Xi'an Brief
The city of Xi'an, is the capital of Shaanxi Province, and also one of the four ancient civilized capital cities in the world. It is one of the birthplaces of ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin area of the country, beginning in 1126 B.C., all together 12 dynasties, set up their capitals in Xi'an for more than 1000 years, so, there are many cultural relics and historic sites both on and under the ground. And of course, the natural landscape around Xi'an is also marvelous, such as Mt. Huashan, one of the five best-known mountains in China.

Top Attractions

Terracotta Warriors and Horses: located about 35 km east of Xi'an, at the foot of Lishan Mountain, it was created by the first Emperor of China – Qin Shi Huang (259 BC – 210 BC). There are three pits at the Terracotta Warriors Museum, with a total area of 22,780 square meters and 1,000 life-size terracotta warriors, horses and chariots. The terracotta warriors are unique. Not only are they life-size and individually modeled in clay, but the detail of the figures is astounding.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda: it is one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China. The Pagoda was built in the Tang Dynasty to collect Buddhist scriptures. The storied pagoda was an architectural marvel, it was built with layers of bricks but without any cement in between. The grand body of the pagoda with its solemn appearance, simple style and high structure, is indeed a good example of ancient people's wisdom and talent. Pictures of the Heavenly King and of Buddha are on the doorframe sand horizontal bars on four sides of the pagoda's base.

City Wall: the construction of the City Wall of Xi'an was initiated by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who was in regime between 1370 – 1378 A.D.. The City Wall measured 25.7 km in length, 12-16m in thickness at the base, the area within the wall was 36 square kilometers. On each side of the city wall there is a gate comprising three multistoried towers: the gate tower, arrow-shooting tower and the drawbridge tower, which look huge and magnificent. The city wall is surrounded by a moat, which is 18 meters wide and 6 meters deep.

Bell Tower & Drum Tower: the Bell Tower is located in the center of downtown area, it was first built in Yingxiang Temple in 1384, it was built by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a way to dominate the surrounding countryside and provide early warning of attack by rival rulers.
Erected in 1380, the Drum Tower is the counterpart of the Bell Tower, which is 300 meters to the southeast. An enormous drum once declared the hour at dusk, but later it was only used to warn of attacks. Inside the Drum Tower now is a drum museum, where a variety of drums are on display, some of which can be dated back a thousands years.

Forest of Stone Steles Museum: it was originally built in 1087, it holds a big collection of steles in China. It is a classical courtyard styled structure at the site of former Confucian Temple. The museum has an area of over 30,000 square meters, it is one of the centers of ancient Chinese stone-engraving classic. It is also the center of the works of art of noted calligraphers of past dynasties. The numerous standing steles likens a forest, hence the name "Forest of Steles".

Great Mosque: it is one of the oldest and most renowned mosques in the country. Occupying an area of over 12,000 square meters, it is divided into four courtyards, 250 meters long and 47 meters wide with a well-arranged layout. Unlike most mosques in Middle Eastern or Arab countries, the Great Mosque of Xi'an is completely Chinese in its construction and architectural style.

Shaanxi History Museum: it is a giant architectural complex in the Tang-dynasty style. It occupies an area of 70,000 square meters, and the construction area being more than 50,000 square meters. It focuses on the highlights of the Shaanxi culture and depicts the development of the Chinese civilization. Since it was opened to the public in 1991, its architectural buildings, internal apparatus, and exhibits have made it famous as a first-class museum in China.

Banpo Village Ruins: Banpo Ruins is a typical Yellow River Basin of the Yangshao culture matriarchal clan Neolithic settlement sites, since between 5600-6700. The houses were constructed of thatch over wood beams while the floors were sunk two to three feet into the ground. Heat was provided by a central fire. Visitors today can see the remains of 45 houses, 2 stables, more than 200 cellars, 6 kilns, and about 250 graves.

Huaqing Hot Springs: it is located about 35 km east of Xi'an. For centuries emperors had come here to bathe and enjoy the scenic beauty, and it has been a favorite spa since the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 A.D.). The Tang Emperor, Xuanzong used to spend his wintertime in company with his favorite concubine Yang here. Yang, who was recognized as one of the most enchanting ladies in ancient China, was spoiled by the Emperor.

