Main Attractions & Activities:
- Terracotta Army Museum
- Displays over 8,000 terracotta soldiers, horses, and approximately 10,000 bronze weapons.
- The figures were burial objects for Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum, with the largest display in Pit No. 1.
- Discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well in Shaanxi.
- Transportation: Take a green shuttle bus from Xi’an Railway Station (approx. 1-hour ride).
- Travel tip: Guided tours are available; some include visits to souvenir workshops.
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda & North Square
- A 1,300-year-old Tang Dynasty pagoda standing 64 meters tall with seven tiers.
- Offers panoramic city views from the top; the square hosts calligraphy shows and music fountains in summer.
- Xi’an City Wall
- A well-preserved Ming Dynasty structure spanning 13.74 km, 12 meters high and 15 meters wide.
- Rent bicycles to ride atop the wall; main entrance at South Gate requires tickets.
- Hanyangling Museum
- Tomb of Emperor Jingdi (Liu Qi), fourth ruler of the Western Han Dynasty, built in 126 BCE across 20 square kilometers with 80 burial chambers.
- Features lifelike pottery figures of warriors, court ladies, and livestock.
- Mount Hua (Huashan)
- Located 120 km east of Xi’an, one of China’s Five Great Mountains, famed for steep cliffs.
- Highlight: Plank Walk on cliff faces; safety harnesses required.
- Transportation: Direct trains from Xi’an Railway Station (90-minute journey).
- Muslim Quarter
- Centered in Xi’an’s old town, home to 20,000 Hui people and 10 mosques.
- Must-try foods: daoxiao noodles, roujiamo (meat buns), sesame sauce liangpi, and cumin-spiced lamb skewers.
- Night market operates from 6 PM to midnight; join food tours for deeper exploration.
- Shaanxi History Museum
- Houses 370,000 artifacts from the Stone Age to 1840, with a focus on the Tang Dynasty.
- Covers 65,000 sq.m; free entry but capped at 4,000 visitors daily.
- Near Wall Bar
- Local craft beer spot offering unique brews like cream stout.
- Features karaoke and live music; open until 2 AM.
These attractions blend history, nature, cuisine, and modern leisure, catering to diverse interests.
Published: July 12, 2017Source: CNN | Author: Raemin Zhang
URL:
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/xian-best-things-to-do
