Xi'an.
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Overview

Xi'an (西安 Xī'ān, read as SEE-AHN) is a city in Shaanxi Province in China. The oldest surviving capital of ancient China, Xi'an is home to thousands of years of Chinese heritage and history. The city has a pleasant cosmopolitan flair to it and it is worth visiting for the famed Terracotta Warriors. It has often been said that, "if you have not been to Xi'an, you have not been to China!"

Xi'an is home to numerous historical and cultural attractions. The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is vast, magnificent, and lifelike; the history museum houses a wealth of artifacts, and entering it will surely leave you amazed and enlightened. The towering Giant Wild Goose Pagoda invites reflection on Xuanzang's profound contributions; climbing the ancient city wall offers a panoramic view of the old town, and cycling around it lets you listen to the rise and fall of history. In the evening, when the lights come on, the Bell and Drum Towers shine resplendently. If you happen to visit Furong Garden when a performance is on, it feels as though time has traveled, and you are transported back to the glorious days of Chang'an.

People are drawn to this place and find it hard to leave, as Xi'an, while advancing in science and technology and economic development, retains its ancient charm and elegance while adding elements of modern technology and fashion. The collision and fusion of the ancient and the modern, the traditional and the fashionable, add an enchanting touch to the city of Xi'an.

Understand

History Xi'an is more than 3,000 years old and was known as Chang'an (长安) in ancient times. For 1,000 years, the city was the capital for 13 dynasties, and a total of 73 emperors ruled here. Xi'an is the undisputed root of Chinese civilization, having served as the capital city for the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties. With so much history within the ground the city lies upon, it is no wonder that there are so many historical ruins, museums and cultural relics to be found here. It was already influencing the world outside of the Great Wall of China (长城) as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road (丝绸之路). Here, traders from far and wide brought goods and ideas for sale and took goods and ideas back with them to their native countries. In present-day Xi'an, not much of its former glory remains within the city confines, due to the constant warfare and political changes that swept China, particularly throughout the 20th century.

Xi'an, historically known as Chang'an and Jingzhao, and abbreviated as "Hao" during the Republic of China period, is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization and the starting point of the Silk Road. Throughout history, approximately 13 (officially recognized) or 21 (according to local belief) dynasties established their capitals here, including the Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Western Jin, Former Zhao, Former Qin, Later Qin, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, and Tang dynasties. This period spanned from the 11th century BC to around the 10th century AD, lasting more than 1,200 years. Notable historical figures like the famous peasant uprising leaders Huang Chao and Li Zicheng also established their regimes here.

Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in human history, with recorded history dating back to the Neolithic period. As early as 1 million years ago, the ancient humans of Lantian built settlements here. During the Yangshao culture period, around 7,000 years ago, the first signs of city walls appeared. In 2008, Neolithic city ruins from the late period, more than 6,000 years old, were uncovered at Yangguanzhai in Gaoling, Xi'an. This discovery was selected as China's top archaeological find that year, marking the earliest known city site in China and pushing the city's history back to the late Neolithic period.

From the Western Zhou Dynasty, Xi'an became the capital of China, then known as "Zong Zhou" or Fenghao. Fenghao is also the first city in Chinese history to be recorded in historical texts. The ruins of the Qin capital Xianyang are located to the northwest of modern Xi'an, and the site of the Qin's Epang Palace is in the western suburbs of the city. The Han capital of Chang'an was established on the southeastern ruins of Qin's Xianyang, also known as "Fengcheng" due to its resemblance to the shape of the southern and northern constellations, thus it was called "Doucheng" (City of the Dipper).

In the second century BC, during the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu sent Zhang Qian on two diplomatic missions to the Western Regions, marking the beginning of the Silk Road, which connected China with Europe, Asia, and Africa. This was the first major economic and cultural exchange between China and the West in history. The Silk Road started from ancient Chang'an, passed through the Hexi Corridor and Dunhuang, split into two routes through Xinjiang, and extended all the way to Europe, spanning over 7,000 kilometers. It became the main route for communication between China and the West for over a thousand years and wrote a glorious chapter in ancient Chinese history that continues to this day.

The Tang capital of Chang'an was the "center of the world" at that time. As the capital of the Tang Empire, Chang'an was the largest and most magnificent city in the world, and it represents the most dazzling chapter in China's history. The layout of Tang Chang'an was rigorous and grand, establishing the foundation for the street layout of today's Xi'an.

After the Tang Dynasty, China's political center gradually shifted eastward, but Xi'an, as a key city in the western region and the northwestern center, continued to hold significant importance. During the Five Dynasties, the Later Liang Dynasty changed Jingzhao Prefecture to Yongzhou, and later the Later Tang Dynasty renamed it back to Jingzhao Prefecture. In the Song Dynasty, Shaanxi Circuit was established, followed by the Yongxing Army Circuit. During the Jin Dynasty, the Yongxing Army Circuit was changed to Jingzhao Prefecture. In the Yuan Dynasty, Anxi Prefecture was established, later renamed Anxi Road and Fengyuan Road. During the Ming Dynasty, Fengyuan Road was changed to Xi'an Prefecture, and the name "Xi'an" was established.

With its rich historical relics and cultural heritage, Xi'an was designated a World Historical City by UNESCO in 1981.

The architecture of Xi'an cannot be described by a single unified style. However, a common theme is the grandiose scale and magnificent architectural ensembles. Whether it is the majestic Epang Palace built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the Terracotta Army, the Daming Palace of the Tang Dynasty, or the tomb of Empress Wu Zetian, all these structures are marked by opulence and nobility, exuding an aristocratic quality from within.

Throughout the long history of Xi'an's artistic culture, numerous artistic gems have emerged, such as Tang poetry, Qin opera, the Chang'an School of Painting, Guanzhong shadow puppetry, puppet shows, and peasant paintings. Qin opera, also known as Bangzi opera or Luantan, is the oldest, richest, and largest vocal system among the four major opera styles in Chinese theater.

Xi'an has a permanent population of 8.7 million, with approximately 5.1 million living in the urban area. Xi'an is located in the central part of the Guanzhong Plain in the Yellow River basin, in the heart of China's inland region. It is bordered by the Qinling Mountains to the south, with higher terrain to the southeast and lower terrain to the northwest, making it a typical radial city.

The Guanzhong Plain, known as the "800-li Qin Chuan," has vast plains, fertile soil, and a superior natural environment. Xi'an’s terrain is higher in the southeast and lower in the northwest, with an average elevation of around 410 meters. The area is characterized by continuous "plateau" terrain, with distinctive features, often high and open in nature. The city’s suburbs are most famously known for the Longshou Plateau, Bailu Plateau, Shaoling Plateau, Shenhe Plateau, Xiliu Plateau, and Leyou Plateau.

