Xi’an

See the Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors are regarded as the Eighth Wonder of the World, which is famous for its myriad life-like figures built to scale. What the Terracotta Army is to Xian, the pyramids are to Egypt. No Xian trip is complete without visiting the Terracotta Army.

Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is renowned as a landmark of Xian, where the sutras and figurines of the Buddha were brought to China from India by Xuanzang, a prestigious Buddhist translator and traveler who lived during the Tang dynasty, are preserved. It is highly recommended to visit.

Watch the Fabulous Fountain Show in the Goose Pagoda Square.

The fountain show in the Goose Pagoda Square is the largest fountain complex in Asia, which is highly favored by travelers.

Enjoy a savory Dumpling Banquette.

Dumpling banquettes in Xian are world-famous. An American president even spoke highly of it after enjoying it. The dumpling banquette is featured with differently-shaped dumplings, diverse stuffing and delicious taste, which travelers are sure to appreciate.

Hang out on the famous Muslim Street

The Muslim Street is the main gathering place where the Muslim population of Xian interacts. On both sides of streets display countless snack stands and handicrafts. Eat the locally famous Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup, boiled with become chewy and savory. In Xian, the best place to taste the authentic Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup is Sun Family Restaurant.

Taste cold noodles

Cold noodles are white, smooth, thin, chewy and tender, and are a big hit in Xian. Accompanied with red spicy pepper and green bean sprout, the cold noodles are a delicious and authentically Chinese dish local and tourists like to enjoy.
Enjoy the Qishan Noodles.

Qishan Noodles are another must-have along your Xian travels which is known for its chewy noodles, sour soup and savory seasoning.

Appreciate the fabulous Tang Dynasty Stage Show.

The Tang Dynasty Stage Show is a great combination of art, music, dance and culture, which is a great reflection of the glorious Tang culture of ancient China.

Qin Opera (Qin qiang)

Qinqiang, also referred as Luan tan, is a distinctive folk opera originated in northwest Shaanxi Province, which is the oldest tune among the national opera arts in China. Qinqiang was derived from the folk songs and dances of Shaaxi, Gansu and Ningxia area in ancient times, which is mainly prevalent in the northwest area of China. There are 10-plus characters in Qinqiang, ranging from four kinds of “Sheng” (male), six kinds of “Dan” (female) two kinds of “Jing” (male with painted face) and one kind of “Chou” (Clown). Qinqiang created its own features in singing method, face-painting and costumes. The tune in Qinqiang is resounding, powerful and sonorous. There are 700-plus Qin opera plays presently preserved, which ranks first among other operas in terms of plays preserved. In Xian, Wuyi Theater and Yisu Theater often offer Qinqiang performance every week.

Shaaxi Eight Oddities

The eight oddities of Shaanxi sung of in Shaanxi folk proverb is a vivid reflection of the traditional folk customs of the Shaanxi people. The eight oddities are as follows: dwellings are built half-sided with only one slopping plain, women both old and young usually wear a kerchief on their heads. the noodle in traditional cooking is just like a waist-belt in terms of its thickness, width and length, guokui, a flatbread originating in Shaanxi province, is just like a pan-cover in shape, size and thickness, pepper poured with hot oil is a common dish in Shaanxi, the local opera is performed by roaring vigorously instead of singing, people prefer squatting on the ground than sitting on stools, and lastly, the Shaanxi people usually use large porcelain bowl to have meals, which could be as large as basins.

The Start of Silk Road

In the second century BCE during the Western Han Dynasty under the reign of Liuche emperor, in order to enlarge the territory and establish friendly relationships with neighboring peoples, the glorious Silk Road connecting Europe, Asia and Africa was created. During the Western Han period, a diplomat named Zhang Qian started from Xian and journeyed westward carrying an abundance of silk with him. This is the first time that China exchanged economic and culture ideas with western countries, the route becoming known later as the Silk Road. The east starting point of Silk Road is in Xian. The Silk Road generated tremendous wealth for China as silk was in high demand in the Middle East and Europe for many years.

What to Buy in Xian

Demaogong Crystal Crisp Cake

Crystal Crisp Cake, one of the most popular cakes in Xian, is known for its delicate shape, crisp flavor and delicious taste, which is representative of cakes made during the Qing Dynasty. The stuff inside the cake appears crystalline, hence the name crystal cake. There are many bakeries producing this type of cake, while the most famous are the ones made in Demaogong shop. It enjoys more than 100 years history of producing crystal crisp cakes. The crystal crisp cake made in Demaogong features special ingredients and a crisp taste and distinctive flavor.

