Xi'an

💡 About Xi'an

Xi'an, in central China, is one of the oldest cities in the country and one of the four great ancient capitals of the world, alongside Athens, Rome and Cairo. For over a thousand years it was the capital of imperial China and the eastern terminus of the legendary Silk Road, where merchants, ideas and religions met.

The city is world-famous as the home of the Terracotta Army — thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, each with a unique face, buried over 2,200 years ago to guard the tomb of China's first emperor. Discovered by farmers in 1974, they are one of the greatest archaeological finds in history.

Xi'an remains encircled by the most complete ancient city wall in China, a mighty Ming-era rampart wide enough to cycle around. Within it, the atmospheric Muslim Quarter, home to the Hui community for over a millennium, buzzes with street food and centres on a beautiful mosque built in Chinese architectural style.

A vibrant modern city with deep historical roots, Xi'an blends ancient wonders with a lively contemporary buzz. As the starting point of the Silk Road and the cradle of Chinese civilisation, it is an essential destination for understanding China's past.

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