Xi'an: China's Historic City

Xi’an is a city with a longer history than any in China. It was a former capital city of several important dynasties. Though Xi’an is a modern and bustling metropolis, the remnants of its past are everywhere. Because of these sights, Xi’an is a popular destination for foreign tourists in search of China’s past.

The sights can even be seen from above. Xi’an’s streets are laid out in a neat grid, just as they were during its stint as the capital. Also visible are the old city walls. As with many important historical artifacts in the city, the walls have been restored. The wall is wide enough to walk on, or even ride a bicycle on. Indeed, the wall and some of the older buildings, like The Bell Tower, give Xi’an an air of exoticism. Many foreign tourists say that when they imagined China before visiting, their imagined city was like Xi’an.

Shaanxi History Museum houses artifacts dating back more than 3,000 years. It is a massive structure built in ancient Chinese style. This museum is worth visiting as a prelude to the most popular and well known destination in Xi’an: The Terra-cotta Warriors. These eerily lifelike statues are housed in a site outside the city. According to tourism officials there are more than 8,000 statues on display. The statues date back more than 2,00 years and were found in the tomb of a Qin dynasty emperor. The army, including some statues of horses and chariots are now housed in a giant vault. Because of their age, number, and lifelike appearance, this collection is one of the truly breathtaking sights available to tourists visiting modern China.

Temples like the Big Goose Pagoda have been restored, but contain some of their original materials. The Bell and Drum Towers are spectacular, especially when lit up at night. There are cultural performances daily inside the towers.

Also inside the grounds of the History Museum (mentioned above) is Forest of Steles, a collection of stone tablets dating back 2,000 years. Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter is a great place to wander and enjoy some local cuisine. The Bell Tower is located in the Muslim Quarter, as is a large Mosque. Though the mosque is not as old as most of the other structures, is is still an interesting blend of arabic and chinese architecture. There are cheap eats and interesting architecture throughout the muslim quarter, making it a good place to stroll after a visit to The Bell Tower.

Xi’an is so full of history that it is possible to spend a week, or more, taking it all in. This is the stuff of Chinese legend that is celebrated in Western literature and museum exhibits. Except in Xi’an it is up-close, and it is everywhere.