Xi'an Travel Guide

Xi'an (西安) is one of the world's great historical cities — the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road and capital of China for 13 dynasties, including the mighty Tang Dynasty, when it was the largest and most cosmopolitan city on Earth. Today, Xi'an balances its extraordinary archaeological heritage with a vibrant, modern food culture that draws visitors from across China. The star attraction needs little introduction: the Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑), an army of over 8,000 life-size clay soldiers buried with China's first emperor over 2,200 years ago. Discovered by accident in 1974 by local farmers digging a well, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most visited attractions in all of Asia. Each warrior has unique facial features — the level of craftsmanship still astounds archaeologists. But Xi'an is far more than a one-attraction city. The ancient City Wall (城墙) is the best-preserved defensive wall in China, and cycling its 13.7-km perimeter at sunset is one of the most memorable experiences any visitor can have. The Muslim Quarter (回民街) is a sensory overload of sizzling street food — lamb skewers, roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers), biang biang noodles, and persimmon cakes line every alley. After dark, the Datang Everbright City (大唐不夜城) pedestrian boulevard transforms into a dazzling light show celebrating Tang Dynasty culture. It's unapologetically touristy, but genuinely spectacular.