Xi'an Travel Guide

Xi'an is the provincial capital of Shaanxi Province in the northwest of China. As the starting point of the Silk Road, Xi'an possesses a rich historical and cultural wonders that attracts tourists from all over the world. The Terracotta Warriors are the most famous attraction, and their mystery is still being explored. In addition, Xi'an's traditional snacks, Yangrou Paomo in particular, are quite excellent. If you are considering a trip to China, you should put Xi'an at the top of your list.

Best Attractions to See in Xi'an

1. Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors are sculptures made of clay that are located outside the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang and were buried with him after his death. The Terracotta Warriors come in many different shapes, and each was made to live. They stand side by side in neat rows in deep pits as if forming some special matrix. The Terracotta Warriors are the first batch of cultural relics unearthed in China to be listed as World Cultural Heritage, which is enough to show how high its artistic value. One of the most famous is the unearthed copper carriage, which shows a degree of advanced science and technology far beyond imagination. Here, you can see the relics up close and feel the shock it brings you. The Terracotta Warriors not only show the beauty of its ornamental value but also add a sense of mystery to the city of Xi'an.

Terracotta Warriors

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2. Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site

The most renowned imperial tomb in Chinese history is the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang. According to legend, the mausoleum of the First Emperor of Qin was constructed by more than 700,000 individuals. China's first feudal monarch, as well as the soul and mystique of an empire, are entombed beneath a fortress that stood for more than two thousand years. It took 39 years to complete the entire project, and the cemetery is essentially divided into four main portions. A vast number of rare riches are concealed in the underground palace at the center of the cemetery. The Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang was constructed on a colossal scale, equaling 78 Forbidden City in size. Contemporary experts continue to be astonished by the tomb's level of craftsmanship. In addition to appreciating the fine traditional Chinese building skills, visitors may also learn about the history of China's progress.

3. Bell Tower

You can't really visit Xi'an until you visit the Bell Tower. As a landmark building in Xi'an, the Bell Tower is one of the popular spots that many people visit to take photos. The Bell Tower was an important part of the royal Time Telling System in ancient times and was usually built right in the center of the city. Walk up to the second floor of the Bell Tower and pass through a gate to enter the viewing platform, where you can fully appreciate the beautiful scenery of Xi'an. During the day, you can see the ever-extending streets and row upon row of buildings, and feel that you are fully involved in the hustle and bustle of the city. At night, the lights are bright and the city is stained with another color. You can take a photo of the beautiful night scene of Xi'an at this time. It is recommended to visit Bell Tower between six and eight in summer because at this time there is not only a gentle evening breeze but also a beautiful sunset.

Bell Tower

4. City Wall

Known as the "History Book without Words", Xi'an City Wall is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. In ancient times, the City Wall was a vital fortification to protect tens of millions of people in the city, so the Xi'an City Wall has been renovated five times since it was built. If you know enough about Chinese history, then you will know why the walls of Xi'an are getting stronger and stronger. When you climb the wall, you will find that the structure of the wall is high on the outer wall and low on the inner wall. The military defense here can well protect the security of soldiers. However, in today's environment of open and inclusive, the City Wall bears more of the mission of cultural inheritance and integration.

Ancient City Wall

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5. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

If you know something about Journey to the West, one of the four Great classical novels of China, then you must have heard about the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. When Master Xuan Zang returned from India, he presided over the design and construction of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. The original Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was built with five storeys. Later, it was added to ten storeys during Wu Zetian's reign, and finally, it was reduced to the seven storeys we see today. Entering the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, you will see that the Tang Dynasty scholar was rewarded by the emperor to come to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to write his name. The famous Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi also wrote his name here. Inside the pagoda are many sutras brought back from the West. Come to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, you can fully feel the charm of Chinese Buddhism.

6. Stele Forest Museum

If Chinese history is compared to a book, the Stele Forest Museum is the central idea of the book. Known as the largest treasure house of stone books and calligraphy in China, the Stele Forest Museum is one of the first national-level museums. To visit the Stele Forest Museum, you must have a certain sense of literature, a certain knowledge of history, and a love of calligraphy. The Stele Forest Museum in Xi'an has a large collection of national treasures, including three national treasures that can never be exhibited abroad. The steles in the museum offer a deeper insight into the firm life choices of the people who wrote them.