Xi'an has long been known for the saying "Eight waters surround Chang'an." To the east, there are the Ba River and the Chan River; to the west, the Lao River and the Feng River; to the south, the Xian River and the Hei River; to the north, the Jing River and the Wei River. All these rivers belong to the Weihe River system in the Yellow River basin. Additionally, the Heihe River, originating from Mount Taibai, is a major water source for Xi'an's daily life.

Xi'an has a warm temperate semi-arid monsoon climate, with moderate rainfall and distinct seasons. The average frost-free period is 219–233 days. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature between −0.5°C and 1.3°C, while August is the hottest, with an average temperature of 26.4°C–26.9°C. The annual average temperature is 13.3°C. The annual precipitation ranges from 507.7mm to 719.8mm, and the average annual humidity is 69.6%. On average, there are 13.8 days of snowfall each year.

The best times to visit Xi'an are in spring and autumn. During summer, visitors should take sun protection measures, as the sun is intense around midday, and the climate is hot with occasional heavy rain. It is advisable to avoid outdoor activities in places without shade, such as the ancient city wall of Xi'an. However, nearby scenic areas are more pleasant to visit during summer as they are shaded by trees, offering cooler temperatures than the city. In winter, Xi'an is cold and dry, and some attractions may not offer as scenic views as they do in other seasons.

Film and television Chang'an has stories everywhere·Xi'an Geography, a book produced by Shaanxi Traffic Radio FM91.6, about the history and culture of Xi'an, published by Shaanxi People's Education Press. It tells about many place names in Xi'an and the stories hidden in the names. Happy Daming Palace

Districts

The urban area of Xi'an generally refers to the six central districts, which include Xincheng District, Lianhu District, Beilin District, Weiyang District, Yanta District, and Baqiao District. The first three districts are generally within the Second Ring Road, which is restricted in terms of development (as of 2024) and is considered the birthplace of Xi'an's urban area. Key attractions in these districts include the Bell and Drum Towers, Beilin Museum, and North Gate.

Beyond the city walls, the urban area is divided into the eastern, western, southern, and northern suburbs. Qujiang New District is located in the southern suburbs, while the northern suburbs feature the Chang'an and Ba Ecological Districts. The western part of Xi'an includes the Xixian New Area, which is located between the urban areas of Xi'an and Xianyang in Shaanxi Province. This new area spans across 7 counties (or districts) and 23 towns and subdistricts, with a planned area of 882 km². The development of this area is ongoing, and it will serve as a link connecting Xi'an and Xianyang.

In the southeastern part of the urban area is Qujiang New District, which is part of Yanta District. Located in the southeast of Xi'an, Qujiang New District is home to major tourist attractions such as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Paradise, Qujiang Ocean World, and the Tang Dynasty Night Market. The district is primarily focused on cultural and tourism industries and has become a major tourism hotspot.

If you want to explore Xi'an and its surroundings in depth, you can check out the following sections:

The four districts and counties in the south are located at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains, and are a place where locals often go for leisure and entertainment on weekends.

Three northern regions located on the Weihe Plain:

Get in

Most people use taxis or the airport bus to reach town from the airport. At the airport, both types of taxis are waiting at the same spot to pick up passengers.

Despite numerous crackdowns, illegal taxis charging exorbitant fees are endemic at the airport. Touts posing as airport staff will lie to tourists that the last airport bus has just departed, block the way to airport bus station, and set up fake bus stations to strengthen their claim. Illegal taxi drivers and touts may also tout discounted hotel accommodation, in which they are nothing but illegal hotels. These criminals operate in gangs and will resort to violence when tourists resist. If you find yourself on a illegal taxi, do not argue with the driver, note down the plate number of the illegal taxi and dial 12328 to lodge a complaint.

Line 14 of the Xi’an Metro runs from the airport to Xi'an North station (more specifically, the metro station named Xi'an Beizhan station (西安北站)), where there are connections to lines 2 and 4 as well as to the long-distance rail network.

1 (no stop to the terminus in front of the Melody Hotel, at the beginning of West Street near the Bell Tower) and No. 2 (to the railway station). As long as there is an arriving flight, there will be a bus, so don't worry about arriving late at night or early morning. Buses will often depart as soon as they fill up. The airport bus route is the best way between city and the train station.

Getting to the terracotta warriors from the airport is complicated but can be done. From there, take bus 306 to the terracotta warriors (see more details below).

Most visitors arrive by high-speed train at , 15 km north of city center. The main services, on 200 km / hr "D-trains" or 300-km/h "G-trains", are to Zhengzhou (2–3 hours), Chengdu (4 hours), Wuhan (4–8 hours), Guangzhou (8 hours), Shenzhen (9 hours), Changsha, Shijiazhuang, Beijing (4–6 hours), Shanghai (7 hours) and Lanzhou (3 hours) - change at Lanzhou for the 12-hour train to Ürümqi.

The North Railway Station is an enormous modern transport hub. To reach the city center take Metro line two (red), whose terminus (北客站 Beikezhan) is at the station.

The old railway station, , is at the north end of Jiefang Road (解放路 jiěfànglù, just outside the old city walls. This is served by conventional trains for regional journeys.

There is no reason to use Xi'an South Railway Station (西安南站 Xī'ān Nán Zhàn), a long way south-east of the center, with limited services.

By bus The main long-distance bus station (Shaanxi Province Long-distance Bus Station) is about 100 m south of Xi'an railway station, with the city wall between them (there is an underpass). Bus service is available to: Huashan (2–3 hours), Lanzhou (8–10 hours), Luoyang (5–7 hours), Taiyuan (12 hours), and Zhengzhou (9–12 hours).

Get around

The old city is surrounded by a rectangular city wall. The Bell Tower (钟楼 Zhōnglóu) is in the dead center of the rectangle, and is considered the center of Xi'an. From here, the four main streets radiate along the four points of the compass. North Street (北大街 Běidàjiē) East Street (东大街 Dōngdàjiē) South Street (南大街 Nándàjiē) West Street (西大街 Xīdàjiē)

Do not get confused by different names in tourist guides, addresses and bus stops: Nandajie, Nanda Street, South Street, and South Avenue are all the same street.

Locals often speak about Within the city walls (城里 chénglǐ, CHUNG-lee) and Outside the city walls (城外 chéngwài, CHUNG-why) when talking about locations. Outside the walls, the southern part is the most interesting - it offers shopping streets, bars and some nightlife.

