Xi'an: Ancient Charm and Tempting Cuisine

Xi'an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, brimming with millennia of history and culture, perfectly blended with modern civilization. The bustling, dreamlike Chang'an never ceases to entice travelers. Originally, we planned to go on our own, but thinking about booking tickets, hotels, planning the itinerary... well, better to join a tour—a high-end, custom, pure sightseeing small group. No worries, just set off.

There are countless attractions to visit in Xi'an, each with its own unique features and merits. We insisted on not rushing the itinerary, so the number of spots wasn't huge, but we spent longer at each one, and the guide's explanations were very detailed. Here are my personal recommendations:

Terracotta Warriors: Xi'an's most famous attraction, hailed as the Eighth Wonder of the World, is an absolute must-see. The Terracotta Warriors are in Lintong, just a half-hour drive from Xi'an, making transportation very convenient. Due to technical reasons, only a portion has been excavated so far. The warriors are exquisitely crafted and imposing, truly awe-inspiring. The key is to listen to the explanations—our tour guide was incredibly detailed and vivid. If you go on your own, they'll just seem like clay figures, and you'll miss out on the culture, which would be quite boring. There are many guides available for hire at the entrance, and of course, you can also tag along with other groups to eavesdrop on their commentary.

Bell Tower: Many say you haven't truly been to Xi'an without seeing the Bell and Drum Towers. Every visitor to this city goes to see the Bell Tower and soak up traces of history. The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are very close to each other, making them easy to cover in under an hour. The most beautiful part is actually the night view—when night falls and the lights come on, the towers are brilliantly illuminated, perfect for photos!

Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City: In recent years, no domestic tourist spot has been hotter than the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City. Along the streets around the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and in squares like Xuanzang Square and Zhenguan Culture Square, the trees are adorned with multicolored lights—warm yellow on the trunks, and red, yellow, blue, purple combinations on the branches. From afar, it's a dazzling, enchanting spectacle of light! Beyond the illuminations, there are many performances: tumblers, scene shows, song and dance, float parades—each with its own flair, rich and varied.

Mount Hua: Located in Huayin City, Mount Hua is one of China's renowned Five Great Mountains and a cradle of Chinese civilization. Bordered by the Qinling Mountains to the south and overlooking the Yellow and Wei Rivers to the north, it has been known since ancient times as 'the most precipitous mountain under heaven.' It's also the only scenic area in China open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, allowing you to visit at any time. Immortal Palm Cliff, Repentance Cliff, Quanzhen Cliff... Mount Hua is famed for its bizarre rock formations, each with its own unique scenery and beautiful legends. Scenes from martial arts novels seem to come alive here. The internet-famous attraction—the Plank Walk in the Sky—I'm sure you've heard of it. Here, you face your courage head-on; the brave tread across as if walking on air, exhilarated, while the timid shudder and edge forward cautiously. You must give it a try!

To be honest, before joining the tour, I was a bit conflicted. As a foodie, I worried that group meals would be subpar. But this trip's dining turned out to be the most satisfying part. We sampled all kinds of snacks and also visited iconic Xi'an restaurants. Let me introduce them:

Muslim Street: Right behind the Drum Tower, this bustling street sells all kinds of northwest delicacies: roujiamo, grilled meat, various noodles. Like snack streets in most cities, it's noticeably commercialized, but what sets it apart is its unique Hui Muslim and northwest flavor. Hidden here are many centuries-old crafts: decades-old pots, grease-stained signboards, worn-out tables and chairs, cauldrons simmering with large cuts of 'cold meat,' old men painstakingly tearing bread for paomo, young men baking naan, steaming broth... Only through the lingering taste in your mouth can you appreciate what old-fashioned flavor really means—and only pure heritage can deliver that.

Recommended dishes: Roujiamo: You can't come to Xi'an without trying the authentic stuff. It must be made with pork belly marinated in aged broth, paired with baiji flatbread, so it's more tender and flavorful than ordinary braised meat.

Liangpi: Xi'an has many types of cold noodles, but Qinzhen liangpi is said to be the most famous, with a history of over 2,000 years. A properly dressed liangpi is red all over, spicy yet fragrant, refreshingly smooth and bouncy.

Zeng Gao: The character should be pronounced 'zeng,' but locals call it 'jing' gao. It's mainly steamed glutinous rice with jujube paste and kidney beans—very soft, sweet, and delicious. You can find it everywhere.

