Xi'an (北京)
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View Plans & PricingArea & Population
Area: 10,752 km²
Population: 13.0 million
Name Origin
Xi'an (西安) literally means "Northern Capital" (北平 → 北京). It has served as the capital of multiple dynasties and is the political, cultural, and educational center of modern China.
Happiness Index
7.1/10 — A city where ancient history meets modern life — residents walk past the City Wall on their daily commute.
Metro & Transport
27 subway lines covering 807 km, plus extensive bus network, airport express, and high-speed rail connections to all major cities. Airport: Xi'an Capital (PEK) & Daxing (PKX).
Universities
Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University, Xi'an Normal University, Xi'an Institute of Technology — home to China's top academic institutions.
Natural Resources
Qinling Mountains, Hua Mountain nearby, Wei River, Qujiang Pool, Cuihua Mountain, Lishan Mountain, Chanba Wetlands.
Attractions in Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter, Huaqing Palace, Shaanxi History Museum, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Datang Everbright City.
Popular Routes
Day 1: Terracotta Warriors → Huaqing Palace; Day 2: City Wall cycling → Bell and Drum Tower → Muslim Quarter; Day 3: Big Wild Goose Pagoda → Shaanxi History Museum → Datang Everbright City.
Food & Dining
Peking Duck, Jianbing, Zhajiangmian, Baozi, Mongolian hotpot, Xi'an yogurt
Shopping
Muslim Quarter night market, Kaiyuan Mall, Century Ginwa, Minsheng Department Store, Book City, Xian Antique Market, Century Jinhua.
Local Vibe & Fun Facts
Local Vibe: Xi'an carries 3,000 years of history but is also a city of students, street food, and late-night noodle shops. Locals are proud, direct, and have a dry sense of humor. The ancient city wall is now a jogging track, and the Muslim Quarter never sleeps.
Fun Facts:
• Xi'an was the eastern starting point of the Silk Road and served as the capital of 13 Chinese dynasties.
• The Terracotta Army, discovered by farmers in 1974, contains over 8,000 soldiers, horses, and chariots — no two faces are alike.
• Xi'an is one of the few Chinese cities where you can still walk on a complete Ming-dynasty city wall.
Speak Like a Local
Xian locals speak their own flavor of Mandarin. Try these phrases to earn a smile:
嘹咋咧 (liáo zǎ lie) — Awesome / fantastic in Xi'an dialect.
克里马擦 (kè lǐ mǎ cā) — Hurry up — very direct.
谝 (piǎn) — To chat or shoot the breeze — a favorite local activity.
Famous People
• Qin Shi Huang — The first emperor of unified China, buried near Xi'an with his Terracotta Army.
• Yang Guifei — One of the Four Beauties of ancient China, closely linked to the Tang dynasty court in Xi'an.
• Zhang Yimou — The acclaimed film director was born in Xi'an and often draws on northwestern Chinese culture in his work.
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