Xi’an

Xi’an is a truly ancient city. It is more than 3,000 years old and, for more than 1,000 years of it’s history, it was the imperial capital of China. 13 different dynasties ruled from here, and in total 73 different emperors ruled from Xi’an. That means, you’re going to find a ton of history centered in and around Xi’an.

One of the biggest attractions is the Terracotta warriors and the surrounding necropolis complex of the first emperor to unify China: Emperor Qin Shi Huan.- This necropolis is not a UNESCO world heritage site for nothing. If you have the chance to travel here, take it.

But, in addition to being an imperial capital, Xi’an was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. Traders from the world over voyages through deserts, mountains, plains, and every other point along the Silk Road just to come here to trade. For centuries, an unbelievable amount of wealth transferred from end to end, East to West, along the Silk Road.

Modern day Xi’an is a huge, cosmopolitan city with more than 6.5 million people calling it home. It is well connected to the rest of China by bus, train, and plane, so you have a lot of ways you can travel to or from here. And, like most Chinese cities, it is generally quite safe, with the most likely annoyance you’ll face during your travels being pickpockets and crazy drivers.

What to See

Give yourself a fair chunk of time to explore Xi’an and its history. Xi’an is big, and there are so many ancient sites, pagodas, temples, markets, and museums in the city and it’s surround area. Make sure to take the time to visit the Terracotta Warriors and the emperor’s necropolis, as there are few things like it on earth. Additionally, the Qianling Mausoleum and the Maoling Mausoleum provide you looks back at some important relics of Imperial China.

Meanwhile, religious sites like the Eight Immortals Temple, the Great Mosque of Xi’an, and the Wolong Temple, show off the diverse mix of religions and cultures that came together in Xi’an.

If you’re feeling especially brave, and want to do one of the most dangerous hikes on earth (of course you do), take a trip about 120 km east of Xi’an to the famous Mt. Huashan.

Getting In/Out

Xi’an is a major transportation hub. You can connect to the next legs of your journey by plane, train, or bus. You should have no trouble getting around.

Next stop on your Silk Road Journey: the city of Lanzhou