Xi'an, a journey through a thousand years of time!
Amidst Qin bricks and Han tiles, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties is awakening its dormant history with a youthful heartbeat.
Stepping into Xi'an is like opening a living history book. It is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization, the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, carrying thousands of years of cultural relics and heritage.
This city not only enjoys the reputation of a "natural history museum" but also radiates new vitality through the fusion of ancient and modern.
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01 Ancient Capital Imprints, the Silent Narratives of Historical Relics
Xi'an's charm lies in its unparalleled historical legacy. In this city, the styles of the Qin and Tang dynasties quietly blossom in various forms.
The Terracotta Warriors Museum, known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," features terracotta figures crafted over two thousand years ago, each with a unique face and posture, neatly arranged. Witnessing them in person is truly awe-inspiring.
Standing before these silent legions, you will hear the echoes of history.
Huaqing Palace, built against Mount Li, was not only an imperial palace for Tang dynasty emperors but also a witness to the love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. Here, you can not only admire ancient Tang dynasty architecture but also appreciate the beautiful scenery of Mount Li.
At night, the large-scale live performance "The Song of Everlasting Sorrow" with Mount Li as its backdrop is an essential part of Xi'an's night tours.
The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, as the earliest and largest existing Tang dynasty square pavilion-style brick pagoda, has become a symbol of the ancient capital Xi'an.
The Shaanxi History Museum is hailed as the "Pearl of the Ancient Capital, Treasury of China," housing 370,000 cultural relics. Its Shang and Zhou bronzes are exquisite, its terracotta figures from various dynasties are diverse, its Han and Tang gold and silver artifacts are unparalleled nationwide, and its Tang tomb murals are world-renowned.
02 City Landmarks, a Visual Feast of Ancient and Modern Fusion
The Xi'an City Wall is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Renting a bicycle to ride on the wall is the best way to explore it.
In the evening, starting from Yongning Gate (South Gate), enjoying the sunset over the moat offers a unique charm.
The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are iconic landmarks of Xi'an, located in the heart of the ancient city. These two Ming dynasty buildings echo each other, showcasing the superb skill of ancient Chinese architecture.
From the top, you can overlook the intersection of the four main streets of the ancient city, stretching east, west, north, and south.
This summer, Xi'an launched a creative activity, presenting several landmark buildings artistically with fruit-themed "skins."
The Bell Tower transformed into a lychee cream cake, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda became a sandy watermelon, and the Stele Forest Museum turned into a plump sweet orange, injecting fresh sweetness into the ancient capital's history.
03 Night Tour of Xi'an, a Modern Interpretation of Tang Dynasty Grandeur
As night falls, Xi'an radiates a charm different from the daytime. The Grand Tang Everbright City, with its dazzling lights and spectacular performances, makes visitors feel as if they have traveled back to the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Every night, there are free street performances such as the "Tumbler Lady" and "Li Bai's Poetry Duel," attracting numerous tourists.
The musical fountain in the North Square of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is one of the largest matrix fountains in Asia. The nightly performances are grand, interwoven with lights, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
The Tang Paradise, as China's first large-scale royal garden-style cultural theme park comprehensively showcasing the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, stages the world's largest water screen movie every night, integrating musical fountains, lasers, flames, water bombs, and mist, providing visitors with a stunning three-dimensional experience.
04 Culinary Delights, Xi'an on the Tip of Your Tongue
Xi'an's food culture has a long history and is an indispensable part of any trip. The Muslim Quarter, as Xi'an's most famous snack street, is a must-visit for tourists.
The Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), Yangrou Paomo (lamb stew with pita bread), Liangpi (cold noodles), and Biangbiang noodles, among other Shaanxi-style delicacies, are unforgettable.
Yongxingfang gathers intangible cultural heritage foods from all over Shaanxi. Here, you can not only taste authentic Shaanxi flavors but also experience folk activities like "smashing bowls for wine," feeling the unique charm of Xi'an as a "trending ancient city."
05 Trendy Experiences, the Young Heartbeat of an Ancient City
Xi'an is not only preserving history but also creating new cultural experiences. In recent years, Xi'an has seen the emergence of innovative cultural landmarks such as the Chang'an Twelve Hours Theme Block, the Grand Tang Everbright City, and the Yisuo Society Cultural Block, showcasing the ancient capital's continuous vitality to the world.
In the Grand Tang Everbright City, a series of brand image IPs like the "Tumbler Lady," "Li Bai," and "Stone Man" have become effective carriers for spreading the culture of the ancient capital, transforming historical and cultural resources into tourism assets.
In 2025, major attractions will also introduce new experiences. The Terracotta Warriors Museum's new "Digital Immersive Exhibition: Underground Army" and "Archaeological Experience Zone" allow visitors to personally restore fragments of terracotta figures.
VR technology can recreate the underground palace of Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum, and AR scanning of terracotta figures can reveal their armor and weapons, full of technological flair.
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Today's Xi'an, with its ancient city walls lit up like a galaxy at night, and beneath the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, not only features various performances but also young people strolling in Hanfu.
In Yongxingfang, the sounds of smashing bowls for wine rise and fall, and the aroma of food wafts through the Muslim Quarter.
This former ancient capital, with its unique charm blending "ancient" and "trendy," is attracting tourists from all over the world.
Whether it's Qin bricks and Han tiles or modern creativity, Xi'an always has a surprise in store for you.