XI'AN
A city with over 13 dynasties of history, Xi’an is a treasure trove of Chinese culture. From the Terracotta Army to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to the ancient city walls, every landmark tells a story of this city’s illustrious past. Standing in front of the Terracotta Warriors, you can almost hear the drums of ancient battles, while a walk along the city walls offers a panoramic view of this fusion of old and new.
Xi’an’s food scene is equally legendary. The Muslim Quarter serves classics like yangrou paomo (crumbled flatbread in mutton soup), roujiamo (Chinese burger), and cold noodles (liangpi), giving visitors a taste of the city’s multicultural history.
A blend of history and modernity, Xi’an is a city where every visitor can find a piece of China’s heart.
Where to Play in Xi'an?
Terracotta Army Museum
A part of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, it displays thousands of terracotta warriors, horses, and bronze weapons, allowing one to personally experience the grandeur of the Qin Dynasty's army, and is considered one of the Eight Wonders of the World.
The Xi'an City Wall
The Xi'an City Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty from 1370 to 1378, is one of the most well-preserved ancient city walls in China. I recommend that you take a bicycle ride along the wall to enjoy the panoramic views of both the ancient and modern aspects of Xi'an.
Huaqing Palace
Huaqing Palace, one of China's oldest imperial gardens, is built against the backdrop of Mount Li, featuring a grand and magnificent architectural complex that showcases the antique charm of the Tang Dynasty. The hot springs are the most famous attraction here. This place has witnessed the love story between Emperor Tang Xuanzong and his concubine Yang Guifei.
Shaanxi History Museum
Shaanxi History Museum，With a rich collection that spans from ancient times to modern history, if you want to understand the ancient civilization of China, this is definitely the place to visit.
Qingcheng Mountain
known for its undulating peaks and lush greenery, is acclaimed as "the seclusion of Qingcheng." It is one of China's famous Taoist mountains, with numerous Taoist historical sites and temples on the mountain.
Bell Tower and Drum Tower
The Bell Tower and Drum Tower of Xi'an were built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (1380), and were primarily used for timekeeping and military alerts in ancient times. They are now symbolic of Xi'an's historical and cultural heritage. The architectural style is simple and elegant, with beautifully carved beams and rafters, holding great historical, artistic, and scientific value.
Xi'an Food
Xi’an is foodie heaven! Especially for noodle and beef/lamb lovers, this place will make your mouth water! Just walking down the street, the air smells amazing – all noodles and meat.
Biangbiang Noodles: Super wide “belt” noodles tossed with sizzling hot chili oil. Slurp ’em up – spicy, savory, and seriously satisfying!
Youpo Mian (Sizzling Oil Noodles): The magic is in the “SIZZLE”! Boiled wide (or thick) noodles topped with chili flakes, scallions, and garlic. Then, BOOM! A ladle of scorching hot rapeseed oil gets poured over – the aroma hits you instantly! Mix it up and eat. Simple, powerful, mind-blowingly fragrant!
Beef/Lamb Paomo (Pita Soup): You tear the bread (馍/mo) into tiny bits yourself. Then it gets soaked in steaming hot, rich beef or lamb broth with super tender meat. The bread soaks up all that goodness. It’s soul-warming comfort food, though tearing the bread takes patience!
Shuipeng Yangrou (Lamb Soup in Earthen Bowl): The breakfast king of Shaanxi! Grab a bowl in the early morning: clear, flavorful lamb broth loaded with big chunks of fall-apart tender lamb, served with a hot, moon-shaped flatbread (or a thick pancake). Tear the bread, stuff it with lamb and pickles, take a sip of the hot soup – pure comfort for your stomach and soul! Perfect!
Rougamo (Chinese Burger): Xi’an’s iconic snack! Crispy baked flatbread stuffed full of incredibly tender, flavorful stewed pork (often with some fat for juiciness). Take a big bite – the meat juices might drip, and it’s pure deliciousness. The ultimate handheld meal!
Liangpi (Cold Skin Noodles): Perfect for hot days! Slippery cold noodles tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce, always with a good spoonful of chili oil. Refreshing and addictive!
Hulu Ji (Gourd Chicken): A classic Xi’an feast dish! A whole chicken gets poached, steamed, then deep-fried until its skin is golden-brown, crispy as hell, and puffed up like a gourd! But inside? The meat is unbelievably tender and falls right off the bone. Dip it in chili-salt or ground pepper – so good you’ll wanna eat the bones!
Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie): You gotta go! This whole street is packed with amazing Halal snacks. Soup Dumplings (灌汤包) burst with hot broth. Grilled Beef/Lamb Skewers sizzle and smell incredible. Come hungry, leave stuffed!
In Xi’an, ditch the fancy stuff! Grab big bowls of noodles, slurp down hearty soups, chow down on meaty feasts, and just dive into the real, noisy, delicious food fiesta! Boss, throw in another flatbread!
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