Top 8 Things to Do in Xian
Xi'an is the most selected city on the China city tour list just after Beijing. "Xian" in Chinese literally means "Peace in the West", historically known as "Chang An" (Perpetual Peace), an ancient capital city for some of the most important dynasties in Chinese history, including the Zhou, Qin, Han, the Sui, and Tang dynasties. Many tourists say the city of Xian looks more Chinese than those metropolitan cities such as Beijing, Shanghai. It is a favorite haven for those who are interested in Chinese culture and its people. Without further ado, let's find out the top 8 things to do in Xi'an.
1. Terracotta Warriors Museum
Terracotta Warriors, one of the eight wonders in the world, is no doubt the top one attraction on your visiting list of Xi'an. In another word, visiting the Terracotta Warriors Museum is the main reason why you are here in Xi'an. There are more than 8,000 terracotta warriors, horses displayed in this Terracotta Warriors museum, along with almost 10,000 bronze weapons. The perfect design, grand scale and delicate craft work will definitely impress you a lot. If you really love it, you can experience the whole procedure for making a clay warrior by yourself in some workshops around the museum.
2. Visit Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, located inside Daci'en Temple, another famous landmark of Xi'an, is a holy place in the middle of a vibrant and modern growing city of Xian. It has been well-preserved as a holy place of Buddhism for more than 1,300 years. It is a good place to learn about the influence of China's Buddhism and culture.
3. Challenge Yourself on Mount Huasha
Mount Huashan is one of the five greatest mountains in China, it is the most dangerous mountain among the five famous mountains. The majestic breath-taking crags and steep paths of this precipitous mountain may be a great challenge for some people, especially the Plank Road, but the extraordinary sceneries on the mountain are really worth a visit.
4. Xi'an City Wall
It's a wonderful choice if you go for a ride on Xi'an City Wall. Xi'an City Wall, build in Ming Dynasty, is one of the must-see places in Xi'an. It is the best-preserved ancient city wall in China with the largest scale, stretches 13.74 kilometers in length and 12 meters in height. Go cycling on the city wall is considered the best way for visiting, it's better to go in the morning or after sunset.
5. Try Amazing Xi'an Food
Besides famous historical sites and scenery, Xi'an is also a food paradise. Food in Xi'an has a characteristic flavor of Northwest style. Try famous food like Mutton Paomo, Liangpi, Rou Jia Mo and Gourd Chicken. Noodles in Xi'an are also best choices, such as Biangbiang Noodles, Qishan noodles and beef noodles. If you're a fan of Chinese dumplings, good news is that you could enjoy Dumpling Banquet in some famous restaurants.
6. Enjoy Tang Dynasty Show
Tang Dynasty Show is a famous music and dance performance showing the Chang'an culture in Tang Dynasty (618 – 907). Enjoy a show will be one of the best things to do at night, you may choose a show in the Tang Dynasty Theatre Palace, Shaanxi Song and Dance Grand Theater, or at Huaqing Hot Spring.
7. Go to Shaanxi History Museum
Shaanxi History Museum, which is located to the northwest of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the ancient city Xi'an, in the Shaanxi province of China, is one of the first huge state museums with modern facilities in China and one of the largest. The museum houses over 370,000 items, including murals, paintings, pottery, coins, as well as bronze, gold, and silver objects. The modern museum was built between 1983 and 2001 and its appearance recalls the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. Also, this museum is free to visit. It is really worth a visit.
8. Go to the Muslim Street
Xi'an's Islamic heritage is best observed in the Muslim Street, or Huimin Jie in Mandarin, located in the center of Xi'an old town. Like Chinatowns, Muslim Street is the community for local Muslim Hui people, a Muslim ethnic group in China. The 1,800-square-meter neighborhood has 10 mosques and more than 20,000 Hui inhabitants. It's also one of the best food streets in Xi'an. Narrow alleys are packed with tiny restaurants and that spill out onto the street. Highly recommended!
