Timeless Xi’an: Journey Through China’s Ancient Heart
- tasha19923
- Oct 28, 2024
- 20 min read
Updated: Oct 30, 2024
Uncovering the Hidden Gems of Xi'an: A 3 day itinerary for a timeless Journey Through China's Ancient Heart.
Welcome to Xi’an, where history and culture blend seamlessly with the energy of a modern city! As one of China’s ancient capitals, Xi’an offers traveler's a unique glimpse into its rich past, from the legendary Terracotta Warriors to the ancient City Wall.
Exploring Xi’an is like stepping into a living museum, where ancient history meets vibrant modern culture, where 3,000 years of history come alive amid modern-day energy. This city was once the starting point of the Silk Road and the capital for 13 dynasties, offering a rich blend of historical treasures and vibrant urban life.
If you're looking for a comprehensive guide to exploring Xi’an, my blog is the perfect place to start. I dive into the city's rich history, modern culture, and vibrant street life, offering personal insights, practical travel tips, and recommendations you won't find in most guides. Whether you're curious about must-see landmarks like the Terracotta Warriors, need advice on where to taste authentic local dishes, or want insider info on hidden gems, this blog has you covered. Let me help you plan a trip to Xi’an that’s as seamless as it is unforgettable!
In this blog, I’ll guide you through the must-see historical sites, local cuisine, hidden gems, and essential travel tips.
My Xi'an Itinerary
Day one: The bell and Drum towers, The Muslim Quarter and The City Wall
Day two: The Terracotta Warriors
Day three: Stele Forest, The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Guangren Temple.
Lets Get Started
Exploring Xi'an: What we did in 3 days
Where to stay, getting around and budget.
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Exploring Xi'an: What we did in 3 days
Xi’an, located in Shaanxi Province, is one of China’s most historically significant cities, often considered the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. As the capital of China for over a thousand years and home to 13 dynasties, Xi'an is filled with cultural and historical landmarks.
Day 1
The Bell and Drum Towers
Zhōnglóu 钟楼 & Gǔlóu 鼓楼
After arriving in Xi'an from Beijing, we headed to the hotel, in which our room was thankfully ready at it was 8:30am at this point. We freshened up and headed out to explore. We Decided to check out the Bell and Drum towers.
These towers are two of Xi'an's most iconic landmarks, symbolizing the ancient city's timekeeping system during the Ming Dynasty. The Bell Tower was used to signal the dawn, while the Drum Tower marked the arrival of dusk. Both are situated in the city centre and offer fantastic views of Xi’an’s old and new districts.
We Headed towards the Bell Tower 1st, situated in the middle of a busy round about, you need to take the underground walkway enter. There you can purchase tickets on site, we got a combo ticket for both the bell and drum tower, went through security and headed on up the tower. Built in 1384 during the Ming Dynasty, the tower once served a practical purpose: to mark time and alert the city to the arrival of dawn by ringing the bell each morning. The tower houses Bell of Jingyun, a large iron bell from the Tang Dynasty which weighs about 6,500 kg. Today visitors can explore the inside of the tower, where there are historical exhibitions and performances of traditional bell music. The tower offers great panoramic views of the city. We walked around looking at all the artefacts and taking in the panoramic views of the city.
After we headed towards the Drum tower, which is only a short walk from the Bell tower.
The tower originally housed 24 drums, each representing one of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar, but only one original drum remains today. The others have been replaced by replicas for visitors to view. In ancient times, these drums were beaten every evening to mark the passing of time, signalling the closing of the city gates.
Inside the Drum Tower, there is a small museum that exhibits ancient drums, musical instruments, and various relics related to timekeeping and traditional Chinese music. The exhibits also provide historical information about the tower’s role during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. After walking around, learning about the history. We explored the Muslim Quarter that is right nest to the Drum tower.
The Muslim Quarter and The Great Mosque
Huímín Jiē 回民街 & Xī'ān Dà Qīngzhēnsì 西安大清真寺
This place was alive with energy. The Muslim Quarter is especially famous for its street food scene, which features a wide variety of unique and delicious dishes that combine Chinese and Islamic culinary traditions. Beyond just a food destination, it represents a long-standing relationship between China and the Islamic world, which began over 1,000 years ago through trade along the Silk Road. The Hui Muslim community that lives here preserves their distinct culture and Islamic traditions, which are evident in the neighbourhoods architecture, food, and religious practices.