Shuan Niudu (Boiled Ox Tripe): Another famous Xi'an street food. Fresh tripe is sliced, skewered on bamboo sticks, cooked in a rich broth, then dipped in a sauce of sesame paste, chili paste, and various seasonings. It's rich, chewy, and delicious. Sold in bundles, it's everywhere, and tastes pretty much the same from stall to stall.

Ice Peak: Almost every restaurant in Xi'an sells this brand of soda, though it's rarely seen outside the city. It tastes like orange-flavored Mirinda but smoother, and is essentially the standard pairing with grilled meat and boiled tripe.

Eight Hundred Li of Qin Plain: This is a popular restaurant in the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City area, and it was the best dining experience of the trip. First, the ambiance is fantastic—the interior design is based on Tang and Song dynasty architectural styles, elegant and exquisite. Combined with Xi'an's bold, rugged character, it fuses the grandeur of Shaanxi's Qin and Tang with the refinement of the Song, creating a luxurious, culturally rich dining environment. Second, the cuisine: this restaurant specializes in Shaanxi dishes, with top-tier local master chefs and the finest local ingredients. The open kitchen allows you to see every step of the preparation, and the standardized process is reassuring. Finally, the service: such a high-end restaurant naturally comes with excellent service. The staff were warm and responsive, and the waitress serving us always had a smile, speaking softly—very comfortable. After dinner here, we stepped out just as the lights of the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City came on. Everything was perfectly timed.

Recommended dishes: Jingwei Fu Tea: Although it's just the standard tea offering, they use certified intangible cultural heritage Jingwei Fu tea, which has a distinct poria flavor—very soothing.

Golden Hulu Chicken: One of Shaanxi's top ten dishes, known as Chang'an's finest flavor. Crispy skin, tender meat, aroma seeping to the bone. The skin is crunchy, the chicken is neither tough nor dry, and the fragrance is irresistible.

Pingli Simmered Chicken Soup: Made with two types of chicken and various health-boosting ingredients, slow-cooked for hours. It's very rich and mellow, and feels gentle and nurturing.

Big Knife Beef: Thick slices of beef freshly cut, richly marinated, and great dipped in chili powder—very satisfying.

Original Spicy Shrimp Balls: Plump, fresh shrimp, crispy outside and tender inside, smooth and delicate on the palate.

Sanqin Nine Delicacies: Beautifully presented, nine kinds of Shaanxi specialty pastries, each with a different flavor and texture.

Also, Tang Dynasty Camel Hoof Soup, Iced Ginger-Flavored Nine-Hole Lotus Root, Noble Consort Cake, and Biangbiang Noodles are all great. In short, if you're visiting the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, eating here is a must!

Yongxingfang: Yongxingfang is a place where you can eat and play, and it's China's first neighborhood themed around intangible cultural heritage cuisine. It brings together foods from southern Shaanxi, northern Shaanxi, and the Guanzhong region—a completely different experience from Muslim Street. This is where the 'wine bowl smashing' became an internet sensation.

Walnut Cake: You must try it fresh out of the oven, piping hot. The crust has crispy peanut bits, light and crunchy, with a delicious filling.

Qishan Noodles with Minced Meat: Long, thin noodles of even thickness, with savory minced meat, red chili oil floating on top, a sour and spicy broth, and chewy, refreshing texture. The only downside was the portion was huge—I couldn't finish, and felt guilty wasting it.

Yangrou Paomo: Another famous Shaanxi dish. The lamb soup is incredibly flavorful, and the bread, soaked in the broth, becomes soft and savory. Watching locals eat, I noticed they tear the bread into tiny pieces. We wolfed ours down, while folks at the next table were still tearing theirs—that's just local style, I suppose.

Persimmon Cake: Persimmon cakes are everywhere, but maybe due to local production, Xi'an's ones have a finer texture and aren't overly sweet. As a local specialty, it's definitely worth a try.

There are also many other random snacks: smashing bowl wine, chicken feet, potatoes, crispy pork, etc. They're less distinctive and taste rather similar. Of course, Yongxingfang also has local cultural performances like regional opera and shadow puppetry, which are quite interesting.

And so, amid all this strolling and eating, our 5-day, 4-night Xi'an trip came to an end! With some reluctance, we set off for home, hoping to have the chance to visit Xi'an again and experience its local customs and charm once more!