Xi'an Highlights
A curated tour of Xi'an's most iconic historical and cultural sites — from the legendary Terracotta Army to bustling ancient streets.
Trip Stops
- 1
One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World.' Over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, each with a unique face, were buried with China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang in 210 BC to protect him in the afterlife. Remarkably, they were discovered entirely by accident in 1974 by farmers digging a well.
📍 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- 2
A stunning imperial retreat used by Tang Dynasty emperors for over 1,000 years. The site is famously linked to the tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong and his consort Yang Guifei — one of the most celebrated romances in Chinese history. It also served as Chiang Kai-shek's headquarters during the 1936 Xi'an Incident that changed the course of modern China.
📍 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- 3
One of China's finest museums, housing over 1.7 million artifacts spanning more than a million years of history. Its Tang Dynasty murals are so vivid they look freshly painted. Entry is free but timed tickets are required — arrive early as they sell out fast. The building itself is designed to echo classic Tang Dynasty palace architecture.
📍 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- 4
A beloved symbol of Xi'an built in 652 AD during the Tang Dynasty to house sacred Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang — whose 17-year journey inspired the classic novel 'Journey to the West.' Standing 64 meters tall, it's one of the best-preserved ancient pagodas in China. The surrounding square features the largest musical fountain in Asia.
📍 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- 5
The most complete ancient city wall surviving in China, built over 650 years ago during the Ming Dynasty. Stretching 13.74 km around the old city, it stands up to 18 meters wide at the base — wide enough to drive a car on. Cycling the entire perimeter takes about 2 hours and is one of Xi'an's most popular activities. Around Chinese New Year, the wall hosts a spectacular lantern festival.
📍 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- 6
Built in 1384 during the Ming Dynasty, this is the largest and best-preserved bell tower in all of China. It sits at the exact geographical center of the ancient city, with four major avenues radiating from it to the city gates. The tower originally housed a giant bell that rang every morning to signal the start of the day — together with the nearby Drum Tower, which beat its drum at dusk.
📍 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- 7
A vibrant labyrinth of streets in the heart of Xi'an, home to the city's Hui Muslim community whose ancestors were Silk Road traders. The quarter has existed for over 1,000 years and is packed with street food stalls serving Xi'an specialties — don't miss the roujiamo (Chinese 'hamburger'), biang biang noodles, and lamb skewers. The buzz peaks at night when the lanterns glow and the food stalls ignite.
📍 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- 8
One of the oldest and largest mosques in China, first built in 742 AD during the Tang Dynasty — making it over 1,280 years old. Uniquely, it looks almost nothing like a typical mosque: it follows Chinese temple architecture with pavilions, pagodas, and upturned tiled roofs instead of domes and minarets. It remains an active place of worship for Xi'an's 60,000+ Muslim residents and is a masterpiece of cultural fusion.
📍 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- 9
Built in 707–709 AD during the Tang Dynasty, this elegant 15-story pagoda is one of the oldest intact pagodas in China. It survived two major earthquakes — legend says a crack split the pagoda after the first quake, then miraculously sealed itself after a second quake decades later. Entry to the grounds is free, making it one of Xi'an's best-value historical sites.
📍 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- 10
One of China's Five Great Sacred Mountains and home to what many call the world's most dangerous hiking trail — a narrow plank walk bolted to sheer cliff faces thousands of meters above the ground. The mountain has five dramatic peaks, the highest reaching 2,154 meters. Cable cars make the ascent accessible for those who prefer scenery over heart-pounding adventure. Many visitors hike up at night to catch a legendary sunrise from the summit.
📍 Huayin, Shaanxi, China
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