Xi'an

Housed in the former headquarters where generals Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng kidnapped Chiang Kai-shek in December 1936 to force unity against Japan.

Cycling the full 13.7 km loop atop Xi'an's Ming-dynasty city wall is one of the city's most iconic experiences, providing elevated views across the ancient and modern city.

The Terracotta Army Museum houses one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century — thousands of life-sized clay soldiers buried to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, the site now features three excavation pits and a comprehensive exhibition hall.

A cluster of live music venues, craft beer bars, and late-night hangouts representing Xi'an's growing indie music scene.

Revolution Park (Geming Gongyuan) is a central green space commemorating 1920s revolutionary martyrs. Tree-lined paths, a small lake, and morning exercise groups.

The Shaanxi History Museum is one of China's four great national museums, housing over 370,000 artefacts spanning 1.1 million years of history. Its Tang-dynasty-style architecture and free admission make it essential.

The Xi'an Museum holds over 130,000 artefacts focused on Xi'an's history from the Western Zhou through the Tang dynasty. Adjacent to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda.

The burial mound of China's first emperor, 1.5 km west of the Terracotta Army pits. The inner tomb has never been excavated.

The Xi'an Museum is a modern city museum built within the courtyard of the ancient Jianfu Temple. Galleries house Tang-dynasty pottery, jade, bronze and calligraphy that complement the larger Shaanxi History Museum's collection.

The South Gate (Yongning Gate) is the most monumental of Xi'an's City Wall gates, featuring a triple gatehouse and a watchtower that offers commanding views along the 13.7 km wall circumference. At night the gate complex is illuminated, creating a dramatic photo opportunity.

Xi'an's Ming-dynasty city wall is one of the best-preserved ancient fortifications in China, forming a 13.7 km rectangular loop around the old city centre. Completed in 1370 under Emperor Hongwu, the wall stands 12 metres high.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta) is a seven-storey brick tower standing 64 metres tall, originally built in 652 CE to house Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014.

The largest musical fountain in Asia, stretching over 300 metres in front of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Free nightly show with water jets up to 60 metres.

Mount Hua (Huashan) is one of China's Five Sacred Mountains, rising 2,155 metres with near-vertical granite cliffs. Located 120 km east of Xi'an.

Founded in 742 CE during the Tang dynasty, the Great Mosque of Xi'an is one of the oldest and largest mosques in China. It follows traditional Chinese courtyard architecture with pagoda-style minarets.

The Temple of the Eight Immortals is Xi'an's largest active Taoist temple, its incense-filled courtyards bustling with fortune-tellers, calligraphers and devotees burning joss paper. The temple compound includes shrines to each of the Taoist Eight Immortals and a vibrant morning flea market.

The Hanyangling Museum protects the burial complex of Western Han Emperor Jingdi (188–141 BCE) — father of the Silk Road emperor Wudi. Underground glass-floor walkways allow visitors to look directly down into the excavation pits, where thousands of miniature ceramic figurines stand in silent formation.

Li Mountain rises behind the Huaqing Hot Springs, its forested slopes laced with pilgrimage trails leading to Taoist and Buddhist shrines. The summit — known as peaks Xifeng and Dongfeng — offers views across the Wei River plain all the way to Xi'an's skyline.

The Stele Forest Museum (Beilin) holds over 3,000 inscribed stone tablets spanning 2,000 years of Chinese calligraphy and history. One of Xi'an's oldest cultural institutions, dating to 1087 CE.

The Banpo Museum protects an excavated Neolithic village site dating to approximately 6000 BCE — one of the oldest settlements discovered in China. A purpose-built hall covers the dwelling foundations, storage pits and burial sites in situ.