Alongside the famous food stalls, you'll find shops selling traditional silks, spices, antiques, and handicrafts. We weaved though the people and explored the off streets where we came across a spa, one of he ones where the fish clean your feet with a sign saying '20 Yuan, no time limit'. 20 Yuan only being like $4 AUD, we looked at each other and decided to treat ourselves and soak out feet. This being both of our 1st times, it was the weirdest sensation but you get used to it quickly.
After about 20 minutes we continued down the ally where we stumbled upon the Great Mosque.
The Great Mosque is one of the largest and oldest mosques in China. The Great Mosque was initially built during the Tang Dynasty (618–907) and expanded during the Ming Dynasty(1368–1644). Its origins are tied to the Silk Road, when Muslim merchants and traveler's from Central Asia and the Middle East settled in Xi’an, bringing their religion and customs with them.
Please note this is still an active place of worship, so you will have to cover up before entering, or you wont .be allowed to enter.
I wasn't planning on visiting the Mosque this day, even though I wore a long skirt I had nothing to cover my shoulders. Lucky they will provide a scarf for you to help you cover up. You can buy tickets on site, and if you are of Muslim faith, you get in for free.
I covered up my shoulders and we went in, it was so quiet and peaceful, a good little escape from the busy streets. Looking at the gardens, pavilions with their blend of ancient Chinese and Arabic writings. The inscriptions reflect Islamic teachings while honouring the local culture.
We made out way to the main prayer hall, which can host up to 1000 people. As neither of us are on muslim faith, we couldn't enter, but it was amazing to see this hall from the outside.
The Great Mosque of Xi’an is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the unique intersection of Islamic and Chinese heritage. It is a living piece of history, offering both a peaceful retreat and a cultural experience.
After the Mosque, I returned the scarf and we made our way back to the busy streets to check out the local street food. We came across a place serving grilled lamb and noodles. We decided to fuel up. The Noodles were decicions and the lamb was perfectly seasoned, the only downfall was I got a real fatty bit and i just couldnt chew or swallow it, so had to sneakily spit it back into a napkin. Other then that, good feed. Other note, alot of muslim owned restaurants do not serve alcohol at all. After we filled our bellies we headed to the City Wall.
The City Wall
Xī'ān Chéngqiáng 西安城墙
After a short ride on the subway we got to the South Gate. It is the largest, most elaborate, and
most well-preserved gate on the wall, often used for special ceremonies and events, which makes it the best gate to enter to see the wall. From here, tourists can rent bicycles, walk along the wall, or take part in cultural events such as historical reenactments. The gate also leads to a beautiful square that frequently hosts performances and exhibitions.
The Xi'an City Wall is an impressive example of ancient Chinese fortifications. It stretches around 13.7 kilometres in length and is approximately 12 meters high and 12-14 meters wide at the top. The wall is surrounded by a deep moat and includes a sophisticated system of gates, watchtowers, parapets, and battlements that were designed to defend against attacks. Throughout the wall, there are nearly 100 ramparts that were used by soldiers to watch for invaders. The watchtowers were strategically placed so that they could defend the gates, while archery towers offered additional protection.
Today, the Xi'an City Wall is a major tourist attraction and offers a variety of activities for visitors. Some popular ways to experience the wall which include, walking, cycling and cultural events.
We walked a little around the south area, looking at the view and checking out all the rooftop bars we would 100% be checking out later. We came across the bike rentals were you could either hire a single ot a tandem bike. We hired a tandem, and my god these thing were not built for a tall white girl from Austalia, but we already paid so I pushed on. We weaved through school groups who were kindly shouting "Hello" at us and when we passed the crowds, of the south gate, it was like we had the wall to ourselves. What I thought, would be a nice peacful bike ride around the wall, my partner decided that we should beat some imaginary record for getting the whole way around the wall the quickest... the whole 13.7 km. And we were off like we were in Tour de Xi'an.
