Written by Natalia |
As is known to all, Xian is an ancient capital full of ancient charm. But it is not limited to this. Xian is also a living city blending ancient wonders with modern life. When planning the tour, you must have many questions about the city, such as what are the highlights, when is the best time, etc. In this article, we will introduce not only this information, but also the useful facts about Xian that may not be noticed by tourists. After knowing these facts, you will be able to avoid common mistakes, save money and have a deeper, more authentic experience during the Xian tour. Just continue reading.
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- 1. It’s Not Just an Old City, It was the Capital of 13 Dynasties/a>
- 2. The Terracotta Army is Vaster (and Newer) Than You Think
- 3. The Xian City Wall is the Most Complete in China
- 4. Xi’an Was the Eastern Start of the Silk Road
- 5. The Muslim Quarter is About More Than Just Food
- 6. Huashan Mountain is a Thrilling Day Trip from Xian
- 7. Tang Dynasty Culture Is Everywhere in Xiāan
- 8. The Best Time to Visit is Spring or Autumn
- 9. The Metro is Your Best Option for Getting Around
- 10. Xian is the 9th Largest City in China, Boasting Brilliant Modern Structures
- 11. You Can Find Various Interesting Handicrafts & Souvenirs in Xian
- 12. You Can Enjoy a 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
- Join China Xian Tour to Explore Xian Beyond the Terracotta Army
1. It’s Not Just an Old City, It was the Capital of 13 Dynasties
Xian, together with Luoyang, Nanjing and Beijing, is reputed as the āFour Ancient Capitals of ChinaāĀ and it is a widely-recognized fact that Xian ranks top. Because it served as the capital forĀ the most dynasties and for the longest time. A total ofĀ 13 major dynasties, including the powerful Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang,Ā have established the capital here, which spansĀ over 1,100 years.Ā So till now, there is a wealth of museums, ancient architecture and historic relics inside the city, such as the world-famous Terracotta Army, Xian City Wall, etc. TheĀ Xian tourĀ is actually a journey through time and space.
2. The Terracotta Army is Vaster (and Newer) Than You Think
As the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terracotta ArmyĀ has attracted numerous tourists each year. How was this legend discovered? In 1974, the local farmers unearthed some broken pottery figurines by accident when digging a well. Then the local Cultural Relics Bureau started the excavation and restoration. Through five yearsāĀ effort, the museum was opened to the public in 1979. Many tourists think it has been discovered for a long time. But the fact is the Terracotta Warriors have been unearthed for only about 50 years.
Now, you can see a total of 3 burial pits with an area of over 20,000 sq m and over 8,000 terracotta figurines, terracotta horses, and tens of thousands of bronze weapons. However, it is only a small part of the entire historic site. Its scale is truly astonishing. It is said that its archaeological work will last as long as about 700 years.
Pro Tips:
- The nearby Lishan Garden is also included in the ticket, do not miss it.
- It is recommended to hire a tour guide to have a deep understanding of the stories and details during the terracotta warrior tours.
Recommended tour
3. The Xian City Wall is the Most Complete in China
The existing Xian City Wall was mainly built in the Ming Dynasty. It is 13.74 km long, 12 m high and 12 – 14 m wide on the top. The purpose to construct the wall is to protect the ancient capital area inside the wall, so it is in a rectangular shape. And a total of 18 city gates were set with four main gates in four directions. Wandering and cycling are the most popular ways to feel its charm.
When standing on the wall, you will see the ancient architectural complex on one side, and a cluster of modern buildings on the other. The contrast is really impressive.
There is a moat surrounding the exterior of the wall, with the city wall park stretches between the wall and the moat. The park is where many local people spend their leisure time. It is free to enter. You can spend some time here after your City Wall visit.
- Activities:wandering, biking
- Pro Tip:the most recommended entrance gate is South Gate, it is the liveliest and most well-equipped gate.
4. Xi’an Was the Eastern Start of the Silk Road
An interesting fact about Xian is that it is the starting point of the Silk Road. In the Han Dynasty, the general Zhang Qian set out from Changan (now Xian, the capital of the Han Dynasty) and embarked on his journey to open up the road. The initial purpose of this journey was to unite the Dayuezhi in the Western Regions to jointly resist the Xiongnu, but it failed unfortunately.
However, it was the first time that the official government established a connection between the Central Plains dynasties and the Western Regions. And through the road, the culture and commodities of both regions started to exchange and have lasted for several dynasties.
In the Tang Dynasty, Changāan became the international trade center and the worldās first prosperous international metropolis with a population exceeding one million. The existing Weiyang Palace, Big Wild Goose PagodaĀ and Tang West Market Museum are all witnesses to the history.
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5. The Muslim Quarter is About More Than Just Food
When talking about the Muslin Quarter, the first impression for most tourists is its various foods. This āfood courtāĀ is actually composed of several lanes and almost all kinds of famous local food and snacks can be found, such as roujiamo, lamb and beef paomo, biangbiang noodles, cold noodles, etc.
But in addition, it is also a historic community with a 1,300-year history. Since the Song Dynasty, it has been the gathering place of the Hui Nationality. After the development of later dynasties, it gradually took on the scale we see today.
The architecture inside the quarter has integrated the Chinese and Islamic styles. And the Great Mosque is the representative, featuring numerous culture relics, stone inscriptions, wood carvings, and brick carvings. It boasts one of the largest and best-preserved mosques in China. The Muslim culture and customs are the thingsĀ you should know when planning the Xian tour to ensure a smooth and polite visit in this neighborhood.
