Xi’an (formerly Chang’an) is the capital of Shaanxi Province, China. It was one of the four major capitals of ancient China with a history spanning 3,000 years. This city is the cradle of the Yellow River civilization and the starting point of the legendary Silk Road. Thirteen dynasties have established their capitals in Xi’an, from the Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Sui, Tang, to the Ming, and others. As a result, the city is associated with historical figures such as Qin Shi Huang, Wu Zetian, and Yang Guifei.

Despite the many ups and downs throughout history, Xi’an has retained its precious cultural and historical values along with grand and impressive architectural works. Let Vietjet help you explore the must-visit tourist attractions in Xi’an during your journey!

Xi’an (Shaanxi, China) is one of the four major capitals of ancient China.

1. Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang

At the top of the list of tourist attractions in Xi’an is the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang. This site is considered a symbol of ancient Chinese history and was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1988. The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang is located 50 kilometers east of Xi’an’s city center. The mausoleum is surrounded by Mount Lishan and the Wei River, considered to be the center of the dragon’s eye, making it extremely sacred and mysterious.

In 221 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang ascended the throne, establishing the first feudal dynasty of China. At that time, he immediately began constructing a mausoleum for himself, a truly unprecedented act. The mausoleum is enormous in scale, taking 39 years and 700,000 workers to complete. To this day, the burial chamber where Qin Shi Huang was laid to rest has not been excavated.

The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang was discovered in 1974 when farmers digging a well found pieces of terracotta in their fields. The excavation and archaeological work continued for three years thereafter. In October 1979, the Terracotta Army was officially exhibited for visitors.

The mausoleum is 76 meters high and covers 120,000 square meters (it has been reduced by half due to erosion over 2,000 years). The mausoleum is divided into three main areas: Pit 1, Pit 2, and Pit 3. Pit 1 is the most impressive, containing about 2,000 statues of soldiers, each with unique shapes and facial expressions. Pit 2 contains statues representing the four main military branches of the time: archers, war chariots, infantry, and soldiers equipped with weapons. There is also a bronze chariot exhibition area to the west of the mausoleum. These are the largest ancient bronze archaeological models ever found in the world.

The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang in Xi’an is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world.

2. Ancient City Wall of Xi’an

The ancient city wall is the first landmark you will encounter when arriving in Xi’an, China. Along with many sections of the Great Wall, the ancient city wall of Xi’an is one of the largest, oldest, and best-preserved military defense walls in the world.

According to historical records, the wall was built in 194 BC and completed in 1370 during the Ming dynasty. The wall has a circumference of 13.7 kilometers, a height of 12 meters, and every 120 meters, there is a watchtower (used to shoot at the enemy). Adjacent to the city walls is a 20-meter wide and 10-meter deep moat, creating an extremely solid defense system. When you climb the wall, you can view the magnificent city of Xi’an from above.

If you visit Xi’an in the winter, don’t miss the annual Marathon Championship held on the first Sunday of November. Since 1993, the event has attracted over 4,000 athletes from more than 50 countries worldwide to participate. This sports event has become an important part of developing national tourism.

The ancient city wall of Xi’an is one of the largest and best-preserved military defense walls in the world.

3. Daming Palace

Daming Palace is the most visited tourist attraction in Xi’an. This architectural marvel was constructed during the Tang dynasty and served as the residence and workplace of emperors throughout more than 1,000 years of Xi’an’s history. With its grand and luxurious architecture, intricately carved down to every detail, Daming Palace remains magnificent and resplendent over the years, preserving the rich cultural and historical values of China.

4. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is one of the most beautiful architectural structures in Xi’an, China, and served as the city’s symbol for a long time. The pagoda was built in the 7th century during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang. The pagoda stands 64 meters tall with 9 floors and features a uniquely designed architectural style. From the top of the pagoda, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and famous landmarks like the Bei Hong River and Mount Hua. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda also preserves many precious Buddhist texts of the monk Xuanzang when he returned from his pilgrimage to India.

See more: Top beautiful and famous tourist attractions in China

5. Bell Tower

With over 600 years of history and located at the city’s center, right at the crossroads of the North, South, East, and West streets, the Bell Tower is the next must-visit location when you come to Xi’an. The tower was built in 1384 during the Ming dynasty. With a height of 36 meters, 12 stories, and an area of 1,377 square meters, it is the largest bell tower in structure and shape and the best-preserved one in China.

The tower is named for the large bronze bells from the Tang dynasty that it houses. The main area of the tower is built of brick and wood, decorated with deep blue, green glazed tiles, and gilded decorations. The Bell Tower is considered one of the masterpieces of ancient Chinese architecture.

The Bell Tower in Xi’an is the largest in structure and shape and is the best-preserved bell tower in China.

6. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, meaning “Great Wild Goose,” is one of the largest temples in China and one of the oldest Buddhist structures in the country (with over 1,300 years of history). The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a landmark of Xi’an, built in 652 during the Tang dynasty by the monk Xuanzang after returning from his pilgrimage to India. The pagoda’s architecture is modeled after the temples in Buddhist lands. It houses Buddhist scriptures, books, and statues brought from India. In 704, under the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, the pagoda was renovated. During the Ming dynasty, the facade was renovated with bricks.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is one of the oldest Buddhist structures in China.

7. Shaanxi History Museum

Located in the south of Xi’an, about 1 km northwest of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi History Museum is an ideal destination for history enthusiasts. Built in 1983 and opened to visitors in 1991, it is a State-level museum covering an area of 7 hectares, designed in the Tang dynasty style following the principle: “hall at the center, buildings at the corners.”

The museum houses and displays over 110,000 artifacts and valuable documents about the history and culture of Xi’an. With diverse galleries arranged in chronological order, you can explore the different histories and cultures through the Han, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Additionally, the museum offers many entertaining and educational activities related to history, such as exhibitions, documentaries, and cultural gardens.

8. Mount Hua

Mount Hua is located to the east of Xi’an city and is one of the “Five Great Mountains” – the most sacred mountains in China. Mount Hua is also considered the “First Mountain Under Heaven” with its spectacular scenery, majestic peaks, and the most treacherous terrain in China.

The mountain has five main peaks, with the highest being the South Peak at 2,160 meters. According to Taoism, this peak is called the Laozi Peak, associated with the legend of Laozi and is believed to contain many mysteries about alchemy and the Bagua. There is also a golden temple built during the Ming dynasty called Baidi Temple, dedicated to the deity of Mount Hua. Additionally, the South Peak is home to the world’s most dangerous hiking trail.

Aside from admiring landmarks such as the Tianmen Waterfall and Jixiang Lake, you can participate in other activities on Mount Hua, such as mountain climbing, picnicking, and camping to enjoy the beautiful scenery fully.

See more: What are the procedures for applying for a Chinese tourist visa?

I hope this article will help you discover many fascinating tourist attractions in Xi’an. Don’t miss the opportunity to hunt for flight tickets to Xi’an, China, and the 0 Dong domestic and international ticket promotions from 12:00 to 14:00 daily to enjoy the best ticket prices.

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