Xi'an

Xi'an is the city that made China. As the capital of 13 imperial dynasties across more than a thousand years, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in China and the origin point of the Silk Road. The Terracotta Warriors alone would justify a visit — 8,000 individually sculpted soldiers, each with a unique face, buried to guard an emperor's tomb that was only accidentally discovered in 1974. But Xi'an is more than one excavation site. The city walls, 14km of intact fortification dating to the Ming Dynasty, are the most complete ancient defensive walls surviving anywhere in China.

The food is a destination in its own right. The Muslim Quarter comes alive at night with the smell of lamb skewers, biangbiang面 (belt noodles), and the dense, sweet air of rou jia mo (Chinese burger) stalls. Xi'an is one of those rare cities where the food is almost argument enough to extend your stay.

Highlights

Best Time to Visit

March to May and September to November are ideal — temperatures 12-25°C, comfortable for cycling the walls and walking the archaeological sites. Spring brings cherry blossoms around the city walls and pagodas. Autumn is cool and clear. Summer (June-August) is hot (35°C+) and crowded with domestic tourists. Winter is cold (0-10°C) but the city is empty and the Terracotta Warriors have no queues.

Getting There

Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is 40km northwest of the city center, connected by Metro Line 14 and an airport express bus. High-speed trains from Beijing take 4.5 hours on the fastest G trains; from Chengdu 4 hours; from Shanghai 6 hours. Xi'an Railway Station and Xi'an North Railway Station are the main arrival points. The city's Metro Lines 1, 2, and 4 connect most major tourist areas efficiently.

Travel Tips

• Getting around: The Metro is clean and efficient — Lines 1 and 2 cover the most useful stations. Didi taxis are reliable. Cycling the city walls costs roughly $5 per hour for a standard bike or $10 for an electric bike. The Muslim Quarter and Bell Tower area are best explored on foot.
• Language: Better English than most inland cities — the Terracotta Warriors site has English signage throughout and audio guides available. Staff at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Muslim Quarter have basic English. Translation apps help in more remote areas.
• Food: The Muslim Quarter is the main attraction — lamb skewers from $0.50 each, rou jia mo (Chinese burgers with braised pork) for roughly $1.50, biangbiang面 (broad noodles in chili oil) for $2-4. These are not tourist food — the stalls are used by locals and the queues tell you which stall to join. For a sit-down meal, try the Defachang restaurant near the south gate for an elevated take on Shaanxi cuisine.
• Weather: Summers are hot (35°C+), dusty, and crowded. Spring and autumn layers work best. Winter is cold and dry (0-10°C) — warm jacket essential, especially for early morning wall walks. The city has significant air pollution episodes in winter, so check the AQI before outdoor activities.
• Budget: One of China most affordable major cities for visitors. Street food meals for $3-5; lamb skewers and beer at the Muslim Quarter for $10; mid-range meals for $10-20 per person. Terracotta Warriors ticket roughly $18. City wall bicycle rental from $5. Luxury hotels near the south gate from $100 per night.