Basically the inner Xi'an, the part inside the City Walls, is the old Xi'an, which is equivalent to the term "downtown" used to describe certain parts of a North American city. The buildings are mostly pretty short due to government policies. People who live inside the City Walls largely preserve a traditional way of life. For example, they are used to going to farmers' market for grocery, and also the provincial dialect is more prominent there. There is much more folklore to be found inside the City Walls than elsewhere in the city. Interestingly, there is a Roman Catholic church (the St. Francis Cathedral) in the inner city, which was founded more than 300 years ago by the missionaries from the west.

There has been several urbanization projects happening since the 2000s in the southern part of Xi'an, outside of the City Walls, notably Xi'an Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone. That's where you can find the new, and urban aspects of Xi'an. Large-scale shopping malls around that area are very popular among the new generations. Each shopping mall usually is a combination of restaurants, shopping areas, groceries, and entertainments. Also a considerable population from other parts of the city have relocated to this area for their children's education, since there are few prestigious schools in the area.

As usual in China, subways are the easiest way to get around if they serve your destination. There are also plenty of buses traveling everywhere at short intervals (main lines run every 5–10 minutes). If you are not confident enough with orientation, or if you do not like packed buses, the cheap taxis (出租车 chūzūchē, literally translated as "rented car", which is pronounced as CHOO-TSOO-CHUH) are the best alternative, broadly available, except for during rush hours.

By Metro Xi'an has 12 Metro lines (the Xihu Xi'an–Huyi railway is counted as a 13th metro line on Wikipedia) with further lines planned or under construction. Bags are x-rayed prior to entry, water bottles should be taken out of bags as they will be scanned by security staff separately. Line 1 runs east–west and does not cover any interesting tourist spots. Line 2 runs north–south, intersects with Line 1 at Beidajie to the North of the bell tower. It connects the North Railway Station, the City Library (your starting point for visiting the Hanyangling mausoleum), the Bell Tower, and Xiaozhai near the Shaanxi history museum. Line 3 runs southwest–northeast, intersecting with Line 1 at Tonghuamen, and Line 2 at Xiaozhai. It serves the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta station). Line 4 runs north–south, mostly to the east of Line 2. Line 5 runs east-west south of Line 1. It can take you to the Epang palace archaeological site. Line 6 runs east-west, serving the southwestern suburbs and the area in between lines 1 and 5. Line 8 is a fairly large ring line around the city. Line 9 serves the northeastern suburbs and the terracotta warriors. Can be reached at the end of line 1 or 6. Line 10 serves the northern suburbs. Line 14 runs east-west, connecting the airport with Xi'an North railway station and part of the northern suburbs. Line 15 runs east-west in the southern suburbs with connections to lines 6, 2 and 4. Line 16 runs north-south and connects Lines 1 and 5 in the western suburbs. You can get one at any metro station with a valid ID and some money as process fee. Ask the staff at the reception desk at each metro station for help when you want to apply for a Changantong card. It takes slightly more time than using a Changantong card (1–2 seconds).

Since there are many buses in the city, it can be useful to go to the Tourism Office Center (which is situated near the Drum Tower) and ask for a free map (地图 dìtú) of the city, with the bus lines on it.

A popular line for tourists is #610 (also labeled "游8" meaning "tourist #8") which connects the railway station, the Bell Tower, the Small Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum, the Shaanxi Historic Museum, and the Big Goose Pagoda. Unfortunately it is not one of the most frequent (sometimes you can wait for half an hour, though usually it comes in a few minutes). Near the Bell Tower, it stops at the beginning of West Street; take it westwards to then go south to the museums and pagodas, take it eastwards to then go north to the railway station. Near the railway station (there are many stops for different lines) you can catch it at the third block on the main street going straight south from the station.

Another useful line is #609 that connects the Bell Tower, the South Gate and the Big Goose Pagoda. Near the Bell Tower, it stops at the beginning of South Street.

Although the 609 and 610 can be infrequent, the 611 is very frequent (multiple departures every minute in the rush hour), and connects the train station and the Bell Tower, continuing to the west from the latter. Look for its stop across the road from the station (within the city walls). Its route is a loop at the railway station, so you can board the bus at the same stop for the city center where you got off for the railway station. At the Bell Tower its stop towards the railway station is at the beginning of the East Street.

Bus 500 takes you from the Railway Station to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in 12 stops. This area has the Great Tang All Day Mall as well as the Tang Paradise and the South Lake.

There are many buses leaving regularly for the Terracotta Warrior museum in front of the Xi'an bus station (east to the train station, outside (in the north) the city walls).

Bus 306 (also called Tourist Bus #5) leaves from the lot in front of the train station (on the east side, i.e. to your right when looking towards the station) and will take you to a parking lot right in front of the museum. Travel time is about an hour (up to 3 hours in case of traffic jams). It also stops at several other tourist attractions along the way, e.g. the hot springs. Make sure you don't make the mistake of going to the nearby bus station on the inside (south) of the city wall. That's where there are touts with signs saying bus 5 and bus 306, trying to hustle you onto their private bus. Although they do take you to the destinations, you are forced to go to visit attractions you might not want to go to. If in doubt about whether you have the right 306, stand back and observe. The official bus attendants will not hustle you to get on their rapidly filling bus. They will confirm it is the correct bus and nothing more. The official bus will also fill up very quickly with locals who know which one is the correct bus. Another local bus that goes to the Warriors is 307 (last stop again, normally ~60 minutes, possibly up to 3 hours in case of traffic). 307 also goes to the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. Small buses which are also used by the locals (mainly number 914). These buses will also take you to the Museum, but they use local roads (no highway express like bus 306) so they are a bit slower. 914 is however more frequent during the day than 306. Not a bad trip if you want to see how locals travel. Most hostels and hotels run tours to the warriors with an English speaking guide. These aren't necessarily better, be prepared to spend a good portion of the day (as with any Chinese tour) visiting "terracotta factories," "museums", "Chinese medicine shops", and other tourist traps. But you will get to your destination without dealing with the bus (the warriors are quite far outside of town) and not all of the public buses that go there are legitimate.

By taxi The availability of taxis varies across the whole city, throughout the day. It also has special non-regulated schedules on holidays. It's very hard to find free taxis during shift changes. Watch the taxi drivers in Xi'an as the industry is not regulated as it is in other larger cities. You may find yourself being taken on a long ride around town to get where you are going. It can also be difficult to convince them to take you anywhere (even to the railway station). If in doubt, get your hotel or hostel to write down the place you want to go in Chinese. Between 15:00 and 17:00 the taxis change their shifts. This means the drivers are rushing to their handover points, so they won't pick you up even if they are empty.

It is always good advice to insist on using the taxi meter, especially for longer rides like to/from the airport.

At the airport and around some of the big hotels you might also find black taxis.

