About Xi'an

Xi'an (西安 Xī'ān, read as SEE-AHN) is a city in Shaanxi Province in China. The oldest surviving capital of ancient China, Xi'an is home to thousands of years of Chinese heritage and history. The city has a pleasant cosmopolitan flair to it and it is worth visiting for the famed Terracotta Warriors. It has often been said that, "if you have not been to Xi'an, you have not been to China!" Xi'an is home to numerous historical and cultural attractions. The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is vast, magnificent, and lifelike; the history museum houses a wealth of artifacts, and entering it will surely leave you amazed and enlightened. The towering Giant Wild Goose Pagoda invites reflection on Xuanzang's profound contributions; climbing the ancient city wall offers a panoramic view of the old town, and cycling around it lets you listen to the rise and fall of history. In the evening, when the lights come on, the Bell and Drum Towers shine resplendently. If you happen to visit Furong Ga

Source: Wikipedia

Essential Information

Currency

Chinese yuan (CNY)

Symbol: ¥

Language

Chinese

Phone Code

+86

International dialing code for China

Driving

Drive on the right

Standard for China

Region

Asia

Eastern Asia

Connectivity

It's not very easy to make friends with the locals in Xi'an, especially if you don't speak the language. Also the most common, or even the only way to keep in touch with anyone in China these days is through Wechat. The locals are mostly not used to using emails. However, in Defu Alley, you can find several bars where Football fans gather during the game seasons, which is a good place to socialize if you are interested in football. Also you may have chances at making friends in coffee shops too,

Getting Around Xi'an

Local transportation and navigation tips

The old city is surrounded by a rectangular city wall. The Bell Tower (钟楼 Zhōnglóu) is in the dead center of the rectangle, and is considered the center of Xi'an. From here, the four main streets radiate along the four points of the compass.

Safety in Xi'an

Moderate Safety (Global Peace Index: 2.01)

About the Global Peace Index: Global Peace Index measures peacefulness on a scale of 1 (most peaceful) to 5 (least peaceful)

Xi'an is, like other Chinese cities, generally quite safe. Just watch out forpickpocketsin crowds, on the bus, and during national holidays.

Source: Institute for Economics & Peace (2022)

Where to Stay in Xi'an

Accommodation tips and recommendations

As with most Chinese cities, several cheap run down hotels can be found near the train station. There are a few decent ones inside the city walls, on a road calledJie Fang Lu, going directly south from the train station. Bargaining is possible, especially if you are staying for more than one night. Expect to pay under ¥100 for a single room as getting a room for as low as ¥30 is possible.