Millennium-Old Capital Chang'an – Xi'an Travel, Hotels, and Food Recommendations
China, one of the four great ancient civilizations, has a history stretching back millennia, and Xi'an's history is even more so. Xi'an was called Chang'an in ancient times and served as capital for 13 dynasties. Among these, the most famous is the Tang Dynasty, when envoys from all nations flocked to the splendid city. Countless historical buildings and cultural relics survive in this ancient city, drawing visitors from home and abroad, all eager to trace the marks of history~
Xi'an has four distinct seasons, each with its own unique beauty. In spring, flower belts ring the city parks; in summer, the waterscapes of Qujiang come alive; autumn brings the ginkgo trees at Hanyangling; and winter dresses Chang'an in heavy snow. Compared with the year-round spring of the southwest or the endless snow season of the northeast, Xi'an, this city at the nation's center, has seasons that are just right~
1. Xi'an Drum Tower
The Xi'an Drum Tower is the largest drum tower in China. Its base is a tall rectangular platform pierced by a north-south passage 6 meters high and 6 meters wide. The tower atop the base is two stories tall, covered with green glazed tiles.
2. Tang Paradise
Tang Paradise is located southeast of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built on the ruins of the original Tang royal Lotus Garden. Today it boasts the largest replica Tang architectural complex in China. Here you can admire the majestic Tang-style buildings, enjoy the sights illuminated by lights, and watch the Tang Dynasty dance performance "Dream Back to the Tang Dynasty." The park is divided into several zones, with Lotus Lake at its geographic center; attractions like Ziyun Tower, Lu Yu Tea House, and Fengming Jiutian Theater surround the lake. The entire park is further divided into twelve cultural theme areas covering emperors, poetry, folk customs, cuisine, song and dance, and more, recreating the glorious civilization of the Great Tang. The night scenery is also resplendent. When dusk falls and lanterns light up, strolling through the brightly lit Tang culture corridor, Fanglin Garden, Ziyun Tower, and other spots, everything dazzles. Bathed in moonlight and lamplight, Tang Paradise reveals an especially refined beauty. There are various wonderful performances and programs: prayer drum ceremonies, "Jiaofang Music and Dance" court performances, "Glamorous Dresses" costume shows, and more. Every evening in the north square of Ziyun Tower, the world's largest water-screen film brings you a brand-new three-dimensional sensory shock.
3. Emperor Qinshihuang's Terracotta Warriors Museum
The Museum of the Terracotta Army, also known as the Terracotta Warriors or Qin Terracotta Warriors, is the burial pit of Emperor Qinshihuang's mausoleum. Together with the mausoleum itself, it forms the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. The Terracotta Warriors are renowned as the Eighth Wonder of the World. The more than a thousand pottery soldiers unearthed here each have different postures and vivid expressions, a brilliant gem in the history of ancient Chinese sculpture, acclaimed as "one of the great archaeological discoveries of the 20th century."
Daming Palace was the most magnificent architectural complex in Chang'an. The park is built on the ruins of Daming Palace. Here you can see the foundations and pier remains of halls like Hanyuan Hall; enjoy miniature reconstructions of the palace; watch the IMAX 3D film "Legend of Daming Palace"; and even experience archaeological excavation and restoration of artifacts.
