In the travel industry, we are familiar with Xi'an City, one of the most popular travel destinations in China for people both at home and abroad. I read in the news that Xi'an has become extremely popular among domestic travellers since 2023. I have been wondering what it is like nowadays as my last trip to Xi'an was more than 20 years ago. So when one of my old classmates called me to attend a class reunion in Xi'an, I booked a train ticket without hesitation. And I took my son with me as he's never been to Xi'an.

We arrived in Xi'an at midnight on 9 January and left Xi'an on the morning of 13 January 2025. After the three-day-and-night travel in Xi'an, I can conclude that: there is no low season in Xi'an. Let me show you the places we went to.

The Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, officially known as the Grand Tang Mall

It is a magnificent open - air cultural block, vividly recreates the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty with its grand architecture, vibrant nightly shows, and bustling market streets full of traditional handicrafts and local cuisine. 

I went there twice, from 20:00 to 23:00, and had the same feeling. Beautiful lights were on, shops were open, and so many people were walking around.

We were lucky to see the music fountain show held at 21:00 to 21:10.

At the northern end of the Ever-Bright City, there is the grand Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was originally built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty to store the Buddhist scriptures and statues that the great monk Xuanzang brought back from ancient India. It blends in harmony with the newly built Every-Bright City as if the Tang Dynasty had been here all along.

You can take a look at the videos of the Ever-Bright City  at: https://www.charmission.cn/explorechina/216.html.

The Terracotta Army Museum

It is a renowned archaeological site showcasing thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers and horses, which were created to accompany Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.

Yes there are still long queues in winter. But my son said it is worth it. He had read about it so much but still it was out of his expectation. He didn’t know it was so grand. We were utterly astounded by the immense effort and dedication that went into crafting these masterpieces over 2000 years ago.

The level of skill and technique employed in creating the weapons, vessels, and terracotta soldiers and horses is truly remarkable.

You can take a look at the videos of the Terracotta Army Museum at: https://www.charmission.cn/explorechina/217.html.

Xi'an City Wall

It is a well-preserved ancient city wall, built during the Ming Dynasty from 1370 to 1378, and serves as a significant historical landmark and tourist attraction in Xi'an, China. The wall stretches for a total length of 13.7 kilometers, standing 12 meters high, with a base width of 15-18 meters and a top width of 12-14 meters.

The wall features four main gates: the East Gate (Chang'an Gate), the South Gate (Yongning Gate), the West Gate (Anding Gate), and the North Gate (Anyuan Gate). Each gate is equipped with three towers: the Arrow Tower, the Barbican Tower, and the Main Tower, forming a complex and effective defense system.

One of the unique features of Xi'an City Wall is its well-preserved structure, which includes not only the wall itself but also the moat surrounding it and the watchtowers positioned at regular intervals along the wall.The wall is also equipped with a sophisticated drainage system, with water channels built into the structure to prevent damage from rainwater.

We started from the South Gate and traveled along the whole wall and finally came back to the South Gate in the end, which took about 3 hours. We rented a bike (45 CNY for 3 hours), but half of the time we were walking because riding on the wall was a bit bumpy and caused pain to our hands.

Walking and cycling along the wall are nice ways to overlook the whole city center. And there were not many people after you moved away from the South Gate.

You can take a look at the videos of the City Wall at: https://www.charmission.cn/explorechina/219.html.

Cultural Pedestrian Streets near the South Gate

I feel glad that traditional Chinese cultural elements still have a place in the city center.

De Fu Xiang

This is the area filled with cafes, bars, and restaurants where young people like to hang out. I had a nice coffee and snack here with our long-term(22 years) partner in Xi'an.

Neighborhood around the Drum and Bell Towers

The area around the Drum and Bell Towers is known for its lively atmosphere, especially at night when the streets are illuminated and filled with tourists and locals alike. The combination of historical sites, traditional food, and modern amenities makes this area a must-visit for anyone traveling to Xi'an.

Tang Paradise

Also known as Da Tang Fu Rong Yuan, it is a magnificent theme park located in Xi'an, China. It is one of the largest imperial gardens in the world, covering an area of 1000 acres. The park was built to commemorate the Tang Dynasty's golden age and to showcase its rich cultural heritage.

This place is much less crowded than we expected, probably because it charges a 120 CNY entry fee whereas the neighboring Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City is free and has so many Tang Dynasty architectures as well. It is definitely a nice spot for people who want to avoid crowds and take beautiful pictures. It is preparing for the Lantern Festival starting from 22 January and I can imagine how attractive it will be during the Spring Festival.

Shaanxi History Museum

Probably the most popular site is the Shaanxi History Museum. I set alarms to reserve the tickets several times but failed to book them. It seems even more difficult to reserve than the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Food!

Xi'an offers a wide variety of food choices. The only pity was that we didn't have enough time or stomach space to try every special food in Xi'an. We tried to try as many as possible though.

To conclude the Xi’an trip: I like the vibrant atmosphere and experience very much. Yes, there are people everywhere, but it doesn't bother me at all. On the contrary, I am convinced that this is what a once Tang Dynasty capital is supposed to be like. It is so welcoming and has so much to offer. Oh, I should mention that the people here provide excellent service, from our hotel, restaurants to sightseeing spots.My son expressed amazement at the friendliness of everyone.  

Yours Truly

Angie Guo - Charmission Travel