Mt. Huashan: at a height of 2,160 meters above sea level and about 120 km east of Xi'an, Huashan has for centuries been deemed as one of China's five sacred mountains. Along the 12km path leading from the foot of the mountain, where it starts at the Jade Fountain Tempe, to its five peaks – Peak of the Wild Geese, Peak of the Rising Sun, Peak of Lotus, Peak of the Cloud Terrace. You will get the chance to see some impressive scenes, including the strangely shaped granite peaks and the twisted pines, etc.

Archeological Exhibition of Han Yangling: Since 1990, the Yangling Archeological Team of Shaanxi Province Research Institute of Archaeology has undergone extensive surveying, drilling and excavation resulting in the discovering of more than three hundred tombs, architectural structures and burial pits densely arrayed and with a rich deposit of a perplexing host of relics of various descriptions totaling some fifty thousand pieces, most of them being colored nude pottery figurines. The Archeological Exhibition of Yangling, the Han mausoleum, was first open to public on September 30, 1999, which provides an excellent opportunity for beholding the grandeur and gory of the Han culture. 

Qingling Mausoleum: Qianling, the joint tomb of Tang Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi by name) and Empress Wu Ze Tian, lies on Mount Liangshan in the north of Qianxian County, 80km from Xi'an. Li Zhi, the ninth son of Emperor Taizong, ascended the throne in 649. He reigned for 34 years, he died in Luoyang in 683 and was buried in Qianling in the following years. Wu Ze Tian, once was a concubine of Taizong. After his death, she won the favor of Emperor Gaozong and became his empress. After the death of Gaozong, she dethroned Emperor Zhongzong and the successor Ruizong, Soon she established the Great Zhou Empire and wore the crown, she was the only woman ruler in China's history. Having reigned for 21 years, she died at the age of 82 in Luoyang. In 706, she was buried in Qianling. According to historical records and excavations, Qianling is possibly the only Tang Dynasty Mausoleum yet unrobed.

Recommended Tours
Xi'an has long been the pivot of transportation within China and abroad. Xianyang International Airport, which located 40km northwest of the city center, is one of the four largest international airports in China, has opened more than one hundred air routes within China and more than a score abroad. The Railway and express highways can lead to most major cities in China.

Xi'an city is surrounded by a city wall, in its middle is the Bell Tower, the four main streets descend into the four points of the compass form here. 2-3 days city tour is very necessary to explore this ancient capital city, including some famous scenic spots in the suburb area, such as the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Huaqing Hot Spring, Banpo Village Ruins, etc.
(CH-001-B) Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai (10 Days)
(CH-002-A) Beijing-Xi'an-Guilin+Yangshuo-Shanghai (11 Days)
S04 Beijing-Xi'an-Chongqing-Yangtze River Cruise-Yichang-Shanghai (13 Days)
(SR-004) Beijing-Urumqi-Kashgar-Turpan-Dunhuang-Xi'an-Shanghai (16 Days)
(ST-005) Beijing-Pingyao-Xi'an-Yangtze River Cruise (Downstream)-Yichang-Shanghai (16 Days)
(CH-004) Beijing-Xi'an-Hangzhou-Shanghai-Guilin+Yangshuo-Guangzhou-Hong Kong (15 Days)
(ST-006) Beijing-Xi'an-Sanya-Shanghai (15 Days)

Shopping & Entertainment
Xi'an is a great place to do some fantastic Chinese souvenir shopping, especially for cultural items, including Chinese calligraphy rubbings, Tang pottery replicas, Terracotta Warrior replicas, etc. The area around Jiefang Road is Xi'an's thriving business district, and most retail stores are along Dongdajie and Xidajie, south of the Drum Tower.

The night life in Xi'an has a unique glamour, you can enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, Shaanxi Opera (Qinqiang), Shadow Puppet Show, watching the night scenery around the Bell Tower, and enjoy the spectacular musical fountain show in the North Square, near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. 

The local food is also worth trying, the popular ones are Yang Rou Pao Mo (Crumbled Unleavened Bread Soaked in Mutton Stew), Rou Jia Mo, Dumpling Banquet and various noodles. To taste the local snakes, you can visit the night market of Nanshao Gate and Dongxin Street, as well as the Muslim Street.