At dusk, Xi’an City Wall.
The sunset dyes the city wall golden, lanterns on the towers beginning to light up. Riding a bicycle around the city wall, seeing the Bell Tower and Drum Tower inside, seeing skyscrapers outside. The ancient city wall divides Xi’an into two worlds.
This city wall has guarded this city for over 600 years.
Shaanxi is a place that makes you travel through history.
Province Profile#
- Location: Northwest China, middle reaches of the Yellow River
- Best Travel Season: March-May, September-November
- Highlights: Qin and Han culture, ancient capital charm, precipitous Mount Hua, red holy site
Must-Visit Attractions#
Terracotta Warriors: The Eighth Wonder of the World#
The Terracotta Warriors are the burial pits of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum, known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Three burial pits, over 8,000 terracotta figures, each with different expressions, lifelike. Pit 1 is the largest, with over 6,000 terracotta figures standing in formation, magnificent in momentum. Pit 2 has complete military branches—cavalry, infantry, and crossbowmen, each with their duties. Pit 3 is the command center, with imposing general figures.
Best Experience: Hire a guide to hear the stories hidden behind the terracotta figures. Carefully observe each figure’s expression, feel the craftsmanship of artisans 2,200 years ago.
Xi’an Ancient City: The Charm of a Millennium Imperial Capital#
Xi’an is an ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, one of China’s most historically rich cities.
City Wall is China’s most completely preserved ancient city wall, 14 kilometers in circumference—you can ride a bicycle around it. Bell Tower and Drum Tower echo each other, Xi’an’s landmarks. Muslim Quarter is a food paradise—roujiamo, yangrou paomo, liangpi, biangbiang noodles… eat your way through.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda is where Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang stored scriptures. Great Tang All Day Mall is a popular photo spot, brilliantly lit at night—dream back to the Tang Dynasty.
Best Experience: Ride on the city wall in the morning, wander Muslim Quarter in the afternoon, see night scenery at Great Tang All Day Mall in the evening.
Mount Hua: The Most Precipitous Mountain Under Heaven#
Mount Hua is one of the Five Sacred Mountains, famous for being “precipitous.”
Plank Path in the Air is Mount Hua’s most dangerous place, with wooden planks laid on cliffs, bottomless abyss beneath your feet—requires safety ropes to pass. Flip of the Sparrow is another dangerous path, requiring climbing chains to flip over the cliff.
East Peak is the best place to watch sunrise, West Peak has the legend of “Chenxiang Splitting the Mountain to Save His Mother,” South Peak is the highest peak, North Peak is the climbing starting point.
Best Experience: Night climb Mount Hua, reach East Peak before dawn to watch sunrise. Or take the cable car up, walk through five peaks, feel Mount Hua’s precipitousness.
Yan’an: Red Holy Site#
Yan’an is the holy site of the Chinese revolution—Pagoda Mountain and Yan River water are memories of several generations.
Pagoda Mountain is Yan’an’s symbol—climb the pagoda to overlook Yan’an city. Yangjialing and Zaoyuan are where Mao Zedong and other leaders lived—their simple cave dwellings gave birth to decisions that changed China.
Best Experience: Stay overnight in a cave dwelling, listen to the older generation tell revolutionary stories, feel those eventful years.
Special Experiences#
Famen Temple#
Famen Temple is famous for enshrining the finger bone relic of Sakyamuni.
The underground palace yielded a large number of Tang Dynasty treasures—gold and silver vessels, glassware, and silk textiles, each a national treasure.
Hukou Waterfall#
Hukou Waterfall is the largest waterfall on the Yellow River, located at the border of Shaanxi and Shanxi.
The Yellow River narrows here, cascading from a 20-meter-high cliff, sound like thunder, magnificent in momentum.
Shaanxi Cuisine#
Shaanxi cuisine is mainly noodles. Roujiamo is the “Chinese hamburger,” with crispy bun and fragrant meat. Yangrou Paomo is a Xi’an specialty, crumbled bread soaked in lamb soup—fresh and fragrant. Liangpi is chewy and smooth, with chili oil—appetizing. Biangbiang Noodles are wide as belts, chewy and satisfying.
Travel Tips#
- Transportation: Xi’an is Northwest China’s transportation hub, with high-speed rail and flights to all parts of the country. Mount Hua has a high-speed rail station, Yan’an also has an airport.
- Accommodation: In Xi’an, stay near Bell Tower and Drum Tower; on Mount Hua, stay at the foot or on the mountain; in Yan’an, stay in the city.
- Note: Terracotta Warriors require advance reservation—tickets are hard to get during peak season. Mount Hua is precipitous—watch for safety, proceed within your ability.
Shaanxi’s depth is hidden in those Qin bricks and Han tiles.
The shock of Terracotta Warriors, the ancient charm of Xi’an, the precipitousness of Mount Hua, the red memories of Yan’an… each place is a witness to history.
Come to Shaanxi and understand China’s past.
Tomorrow, we head to Gansu to see the art treasury of Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and the colorful wonder of Zhangye Danxia.