Similar to the case at the airport, illegal taxis are also rampant in Xi'an. They will charge exorbitant fees, and may lead you to fake tourist attractions. Some illegal taxis may mimic the livery of legitimate taxis. To spot a legitimate taxi, you may look at the plates: real taxis always have their plates starting with 陕AT, 陕AU or 陕AD (electric taxis). If you find yourself on a illegal taxi, do not argue with the driver, note down the plate number of the illegal taxi and dial 12328 to lodge a complaint.

With the introduction of online taxi platforms like Uber, drivers working for the city-run taxi corporations may refuse your taking even when no passenger's in the car, because they are on their way to take an online customer. So it's still best to learn how to use local taxi-taking apps for convenience.

By bike Xi'an's main sites (with the notable exception of the Terracotta Warriors) are bunched fairly close together. Be wary of the narrow streets and cars that squeeze you out of the way. Bike lanes are available on some streets, however, places to lock bikes, typically are not.

In some parts of the city, the roads are built with a "biking" lane, that you can find at the right side of the road, sometimes separated from the motorized lanes. That type of biking lane is especially common in the southern part of the city. However, not all roads have such features, and when there isn't any biking lane, you should always stick to the right of the road, close to the sidewalk. Also be extra careful when you ride your bike, the traffic in China in general is not friendly to cyclists. Never ride bicycle on sidewalks, mainly because the locals would get annoyed by you doing so.

Online bike-sharing platforms like Mobike are exceedingly popular, to a point where nobody purchases his or her own bicycles anymore. Shared bikes are everywhere on the street. So learn how to use the app to unlock them and you will be fine.

See

Beilin (or Stele) Museum. Remarkable collection of 4000 inscribed stone tablets, covering scripture, poetry, classic Chinese texts, triumphs of rulers, family history, and practical affairs such as instructions to rebuild a school. The 7th century Nestorian Stele (Showroom 2, first exhibit on the left) depicts the coming of Nestorian Christianity to China.

Shaanxi Art Museum. Not to be confused with the Shaanxi Province Art Museum (listed below). The Shaanxi Art Museum is the smaller of the two museums and mainly displays paintings and calligraphy.

Shaanxi History Museum. This museum houses a collection of local artefacts that span the province's history from the Neolithic period through the Qing dynasty. In particular, it contains fabulously well preserved pottery from the nearby Banpo neolithic village (also worth a visit) and many excellent Shang Dynasty bronzes. Although some guidebooks call it "one of the best museums in China", its old fashioned pots-and-arrowheads-behind-glass format may appeal mainly to enthusiasts. The most eye-catching articles are those from the Tang Dynasty that were used by the royal family. All visitors are required to make a booking on the museum's official WeChat account before visiting (see website for QR code). Upon arrival at the museum, you will need to pick up your pre-booked tickets from the counters on the east side of the South Entrance. The specific counter you will need to go to will depend on what kind of tickets you have booked. Go to Counters 1 or 2 for tickets to the 'Treasures of the Great Tang Dynasty', Counter 3 for tickets to the 'Mural Paintings of the Tang Dynasty' or Counter 4 for tickets to the main exhibition halls. You will also see automatic ticketing machines but these can only be used by visitors with Chinese ID cards.

Shaanxi Nature Museum. The museum has exhibitions on nature, science and technology. There is also an exhibition hall devoted to the coal industry, as well as a dome cinema and a 5D cinema.

Shaanxi Science & Technology Museum. The museum has four floors. The first floor focuses on the history of human technological development. The second floor is devoted to electromagnetics. The third floor is concerned with optics, mechanics and mathematics. The fourth and uppermost floor has multimedia and electronics exhibitions.

Xi'an Art Museum. Displays a wide range of artworks from both Chinese and foreign artists.

Xi'an Museum. The Xi'an Museum isn't as large or as famous as the Shaanxi History Museum, but has a decent collection of over 110,000 artefacts, of which around 2000 are normally on display. Visitors are required to make a booking on WeChat or another app before entering the museum.

Bell Tower. The traffic island is almost ringed by a subway, enter from north side next to Metro entrance. Great tower with ancient bells to toll the time for the city. Short musical performances every hour or so.

Drum Tower. Great tower with drums to toll the time to the old city. Short musical performances every hour or so.

Daming Palace National Heritage Park. This is, first of all, a huge park with both green spaces and an enormous open square with an equally-impressive ancient palace gate (the palace is Tang dynasty, built in 634 AD). There's a model of the palace next to the gate. The square sometimes hosts public performances. The park even has an IMAX theatre. The park, gate and square are accessible for free. If you pay for admission, you can actually go into the partially restored palace ruins and other sections of the park protected by a moat. Worth seeing for the sheer size of it - it's more than 4 times the size of the Forbidden City, and a very surreal effect compared to the crowding in the rest of Xian.

Eighth Route Army Xi'an Office Museum. The Eighth Route Army was a Communist-controlled group army that was created from the Red Army in 1937 when the Communists and the Nationalists formed the Second United Front against Japan. From 1937 to 1946, this site served as the army's official liaison office for coordinating communications with the Nationalist authorities in Xi'an.

Gao Family Compound. Built over 400 years ago during the late Ming Dynasty, this 86-room courtyard mansion is the former residence of a famous scholar-official by the name of Gao Yuesong (高岳崧). The mansion has been fully restored and turned into a museum. It also functions as a venue for puppet shows. The Gao Family Compound should not be confused with Gao Peizhi's former residence on Xinglong Lane, another traditional residence which is sometimes also referred to as 'the Gao Family Compound'.

General Yang Hucheng's Zhiyuan Villa. One of two heritage properties administered by the Xi'an Incident Museum (西安事变纪念馆). the other being General Zhang Xueliang's Official Residence (listed below). Generals Yang Hucheng and Zhang Xueliang were the leading conspirators behind the Xi'an Incident.

General Zhang Xueliang's Official Residence. The Xi'an Incident Museum's main exhibition halls are at this site.

Tang West Market Museum. Said to be China's first privately run on-site archaeological museum. The museum is located at the site of the excavated ruins of the West Market, probably the most important market in China during the Tang Dynasty. Thousands of artefacts have been unearthed at the site, including not only Tang Dynasty artefacts, but also artefacts from earlier and later dynasties.

