Destination Guide

Xi’an: Where Ancient Empires Still Breathe

Few cities in China carry the weight of so many dynasties. Ringed by its intact city wall, this was the starting point of the Silk Road, home to the Terracotta Army, and roujiamo fills its narrow lanes with warm, savoury aroma. This is the place to touch the roots of Chinese civilisation. What does Xi’an feel like? Solid. Timeless. Earth‑bound. Steeped in imperial grandeur. Life wraps around its massive city wall: cyclists circle the ramparts at sunset, Muslim Quarter alleys hum with street food after dark, and modern districts spread outward beyond the old gates. One land, three layers: imperial legacy, age‑old folk life, contemporary northwest China. For more than 3,100 years it has stood as a royal capital. Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties left monuments that still shape its landscape. That ancient energy hangs everywhere: silent terracotta warriors guarding their underground tomb, pagodas rising above the city skyline, quiet courtyards tucked inside the old town. Beyond urban bounds lie mountain temples; within the wall sits the lively Muslim Quarter. Start with local flavours: crispy roujiamo, spicy biangbiang noodles heavy with chilli oil. Then cycle the full circuit of the city wall, trace old Silk‑Road paths, and head out to meet the Terracotta Army. Xi’an is not a city you just check off a list. It is a city you feel deep in your bones.