Xi'an

Xi’an boasts enough historical sites and relics to keep any history buff amused for many days. Among these are 72 imperial tombs and more than 700 different sites of historical significance ranging from ancient walls to immaculately preserved pagodas.

The Bell Tower is a great spot from which to orientate yourself, and is also a gorgeously constructed landmark in itself. Take a hike to the top of the 36m tower for a wonderful view across this busy city.

Just across from this is the Drum Tower, another symbol of the city and a wonderful architectural treasure.  Combined tickets for both cost around ¥50.

Although actually located in Lintong, a good 20km east of town, one of the biggest draws to Xi'an is the Army of Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Constructed more than 2,200 years ago, this amazing army of statues stands proud, guarding the tomb of emperor Qin Shi Huang. It is the largest find of its kind anywhere in the world, and is one of six sites in Xi’an which has been inscribed to the World Heritage list.

Another UNESCO site is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built during the Tang Dynasty as a place to study Buddhist scriptures. Finished in 652 AD, this five-storeyed pagoda is an architectural wonder and an absolute must-see if you’re spending any time in Xi’an.

To the northwest of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi History Museum is an essential visit during your trip if you have any interest in ancient China. The building covers around 70,000 square metres, and houses in excess of 37,000 relics from all over Shaanxi province. At ¥300 admission, it might be one of the most expensive museums in China, but is worth your support for all the hard work they do to preserve these important relics.

A smaller but equally important exhibition can be found at Yangling Han Dynasty Mausoleum. This underground museum is the burial place of Emperor Jing, and houses more than 50,000 miniature terracotta figures, well preserved and vividly coloured, which are viewed through a glass floor in the museum.

A walk (or cycle) around the ancient city walls is a great way to spend a sunny day. Xi’an’s fortifications are one of the oldest, largest and most well preserved in all of China. They run for 14km around the old city, and feature watchtowers, gate towers, drawbridges and a moat. From the vantage point of the top of the walls, you’ll get an interesting view of city life below without having to be in the throng yourself.

The Lotus Lake Park is the city’s main green area, and is the oldest park in Xi’an. During the summer, the hundreds of lotus flowers in the park all burst into bloom, splashing the park with colour and turning it into something very beautiful.

The music fountain at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is sure to delight and enthral your kids, whatever their ages. Covering a massive 110,000 square metres, this is the biggest fountain show in all of Asia. Water is painted with coloured light, beautifully harmonised with music, shooting colourful jets into the air for over 60 metres. Shows take place every day at midday and 21:00, with more shows over the weekend and during public holidays. There are twenty two different shows to enjoy, so you might want to visit more than once!

For local food and interesting souvenirs, head over to the Muslim Quarter and its bustling market traders. Stalls line the street on both sides, selling everything you could wish for from crafts to silks and snacks. Popular and affordable souvenirs include the folk style block prints and other folk art, as well as fake branded goods, but be prepared to haggle.

For a less hectic shopping experience, the stalls in Calligraphy Street offer similar products but with less hard sell. Xi’an is also a great place to buy clothes, with fashion shops available on East Street, boutique clothes on South Street, fake-brands at Baihui market and a modern, luxury shopping mall at Century Ginwa.

To become immersed in the history of the city, consider a night out at the Imperial Show with dumpling banquet. The show replicates the singing and dancing that would have taken place at the palace during the Tang Dynasty, with glorious traditional costumes, instruments and performances. You can sample a delicious dumpling buffet while you enjoy the show too.