Xi'an City Wall. The world's largest city wall, it has been restored and is 12 m high, 18 m wide at the bottom, 15m wide on the top, and 13.7 km long. You can hire one at the top of the South or East gate; you may return it to other stations on the wall (there is one at each of the four main gates), but be sure to verify this before starting your ride, and remember that most gates close at 18:00 or 19:00 and the Zhongshan Gate shuts at 21:00. Only the south gate is open till 23:00. Bikes will not be rented if there is any chance of rain, because the top of the wall becomes slippery. Check the weather forecast before you buy a ticket to enter the wall. If you want to foot it though, a complete loop of the walls takes 4-5 hours. The landscaped park around the base of the exterior walls and moat also makes for a pleasant stroll and gives a different perspective on the battlements and towers. The wall is lit up at night and makes for a pleasant stroll. The present city wall was built in the Ming dynasty (AD 1368-1644) on the foundation of the Chang'an Imperial city wall of Tang dynasty (AD 618-907). The Xi'an City Wall International Marathon is held each year in November since 1993, with athletes from more than 50 countries running on top of the wall. Also, the Xi'an city wall Cycling Race is held on top of the wall since two years ago. There is a small museum inside the city wall at Hanguang Gate, about halfway between the southwest corner and the South Gate, accessible from the top of the wall. Look for a staircase down inside a covered structure. Inside are the unrestored remains of a gatehouse and a calligraphy collection.

Big (Wild) Goose Pagoda. Built by Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi (高宗李治) in 652 AD. Emblem of the city of Xi'an. In the fountain in front of the pagoda there are various water and music show sometimes during the day with pleasant parks and western eateries nearby.

City God Temple of Xi'an. A Taoist temple dedicated to the city god of Xi'an, the protector god of the city whose earthly incarnation was the Han Dynasty general Ji Xin. The temple was established in 1387 at a site near the city's east gate. It was moved to the present location in 1432 and rebuilt in 1723 after being destroyed in a fire. It is one of the largest city god temples in China.

Daxingshan Temple. Established in 266 AD during the Jin Dynasty, the Daxingshan Temple was one of the most influential temples in China during the Tang Dynasty, being the place where the eminent monks Śubhakarasiṃha, Vajrabodhi and Amoghavajra translated sacred Buddhist texts from India and disseminated Chinese Esoteric Buddhism. In the 9th century, Emperor Wuzong ordered the temple to be destroyed as part of his campaign against Buddhism. It was rebuilt during the 15th century.

Eight Immortals Temple. An active Daoist temple built for the famous Eight Immortals, including the Eight Immortals Bridge, lots of steles in the walls with text and illustrations, and multiple worship halls.

Great Mosque. Uniquely built in a traditional Chinese architectural style during the Ming Dynasty, with room for 1,000 worshipers. Built by the Muslim community who is settling in China for the Silk Trade. It is still an active place of worship for the local Hui community, and only Muslims are permitted entry to the main prayer hall. As with all mosques, visitors should dress conservatively and avoid revealing clothing, though non-Muslim women are not required to wear the hijab.

Guangren Temple. Established by the Kangxi Emperor in 1705. The temple is noteworthy for being the only Tibetan Buddhist temple in Shaanxi Province.

Little (Wild) Goose Pagoda. Completed in 709 AD. Now administered by the Xi'an Museum.

Qinglong Temple. It was established in the 6th century AD. The Qinglong Temple rose to prominence during the Tang Dynasty when the eminent Vajrayana master Huiguo served as the temple's abbot. Huiguo's most famous disciple was the Japanese monk Kūkai who upon his return to Japan founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. After being destroyed during the 11th century, the temple was largely forgotten about until the 20th century when it was finally rebuilt with funding from local governments in both China and Japan. During the rebuilding, hundreds of cherry blossom trees were planted in the surrounding garden, and these days many people come here just to see the cherry blossoms (which usually bloom in March and April).

Wolong Temple. This active Buddhist temple dates back to 200 BC. It has been restored, and is vibrant and busy.

Daxuexi Alley Mosque. The temple was founded in 705 AD, it is one of the oldest mosques in Xi'an.

Shaanxi Archaeological Museum. Opened in 2022, this new museum displays artefacts from several important archaeological sites in Shaanxi Province. Visitors are required to make a booking on the Shaanxi Archaeological Research Institute's WeChat account before visiting the museum. The WeChat account name is 陕西考古 (Shaanxi Archaeology).

Army of Terracotta Warriors and Horses. This mighty army of terracotta warriors and horses, found in three vaults, is perhaps the most popular tourist attraction of Shaanxi and one of the most popular in all of China. An in-site museum has been built over these pits, covering a floorspace of 20,000 m² and housing 8,000 lifelike terracotta warriors, 100 or so chariots, and 40,000 weapons, allegedly crafted to replace actual human sacrifices that had been commonplace in previous dynasties. Not all of these are on display, and the site is still an active archeological dig. There are 3 pits (numbered and clearly signposted 1, 2, 3), and only 3 pits open to tourists — if touts claim that they can guide you to pit 4 (and bypassing the queue), this is a scam. Going from pit 3 to pit 2 to pit 1 means that each pit gets more impressive and ensures a grand finale. The assemblage has been billed by the tourist industry as the Eighth Wonder of the World and a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.

The ticket office is next to the parking lot, which is a 5- to 10-minute walk away from the entrance to the museum. On the way back, however, you are forced to walk in order not to "miss" the countless opportunities to buy small terracotta warriors, other tourist articles and food.

When buying your ticket you are likely to be approached by a 'guide', especially if you look foreign. When talking to them, take the time to evaluate how they speak, because if you can't understand them at the start it'll just get worse. Inside Pit 1 there is a 'photo spot' to the left of the entry when you can be escorted to one of the nicer places. You won't miss much by not doing it, but you will have 15 min with no-one jostling you on either side and an uninterrupted view of the warriors.

Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum. Mausoleum of the First Emperor of China. You can visit the surrounding gardens and mountains, but the massive burial chamber has not been excavated, so the Mausoleum itself is very unassuming. There is a low quality museum with a reconstruction of the mausoleum. Optional carts available at a fee to go directly to the museum. Taking pictures in the dimly lit museum is forbidden, although staff will not control it too much. There are two small excavation pits in the area.

Banpo Village Ruins. 6,000-year-old ruins of a village site including residential and pottery-making areas, ancient tools, and a burial ground. You should also visit the Shaanxi History Museum to see some of the best examples of the pottery found at Banpo.

Huaqing Palace. Built by the Tang emperor Xuanzong near hot springs at the foot of Li Shan (Mount Li) so he could frolic with his favoured Imperial Concubine Yang to his heart's content. Most of today's structures date not from the Tang Dynasty, but from later dynasties. The exception is the ruins of the Tang Dynasty baths, which have been excavated and are open to public viewing. Also of interest is a residential compound dating from the late Qing Dynasty that was briefly home to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek. This was the site of the Xi'an Incident in 1936 and the bullet holes from the incident can still be seen.

