Ranked among China’s most popular travel hubs, Xi’an is not just famed for its iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here are some of the reasons Xi’an should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.

china-xi-an-drum-tower-building | img via Wallpaper flare

The Food

As an underrated destination for foodies, Xi’an is a must-visit location for those with a love of not only Chinese cuisine but also culinary delicacies from Muslim culture. The aptly named Muslim Street is home to some of the best restaurants in town serving up dishes such as Rou Jia Mo and Guokui and a host of Xian noodles meals including Biangbiang noodles and Qishan noodles. The area is also known for its delectable dumplings featuring crunchy stuffing such as white turnips and celery.

The Hiking Trails

If you are based at a hotel in Xi’an, you will never be too far from the scenic hiking paths and trails that cut across the area’s mountains. The walking paths and trekking routes crisscrossing Mount Huashan are some of the best in China and are suitable for those with varying hiking skills.

The Heritage Sites

From the iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda to the Xian City Wall and the city’s bell tower, there is five thousand years’ worth of heritage to explore during a holiday in this part of the country. The Drum Towers and the Shaanxi History Museum are other points of interest history buffs shouldn’t miss.

Tang Paradise 

This is an iconic attraction just 20 minutes away from Grand Park Xian. It is a massive theme park located near the Furong Garden complex in the capital of the Tang dynasty. Amazing evening shows, stunning garden views and buidlings in ancient architectural style are sure to transport you to archaic times.

The Warriors

As the main reason most visitors head to Xi’an in the first place, there’s no better reason than the Terracotta Warriors to spend a few days in this historic city. Dating back to the Qin Dynasty, the archaeological pits in which the warriors were discovered are open to visitors and form one of the biggest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country.