Tourism Recommendations for Xi'an, a Famous Tourist City in China

Xi'an is a historical and cultural city of China. It was formerly known as Chang'an, and its name originated from Emperor Wu of Han - Liu Bang's establishment of the capital in the Guanzhong region. He chose the meaning of "Chang'an Township" and named it "Chang'an", which means "long-term stability and peace". There were 13 dynasties, including the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang, that established their capitals here, and it was called the "Thirteen Dynasty Ancient Capital", being one of the four ancient capitals of the world. It served as the capital of China and the political, economic and cultural center for over 1,100 years, and was also the starting point of the Silk Road.
It was said that "West has Rome, and East has Chang'an".

Tourist attractions worth visiting in Xi'an along with their ratings (All key points)
1.Bell Tower - 30 yuan - 9.0 points. You don't have to go up the tower. You can take photos from the viewing platforms on the 5th and 6th floors of the nearby Kaiyuan Mall. When entering the Bell Tower, you can't bring lighters. Go up to the top floor to overlook the central axis of Xi'an and the entire Muslim Quarter.

1. Drum Tower - 30 yuan - 9.0 points. The night view is beautiful. Visit the "Drum Culture Exhibition" on the first floor, which features 83 drum-related cultural relics and the 24 solar terms drum. On the second floor, you can enjoy the exhibition of Ming and Qing furniture and architectural paintings. There are six chime bell performances every day at 9:30, 10:15, 11:00, 14:30, 15:15, and 16:00.

1. Xi'an City Wall - 54 yuan - 8.5 points. It is recommended to visit the City Wall in the afternoon. You can rent a bike or walk around. You can watch the sunset or the night view. It is a rectangular loop, and cycling around will bring you back to the starting point. Bring enough water and food and wear flat shoes.

1. Gaojia Mansion - 15 yuan - 8.0 points. The performances include shadow puppetry, Huaian old opera, and string puppetry, each lasting about 10 minutes. The ticket and performances are charged separately. Students can get a 50% discount with their student ID.

1. Shanxi History Museum Or 9.0 points. Stand in line at the exact hour of 10:00, 11:00, 18:00, and 19:00 every day for ticket release. There are guides available at the museum entrance. Please do not use flash, selfie sticks or tripods. But the process of booking tickets for this tourist attraction is simply impossible!!

1. Joy City Or 8.0 points. Unlocked photo spots: the classic overhead shot of Sun Wukong, interact with Sun Wukong for funny photos, go to the rooftop on the fourth floor to take photos with the monk and the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. It's a shopping mall.

1. Great Wild Goose Pagoda 18 yuan 8.0 points. The ticket for Da Ci'en Temple and the ticket for climbing the pagoda are separate. If you only want to see the pagoda and take photos, there's no need to pay for the temple or climb the pagoda. The Da Ci'en Temple Ruins Park is free, with fewer people and beautiful scenery. You can also take a photo of the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and the Buddha statue together. It's an excellent free check-in spot.

1. North Square Fountain Or 8.5 points. The largest matrix music fountain in Asia has four performances every day. It is recommended to watch the 19:00 and 21:00 shows at night when all the lights are on, which is very impressive.

1. Big Tang City of Never Sleeping 9.0 points. From the North Square all the way to the South, it's the Big Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City. The whole street is brightly lit, and it feels like a time travel back to the prosperous Tang Dynasty. From 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., there are many free street performances, such as the untoppleable girl and the lanterns of Taibai, which are highly interactive.

1. Shanxi Archaeology Museum 9.0 points. It is the first museum in China dedicated to archaeology, with numerous precious cultural relics. When visiting the museum, be sure to try the stone stove hot pot. Note that it is closed on Wednesdays. There is no restaurant inside the museum, so it is recommended to bring your own food.

1. Huaqing Palace 120 RMB 8.0 points. Learn about the lifestyle of the Tang Dynasty royal family and experience the profound historical and cultural heritage. There are tour guide services in the scenic area that can help you understand better. Without a guide, it's just a few bath pools.

1. Ancient Guanyin Temple 8.5 points. The ginkgo tree inside is over 1,400 years old and is said to have been planted by Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. It's extremely beautiful for taking photos. It's especially beautiful in autumn.

1. Terracotta Army of Emperor Qinshihuang 120r 8.5 points. Tour sequence: Pit 1 - Pit 3 - Pit 2 - Cultural and Creative Store - Exhibition Hall of Cultural Relics. There is a Terracotta Army-themed post office not far from the exit, with free color stamps at the entrance. Don't join a tour group at the entrance, as the tour guides are very irresponsible and speak very fast. Also, don't buy any jade items, as they are likely to be fake. Don't trust the scalpers.

1. Guangren Temple 7.0 points. A small Xizang under the city wall. After entering the temple, it is recommended to enter from the left and exit from the right, following a clockwise tour around the temple, symbolizing completeness and fulfillment. Avoid counterclockwise tours.