Lantian Man Site. In 1964, at this site in Lantian County, the cranium of a hominid was discovered. The discovery came just one year after a mandible belonging to a similar individual had been found in another part of the county. The two individuals were later classified as belonging to a subspecies of Homo erectus known as Homo erectus lantianensis or Lantian Man. A small museum at the site displays both the cranium and the mandible, as well as a collection of stone tools and animal fossils, which were also found in the area.

Louguantai. It is a Daoist temple complex. This is supposedly the place where Laozi preached and composed the classic Taoism book, Dao De Jing.

Xingjiao Temple. Xingjiao Temple was built in AD 669 to reinhume Xuanzang and was one of eight famed temples in Fanchuan in the Tang dynasty. The five-storied Buddhist relic pagoda, preserving the remains of Xuanzang.

Shuilu Nunnery. Originally, it was the Water and Land Hall within the Beiputuo Lanzhu Nunnery of Wuzhen Temple. Wuzhen Temple was first built during the Northern Dynasties, but the temple was later destroyed, leaving only the Water and Land Hall. The main hall contains more than 3,700 statues, making it the largest existing group of painted sculptures in China.

Qinling National Botanical Garden. Covering an area of 639 km², the Qinling National Botanical Garden lays claim to being the largest botanical garden in the world.

Taiping National Park. Famous for its waterfall and the largest area of wild Zijing flower (the city flower of Hong Kong) in north China.

Tang Paradise. A large (67 ha, 165 acres) theme park based on the royal gardens of the Tang Dynasty. It claims to be the first theme park for all five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell). It includes a large fragrance garden and the largest movie-on-water screen in the world.

Xiangyu Forest Park. Sitting the foot of Guanyin Mountain, next to the Xiang River, the park features pine, poplar and bamboo forests as well as waterfalls, caves and different scenic spots.

Zhongnan Mountains. The Zhongnan Mountains are a branch of the Qin Mountains located south of Xi'an. the range's highest point is Cuihua Mountain. Other notable peaks and places in the Zhongnan Mountains include Lou Guan Tai, where Taoist sage Laozi is said to have dwelt and conveyed the Dao De Jing. Later this was also a place of dwelling for Nan Wutai and Guifeng.

Do

Stroll round the Drum and Bell Tower area after dark, when they're brilliantly illuminated.

Hui Muslim Quarter. Walk through the Muslim quarter sampling food and buying souvenirs. The Hui Muslim Quarter (回民街 Huí mín jiē, hwei-min-jyeh) is a series of small alleys located in a high-density Hui community (very much like Chinatown in North America) inside the city walls, where the residences open up small restaurants and food shops like street food. Some of these restaurants are among the most famous ones in the city, regarded as the "true Xi'an cuisine" by the locals. However, visitors from outside the city may dislike the environment while the locals may not, because garbage can be seen almost everywhere on the street. It is recommended to try only the Huimin food here while keeping other Xi'an delicacies elsewhere in the city.

Walk the City Walls. Walk along the city walls and see the South Gate (南门 Nánmén, literally translated as "The Southern Gate"), which is illuminated at night. The area outside of the "Gate" is full of big shopping malls that are popular among the locals, marked with the iconic glass-curtain walled buildings. The area is one of the busiest places of interests in the city.

Bike the City Walls. Bicycling around the city walls will take about 2 hours leisurely and just over an hour if you only stop a little. Make sure that you keep the deposit ticket, as the bike vendor will not give you the deposit back without it! Also, the bikes are generally relatively new and well maintained, but check the tire pressure and whether the brakes work before choosing yours. It's good to enjoy the scenery while biking the City Walls, but the biking experience may not be very pleasant. Because the City Wall's top-floor is very bumpy in nature, most people give up in midway because they can't bear the uncomfortable riding experience. Also choose a day when the weather is friendly, usually in Spring or in Fall.

Qujiang Sightseeing Monorail. An elevated 6.8 km sightseeing monorail looping around the Qujiang cultural district. The ~45-minute ride offers aerial views over Qujiang Pool Heritage Park (Nanhu), Tang Paradise, and surrounding Tang-style parks.

Buy

Xi'an souvenirs include small copies of Terracotta warriors, wood-carved Buddhas and dragons, Tang Tricolored Pottery, hand made paper cut (by many regarded as the most important arts form in Xi'an), all other kind of folk art and also fake western products.

Terracotta Warriors. If you are visiting the Terracotta Warriors, be prepared to meet some of the most hardcore hawkers you are likely to meet anywhere. If you keep quiet, they will usually bargain themselves down in front of you in desperate pleas for your money. Wood-carved Buddhas and Dragons for about the same. They are fortunately kept at a distance from the actual site. Many travelers report enjoying this experience. It is definitely not a reason to avoid seeing the Terracotta Warriors. The exit from the pit areas to the parking lot leads through long avenues lined with souvenir stalls and shops. The barkers will try to get your business, but are not as aggressive as the touts at the entrance or immediate exits.

Huimin Street (回民街 Huímínjiē). The best place to buy souvenirs in the city center is the bazaar area. This area is also full of fake name-brand products like watches, bags, clothes. Bargain hard.

Calligraphy Street (书院门步行街). This is another souvenir shopping area. Less hectic than the Muslim Quarter.

Tang Tricolored Pottery Factory. Tang Tricolored Pottery is a style that was lost and has now been recreated from pieces of pottery found in tombs. It is graphic in image and eye-pleasing in color. The factory recreating the style offers over 100 varieties of items, like statues, animals and utensils.

Shuyuanmen Antique Paper & Ink. Tucked away on the historic street, this shop sells traditional rice paper, ink stones, and calligraphy sets. It's a great place to find a thoughtful, cultural souvenir away from the mass-produced trinkets.

Clothes Xi'an is a great place to buy clothes.

East Street. Has regular fashion shops. On the right side of the street there is an underground mall (called LuoMaShi) where one can find cheap socks, knockoff goods, and local brands

South Street. Has finer clothes and shoes, and is home to boutiques like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Marc Jacobs.

Baihui Market. Local youngsters shop here. It is one of those fake-brand markets. This is also a great place for DVDs and CDs but understand these are mostly pirated copies.

Kangfu Road. A great place for a bargain. But this place is full of poor quality stuff.

Shida Lu. A trendy place to shop in a largely student populated area in the south of the city. Shida Lu has lots of hair salons, and clothing boutiques.

Century Ginwa. This luxury shopping mall has three locations in Xi'an. One downtown by the Drum Tower, one in Gaoxing on Keji Lu, and one just outside of the South Gate.

Jiahui Hantang Book City. The largest bookstore in Xi'an, Book City has a fairly decent selection of imported English books. You'll find a wide range of books here, from educational ones, to classic novels, and modern literature to children's books. The place gets swamped with people at the weekends, so for a more pleasant browsing experience, come during a weekday.