Riding around the bumpy wall, doing a few quick pit stops along the way. We made it back around in less then an hour. My legs burned. After dropping our bike off we decided to rest at one of the rooftop bars we saw earlier.
As we left the wall, we headed inside the wall and to the right, theres a street directly parallel to the wall with so many choices of bars you can choose from. We headed to one of the rooftop bars where we enjoyed some beers and took in the views of the wall then headed back towards the hotel, with a pit stop at the Bell tower too see it at night.
Day 2
The Terracotta Warriors
Bīngmǎ Yǒng 兵马俑
Todays the day we see the imfamous Terrocotta Warriors. We got up early and decided to catch a DiDi there as we wanted a bit of a sleep in. Make sure you get dropped on at the east gate. We initally chose the wrong gate, but lucky our driver let us know and took us to the right one. We got there about 9:30am, and it was already full of people. We were planning on just going in and having a look around, but one of the many tour guides out the front approached us and offered his serviced he spoke really good english and explained its better to go in with a tour guide. He showed us his credentials (make sure they have them so you don't get scammed) and we agreed and went in with the guide.
After we introduced ourselves and he told us to call him Peter, we went in towards the entrance and already he was giving us information about the sight and the history of the warriors. The site had 4 main pits, but only 3 are available to see.
We headed to the 1st pit to start, the largest and most famous, containing about 6,000 life-sized soldiers in battle formation, along with horses and chariots. The size of the pit is incredible. Discovered in 1974 by farmers, it is rectangular in shape, covering an area of around 14,000 square meters. Peter went on about the history of the pit and the current excavation works happening. Each warrior in Pit 1 is unique, with different facial expressions, hairstyles, and body postures, symbolizing various ranks and roles within the army. The figures are life-sized, standing between 1.8 to 2 meters tall, and were originally painted in vivid colours, although most of the paint has faded due to exposure to air.
As you can see in the photo above, there are alot of tourists, so you have to weave your way through the crowd to get pictures and see the warroirs properly. Peter then explained that each warrior standing had taking archeologists about 1+ years to put a single warrior together.
Towards the back of the pit, you can see the archeologists working on more soldiers, and you can see some of them are wrapped up to preserve some of the paint. Mind blowing to think that each warrior is not only different, but they were also each individually painted.
We headed towards Pit 2, this pit contains warriors of different ranks, including cavalry, archers, and infantry and is slightly smaller than Pit 1, covering about 6,000 square meters. Here in pit 2 can can also see the one and only warrior that didn't get crushed with the collapse of the roof in the pits, they call him the Lucky Warrior who is a kneeling archer and you can get an up close look at how detailed these warriors are.
We headed towards pit 3, smaller in scale, this pit is thought to represent the command centre of the army, housing senior officers and a chariot. Covering an area of about 520 square meters with 72 warriors, these figures are arranged in a way that suggests they represent the high-ranking officers and command units of the army. Peter then went on to explain that this pit also has evidence of ritual sacrifices, with animal bones being found in the pit and talked about the spiritual religion of that time.
After the pits Peter showed up the way to the free shuttle bus that will take you to tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. But 1st he asked us if we wanted to a Jade jewellry store were we can learn about the difference of real and fake jade, with no cost. We went and the lady behind the counter showed us the differance as well as told us about the significance of ech coloured jade and showed us the collection and bangles and pendants. I ended up buying a purple jade pendant which symbolises spirituality, healing, love, compassion, creativity and inspiration and was only 380 Yuan which is $80 AUD. As the site is very close to the jade mountains, buying Jade in Xi'an is quite cheap compared to the rest of China.
We made our way to the shuttle bus where we parted ways with Peter. Highly recommend hiring a tour guide as we learned an incredible amount about the site.
We made it to the tomb, while much of the outer complex, including the Terracotta Warriors, has been excavated, the central tomb itself remains largely unexcavated. One of the reasons for this is the concern over preservation. The techniques required to safely excavate such a site have not yet been perfected, particularly in preserving the delicate paint and possible treasures that lie within.
There we seen acrobats, entertainers, and musicians so the emperor could have entertainment, as well as protection, in the after life.