Must-Eat Food in Xi'an

1. Crumbled Flatbread in Mutton Stew (Yangrou Paomo)

A must-eat dish in Xi'an is Yangrou Paomo, known as the "general representative" of Shaanxi cuisine. It is also called a mutton steamed bun. It was called "goat soup" in ancient times. It is characterized by tender meat, flavorsome soup and agreeably greasy mutton. To eat Yangrou Paomo, the best match is Baiji mo. The shop will let visitors make their own Baiji mo, then spread them on the bottom of the bowl, with the secret stock, and finally sprinkle it with green onion, you can also put hot pepper oil in it if you want, so that a bowl of authentic Yangrou Paomo is ready.

2. Rou Jia Mo & Liangpi

As one of the signature snacks of Xi'an, Rou Jia Mo has the traditional flavor of Xi'an. People in Xi'an love Rou Jia Mo as much as basketball fans love NBA. The crust is crispy and the meat is tender. The broth is just absorbed into the inner crust without affecting the crispiness of the crust. Rou Jia Mo is an indispensable food not only for the people of Xi'an but also for people all over China, it occupies an important position in the ranking of Chinese food.

Liangpi is originally from Shaanxi Province. Once as a regional delicacy, Liangpi is now spreading across China's provinces. The traditional hand-made Langpi has a firm, smooth and delicious texture, with a rich sesame sauce and hot and sour chili oil, which are stirred evenly. Every bite is an authentic Xi'an flavor.

Rou Jia Mo

3. Noodles

As an indispensable staple food for Xi'an people, noodles occupy a high position in the food list. If the people of Xi'an could choose only one food, it would be noodles. Xi'an is famous for its noodle food. People in Xi'an always have different ways to eat traditional noodles with oil, soup and mix. Traditional ingredients can produce more delicious and rich food, which is probably one of the talents of the Xi'an people. Recommended for visitors to Xi'an, there are three kinds of pasta that must be tried: Oil Splashed Noodles, Belt Noodles and Biangbiang Noodles.

Souvenirs to Buy in Xi'an

1. Terracotta Warriors Replicas

These store-sold replicas of the Terracotta Warriors are made of clay with special techniques and are one of the must-buy souvenirs for visitors to Xi'an. The replica of the Terra Cotta Warriors has a high artistic content and a sense of historical precipitation. It is an indispensable collection for those who like Chinese culture or Chinese art. The Terra Cotta Warriors come in all shapes and sizes, with prices ranging from tens to hundreds of yuan, and should not be missed by those who love history.

2. Tang Tri-color Porcelain Replicas

Tang Tri-color Porcelain is a type of Chinese pottery made from white clay. Despite the "tri-" in the name, the real Tang Tri-color Porcelain is much more than just three colors. Its shape is mostly foals, small livestock and poultry. The production process of Tang Tri-color Porcelain in the Tang Dynasty is complex, and the raw materials are demanding, which tests the craftsmanship of the artisans. In the eyes of the Chinese people, the prosperous Tang Dynasty represents the strength of the national power, so the Tang Tri-color Porcelain produced by the Tang Dynasty has always been favored by the public.

3. Paper-cutting

Paper-cutting is one of China's ancient traditional folk arts, which has been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. There are many kinds of paper-cutting patterns. Some places sell paper cutting, which is not only exquisite but also can be cut according to the pattern you want. In the past, paper-cuts were mostly used for folk activities and religion, but now paper-cuts are mostly used for decoration. The color of the paper cut can be selected according to your own preferences, most of which are red. You can paste it on the doors, walls and Windows for a good and auspicious beginning.

Get Ready For Xi'an Tour

In Xi'an, you can not only feel the city's profound cultural heritage and natural beauty but also taste China's most traditional food. Come to Xi'an, you can feel the most authentic local custom as well as different Chinese cultures. You can travel around this city where tradition and modern civilization are combined, and you can also enjoy the natural and cultural scenery which brings you relaxation. Traveling with Odynovo, you can get the best travel experiences.