Cycling on the Ancient City Wall  Pictures        Video

Xi'an, located in central-northwest China, records the great changes of the country just like a living history book. Called Chang'an (meaning the eternal city) in ancient times, it is one of the birthplaces of the ancient Chinese civilization in the Yellow River Basin area. As the eastern terminal of the Silk Road and the site of the famous Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Dynasty, the city has won a reputation all over the world. More than 3,000 years of history including over 1,100 years as the capital city of ancient dynasties, have endowed the city with an amazing historical heritage. Travelers marvel at the numerous historical sites and cultural relics in the city.
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Known as the leading city of China's Western Development Drive Program since 1990s, Xi'an is an important economic, cultural, industrial and educational center of the central-northwest region, providing visitors with modern and convenient facilities.
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Praised as 'the capital of table delicacies', Xi'an has been rich in delicious local snacks such as the must-try Crumbled Flatbread in Mutton Stew (Yangrou Paomo), Cold Noodles (Liang Pi) and Shaanxi Sandwich (Rou Jia Mo), travelers can also find delicate Guangdong dishes, popular Sichuan food and various kinds of fashionable foreign delicacies.

• Crumbled Flatbread in Mutton Stew
• Dumpling Dinner
• Local Snacks
• Chinese & Western Restaurants
• Local Dishes

Curio and craftwork is a feature of shopping in this city and of course an attraction for visitors. The Ancient Cultural Street of Shuyuanmen and Antique Market are recommended for buying souvenirs such as the Tang tri-colored glazed pottery, replicas of Terracotta warriors, as well as folk handicrafts of paper-cut and shadow puppet. Also there are many modern shopping outlets, including big shopping centers, department stores and supermarkets in and around the city - the biggest and most comprehensive being Kai Yuan Shopping Mall and Century Ginwa Shopping Mall.

The night life in this ancient city has a unique glamour. Travelers can enjoy the night scenery around the Bell Tower, stroll around the ancient Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and view the music and light fountain performance on the north square under the pagoda, as well as watch a Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show or a show of the local Shaanxi Opera (Qin Qiang). For the party-loving owls, more modern and fashionable hangouts are available, including the various karaoke bars, discos and nightclubs.