After exploring all the pits and the tomb, we headed back to Xi'an via public transport this time.
The warriors is one of the most incredible things I've ever seen, such incredible 2,200 years old history and craftmanship if that time. It's a must for everyone to see.
The Most amazing Noodles I've ever had.
I had to do a quick post about these noodles, served by the sweetest lady we met on this whole trip after spending most if the day at the Warriors, we had a rest at the hotel and then walked around a nearby park then headed back to the hotel. The day beofre i noticed these small resturants and wanted to onr out. This small restaurant has 4 tables that seat 4 people and a tiny kitchen at the back of the restaurant. I wanted to give this one a go where we were greeted with the biggest smile from the Lady, who I assume owns the place, as I think she expected an Australian and an Italian to walk in. We saw a man eating this noodle soup, had no idea what it was but she pointed to it and we nodded our heads.
We figured out it was Mutton soup. We also purchased a small bottle of what I thought was rice wine, it was a very strong white liquor that you had to sip, I struggled. The Lady came over with two bowls of Mutton soup and some pickled veggies. This soup changed my life, it healed me. The noodles wwereso fresh, the broth was delicious and had the right amout of seasoning and the mutton was full of flavour. Thank god for modern technology so we could let her know how delicious we thought her noodles where. With the biggest smile, she came over and sat with us and through a translator we had a conversation with her and an elderly couple that also came in for some noodles. After I ate the whole thing and almost licked the bowl clean. We said our goodbyes and we headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest for our trip to the Terracotta Warriors the next day.
This is probably the only resturant I remember on how to get to. Once we left out hotel, you take a right down Naxing Street, the its the 1st left down what I believe is West 1st road, a little bit down you will see what looks like these small 'hole in the wall' Restaurants. There about 2-3 of them there. This resturant is the last one. If you ever Visit Xi'an I highly recommend you try it out. She does close early though, so get there before 8pm.
Day 3
Stele Forest
Bēilín 碑林
We woke up a little later today, got ready and decided to spend the morning having a little more of an explore around Xi'an, we decided to check out the Stele Forest, or Beilin Forest as its also called.
We caught the subway and made out was there where we seen a group of women dancing in the morning sun getting their exercise.
We made our way in and explored the site. Unfortunately on this day, most of the museum was blocked off, I'm guessing for cleaning or restorations, but we made the most of it.
Established during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), the Stele Forest originally served as a place to honour Confucius. Over time, it evolved into a repository for stone steles, inscriptions, and carvings from various dynasties, making it an important cultural site in Xi'an.
We walked around and watched as a man was stamping using old techniques and learned about the art and history on this technique simply called rubbing. This traditional method involves placing a piece of paper over a stone inscription or relief and then using a brush or a soft tool to apply powdered ink or red powder. When the paper is lightly beaten, it picks up the impression from the surface, creating a detailed replica of the original engraving.
After a short visit to the museum, we headed towards the south gate, which is a short walk away, where we found a street filled with shops and markets and had a little look before we headed to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Dà Yàn Tǎ 大雁塔
We headed off to the pagoda whish is situated outside of the city wall to the south. We got off the subway and walked past what seemed to be a massive fountain that wasn't active at the moment.
We got out tickets and entered, they weren't joking when they said this thing was giant. The pagoda was built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) in 652 CE by Emperor Gaozong. It was initially constructed to house Buddhist scriptures and relics that were brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang, who famously traveled to India to study Buddhism. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda has a total of seven stories, it used to have 10 during the Ming dynasty, but suffered damage from earthquakes which lead to its downsize.
We walked around the area where you can see people praying, lighting incense and making offerings to buddha. We made our way to the pagoda so have a look inside. You will need to buy another ticket before you enter. We climbed the 7 stories up to the top, each level featuring a series of balconies as well as relics on display. At the top, you can get amazing panoramic views of Xi'an. It was starting to get a little crowded so me made the slow climb down. The pagodas steps inside are small and narrow, so you need to watch your step.
