Xi'an

Xi'an, China

Xi'an was once called Chang'an, the City of Long-lasting Peace. The city was the capital of the legendary Tang Dynasty, as well as 13 other dynasties, and the legendary ancient Silk Road started here.
The variety of folk handicrafts that greets the visitor is bewildering. With all this heritage behind it, Xi'an stands proud even in the face of its modernisation, a spectacular testament to the magnificent legacy the Chinese are so proud of.

Population:

9,05 million (2019)

Currency:

1 RMB =10 jiao

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 110
Ambulance: 120
Fire: 119

Opening Hours:

Businesses are generally open from Monday to Friday, 09.00 until 18.00. Shops are also open on the weekend.

Newspapers:

Sanqin Daily (in Chinese)
Huashang Weekly (in Chinese)

The City

History-lovers should definitely add Xi'an to their itineraries. From the Drum Tower in the center of town to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors which stands guard in the Mausoleum of The First Qin Emperor (the first ruler to successfully conquer the disparate feudal kingdoms to form a unified China) and the stones that make up the ancient city walls which greeted weary travelers of the far west, this city is branded with historic footprints.

Do & See

Xi'an offers you a wide range of historical heritages to understand Chinese history and culture from different sides, from visiting the house of an affluent family back in the day to Terracotta Warriors, the precious legacy of China’s first emperor, as well as the ancient city walls, where built six hundred years ago and are possibly the most completely preserved city walls in the world.

Dining

The cuisine in Xian is greatly influenced by the flavors of Northwestern China. Home to more than 600,000 Muslims, the food here is markedly different from the food that is served in traditional Chinese restaurants.

One defining characteristic is the use of lamb in its dishes since Muslims are not allowed to eat pork which is most commonly used in Chinese cooking. Another one is the substitute of rice by flat bread and the Pita Bread soaked in Lamb Soup. Both represent the food culture of this ancient city. Of course, being an international city means other cuisines like Western, Japanese, Korean and South Asian are also represented here.

Cafes

Most of the cafes in Xi’an provide both European and Chinese food and drinks in a casual and relaxing environment. You can find a range of coffee shops from local to global chain instalments, which serve high quality coffee and treats.