How to Explore Xi'an in a Day

A day trip to Xian can easily be packed with the city's well-preserved landmarks and ancient archaeological sites. The number of historical sites shouldn't come as a surprise as this city is one of the oldest of its kind in China. It's not just sightseeing you can do around this city. You can also wander around the winding alleys that are lined with shops and enjoy in chic urban areas in their assortment of bars and restaurants.

Morning

You can kick start your day in Xian by visiting the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, which is one of the tourist hotspots in the city. It lies within a driving distance from the Lintong district, and you can also approach this location by bus as several bus routes run in front of it. If you arrive early as possible, it will help you to beat the crowds and explore the museum and the nearby archaeological dig at your own pace. The mausoleum is not completely excavated, and as a matter of fact, you can't take a tour inside the tomb. However, you can stroll through the museum to see the artefacts they have uncovered. Once you've had your time in the museum, walk down the street to the archaeological dig that houses the magnificent Terracotta Army. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses over 8000 sculptures of varying ranks intended to protect the emperor in his afterlife. If you join the Xian Terracotta Walking Tour, it would be convenient as they provide transfers to and from your accommodation in Xian the likes of Citadines Gaoxin Xian. After spending a major part of your morning admiring the Terracotta Army figures, it would be refreshing to have a dip in the hot springs found along the mountains near Huaqing Palace. You can enjoy the enchanting views of the surroundings from the luxury of a rejuvenating swim in a hot spring.

Afternoon

If you can summon the will to get away from those super-relaxing hot springs, you'd have more than enough time to pay a visit to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the outskirts of the city. Located in the Yanta District, you can reach the site of this Pagoda either by hopping on the Xian metro train or by taking a taxi. This Pagoda belongs to the Daci'en Temple Complex that also houses two large halls and forest in its premises. Originally, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda has had eleven storeys, which was levelled to seven after an earthquake in the region. You can take a tour within the Pagoda, which towers from a height of 64 metres, to explore the engraved statues of Lord Buddha lining its walls. Located approximately 2.3 kilometres away from the Pagoda is the Shaanxi History Museum, which houses one of the largest collections in China. The museum showcases over 370,000 items including ancient coins, murals, paintings, pottery, and various other objects made from gold and silver. Trying to explore all the museums in Xian in one day is impossible; however, if you need to see one, then make a stop at the Shaanxi History Museum during your cultural tour in the city.

Evening

The evening would be a good time to do a bit of expedition in the city on your own. You can travel to the downtown area in Xian and continue west until you arrive at the Southern Gate of the ancient city walls. The well-preserved city walls border a historic area, and you can walk on for spectacular vistas of the entire region. The walkways on these walls are quite broad, measuring about 6 metres in width. The walkway greets you with benches, watchtowers, and lanterns. As you pass through the Southern Gate, you will come face to face with the iconic Bell Tower of Xian. It was built during the Ming Dynasty using bricks and timber. It is one of the largest bell towers in China.

As the Night Falls

Once twilight creeps in and illuminates the top of the ancient city wall, drawing attention to its magnificent Chinese architecture, you'd even start to hear that low rumble coming from your stomach. The perfect place to address your hunger is Huimin Street, where you can select from an array of local delicacies. This street is one of the most popular street food places in the city, which pulsates from constant hubbub as vendors shout over each other to attract your attention to their stall. You can try out several cuisines here from authentic Chinese dishes such as the roast duck and staples of the local Muslim culture. Apart from food, you can also browse through various stalls selling souvenirs and a myriad of other trinkets that might tickle your fancy.