Xi’an Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Xi’an

Located on the Guanzhong plain, Xi'an serves as the capital of Shaanxi province and stands as the most populous urban center in Northwestern China. With a resident population exceeding thirteen million people, this metropolis sits near local waterways including the Wei and Feng rivers. Beyond its status as a major regional economic, political, and educational hub, the city ranks as one of the premier travel destinations in China, celebrated globally for its extraordinary wealth of historical and cultural heritage.

Historically known by names such as Chang'an, Fenghao, and Daxing, Xi'an is recognized as one of China's Five Great Ancient Capitals. Human settlement in the surrounding territory dates back hundreds of thousands of years, as evidenced by prehistoric discoveries in Lantian County and the Neolithic village site of Banpo, which displays preserved archaeological remains. The area served as the imperial seat of power for several major ruling dynasties, including the Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Sui, Northern Zhou, and Tang, making it a focal point of Chinese scholarship, trade, and governance throughout antiquity.

Among the city's most celebrated historic sites is the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, renowned for housing the subterranean Terracotta Army. Visitors can also explore five local designated locations included within the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Silk Roads Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor network. Notable historical architecture within the municipality includes the intact Ming dynasty city wall, constructed in 1370 alongside a surrounding defensive moat, which protects the historic urban core.

Xi'an's cultural landscape features prominent religious and architectural landmarks erected during the Tang era. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652, was designed to store Sanskrit scriptures translated by the Buddhist monk Xuanzang following his journey to India. Nearby, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda was established in 707 for similar archival purposes. Additional historic artifacts from the period include the Nestorian Stele, an inscribed stone monument from 781 that documents the early presence of Christian communities in northern China.

In contemporary times, Xi'an has developed into a primary center for research, industry, and higher education in Western China. The city is home to several distinguished academic institutions, including Xi'an Jiaotong University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xidian University, and Northwest University. Administering eleven districts and two counties, Xi'an operates as an internationally recognized financial and scientific hub while preserving its deep ties to imperial history.