Xi’an Ancient City – The Heart of Ancient China

Xi’an, formerly known as Chang’an, is famously described in Marco Polo’s The Travels of Marco Polo as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. The ancient city of Xi’an generally refers to the area within the city wall. The Xi’an City Wall, though dating only from the Ming Dynasty, is the best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Its predecessors witnessed the changes of Xi’an over three thousand years. While it might sometimes be overlooked and its presence unrecognized, the ancient city of Xi’an remains steadfast, guiding you through its thousand-year history as the capital of thirteen dynasties.

Travel Information about Xi’an Ancient City

Tickets and Opening Hours

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Xi’an’s ancient sites is during spring and autumn when the temperatures are more comfortable. It’s not as cold as in winter, and the sunlight is not as intense as in summer, making it pleasant to stroll around the city.

Attraction Rating

Cultural Richness: ★★★★★
Unique Features: ★★★★★
Leisure: ★★★★★
Beauty: ★★★★
Romance: ★★★
Excitement: ★★

Highlights of Xi’an Ancient City

Zhi Garden (Yang Hucheng Residence)

Zhi Garden, also known as the Yang Hucheng Residence, is located at No. 77, Youth Road, Central Section. It served as the official residence of the famous patriotic general Yang Hucheng during the 1930s when he governed Shaanxi. Before and after the Xi’an Incident, this was the place where Yang Hucheng met with members of the Communist Party to discuss national affairs.

Guangren Temple

Guangren Temple, also known as Lama Temple, is located in the northwest corner of Xi’an’s ancient city walls. It was built in 1703 during the 42nd year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, with the name symbolizing the “widespread compassion.” It is now one of China’s key temples and the only Tibetan Buddhist temple in Shaanxi Province, often referred to as the place in Shaanxi closest to Tibet. Guangren Temple stands as a testament to the cultural exchange between Tibetan and Han cultures. The temple complex is majestic, with flourishing greenery, and although it is situated in the bustling city, it remains serene and impeccably clean.

Lianhu Park

Lianhu Park is located at No. 18, Lianhu Road, within Xi’an’s city walls. It was built on the site of the “Chengtian Gate” from the Tang Dynasty’s Chang’an City. Established as a park in 1916, it is the oldest park in Xi’an. The park’s north gate features traditional architecture with a simple and elegant design. The park is divided into two lakes: the southern lake, which is deeper, allows for boating and has a teahouse and an octagonal pavilion on its western shore; the northern lake is shallower and is entirely planted with lotus flowers and water lilies. Adjacent to the northern lake is the “Lotus Courtyard,” where the buildings are arranged at varying heights around a central lotus pond.

Xiangzi Temple

Xiangzi Temple in Xi’an is traditionally believed to be the place where Han Xiangzi, one of the Eight Immortals, became a monk. The temple is located inside the south gate of the ancient city, on the western side. Covering an area of two and a half acres, the temple is divided into three sections: the temple area, the southern courtyard, and the northern courtyard. The temple area itself is further divided into two parts: the front part includes a plaza, the mountain gate, the Fragrant Spring, and the Lingguang Hall; the rear part is the main hall, known as the Xiangzi Hall.

Xi’an Office of the Eighth Route Army Memorial

The Xi’an Office of the Eighth Route Army, also known as the Eighth Route Army’s Shaanxi Office, is located at No. 1, Qixianzhuang, North Xin Street, West Wulu, within the ancient city. It has now been converted into the Xi’an Office of the Eighth Route Army Memorial. In 1936, the Communist Party of China established the “Red Army Liaison Office” at this address. After the July 7th Incident, it was renamed to its current name. This office was the earliest established, longest-lasting, and most influential among the 15 offices of the Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army across the country.

Revolution Park

Revolution Park was established in February 1927 to commemorate the soldiers and civilians of the Shaanxi National Army who defended Xi’an and sacrificed their lives on the eve of the Northern Expedition War.

Guanzhong Academy

Guanzhong Academy is located on Shuyuanmen Street, just inside the South Gate of Xi’an. It was the highest academic institution in Shaanxi during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and was one of the four most renowned academies in China, as well as the foremost among the four great academies in the Northwest. The academy’s complex includes structures such as the main gate, the second gate, the Yunzhi Hall (lecture hall), left and right dormitories, and east and west rooms. In 1906, during the 32nd year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, it was established as Shaanxi’s first teacher training school. In the early Republic of China, it was renamed the Shaanxi Provincial Normal School, and it is now known as Xi’an Normal School in Shaanxi Province.

