Xi'an was China's capital for over a thousand years and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road — and it wears that history more visibly than almost any other city in the country. The Terracotta Army, buried with China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang, is one of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century: thousands of life-size warriors standing in silent formation beneath a series of excavation pits. But Xi'an rewards those who stay for the city itself: the 14km Ming Dynasty wall is best cycled at sunset, the Muslim Quarter is a labyrinth of lamb skewers and biangbiang noodle shops, and the Great Mosque — an extraordinary fusion of Islamic and Chinese architecture — is one of the finest buildings in the country.
- Suggested duration: 2–3 days
- Best time to visit: Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal. Summers are warm and busy around the Terracotta Army.