Xi'an Book Building. Four floors of books as far as the eye can see. Though the vast majority of books are in the Chinese language, you will find a small selection of English books on the second floor. The building also houses a small audio and video section, as well as a café.

Bell Tower Xinhua Bookstore. Another very small English language book selection can be found at the Bell Tower Xinhua Bookstore. Unless you're nearby, your best bet for English books is still the Foreign Language Bookstore or even the Book City. However, if you're also looking for stationary, cards, wrapping paper etc. then it may be worth checking out and to trying to kill two birds with the one stone. Otherwise don't expect an English-language book Mecca here.

Eat

Xi'an used to have only a few restaurants known by the locals to serve delicious food. These days you can find a wider variety of restaurants, including western fast food brands that locals may find exciting. However younger generations don't seem to appreciate the traditional cuisines and rather choose to eat fast food, so some of good old restaurants are forced to close down, being taken over by the newer ones.

Yángròu Pàomó (羊肉泡馍) is one of the signature dishes of the area, it consists of a piece of thick, chewy bread and a kettle of lamb soup. The diner shreds the bread with his hands and places the shreds in a bowl, the soup is then poured over the shreds (along with meat, maybe some noodles or scallion, etc.) The trick is to shred the bread into pieces that are "as small as possible", like the size of your pinky fingernail. Most first-timers will shred their bread in pieces that are too large. In some restaurants, they have already shredded the bread for you. It is normally also served with pickled garlic and chili. If you don't like lamb, some restaurants also offer a beef version. The best, and the most authentically made of this dish can be found in the Hui Muslim Quarter. Biáng biáng miàn (𰻝𰻝面) is a local provincial specialty noodle dish that is extremely good. The wide noodles are spiced, have a broth, and include toppings such as eggs, tomatoes, beef, etc. The character for "biang" is very complex (58 strokes) and distinctive. Although this kind of noodles has created a brand of the same name (trademarked), under which several such restaurants are run across the whole city, not every one serves the noodles that taste like the original. It's advised to go to the one restaurant that has lasted for the longest time, which is located in Fen Alley, within the City Walls. It is known by the locals as the most "authentic" (正宗) Biáng biáng miàn. Ròu jiā mó (肉夹馍) is the closest thing to a hamburger. This is a local tradition and should be very easy to locate. Sandwich-like, with pork, beef or lamb, this is a must-try item for anyone who is in this area. Still, as a dish that is derived from Hui people's cuisine, the best Ròu jiā mó restaurant is to be found usually within the City Walls, specifically in the Hui Muslim Quarters. Not every Ròu jiā mó restaurant in the city serves the food just like the original. A recommendation of such an "authentic" restaurant would be Yú Lǎo Dà (literally translated as "Mr.Yu's") located in the Wuxing Street, just across the Roman Catholic church. It mostly serves food for breakfast, so get in there in the morning just in case it closes at noon. Liangpi (凉皮) is a noodle dish made from wheat or rice flour, dressed with soy sauce, chili oil, and vinegar, and garnished with cucumber, bean sprouts, and cilantro. Look for its big brother "Da baozi" only available first thing in the mornings, like a steamed Cornish pastie, but very nice. Guàn tāng bāozi (灌汤包子) are steamed buns served with sauces inside. Shìzi bǐng (柿子饼) are buns made from persimmons, stuffed with something (e.g. black sesame paste), and deep-fried, so they're quite sticky-sweet. Lǜdòu gāo (绿豆糕) are literally green bean cakes (come in small cubes), but they're more moist than you may find elsewhere and also come with a variety of mixings (e.g. sesame). Ice Peak, or BīngFēng (冰峰) is a kind of carbonated orange-flavoured beverage that is a provincial specialty. Its taste is very similar to the orange-flavoured Fanta, but locals still prefer the "traditional" Ice Peak. It is usually served in traditional restaurants, mostly within the City Walls, such as Biáng biáng miàn restaurants. It is known by the locals to be made with better-quality oranges, and therefore the company is not making as much profit as, for example, Coca-Cola.

Some good places to look for restaurants are: The Muslim Quarter close to the Drum Tower is a vibrant area with many restaurants spilling out onto the street and mixing with the street sellers. If you're looking for snacks, this area is also full of people selling dried fruit (especially dates) and nuts/seeds (sunflower, melon, pumpkin, etc.) Prices are per Jin (500 g) and are pretty much standardized throughout the area, so you can't really bargain unless you're buying a lot (but who wants 1 kg of peanuts anyway?) Watch out for the pits in the dates! As its name suggests, this is a good place to look for halal food. Since the Muslim Quarter is basically a series of small alleys, there are multiple entrances. The one commonly used by the locals is located behind a shopping mall called Bǎi Shèng (百盛) on the West Avenue, at the northern end of the South Guangji Street. Another one where you can find meat shops more easily is located at the northern end of Qiaozikou. Visitors usually are directed to the one behind the Drum Tower, where you can find more souvenir shops. Street food (mostly sold after sunset, or some near night clubs/bars after 23:00) presents a variety of local/regional dishes, ranging from noodle soups, dumplings, hot pot, and so on by tens of little food vendors on street side, each with a red lamp. There are a few roads running perpendicular to the Muslim Quarter road that have a larger variety of streetside food (at cheaper prices because these roads are harder to access). As streetside stores are nearly a model of perfect competition, look out for food sold at significantly higher prices, yet maintain a long queue as these are likely to be tastier. If Muslim food isn't your thing, you can find a few more typically Chinese restaurants on Dongmutou Shi (东木头市) southeast of the bell tower.

It's best to do so within the City Walls, as most restaurants there are family businesses and may have been there for a very long time. The real good old restaurants, especially those run by Hui people, usually serve very delicious food that is also very cheap. Most of these have been there for quite a long time, and are usually found within the City Walls. But such restaurants are scattered across the area. It's best to ask someone that you know for which ones to go to.

A good street for eating is Xiyang Shi running east–west near the mosque in the Muslim quarter.

Wen Xin Jiaozi Guan. A good cheap place for jiaozi (Chinese dumplings). There is no menu, but endless supplies of fresh jiaozi of many flavors.

Lao Sun Jia. Has fantastic yangrou paomo which is very cheap but flavorful. No English spoken but easy to communicate with sign language! Franchises all across town.

Li Ming's Dumpling House. A tiny, family-run spot known only to locals, serving exceptional guotie (potstickers) and baozi (steamed buns) with secret-recipe fillings. No frills, just authentic flavor.

Yong Xing Fang night market. outside the eastern gate

Nanliu Alley night market. open 10:00-22:00

Tabai night market. , Corner of Tabai S. / Jixiang Rd.