Huaqing Palace has a long history, with detached palaces built by emperors of the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, Tang, and other dynasties. The palace grounds contain the Tang Imperial Soup Museum, the former site of the Xi'an Incident – Five-Room Hall, the Jiulong Lake and Lotus Lake scenic areas, the Tang Pear Garden Site Museum, and iconic building complexes such as Feishuang Hall, Wanshou Hall, Changsheng Hall, Huan Garden, and Yuwang Hall.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda stands inside the Daci'en Temple in the southern part of the city. Daci'en Temple was the grandest royal temple in Tang Dynasty Chang'an, built during the reign of Emperor Taizong by Crown Prince Li Zhi to honor his mother, Empress Wende. The monk Xuanzang, returned from his westward pilgrimage for scriptures, served as its first abbot and oversaw the construction of the pagoda. Master Xuanzang translated scriptures and spread Buddhism here for 11 years, founding the Weishi (Consciousness-Only) school, making Daci'en Temple the ancestral temple of Weishi Buddhism (also called Faxiang school). To house the scriptures, statues, and relics brought back from India, he supervised the building of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Today's temple was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty on the foundation of the original "West Pagoda Cloister," and most existing halls are Qing Dynasty structures. Along the central axis stand the Main Shrine Hall, Dharma Hall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Xuanzang Sanzang Memorial Hall. The pagoda and the memorial hall respectively enshrine Buddhist relics and a skull relic of Master Xuanzang, the temple's most sacred treasures. East of the central axis is the Pagoda Garden, with nine pagodas housing the relics of nine eminent monks since the Qing Dynasty. Both north and south of Daci'en Temple are open squares.
7. Xi'an City Wall
The Xi'an City Wall is an iconic sight of ancient Xi'an and the best-preserved ancient city wall in China. The entire wall is about 14 kilometers long, built on the foundations of the Tang Dynasty imperial city, and includes facilities like a moat and corner towers. Also known as the Xi'an Ming City Wall, the existing wall is a Ming Dynasty structure, stretching 13.7 kilometers. Construction began in the third year of the Hongwu era (1370) under Ming Emperor Taizu and was completed in the 11th year (1378), built under the policy of "build high walls, store abundant grain, claim kingship slowly" on the basis of the Sui and Tang imperial city. Later, Emperor Taizu enfeoffed his second son, Zhu Shuang, as Prince of Qin, with his princedom and seat of government in the same city, hence the fortress is massive and sturdy. Repaired and expanded repeatedly in the Ming and Qing periods, it remains well preserved today.
8. Shaanxi History Museum
The Shaanxi History Museum is a large modern museum whose establishment marked a new stage in China's museum development. Its architectural complex follows Tang style with a "central hall and four corner towers," orderly in layout, gracefully staggered, and dignified in atmosphere, blending ethnic tradition, local character, and contemporary spirit. The site covers 65,000 square meters, housing over 380,000 artifacts spanning from simple stone tools used in the earliest human era to various objects of social life before 1840, covering more than a million years. The collection is not only vast and comprehensive but also high in artistic value and significance. Treasures abound: bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, figurines from various periods, gold and silver ware from the Han and Tang, Tang tomb murals, and more – many from the golden ages of Han and Tang, including national-level treasures prohibited from foreign exhibition. The museum is an art hall showcasing Shaanxi's historical culture and China's ancient civilization, honored as "Pearl of the Ancient Capital, Treasure House of China."
Mount Hua, known in ancient times as "Western Mountain," is one of China's famous Five Sacred Mountains. Located in Huayin City, Shaanxi Province, and also called "Taihua Mountain," it is the birthplace of Chinese civilization – the "Hua" in "Zhonghua" and "Huaxia" originates from Mount Hua. "Precipitous and perilous" are the essence of its scenery. "Since antiquity, one path up Mount Hua" describes its steepness. The scenic area boasts heart-stopping attractions like the Plank Walk in the Sky, Sparrow Hawk's Flip, and the Thousand-Foot Precipice, Hundred-Foot Gorge, and Laojun's Furrow carved into sheer cliffs, all leaving visitors in awe.
10. Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City
The central axis of Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City is a roughly 1,500-meter-long north-south pedestrian sculpture street. It features nine themed sculpture groups depicting prosperity-era emperors, historical figures, and heroic stories, three-dimensionally showcasing the Tang Empire's status in religion, literature, art, science, and grandeur. This area gathers internet-famous experiences, highlighting colorful, dreamy, and tech-savvy vibes. Large-scale installation art creates a fashionable, dynamic interactive space, offering trendy young people share-worthy photo spots. In the family science zone, scene representations and hands-on activities inspire children's imagination and creativity, blending play with skill-building – a great place for family fun.
