavors
Leave the dense old city for the Qinling Mountains, a range whose forests and rock formations frame Xi’an’s southern horizon. Choose between geological drama at Cuihua Mountain, rare plants at the Qinling Botanical Garden, and high mountain views at Hua Mountain.
Cuihua Mountain翠华山
Cuihua Mountain is known for its unique geological formations, including landslides and glacial relics. It offers a variety of hiking trails and scenic spots, making it a great des
Qinling Botanical Garden秦岭植物园
Mount Hua华山Check for temporary closuresBook ahead — tickets open 10 days beforeBring your passport (real-name entry)
Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark秦岭终南山世界地质公园
✂️ Crafts · Living heritage
Light, Paper, and Painted Clay
Discover local craft as something you can touch: cut intricate paper patterns, paint and assemble a shadow puppet, or shape a Fengxiang clay sculpture. Then watch leather figures animate behind a lit screen, revealing shadow puppetry as storytelling made from light, color, and patient hands.
Xi'an Paper-Cutting Cultural Heritage Experience Class
A blend of traditional and modern art, bringing paper-cutting to life.
In Xi’an, you can witness the enchanting traditional Chinese art of shadow puppetry—leather puppets come alive behind softly lit screens, accompanied by music and storytelling root
First time in China? Four things to sort out
🛂 Visa
Many passports can now enter China visa-free for short stays, and many nationalities can transit visa-free for up to 240 hours when flying on to a third country. Rules depend on your passport — check yours before you book.
📱 Paying
China runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay. Both accept foreign Visa and Mastercard after a passport check — set one up before you fly, and carry a little cash as backup.
🎫 Booking sights
Many major sights must be booked in advance under your real name. Foreigners book with their passport number and must show the same passport at the gate. Popular ones sell out.
🌐 Internet
Google, WhatsApp and Instagram don't work on Chinese networks. Most visitors use their home roaming or a travel eSIM.
Turn Xi'an into a trip that actually works
Pick the stories you love and we'll build a day-by-day route — with opening days, passport bookings and transit checked — plus local experiences you can book in one place.
For a first visit, plan 2–3 days. That covers the essentials: Terracotta Army, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter street food.
How do I get to Xi'an?
From Beijing: High-speed train, about 4.5 h. From Shanghai: High-speed train, about 6 h.
When is the best time to visit Xi'an?
Mar–May, Sep–Nov usually has the most comfortable weather.
Which Xi'an sights need to be booked in advance?
Terracotta Warriors (tickets open 7 days ahead), Bell Tower (tickets open 3 days ahead), Mount Hua (tickets open 10 days ahead). Foreigners book with their passport number and must bring the same passport on the day.
What films or shows are set in Xi'an?
The Longest Day in Chang'an (长安十二时辰) (2019), Legend of the Demon Cat (妖猫传) (2017), A Terra-Cotta Warrior (古今大战秦俑情) (1990).