6. Huashan Mountain is a Thrilling Day Trip from Xian
As one of the Five Great Mountains in China, Huashan MountainĀ is just about 1.5-2 hoursāĀ drive (120 km) from Xian. It is known for its precipitousness. The five main peaks of Huashan are arranged like the petals of a lotus flower, with the highest South Peak rising to about 2,160 meters. There are two cable car routes for you to ascend the West and North Peaks easily.
Also, if you are an adventure seeker, you can also challenge yourself with over 200 thrilling natural attractions here, including the Plank Walk in the Sky, Canglong Ridge, and Thousand-Foot Precipice. Take the “Plank Walk in the Sky”Ā for example. It is actually a plank road built with wooden stakes and planks on the sheer cliff. To challenge it, you have to fasten the safety lock.
Pro Tips:Ā
- To reach there, you can take the high-speed train to Huashan North Station and then transfer to the free shuttle bus to the tourist center.
- The cable car is equipped, so tourists can also visit the mountain with ease.
- If you plan a hiking tour, Yuquan Temple is the starting point rather than the Tourist Center and do prepare sufficiently.
Recommended tour
7. Tang Dynasty Culture Is Everywhere in Xiāan
Foreign tourists may be curious about why Xian is the best place to experience Tang Dynasty culture. Because it is the capital of the Tang Dynasty and is home to plenty of cultural attractions.
Huaqing Palace is the place where the love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Concubine Yang started. The night performance, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, is telling this story. Datang Everbright City vividly reproduces the life scenes of common people in the Tang Dynasty. In the nearby Tang Paradise Scenic Area, the performance, Dream Back to Datang,Ā shows the royal life and Silk Road stories at that time. In Xi’an Tang Dynasty Palace, a special dining experience can be enjoyed. It combines the royal dinner with the large-scale Tang song and dance performances.
If time permits, it is highly recommended to wear traditional Chinese clothes to travel around. With the ancient architecture as the background, it is easy to take characteristic and memorable photos. Whatās more, you become part of the life scroll of the prosperous Tang Dynasty rather than a bystander. So during your Xian travel, you can completely immerse in the strong cultural atmosphere.
Recommended tour
8. The Best Time to Visit is Spring or Autumn
An important fact about XianĀ that every tourist should know is that the best time to visit XianĀ is spring and autumn. In spring, the ancient city is dressed in a splendid coat. The parks and scenic areas are full of blooming flowers. And in autumn, colorful leaves scatter all over the city. Both seasons have pleasant weather and are suitable for outdoor exploration.
Pro Tip:Ā Avoid major Chinese public holidays, especially the Golden Week in October and May Day Festival, when every hot tourist attraction will be crowded with tourists. Your travel experience will be greatly influenced.
9. The Metro is Your Best Option for Getting Around
The public transportation in XianĀ is well-developed.Ā By metro and bus, you are able to get to most major scenic spots inside the city. Metro is preferred by both locals and tourists and can be your best option. A total of 12 metro lines have been put into use in Xian now, covering the whole core area of the city. The metro lines have connected the core attractions like Bell Tower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda and major business circles like Xiaozhai. Also, it achieves seamless connections to the two main train stations and the airport.
Not affected by the ground traffic, it always travels fast and on time. It is also convenient to take. The transit QR code on Wechat or Alipay can be used directly. You can also buy the ticket on the spot.
10. Xian is the 9th Largest City in China, Boasting Brilliant Modern Structures
This fact about XianĀ is rarely known by tourists. With an area of over 10,000 sq km and a population of over 13 million, Xian ranks 9thĀ among the largest cities in China. So besides the profound history, Xian is also full of vitality and boasts plenty of modern architecture. Some of the modern architecture are designed uniquely and have become the new city landmarks.
For instance, the Changāan Academy located in the Chanba Ecological Zone is like an unfolded scroll. The Tree of Life at the Mixc Mall takes the thousand-year-old ginkgo tree of the ancient Guanyin Temple as the prototype. The Saga Shopping Mall in the Xiaozhai Business Circle boasts a large indoor waterfall landscape and the longest escalator in Asia.
11. You Can Find Various Interesting Handicrafts & Souvenirs in Xian
If you plan to purchase some souvenirs for your friends or family, abundant choices can be found in Xian. The lovely and interesting cultural and creative products are very suitable. These products transform the landmark Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the delicious food roujiamo and some cultural relics into toy dolls, which are cute and easy to carry.
The handicrafts of intangible cultural heritages are also representative, such as shadow puppetry, facial makeup, paper-cutting and fans or silk scarves dyed through traditional flowing color technique. All show the Chinese culture and are ideal gifts.
12. You Can Enjoy a 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Xian is included in the latest 240-hour visa-free transit policy in China, which means citizens from 55 countries can enter the city without a visa for up to 10 days if they meet certain requirements. This Xian factĀ is very useful for you. Then how to plan a Xian tripĀ to make full use of this policy? All the cities inside the province are covered in this policy, so you can spend the 10 days to have an in-depth exploration of Xian and its surrounding areas, like Mount Huashan, Hukou Waterfall, etc. For a richer travel experience, you can also extend your trip to the nearby Pigyao Ancient City or iconic destinations, like Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai.
Join China Xian Tour to Explore Xian Beyond the Terracotta Army
After learning about these Xian facts, itās time to plan a Xian tour. As a travel agency based in Xian, China Xian TourĀ can be your reliable choice if you want to explore Xian on a guided tour. The highlight of our service is that we can customize a trip completely based on your demands. All your requirements will be met. If you have no idea about the itinerary at all, we also have many expertly crafted itineraries to have you inspired. To ensure you a hassle-free trip, we offer experienced local guides, drivers and handled all logistics, like ticket booking, and hotel booking. So do not hesitate to contact us and start your perfect trip.
