Xi'an

Discover the Unparalleled History of Ancient China

Torically known as Chang’an (“eternal peace”), serves as the capital of Shaanxi Province and is the largest city in northwestern China. As one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals, Xi’an was the seat of government for 12 dynasties, endowing it with a wealth of historical legacies. It also stood as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, fostering connections between Eastern and Western civilizations. The adage “In the West, there is Rome; in the East, there is Chang’an” aptly captures its significance during that era. Today, Xi’an ranks alongside Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the “four major capitals of ancient civilization.”

Explore China

Historical Treasures

  • Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang: Known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World", witnessing the underground military formations two thousand years ago is absolutely shocking.
  • Xi'an Ancient City Wall: The most complete ancient city wall in China. It is highly recommended to ride or walk on the city wall and look around the scenery inside and outside the ancient city.
  • Shaanxi History Museum: It collects priceless treasures from the Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang and other dynasties. It is an excellent classroom for understanding ancient Chinese civilization.

Cultural Immersion

  • Muslim Street: Immerse yourself in the vibrant Muslim community, the heart of Xi’an cuisine, and sample a variety of authentic snacks.
  • Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda: As symbols of Buddhist culture in the Tang Dynasty, the two ancient pagodas echo each other. In the evening, you can enjoy the spectacular musical fountain in the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Food Adventure

  • Xi'an is a paradise for noodles and snacks, where the air is often filled with the rich aroma of sizzling meat, sweet and sour sauces, and freshly steamed dough. Must-try delicacies include: roujiamo (meat-filled steamed buns), yangrou paomo (lamb soup with flatbread), biangbiang noodles, chao mianpian (stir-fried noodle slices, also known as 'chao mian'),凉皮 (liangpi, cold noodles), and saozi mian (sauce noodles). These flavorful dishes highlight the vibrant street food culture of Xi'an.

Chinese Shadow Puppetry

  • se shadow puppetry, inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011, is a theatrical art form featuring colorful silhouette figures crafted from leather or paper, accompanied by music and singing. Its origins trace back to ancient times, when people gathered around campfires to watch stories unfold on rock walls through shadows cast by hands or figurines. Today, it remains popular; visitors can experience authentic performances in traditional Chinese courtyards in Xi’an, where they can even try creating their own stories using shadow puppets—an engaging and memorable activity.