Xi'an Travel Guides

Reference WW39793

Xi'an Travel Guides

Xi'an, in ancient times known as Chang'an, is situated prettily in central China in the southern part of Guan Zhong Plain in Shaanxi Province, with the Qinling Mountains to the north and the Weihe River to the south. In ancient times the city of Xi'an was a major crossroads on the trading routes from eastern China to central Asia, and the beginning point of the famed Silk Road; in recent years this 3,100-year-old city, that was once seen as comparable with Rome and Constantinople, has come back into its own as one of China's major tourist destinations.

Sightseeing in Xi'an

Xi'an is a treasure trove for travellers interested in archaeology and ancient Chinese history. The Shaanxi Provincial History Museum stands as a testament to the importance of this region in the development of Chinese culture. The museum houses about 113,000 artefacts collected in the area and are well worth a visit. Another exciting archaeological site to visit is the Banpo Village which dates back to 5,000 BC and constitutes the most well-preserved and complete example of an agricultural Neolithic settlement in the world.

Of course, when it comes to sightseeing, Xi'an is synonymous with its foremost attraction: the famous Terracotta Army Museum with its collection of nearly 8,000 warriors, unearthed in 1974. This is a not-to-be-missed experience for any visitor to China. The recently opened Tomb of Emperor Jingdi in Xi'an also displays a number of terracotta statues and it is a far less crowded museum. On the way to the Terracotta Army, it is a good idea to stop off at the Huaqing Hot Springs to bathe in the same pools used by ancient emperors and their concubines.

The Xi'an city wall is one of the largest in the world and hiring a bicycle to cycle along the top is a wonderful introduction to the city. Travellers can also walk the wall, stopping along the way to take some amazing photographs of both ancient buildings and new age skyscrapers.