Zhang Xueliang Residence

Zhang Xueliang Residence is located at No. 9, Jiankuo Lane, Jianguo Road (formerly known as Jiankuo Road, Jinjia Lane). It was the residence of General Zhang Xueliang, a commander of the Northeast Army. On December 12, 1936, when the Xi’an Incident occurred, the representatives of the Communist Party stayed here to negotiate a peaceful resolution with Generals Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng. The residence was where the strategy for peacefully resolving the Xi’an Incident was formulated. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the residence was converted into a memorial hall.

Visitor Guide for Xi’an Ancient City

Accommodation Options in Xi’an

Xi’an Xiangzi International Youth Hostel (西安湘子门国际青年旅社)
Address: No. 16, Xiangzi Temple Street, South Gate Inner City, Beilin District (near Xiangzi Temple and the Xi’an City Wall)
Phone: 029-87370456

Xi’an Nest University Student Short-Term Rental Apartment (西安雀巢大学生短租公寓)
Address: Feicui Mingzhu Community, Caoyangpo, North Chang’an Road, Beilin District (near Shaanxi History Museum, Xi’an Incident Site, and Xi’an City Wall)
Phone: 18729008464

Shangjian Space Capsule Apartment (Xi’an South Gate Store) (尚俭太空舱公寓西安南门店)
Address: Room 608, Building 1, Zhongmao Plaza, 200 meters south of South Gate, Xi’an (near Shaanxi History Museum, Xi’an City Wall, and Bell and Drum Towers)
Phone: 17502970417

Xi’an Rainbow Home Short-Term Rental Apartment (西安彩虹之家短租公寓)
Address: Feicui Mingzhu Community, Caoyangpo, Beilin District (near Xuexi Lane, Eighth Route Army Office Site, and Xingqing Palace Park)
Phone: 13319252938

Xi’an Silk Road Imprint Youth Hostel (西安丝路印迹青年旅舍)
Address: No. 140, Hui Minority Street, Beilin District (near Hui Minority Street)
Phone: 029-87259895

Transportation: Xi’an “Bus Tour” Sightseeing Bus

The main route of the Xi’an “Bus Tour” sightseeing bus circles the city wall, starting from the South Gate and passing through the following points: Southwest City Corner, Xiangcheng West Garden, West Gate, Northwest City Corner, North Gate, Northeast City Corner, East Gate Moat, Southeast City Corner, and then returning to the South Gate.

• Total Duration: 2 hours
  • Xiangcheng West Garden Tour: 30 minutes
  • West Gate City Wall Experience: 30 minutes
  • Onboard Sightseeing: 1 hour

The bus features luxurious amenities on the lower deck, including 360-degree rotating airline seats, air conditioning, LCD TVs, a bar, and a refrigerator. It is equipped with a multi-language translation system and guided commentary, allowing visitors from different countries and regions to easily understand the rich history and culture of the ancient city wall.

The top deck is open-air, providing a wider perspective to admire the grandeur of the city wall and the bustling city streets, and to experience the local customs and scenery of Xi’an.

• Price: ¥68; ¥98 per person including the city wall tour
• Guided Commentary: A guide provides free basic explanations throughout the journey.
• Start and End Point: Southwest corner of the South Gate, departing every hour on the hour.
• Official Website: www.busbustours.com

One-Day Tour of Xi’an Ancient City

• Morning: Start by sampling breakfast at small shops or street stalls. Then, take a bus to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, which are accessible from various locations in the city. From the Drum Tower, head east through the Luomashi Pedestrian Street to reach the Stele Forest (Beilin).
• Stele Forest (Beilin): After visiting the Stele Forest, continue to the South Square (Yongning Gate). To visit the city wall, the entrance fee is ¥40 per person. The Ming Dynasty city wall, which is the oldest preserved wall in China, is majestic and worth exploring. Bicycles are available for rent to cycle around the wall.
• Lunch: After descending from the city wall, head to Hui Minority Street for lunch. Try famous dishes like lamb paomo, soup dumplings, and stir-fried cold noodles. It’s advisable to order small portions to sample each dish and avoid wastage.
• Afternoon: After lunch, take a bus from Drum Tower Station to the Shaanxi History Museum. After visiting the museum, walk for about ten minutes to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Plaza, which features Asia’s largest music fountain.
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda: From the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, you can walk to the Tang Paradise (Datang Furong Garden), a themed park. Whether or not to enter the park depends on your interest. In the evening, enjoy the water screen film and various Tang Dynasty performances and cultural presentations.