Xi'an Boutique Hotel Recommendation
Licheng Hotel · Yi (Xi'an Bell and Drum Tower Branch) is located on Hanguang North Road in Beilin District, Xi'an. It's about a 10-minute drive to the Bell and Drum Towers and Muslim Quarter, and a 10-minute drive to high-end shopping centers SKP and Wangfujing Department Store. Adjacent to Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Hanguang Gate, the South Gate City Wall, Metro Line 2 (Yongningmen Station), and Line 5 (Huangyancun Station), with numerous bus routes nearby, transportation is very convenient. Licheng Hotel · Yi uses independent split air conditioning and is a wholly new mid-range boutique hotel under the Licheng brand. With relaxed tranquility as its spiritual proposition, it specializes in urban light getaways, combining local culture, smart guest technology, and attentive service to create a profound, connotation-rich courtyard retreat away from worldly clamor.
Licheng Hotel Yi offers over a hundred rooms of various types, extensively using natural wood tones. The strong new Chinese style perfectly suits Chinese aesthetics. Staying here, you can experience smart controls, distinctive Shaanxi folk culture, and ten member-exclusive attentive services. High-quality custom bed linens and zero-pressure mattresses that contour to the body ensure not just a rest but a colorful sojourn and a taste of traditional Chinese classical culture. The first floor has a cozy book bar and business area; the second floor has a buffet breakfast restaurant, afternoon tea lounge, self-service laundry and gym, and a multi-function meeting room. We do not merely meet guests' accommodation needs – we are heartfully attuned to them, interacting and attracting through culture and ideas, a self-commitment to providing a better living space for travelers. Here you can enjoy thoughtful butler-style service, bringing a better experience during busy business trips or family vacations. Licheng, a hotel with warmth, soul, and stories.
Xi'an Specialty Food Recommendations
1. Yangrou Paomo (Lamb and Flatbread Soup)
Yangrou Paomo is arguably Xi'an's signature snack. Choice beef or lamb is simmered with spices until tender, the broth reserved. A baked flatbread (tuotuo mo) is torn into small pieces, then cooked with the broth and additional ingredients. It is characterized by tender meat, rich soup, and mellow savory flavor. Usually served with a small dish of specially prepared sweet garlic and chili paste, the intense meat flavor with a touch of sweetness and spiciness creates an ultimate taste experience. A small bowl of clear broth after the meal leaves a lingering, satisfying aftertaste.
2. Shaanxi Liangpi (Cold Noodles)
Shaanxi Liangpi is usually made from wheat flour, but also from rice flour or other starches. Generally served cold and tossed with sauce (though in the Hanzhong region it is more commonly eaten hot). There are many varieties and preparation methods, with distinctive sauces and flavors. Main types include: sesame paste liangpi, Qinzhen rice noodles, Hanzhong mianpi, Qishan hand-pulled liangpi, and gluten-liangpi.
3. Biangbiang Noodles
Shaanxi Biangbiang Noodles – the Guanzhong area is famous for its vast array of noodles, such as qihua mian, che mian, pulled noodles, gun gun mian, ma shi, and more. One particular noodle earns its name from the "biang biang" sound made when the dough is slapped against the board during stretching. Wide and long, like the cloth belt worn by ancient people, it's also called "belt noodles."
4. Roujiamo (Marinated Meat in Baked Bun)
Xi'an's marinated meat (lazhi rou) and white wheat buns (baiji mo) come together in the roujiamo: the meat and bun complement each other, each maximizing the other's flavor. The bun is fragrant, the meat melt-in-the-mouth, with an enduring aftertaste. The marinated meat is carefully prepared with over thirty spices. Fine selection of ingredients and use of aged broth make the meat uniquely soft, rich, and deeply aromatic.
Above is the full introduction to the millennium-old capital Chang'an – Xi'an travel, hotels, and food recommendations. The article not only introduces Xi'an's attractions but also its local snacks and a boutique hotel in the Bell and Drum Tower area. Xi'an is a city with history worth savoring.
