Overview
As the magnificent 13-dynasty imperial capital of ancient China and the official eastern starting point of the entire Silk Road, Xi’an holds unrivaled historical significance, seamlessly combining awe-inspiring ancient relics with lively modern urban life.
The world-famous Terracotta Army is the city’s most iconic attraction: a vast underground mausoleum complex housing thousands of life-sized individually sculpted clay soldiers, horses and chariots built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife, a stunning archaeological wonder recognized as one of humanity’s greatest ancient creations. Encircling the downtown core stands the fully intact Xi’an Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved city rampart remaining in China. Travelers can rent bicycles to cycle along the wide wall top, enjoying sweeping views of traditional grey-tiled courtyards inside the wall and modern skyscrapers beyond, while stopping at historic gate towers for photos. At the city center rise the grand Bell Tower and Drum Tower, ancient timekeeping landmarks with ornate wooden architecture and colorful roof tiles, symbolic of Xi’an’s imperial past. The bustling Muslim Quarter adjacent to the towers is a paradise for food travelers: narrow pedestrian streets lined with stalls selling local Shaanxi specialties including crispy roujiamo meat burgers, spicy biangbiang noodles, sweet persimmon cakes and fragrant lamb soup, alongside Muslim handicrafts and traditional snacks. Additional unmissable sites include the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, built to house ancient Buddhist scriptures brought back along the Silk Road, the serene Tang Dynasty City Ruins Park recreating the glory of China’s golden age, and comprehensive history museums detailing the city’s dual legacy as imperial capital and Silk Road trade origin. Modern Xi’an boasts convenient high-speed rail connections, international airports, diverse accommodation from luxury resorts to budget inns, and vibrant evening entertainment featuring Tang Dynasty costume performances. Every street carries echoes of emperors, merchants, monks and travelers who once set off westward to cross mountains and deserts.
For any Silk Road itinerary, Xi’an delivers a powerful opening chapter, immersing visitors in thousands of years of Chinese imperial history, world-famous archaeological treasures, authentic regional food culture and iconic ancient architecture.
