Xi'an was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and capital of eleven dynasties, guarding the buried army of China's first emperor. Its intact Ming city wall still rings the old town.
Why visit Xi'an
Xi'an was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and capital of eleven dynasties, guarding the buried army of China's first emperor. Its intact Ming city wall still rings the old town.
Top highlights
Terracotta Army — Stand before the life-sized warriors, horses and chariots buried to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb.
City Wall — Cycle or walk the 14 km Ming-era wall that still encloses Xi'an's historic center.
Muslim Quarter — Eat your way through the halal lanes of roujiamo, biangbiang noodles and persimmon cakes.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda — Climb the Tang-dynasty pagoda built to house Buddhist scriptures brought from India.
The ranked warriors of the Terracotta Army.The Ming city wall at dusk.Sizzling stalls of the Muslim Quarter.The Big Wild Goose Pagoda by night.
See the Terracotta Army first thing in the morning to beat tour groups, and rent a bike on the city wall at sunset for the best light.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1 — Terracotta Army morning, then city wall and a bike ride at sunset. Day 2 — Muslim Quarter, Bell and Drum Towers, Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Day 3 — Shaanxi History Museum, evening train to the next stop.
