One of the must-visit cities in this lifetime ~ Xi'an, here I come!
Xi'an is a city that perfectly blends ancient charm with modern civilization. Many people say that not visiting Xi'an at least once in your life would be a regret, just like how some literary youths chase after the sea, a dream isn't complete without seeing the ocean at least once in a lifetime. Hahaha~ So, great Xi'an, here I come!
In the past two years, influenced by the pandemic, many people want to travel but don't know the local policies in Xi'an. I hope this travelogue can offer some reference for those planning to visit. Essentials for travel now: ID card, mask, health code, 14-day travel code, proof of negative nucleic acid test within 48 hours. Of course, daily necessities depend on your own needs. If you're short on time and haven't done the test locally, no worries. You can get tested temporarily at Xi'an North Station and Xi'an Railway Station, and the results come out fast. Some scenic spots in Xi'an also require a nucleic acid test report. Friends from medium- or high-risk areas or with a travel history to such areas, better stay put and come out only after the risk level is downgraded.
Once you're all set, yay~ you can start your dream trip!
1. Xi'an Xianyang International Airport: They say flight tickets are really cheap now. So just fly. There is a shuttle bus from the airport to downtown Xi'an (round trip), 26 yuan per person, departing about every 20 minutes. The journey takes about 1 hour.
2. High-speed train: High-speed rail is my top recommendation. So convenient. The high-speed rail station in Xi'an is called Xi'an North Station, directly connected to Metro Line 2 that goes downtown. Just a 30-minute ride.
Since I planned to stay three days to look around the city, I booked a hotel right in the city center. It turned out to be surprisingly good. We usually go for chain hotels, so this time we booked Jinjiang Inn Xi'an Bell Tower Metro Station Luomashi Hotel. Once the hotel was settled, I felt at ease and could go out and play freely.
This place is in a great location, only 500 meters from the Bell Tower. We originally booked a standard king room, but the hotel happened to have a newly upgraded light-elegance king room and recommended it, so we upgraded. It really is different. The mattress is thicker, and the most surprising part is the shower area. In the past, Jinjiang rooms were all-in-one units with a shower curtain, but this room has a glass partition – clean and stylish, slippers are super comfy, and the service attitude is impeccable. I asked them about good places to eat nearby, and they recommended everything they knew. The price is just over 200 yuan, a real bargain. The key is that so many attractions are within walking distance from here, saving a lot on transport. Hahaha
1. Terracotta Warriors: Known as the eighth wonder of the world, the Terracotta Warriors are a must-see. If you can't understand them, it's because you didn't hire a guide. So once you're there, do get a guide to explain. I saw on Douyin a Xi'an internet-famous tour guide called Bing Dan; his videos are very interesting, and you can sign up for a group there too. Now tickets need to be reserved online – you can book on the official Terracotta Warriors website or through the mini-program. Remember to bring your ID card, and out-of-town travelers should bring a proof of negative nucleic acid test within 48 hours. The ticket is currently 150 yuan per person in peak season. Seniors over 65 with an ID card seem to be free. The Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Pool, and the Qin Shihuang Mausoleum are on the same route; if you're interested, you can buy tickets and visit them together. Tickets need to be purchased separately.
2. Huashan: Since ancient times Huashan has had only one path, which shows how precipitous it is. A person like me who's not very athletic only climbed the North Peak, West Peak, and South Peak; I didn't have time for the steepest East Peak. The scenery on the mountain is quite beautiful, especially in autumn, with red, yellow, and green leaves like a painter's palette. These days it's overcast, so you definitely need to bring thick clothes when going up. Travelers can book tickets through the Huashan Scenic Area mini-program. The ticket is 180 yuan per person. You also need a proof of negative nucleic acid test within 48 hours. A special note: the scenic area may close if it rains. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather and the scenic area announcements.
3. Shaanxi History Museum: This is a place many want to visit but can't get in, with a daily limit of 6,000 people. So you really need to pay attention to the information and reserve through the Shaanxi History Museum mini-program in advance, ideally 10 days before your trip. Otherwise, you'll have to buy high-priced tickets on Taobao. Being able to snag a free ticket makes planning ahead well worth it.
4. Bell and Drum Towers: Built during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, they are very well preserved. You can also buy a ticket and go up to the Bell Tower via the underground roundabout to ring the bell – this is where the morning bell and evening drum originate. Dong – dong – dong, the bell sound here is rich and lingering, filling the heart with a sacred, quiet peace. Hahaha
5. Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City: Wow, this place is really lively. There are modern concert halls, art galleries, and many Tang-style buildings, gardens, as well as street performers, and some internet celebrities can be spotted here. There's Daci'en Temple with many huge ancient pines – when the sunlight filters through, it's super beautiful; no matter how you photograph it, it never looks as good as seeing it with your own eyes. This area is like an open-air square, many people here are writing, exercising, and lots of vendors sell special handicrafts; there are plenty of restaurants.
The attractions here also include the Ming City Wall, Daming Palace Ruins Park, Stele Forest Museum, Hancheng Lake, White Deer Plain Film City, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Expo Park, and many more, but we'll have to save them for next time. Passing by the South City Wall we saw someone taking wedding photos – the profound heritage of the wall must make for stunning pictures.
The streets we walked through over these three days, the road signs were quite interesting.
Good food: For the past few days we ate almost all snacks, no proper meals. Sometimes I was in such a hurry I didn't manage to take pictures, but I remember the names. Tastes vary, so use these as reference and discover what suits your palate. The descriptions are in the photos.
Looking at these now still makes my mouth water. I regret not taking more photos – I was so busy taking care of the little one that I didn't leave any empty-scene shots. I have to come back next time. Xi'an is truly worth a repeat visit. Like the slogan of the 14th National Games says: A thousand-year ancient capital, always welcome you to Chang'an. Xi'an, here I come, and I'll come back next time!