We explored the garden that surrounded the pagoda. Filled with lush trees and flowers with a few Buddha statues scattered around. It was a peacful walk, till we were met with the loudest music possible. Over the wall was a fountain show happening from the huge fountain that we walked past earlier, trying to take in the lush scenery the music kept playing then eventually stoped after a few minutes. If you would like to see the fountain show while there, I'm sure you can easily find the times its on during the day.
We left the site and had a look around the area which was just filled with souvenir stores so we headed off to find some lunch. We came across a huge restaurant selling bowls of these thick noodles with pork mince that we just had to try. Along with some dumplings lunch was served.
Then we head back towards the city walls to check out the Guangren Temple.
The Guangren Temple
Guǎng Rén Sì广仁寺
During our bike ride along the City walls on the 1st day, a striking sight caught our attention - a magnificent temple with a distinctive gold roof nestled at the corner of the North and East sides of the wall. Intrigued by this, we made a decision to explore this architectural gem. As we approached, we discovered that this temple was a rare find - a Tibetan Buddhist monastery known as the Guangren Temple, the only one of its kind in the province of Shaanxi. The grand entrance of the temple was adorned with rows of imposing prayer wheels, each intricately inscribed with Tibetan mantras like "Om Mani Padme Hum." Stepping inside, we were enveloped in a serene atmosphere, with spacious courtyards adorned with colorful prayer flags fluttering gently in the breeze. Observing the devotees engaged in their rituals, we witnessed locals lighting incense, offering prayers, and making heartfelt tributes to Buddha. It was a peaceful break from the busy city of Xi'an. The walls are adorned with Tibetan Thangka paintings, which depict deities, mandalas, and narratives from Buddhist scriptures. These intricate, hand-painted Thangkas represent Buddhist cosmology, teachings, and myths, acting as a visual guide for meditation and
devotion. The temple also functions as an educational centre for Buddhist philosophy, attracting students and monks interested in studying Tibetan Buddhism.
If you need a quick break from the city and love to people watch. Go check out this temple, free entry as well.
After the temple we decided to go back to bars near the city walls for a drink were we got talking to a man from England who was so happy to hear people speaking english, where we were later joined by his wife how is a Xi'an local were we talked about the way of life in China.
We then headed back to the hotel where we grabbed some dinner, got ready and had an early nights sleep, ready for our flight to Shanghai the next day.
Xi'an is a city where ancient history and vibrant modern life coexist in perfect harmony. From walking along the centuries-old city wall to marveling at the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, exploring Xi'an is like stepping into the pages of China's rich past while experiencing its dynamic present. The blend of diverse cultures, such as those found in the Muslim Quarter and at Guangren Temple, showcases Xi’an as a historical meeting point of peoples and traditions. Whether you’re a history buff, a food lover, or a cultural enthusiast, Xi'an offers a captivating journey through time that leaves every traveler with a deep appreciation for its role in shaping the story of China.
Where to stay, Getting around and Budget
In this section I will give you the run down of where to stay, getting around Beijing and a break down of all the costs.
Where we stayed
Aurum International Hotel Xi'an
We stayed at the Aurum International Hotel Xi'an, which we booked through booking.com.
The room cost us only $43 AUD each a night, and for what I thought was a basic hotel, it was actually quiet lux and the room was huge. Its conveniently located in the centre of the City Walls and has alot of resturants surrounding it to choose from. It has all the amenities you need plus a laundry you can wash clothes in (just ask for the self service laundry at the front desk).
The hotel is about a 10 minute walk from the closest subway station but there is always alot too see when walking there. (Thats how I discovered the most delicious noodles I've ever had)
Getting around
We mainly got around through the subways which was quite easy to use. Most subway stations in China have all the lines colour coded and the stops written in english as well as Chinese. Much like Beijing, you can only buy tickets at the counter as you need a chinese identity card to purchase through the machine. Tickets are cheap costing between CNY 2-4 (40-60 cents AUD) and are also pretty organised and on schedule. You can also use DiDi to get around via the AliPay app and is cheaper the using it in Australia, but because Xi'an is a smaller city compared to Beijing or Shanghai you don't really need to use DiDi as much.
Attraction Costs and Getting to them.
