2021 Summer Family Travel Guide to Xi'an: High Value on a Budget

Xi'an, the ancient capital of six dynasties, is not only a millennia-old city but also a vibrant modern metropolis. Beyond historical relics and cultural heritage, traveling with kids isn't just about letting them run wild—it's about learning through experience, reading countless books and traveling countless miles, gaining knowledge and enriching life on the road. When you come to Xi'an with children, the one thing you absolutely cannot miss is witnessing the historical imprints of each era.

Meilihao Hotel (Xi'an Xiaozhai Dayanta Datang Everbright City Branch) – A Convenient and Cost-Effective Hotel

[Address] Building A, Changfeng International Plaza, 86A Chang'an South Road, Xi'an

[Price] Around 300-400 RMB per night

[Features] Airport pickup service, free parking, warm hospitality, and various complimentary services

【Xi'an Ming City Wall】

Xi'an's city wall has become a symbol of the city. Regardless of age or nationality, every traveler to Xi'an makes a point to visit it. The Xi'an City Wall we refer to is actually the Ming Dynasty city wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city fortification in China.

Crowds of people come and go, all eager to witness this masterpiece of ancient architecture, or to stand atop the wall and gaze down at the contrast between the old and new districts: on one side, centuries-old houses with upturned eaves and bracket sets; on the other, the fast-changing, high-rise, traffic-filled modern Xi'an. Here, you can feel the magical charm of different eras merging.

The Xi'an City Wall has four main gates: Changle Gate (East Gate), Yongning Gate (South Gate), Anding Gate (West Gate), and Anyuan Gate (North Gate), all original gates of the ancient wall. This time we visited the beloved South Gate, Yongning Gate, because it's not only a primary access point to the wall, but also within walking distance of Xi'an's landmark Bell and Drum Towers and the legendary Muslim Quarter snack street, making it a main entry for visitors.

The Ming City Wall stands 12 meters high, 12-14 meters wide at the top, 15-18 meters wide at the base, forming a closed rectangle with a circumference of 13.74 kilometers. The area inside the wall is traditionally called the old city. Stroll along the wall and glance down at those century-old houses—one look spans a thousand years, and at that moment, Xi'an becomes ancient Chang'an.

【Terracotta Army】

The Terracotta Army, also known as the Terracotta Warriors of Qin Shi Huang, is located in the pits 1.5 kilometers east of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. It is one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units and a UNESCO World Heritage site. In 1987, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Army were inscribed on the World Heritage List and hailed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." More than 200 foreign heads of state and government have visited, making it a golden name card for ancient Chinese civilization and one of the world's top ten rare tomb treasures.

The Terracotta Army is a product of the ancient burial system. During the social changes of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, burial customs shifted, and terracotta and wooden figures began to replace human sacrifices. The original meaning of "yong" (俑) was human sacrificial figure; as human sacrifice faded, the term came to refer to pottery sculptures, stone carvings, and figurines in tombs. The Qin Terracotta Army is the epitome of this practice, marking its peak. The scale and lifelike detail achieved were not only due to the craftsmen's wisdom but also to the will of Qin Shi Huang, the first feudal emperor in history. Determined to honor his glorious achievements, he created a magnificent underground palace and an immense subterranean military formation. After over 2,000 years of weathering, it has become our rare treasure today.

The burial pits of the Terracotta Army face east, with three pits arranged in a triangular pattern. Pit 1, the first discovered, is rectangular with ramped entrances on all sides. Pits 2 and 3 lie to its left and right.

The pits are tunnel-like civil structures: a large pit about 5 meters deep was dug, with parallel earthen partition walls built in the middle. Wooden columns lined both sides of the walls, with crossbeams on top, and dense eaves covered the crossbeams and walls. A layer of reed mats was spread over the eaves, then covered with loess, forming the roof about 2 meters above the original ground. The floor was paved with blue bricks. The interior space from roof to bottom measured 3.2 meters high. Once the terracotta warriors and horses were placed inside, the doorways were sealed with wooden boards and rammed earth, creating an enclosed underground structure.

Pit 1 is the most completely displayed, containing over 8,000 terracotta warriors, each unique and vividly formed, arranged in orderly battle formation. Even though many are now damaged, one can still imagine the spectacular scene of the past.