1. Xiangji Temple De 8.5 points. A famous Buddhist temple from the Tang Dynasty and one of the ancestral temples of the Pure Land School. Take your time to feel the inner peace and tranquility.

1. Lishan 9.0 points. The temperature difference on the mountain is large, so remember to bring a coat for warmth in the morning and evening. Be careful when taking photos and don't stay on the driving lane. A full hike takes 3-4 hours, so remember to wear anti-slip hiking shoes to avoid falls. You can also take the cable car.

Where to stay in Xi'an

1. Near the Bell Tower and Drum Tower: The city center of Xi'an. You can enjoy the night view of the Bell Tower and Drum Tower at night. The transportation is also convenient. The nearby buildings are mostly old houses. There are many scenic spots around, and you can walk to some popular ones.
2. Golden Impression: A great place for tourists to stay. It's a hotel alternative. You can stay overnight and enjoy delicious food. There are many stores, and you can choose the nearest one. The food is diverse and in a buffet style with unlimited servings. All the food is freshly made. You can store your luggage for free, whether you consume or not. 3. Near Yongning Gate: Only one stop away from the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, but the price is much cheaper. You can choose it with confidence.
3. Near the Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City: The Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City is brightly lit at night. Staying nearby allows you to enjoy this magnificent scene at any time.
4. Near the SEG Shopping Center: The accommodation environment is very good, but it's a bit farther from the Bell Tower and Drum Tower. Shopping is convenient. Most of them are new hotels and new homestays. Suggestion
   1: If you go to Xi'an during holidays, be sure to make a reservation in advance. Good hotels are first come, first served. Suggestion
   2: When booking a homestay, pay attention to the comments in the review section. Chain hotels are generally similar.

Transportation in Xi'an (All key points)

1. By plane: Xianyang International Airport. Take Metro Line 14 to Xi'an North Railway Station and transfer to Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower, about 70 minutes.
2. By train/high-speed rail: Xi'an North Railway Station, Xi'an Railway Station, Xi'an South Railway Station. Xi'an Railway Station to Bell Tower: Take Metro Line 4 to Dachashi and transfer to Metro Line 6 to Bell Tower Station, about 17 minutes. Xi'an South Railway Station to Bell Tower: Take Bus No. 500 to Bell Tower Station, about 45 minutes. Xi'an North Railway Station to Bell Tower: Take Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower Station, about 30 minutes.
3. By metro: It can reach many scenic spots, convenient and punctual. Get "Xi'an Electronic Metro Card" on Alipay and scan the QR code to ride. The starting fare is 2 RMB and it is charged by mileage. It is the first choice for traveling within the city.
4. By bus: Get "Chang'an Tong Electronic Card" on Alipay and scan the QR code to ride. People who get carsick should avoid taking buses. There will be traffic jams during rush hours.
5. By taxi: Taxis in Xi'an are green. The starting fare is 8.5 RMB. After 11 p.m., the starting fare is 9.5 RMB. Do not take illegally operated vehicles.
6. By ride-hailing: It is also very convenient and a little cheaper than taxis. The price is transparent and the positioning is more accurate.
7. By shared bikes: Many scenic spots provide bike rental services, which is very convenient. But it's quite cold in winter.

What to eat in Xi'an

1. San Gen Dian Gou Shaanxi Restaurant: Located at Exit C of Zhonglou Station on Metro Line 2, it is a very affordable Shaanxi restaurant near the Bell Tower. Local people often go there to enjoy their famous Huluhuji, Yikouxiang Roujiamo, and Youpo Laziyu.

2. V. La Chuan Chuan (Halal): V. La Chuan Chuan near Muslim Street is very authentic. Iron skewers cost 1 yuan each, bamboo skewers cost 1 yuan for three, and the pot base is free. You can eat until you are full for 30 to 40 yuan per person.

3. Shi Lu Hot Pot: Shi Lu Hot Pot near Shaanxi Archaeological Museum is a charming courtyard with stone tables and hanging pot hot pot. It's very interesting. Try the Qiancengdu, Sumei, and freshly sliced beef.

4. Stir-fried Pao Mo: A dish made by stir-frying noodles with beef and mutton, it has a rich and spicy aroma and comes with a variety of side dishes.

5. Biang Biang Noodles: Handmade wide and thick noodles with a chewy texture and fragrant seasonings.

6. Jia San Soup Dumplings: The soup dumplings are filled with a lot of soup, and you can see the soup through the thin dumpling wrappers.

7. Oil Tea and Mahua: A combination of fragrant oil tea and soft mahua, with a salty and fragrant taste. It is one of the local people's favorite breakfasts.

8. Ma Yan Xiangsu Niurou Bing: A large beef pie for 5 yuan each, with a crispy crust and tender filling. It's very delicious when eaten hot.