Night market 1st of May. in the Lianhu district (Address: 莲湖区 铁塔寺路 与铁塔寺北街十字向北路西侧)

McDonalds, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, KFC or its Chinese brother, Dicos, are widely available within city walls for a change from the daily Chinese cuisine.

Green Molly Restaurant & Pub. A restaurant where you can indulge in the tastes of home, whether that be in the U.S., Europe or even Mexico. The restaurant owns only the second authentic pizza oven in Xi'an. Downstairs, the first and only real pub in Xi'an has a wide selection of beverages ranging from imported beers to wine and delicious cocktails.

Small World Cafe. Run by a Dutch woman and her Chinese husband. Known by the older generations as "the oldest western restaurant in Xi'an", which opened in the early 70s. Great European cafe feel. Good food. Pizza, salad, fried chicken and real cake. From the windows, one could see busy Huancheng Nanlu (环城南路), while it is really quiet inside.

Delhi Darbar. Authentic North Indian food run by a wonderful Indian manager. Service is good, food is divinely delicious, and prices are very affordable.

Yongxingfang. Set in a historical building complex, and translating to "the food museum" the restaurant serves traditional food from the Shaanxi province. There are also different folk cultural performances. This place is the home of the local "smashing wine bowl" tradition where you drink rice wine from a small cup, then smash it into pieces, which is supposed to bring luck.

Zhen Er Lao Tan Suan Cai Yu. Traditional Sichuan restaurant, whose name translates to Sijiong Old Jar Fish With Chinese Sauerkraut.

Zhen Er Lao Tan Sauerkraut Fish. Sichuan restaurant which has been around for a century.

Splurge Luxury restaurants serving western food are virtually everywhere to be found in big shopping malls these days, mostly in the southern suburbs.

Tang Paradise Hotel. Dinner show in a 165-acre theme park. The charm lies in that all the buildings in the park are built in the luxurious style of the Tang Dynasty. The best time to visit is at night when most of the shows, including fireworks and dances, are performed.

Tongshengxiang. Upscale restaurant serving traditional dishes of the Hui community. Three other locations in the city.

Drink

Nightclubs Night clubs in Xi'an are not abundant. The biggest concentration is along the short Nandajie (南大街), and there you can also eat on the street as there are restaurants open past midnight. All clubs play the same music, a mix of Chinese disco and some pop music. Most people go out between 22:00 and 01:00, but clubs are generally open until 04:00. Be mentally prepared to be aggressively approached by club operators desperate for patrons.

MIX. Rather nice places to sit and drink.

Night Cat. Dance floor, some foreigners and OK DJs.

Bars Along the near the southern gate you can find many bars, including trendy places popular with younger adults . During the summer, the area around South Gate (南门) is beautiful. East of it there are three nice bars with terraces and gardens.

De Fu Lou Cafe & Bar. In Bar Street (De Fu Xiang), one of the first bars ever to open in Xi'an and a favorite hangout for locals. Live football on the big screen and live music every night.

Havana Bar. Has a Colombian band and makes good cocktails. It's not your average Buena Vista Social Club, though: they play loud music in between band performances and the band plays a wide array of pop and salsa. This location is more of a club than an actual Latin bar.

Rhythm Bar. Jazz bar with live music, a bit pricey.

Sleep

As with most Chinese cities, several cheap run down hotels can be found near the train station. There are a few decent ones inside the city walls, on a road called Jie Fang Lu, going directly south from the train station. Bargaining is possible, especially if you are staying for more than one night.

There are at least six international youth hostels in the center of the city, and they are easy to find.

Bob's Guesthouse. Guesthouse that's been around since at least the mid-2000s.

Ludao Binguan. A nicer-than-average hotel and hostel. The manager Jim Beam is friendly.

Han Tang Inn Youth Hostel. The hostel is in a 4-floor building down an alley near the Bell Tower. The hostel includes a bar on the 4th floor with TV, pool table, movies and 3 guitars. Free computer use for internet in the lobby. The Wi-Fi in the rest of the building is iffy but you can ask for an Ethernet cable. The staff run lots of events (e.g. a dumpling party) each wee. Have a partner, Shuyuan Hostel, near the South Gate.

Warriors International Youth Hostel. Great budget option, in a quiet spot along the inside of the West City Wall. Opened April 2012 - facilities are clean, spacious, and comfortable. Staff are young, friendly, have a good grip on English. Free train station pickup, A/C, Wi-fi, computer use, and one beer/coffee ticket. Train 103 within easy walking distance to/from train station.

Ancient City Youth Hostel. A cozy and modern place, clean and in very good shape. Well-heated rooms and comfortable beds. Staff speak good English and know all of the important bus routes. A pool table and a ping pong table are available, as is a fitness room. On the downside, rooms close to the bar tend to be noisy and draw smoke.

Citadines Xingqing Palace Xi'an. Offers 139 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Amenities such as fully-equipped kitchen, gymnasium, business center are available.

Qindao Business Hotel. Free internet and cable TV in the rooms. Travel office and public computer available in the lobby. Complimentary breakfast at 4th floor restaurant of mediocre quality, but their regular menu items are quite good and the view from the balcony is great. Beware of the massage place on the 7th floor. It is nasty.

Grand Mercure on Renmin Square. A heritage hotel of 202 rooms, 21 suites, first opened in 1957 and reflects the Sino Russian style of architecture.

Nanlin International Hotel. Nanlin International Hotel is a four-star hotel in Xincheng District. It is 3 km from Xi'an Railway Station and 40 km from Xianyang International Airport. Air-con room equipped with cable TV and free high-speed Internet access.

Ibis Hotel. Part of Accor Group. Very basic facilities. Free broadband internet access.

Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza Hotel. 5-star in two modern towers with 324 rooms.

Golden Flower Hotel. 5-star hotel, large rooms with views. Swimming pool, spa, 3 restaurants, lobby bar and shops.

Sheraton Xi'an Hotel. Standard 4-star Sheraton offering. This quarter of town is being demolished so it's a bit forlorn.

Garden Hotel. Four-star hotel with a stunning imperial-inspired façade and 292 beautifully appointed rooms. Facilities include conference and banquet venues, three restaurants, and an indoor swimming pool.

Jin Jiang International Hotel. 5-star luxury hotel with river view and extensive conference facilities. On opposite bank is Euro-Asia Economic Forum.

Xi'an Xindicheng, Somerset Serviced Apartments. Serviced apartments for short and long stays. Self contained rooms with kitchen, washing machine, shower. Spa on the top floor with gym, swimming pool, sauna and steam room. Close to a university, which has a number of very tasty street food stalls in the morning, and after 23:00.

Learn

Xi'an Jiaotong University is a locally prestigious institution that offers study programs to foreign students. The website of its school of international education is