Xi’an, formerly called Chang’an, is one of the 13 ancient capitals in China and also one of the four great ancient capital cities of the world. During the Han and Tang Dynasties, Xi’an had been the greatest international city in the world. It was also the starting point of “Silk Road”..
Beautiful Scenery
1. The Bell Tower.
The Bell Tower in Xi’an is situated in the very heart of the city and at the junction of four main roads. To the west of the Bell Tower is the Drum Tower. The feeling here is almost of a “city within a city” and the streets around this district heading up to the Mosque are like a small village crammed with people selling all kinds of weird and wonderful things.
2. The Xi’an City Wall.
The Xi’an City Wall is located in the center of Xi’an City. It measures 12 meters high, 18meters wide at the base and 15 meters wide at the top. It is 13.7 kilometers long and the length of the east, west, south and north walls are, respectively, 2590 m, 2631.2m,3441.6 m and 3241 m. It has four gates: Changle Gate in the east, Anding Gate in the west, Yongning Gate in the south and Anyuan Gate in the north. The existing wall was built between 1374 and 1378, making it over 600 years old. It is the oldest and most well preserved city wall in all of China.
3. Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. In 221 B.C., Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin dynasty established the first centralized feudal dynasty in China. After his death, he was buried at the north foot of Lishan Hill in the east of Lintong country. In 1974, three large pits of terra-cotta figures were found. Over 6,000 clay warriors are regarded as the eighth wonder of the world.
4. The Dayan Pagoda
The Dayan Pagoda is located within the premises of the Temple of Great Maternal Grace (Dacien Si). This magnificent pagoda is four kilometers south of Xi’an and many regard it as a symbol of the city. The pagoda, built in 652 A.D., stands at 60 meters high. According to legend, the Temple was built to protect Buddhist scriptures collected in India by the Chinese monk, Xuan Zang.
5. Lotus Palace of Tang Dynasty (Datang Furong Garden)
Datang Furong Garden covers an area of more than 66 hectare and displays the royal garden style of the Tang Dynasty, which located on the bank of Qujiang River. Including Ziyunlou, Shizhuangguan, Yuyan Palace, Fanglinyuan, Luyu Tea Club, Tangshi, Qujiang Stream and many other attractions. Datang Furong Garden will bring you the only Chinese Tang Dynasty cultural journey with its unique charm and unparalleled historical status.
Delicious Food
1.Roujiamo
Xi’an meat burger (roujiamo) – Roujiamo is the city’s favorite burger. A delicious roujiamo is composed of two key elements – juicy shredded braised pork and a crispy baked bread.
2.Yangrou Paomo
Flatbread in mutton soup (yangrou paomo) – Yangrou paomo is the most iconic dish in the Xi’an foodscape. The ritual before eating a paomo – tearing the bread into small pieces yourself before letting the chef turn it into a stew– is as enjoyable as the dish itself.
3.Biangbiang noodles
Biangbiang noodles – commonly described as resembling a belt, biangbiang noodles are wide, thick and long. One string of noodles can easily fill you up.
4.Liangpi
Cold noodles (liangpi) – Rice noodles are cooked, cooled and thinly sliced. The noodles are often served in a sauce made of chili oil, pepper powder, vinegar and diced garlic. Then it’s garnished with bean sprouts and slicedcucumber.
5.Suantangshuijiao
Hot and sour soup dumpling (suantang shuijiao) – Who can resist a bowl of dumplings swimming in hot and sour soup with sesame seeds, minced leek and cilantro? Suantang shuijiao is flavorful and refreshing with a lingering (and pleasant) aftertaste.
6.Tangbao
Soup dumpling (tangbao) – Shanghai’s xiaolongbao? Wrong. It is Xi’an’s own version of soup dumplings. Instead of pork, tangbao in Xi’an is mutton meat and soup packed into a paper-thin wrapper.