Paper-cutting

Paper-cutting is another unique treasure along your Xian travels. It is a popular folk art in northern China, especially in Xian and Yanan in Shaanxin province. Due to the vividly cut images, Shaanxi paper-cutting is reputed as the life-like fossils by experts, which is a vivid reflection of Chinese folk culture. Patterns in the paper-cutting vary from figures, customs to animals. Since red symbolizes happiness and good luck in China, the color of the paper for paper-cutting is mainly red to offer good wishes for the future. The main tools for paper-cutting are pieces of paper and scissors. If you are lucky enough, you may have the chance to see how paper-cutting is made by artists!

Terracotta Warriors Replicas

Terracotta Warriors replicas with the same size as the originals and are usually exhibited in art museum, history museum, craft and art gallery and large restaurants. In some families, 1/2 or 1/4 size of the original one are often displayed for decorative purpose. The ones with 1/8 size of the original Terracotta Warriors are delicately carved and pocket sized, which are ideal gifts for friends.

Straw-made Pictures

Straw-made pictures are the gem of Chinese ancient culture. Although weathered by time, the lifelike models and gorgeous colors of straw-made pictures are still maintained. The straw-made pictures are characterized by unique materials, fine workmanship, delicate patterns and strong three-dimensional sense. Due to the sophisticated skills of the artist, the color of the picture never fades away after baking and the gloss of straws are kept as well. These straw-made pictures could be hung on the wall of a hotel, meeting room, home, or other places.

Xian Embroidery

Xian Embroidery is features vivid images, gorgeous color, diverse patterns and sophisticated workmanship, which is highly spoken of by foreign businessmen. Xian embroidery is mainly used to decorate table-cloths, pillow-covers, cushions and tourist souvenirs. Embroidery in Xian not only inherits the embroidering traditions of ancient times, but blends Shaanxi local features into it as well. Xian embroidery is one of the representative handicrafts brimming with profound Shaanxi local flavor.

Where to Buy in Xian

Century Ginwa Shopping Mall

What to buy: high quality, luxury international brand products, like Bally, Burberry, Dior, Givenchy, Lancome, Estee Lauder Address: No.1, West Avenue, Beilin District, Xi’an
Tel: (029)87631700
How to get there: Take the bus No. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 18, 29, 43, 45, 46, 201, 203, 205, 216, 221, 223, 236, 302, 603, 604, 605, 606, 610, 502 and 2 and get off at Bell Tower Street.

Kaiyuan Shopping Mall

What to buy: High quality brand clothes, facilities, daily essentials
Address: No.6, Jiefang Market, East Avenue, Beilin District, Xi’an
Tel: (029)87235340
How to get there: Take the bus No. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 18, 29, 43, 45, 46, 201, 203, 205, 216, 221, 223, 236, 302, 603, 604, 605 and 606 to get to.

Minsheng Department Store

What to buy: High quality but reasonably priced cloth and daily essentials
Location: 103, Jiefang Road, Beilin District, Xian
How to get there: Take the bus No. 705, 706 and 710 to get to.

Baisheng Shopping Center

What to buy: High quality clothes and daily essentials
Location: 119, East Street, Beilin District, Xian
How to get there: Take the bus No. 7, 8, 20, 27, 29, 41, 43, 45, 102, 201, 202, 213, 239, 303, 601, 602, 604, 605, 606, 705, 710, 704, 702 to get to.

Famous Xian Shopping Streets

Xiaozhai Commercial Street

What to buy: Nearly all the daily essentials are available here
Location: 38, Changan Middle Street, Xian
How to get there: Take the bus No. 3, 5, 14, 18, 24, 215, 239, 311, 401, 603, 605, 610, 504, 521 to get to.

Muslim Street

What to buy: Xian specialty, handicrafts and souvenirs
Location: 100 meters east of Bell Tower
How to get there: Take the bus No. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 18, 29, 43, 45, 46, 201, 203, 205, 216, 221, 223, 236, 302, 603, 604, 605, 606, 610, 502 and 2 and get off at Bell Tower Street.

Shuyuanmen Cultural Street

What to buy: Tour treasure of in study, calligraphy, paintings and souvenirs
Location: Near the Bell Tower in Beilin District