The Bell and Drum Towers
You can buy tickets on site at both locations and a combo ticket which I highly recommend you get costs CNY 50 ($10 AUD). No need to book tickets in advanced for these ones as people only spend a short amount of time there.
Getting to the Bell Tower via subway, Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Station where the entrance to the Bell Tower is in the underground walking subway.
Getting to the Drum tower, Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Station. Get out from Exit B. Walk towards west for around 6 minutes or take metro line 6 to Guangjijie, walk eastward 200 meter to find the tower.
Both towers are within 10 minutes walking distance and you will only need 40 minutes to 1 hour are each site.
The Great Mosque
You can buy tickets on site and price depends if you go on peak season or off season. As we were In peak we payed CNY 25 each ($5 AUD). Muslims are free to enter as it is still a place of worship and on that note, wear moddest clothing when visiting the Mosque.
Getting there via subway, Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Station. Get out from Exit B. Walk towards west for around 6 minutes and you can see the Drum Tower then walk north to the Drum Tower and then walk northwest along the Huajue Lane for around 5 minutes to reach the mosque. You cal also easily use Apple Maps to locate the Mosque.
You will need 1-2 hours to explore here. From here as well you can explore the Muslim Quarter
The City Wall
Go to the South entrance. You can buy tickets at the site which costs CNY 54 ($11.50 AUD). For the bike rental fee The deposit is CNY 100 ($22 AUD) for one bicycle in which you get back. A single bicycle costs CNY 45 ($10 AUD) for 3 hours. The tandem bicycle costs CNY 90 ($20 AUD) for 3 hours. You will have to pay an extra charge if you cycle more than 3 hours. An extra 10 minutes costs CNY 5 for a single bicycle, and CNY 10 for a tandem bicycle.
Getting there via subway to the South Gate, take metro line 2 to Yongningmen Station and walk northward.
You will need 3 hours of you're doing the whole wall.
The terracotta Warriors
Buy your tickets in advanced! This is the one attraction in Xi'an that sells out quick. You cant buy tickets from the official site unless you have a chinese phone number. We got our tickets from Travelchinaguide.com which costs CNY 120 ($26 AUD) + admin fee of CNY 40 ($9 AUD).
You Can get a DiDi there, does cost more then subway but less the hassle. Make sure you put yoir destination as the East Gate.
Getting there via subway and bus Take metro line 1 to Fangzhicheng, transfer to metro line 9 and get off at Qinling West Station. Then take the shuttle bus 617, which operates between 6:30 and 20:30 to the museum.
You will need at least 3-4 hours at the site.
The Stele Forest.
You can buy tickets on site and the price depends if you go on peak season or off season. For peak season we paid CNY 65 ($14 AUD).
Getting there via subway take metro line 2 to Yongningmen and take Exit D1, walk north for 400 meters (437 yards), turn right and walk along South Shuncheng Rd. to find the museum.
You will need 1-2 hours here.
The Giant Wild goose Pagoda.
You can buy tickets at the site which costs CNY 40 ($9 AUD) and to climb the pagoda is another CNY 25 ($5.30 AUD).
Getting there via subway take Metro Line 3 and Line 4 to Dayanta Station.
You will need about 2 hours for the pagoda and the surrounding grounds.
The Guangren Temple
Free entry for the temple! Most temples in china are free except the popular temples like the Lamas temple in Beijing.
Getting there via subway take Metro Line 1 and get off at Yuxiangmen Station. Get out from Exit D. Walk east along Lianhu Road for around three minutes and then turn north and walk for around 5 minutes to reach.
You will need about 1 hour here.
Happy Travels!
I hope you enjoyed reading my journey through Xi'an! Exploring this incredible city has been an unforgettable experience, from wandering the ancient city walls to tasting the vibrant street food in the Muslim Quarter and discovering the timeless beauty of places like the Terracotta Army and Guangren Temple. Xi'an’s rich culture, welcoming people, and remarkable history have left a lasting impression, and I’m grateful to have shared these moments with you. Thank you for coming along for the ride and for being part of this adventure into the heart of China. Here's to many more travels and discoveries together! xx
Read my Beijing Blog on important tips and trip you will need to know before heading to China