【Shuyuanmen】

Shuyuanmen is located east of the South Gate, extending to Anju Lane and Sanxue Street. In 1592, during the Ming Dynasty, scholar Feng Congwu resigned and returned home after losing a political struggle against the eunuch faction, then gave lectures at Baoqing Temple. Later, a new site was developed, and the Guanzhong Academy was built on the north side of the street, attracting up to a thousand students and becoming a renowned institution. Today, Shuyuanmen refers to the pedestrian street from the Beilin Museum to the entrance of Guanzhong Academy, its name derived from the academy.

Rebuilt in 1991, Shuyuanmen preserves the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The street is now an ancient culture hub, lined with shops selling antiques, calligraphy, paintings, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. My child, as if having traveled back from the golden age, seemed inspired by the cultural atmosphere, carefully picking out a favorite calligraphy brush—could this be the beginning of a journey into the world of calligraphy?

【Muslim Quarter】

The Xi'an Muslim Quarter is a famous culinary and cultural district, the most concentrated area for Xi'an's local snacks. The street is not long, stretching about 500 meters north to south, paved with bluestone and shaded by trees. Both sides feature Ming and Qing-style buildings, housing restaurants and craft shops run by the Hui community, exuding rich Islamic character.

The Muslim Quarter is a household name across China; almost every visitor to Xi'an takes a stroll here. Thus, the lively street and bustling crowds are part of its charm.

【Beilin Museum】

The Beilin Museum, located at No. 15 Sanxue Street, Beilin District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, is the earliest museum established in Shaanxi. It specializes in collecting, displaying, and researching ancient steles, tomb inscriptions, and stone carvings, making it a unique art museum in China.

Founded in 1944, it is built upon the over 900-year-old "Xi'an Beilin" (Stele Forest) and the expansion of the ancient Xi'an Confucian Temple complex. It houses more than 11,000 cultural relics, including 134 state-level treasures in 19 categories, and 535 first-class artifacts. Four of the famous "Six Steeds of Zhao Mausoleum" are preserved here.

【Minleyuan Pedestrian Street】

Minleyuan Pedestrian Street is a hub of trendy, internet-famous shops. Once I saw a travel tip that said, "Forget the Muslim Quarter—Minleyuan is where Xi'an cool girls go!" Ha, that one sentence really struck me. To experience the cosmopolitan side of Xi'an and keep up with the post-90s and post-00s, this 80s kid facing a midlife crisis and my innocent post-10s little one headed there!

This street is lined with highly individual boutiques, each shopfront boasting its own personality—the storefronts themselves are already scenery.

【Yanjiyou Bookstore】

Yanjiyou Bookstore has opened many branches across China in recent years. Its name combines the characters for "words," "a few," and "again," which together form the traditional character for "design"—a very thoughtful name for a design-conscious bookstore. Though I've visited Yanjiyou in Shanghai and Chengdu, the flagship store in Xi'an's Maike Center is the largest in China. Since its soft opening on October 30, 2018, it has become a genuine internet sensation, winning hearts with both its looks and substance.

The Xi'an Yanjiyou Maike flagship was designed by renowned Japanese designer Tomoko Ikebe. Reportedly, the design and initial communication alone took two full years, and the designer traveled to China 16 times to perfect her work. Such dedication has surely created this flawless masterpiece!

More than a bookstore, it's a dreamlike library. With two-story-high book walls, a wooden spiral staircase, and a collection of 130,000 volumes, every detail is stunning. Those floor-to-ceiling bookshelves are absolutely breathtaking.

【Getting Around】

As the junction of Southwest and North China, Xi'an is a vital national transportation hub. Besides flights connecting to all major cities, the high-speed rail network is also extensive. Choose the most cost-effective travel mode that suits you—in short, it's easy to reach.

In addition, city transportation is convenient, with subways, buses, taxis, and shared bikes available anytime. Whether you want a comfortable free-and-easy tour or to delve deep into the city's streets and alleys, everything is within reach. I recommend the "Baidu Maps" app—simply input your start and end points, and you'll get various transportation plans with one tap, very reliable.

【Food】

Xi'an has always been a culinary capital. From the nationally popular cold noodles and pork burgers to the ubiquitous mutton stew with bread found in every corner, to the imperial-level dumpling banquets, there's such a variety that you could eat nonstop for a week without repetition. So, bring your appetite and embark on a food journey where you won't head home without gaining at least three pounds!