Although it is world famous for the massive Terracotta Army, one of the great ancient wonders of the world, Xi’an’s history runs deeper than those 7,000 underground clay soldiers, installed to protect the tomb of China’s first Emperor. Xi’an was the ancient capital of China for more than 1,000 years serving eleven dynasties and is the origin of the Silk Road. Exports from Xi’an played a significant role in developing the ancient civilizations of India, Egypt, Persia, Arabia and Rome.

The Silk Road was not only a channel for Chinese goods to be exported to the West. It also became the route for Western ideas to enter China as part of an overall exchange. From India came Buddhism, as evidenced by Xi’an’s Big Goose Pagoda. Nestorian Christians left a precious 8th-century stone tablet currently held at the Beilin Museum. From Arabia came Islam, as evidenced by the Great Mosque and thriving Chinese Muslim community. This range of influences fostered a cosmopolitan community and enriched the local cuisine, most notably the delicious dumplings and noodles. History has never tasted so good.

Custom Itineraries

Explore xian through the eyes of a local

There is an old Chinese saying “if you want to see the China of 100 years ago, visit Shanghai; for the China of 500 years ago, go to Beijing; but to see the roots of Chinese culture of 2,000 years ago, visit Xi’an.” As a cradle of Chinese civilisation, Xi’an is high on the bucket list for China-bound travelers.

We customize each of our itineraries based on your interests and traveling style. The itinerary below forms a base to start the conversation.

Day01
ARRIVE IN XI'AN
Upon arrival in Xi’an you will be met by your guide and taken to the Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel.
Day02
TERRACOTTA WARRIORS, TANG DYNASTY MURALS & THE CITY WALL
Visit the impressive Terracotta Warriors created by the first Emperor of China to protect him in the afterlife. After lunch we head to the Provincial History Museum to visit the beautifully preserved Tang Dynasty Murals and end the day with a bike ride or walk along the city wall.
Day03
GREAT MOSQUE & YANGLING MUSEUM
We start the day at the Great Mosque in the heart of the bustling Muslim quarter. Then, en-route to the airport we visit the amazing Yangling Museum, the tomb of a Han dynasty Emperor.

Luxury Accommodations

Xi'an and Chengdu are amongst the wealthiest and most historic of China's interior cities and both now offer high quality leisure and corporate properties.

Learn More

Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel

The Sofitel Legend was groundbreaking when it launched in 2014, creating a residential, leisure-focused luxury hotel within a storied, heritage property. At the time, amongst secondary cities, only Hangzhou offered anything similar.

Ritz Carlton

Housed in a skyscraper outside the city center, this property boasts the city’s largest Executive Club. All 283 spacious rooms, each with a bathroom double sink, include motifs by local artisans and a carefully curated selection of ornaments.

Your Personal Traveling Concierge

Our China Hosts

Our China Hosts are part of what makes us unique; they help explain our success for over twenty years. Our China Hosts have been hand selected and expertly trained to provide you with the most unforgettable journey. From seamlessly ensuring flawless logistics, to deepening your cultural immersion, to effecting last minute adjustments, in the words of a guest, they take a trip "from excellence to perfection". Before you travel with us, it's hard to imagine what a China Host brings to the party. After, it's hard to imagine traveling without one.

suggested guide: ping

Ping has been a guide for over 30 years, and couldn’t dream of doing anything different. As an army brat, Ping moved with her parents from a canal town in eastern China to live in the desert in northwestern China. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Xi’an International Studies, Ping qualified as a guide and settled in Xi’an with her husband. Ping traces her strong work ethic to her childhood when her daily chore was to fetch water for the family.

Fine Dining & Authentic Cuisine

Experience the finest in Chinese and Western cuisine

You may have come for the Terracotta Warriors, but you will stay for the noodles! From heavenly beef noodle soup to scrumptious spicy hot oil noodles, as well as beautifully roasted lamb dishes and specialty dishes unique to the long-standing Muslim community here, the city's food scene will not disappoint.

Demographics

  • Formerly known as Chang’an (which means Eternal Peace)
  • Capital of Shaanxi province.
  • Population: 8.706 million (2015)
  • Literal meaning of Xi’an: Western Peace

Brief History

  • 221 - 206 BCE – The Qin Dynasty moves its capital to nearby Xianyang and the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang orders the construction of his Terracotta army
  • 202 BCE – Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty establishes Chang’an as his capital city
  • 194 BCE – Construction of the city wall begins
  • 652 – Begin construction of the Great Wild Goose Pagoda begun by the monk Xuanzang
  • 707 – Construction of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda begins
  • 904 – Chang’an is destroyed at the end of the Tang Dynasty and residents are forced to move to Luoyang
  •  1370 – A new city wall is built by the Ming Dynasty
  • 1936 – During the Second Sino-Japanese War the Communist Party of China and the Nationalist Party of China combine forces against the Japanese as a result of the Xi’an Incident
  • 1949 – The People’s Liberation Army captures the city of Xi’an from the Nationalist Party of China

Geography

  • Located on the Guanzhong Plain, a flood plain created by eight surrounding rivers, the city is surrounded by the Qin Mountains to the south, the Wei River to the north and Hua Mountain - one of the five sacred Daoist mountains - to the east.
  • Elevation: 400 m (1,312 ft)
  • Main River: Wei River
  • Total area coverage: 9,983 km2 (3,854 mi2)
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