Xian Overview

Xian was known as Chang'an in ancient times, situated at the centre of the Weihe Plain, with the towering Mount Qinling to the south, the rolling Beishan mountains to the north and eight rivers flowing around it. Historically, the city was called the 'gold city stretching a thousand li,' reflecting the abundance produced for its people as a result of its fertile soil and mild climate. more...

Xian Activities

Museums and attractions of cultural interest abound in Xian. Archaeological excavations have unearthed a Neolithic village at the edge of the city and the famous Hua Qing Hot Springs allow a glimpse of the elaborate palace and bathing houses of centuries past. Xian's museums of calligraphy and Shaanxi history are both well worth visiting. more...

Xian Events and Festivals

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is one of the oldest New Year festivals in the world, falling on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month. Festivities last for about 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival. Most businesses shut down during this period, although officially only for four days. Preparations begin a month in advance, with major house-cleaning, to sweep out any bad luck. Doors and windows are often freshly painted; and colours for the festival are red (for happiness) and gold (a symbol of wealth). Decorative paper cut-outs and paintings are displayed and poetic expressions, wishing happiness and longevity, are written on red paper and typically put up on doors or gateposts. On New Year’s night, families prepare enormous feasts of seafood and dumplings and traditional New Year cakes. At midnight, fireworks light up the sky throughout the country. People visit relatives, friends and neighbours the following day, offering New Year greetings and married couples give red packets with money to children and unmarried adults. High-energy dragon dances, colourful lantern shows and other entertainment are all part of the extravagant celebrations. more...

Xian Sightseeing

The province of Shaanxi is an ancient birthplace of Chinese culture and the art of creating window paper cuts has a long history here. During the Spring Festival, people living in the countryside craft paper cut-outs of various designs and decorate windows with them. These creations usually consist of red cut-outs on a white paper background. Many tours feature a stop in the countryside to see how the cut-outs are made. more...

Xian Transport

The centre of Xian is of greatest interest to tourists and is easy to negotiate on foot, as a number of important monuments and attractions are located in a relatively small and compact area. For other city attractions that are a bit farther afield, there are buses running frequently as well as smaller and more crowded minibuses. Taxis are plentiful in the centre, but it is important to be sure that the meter is switched on. Hiring a bicycle is also possibility, but you are advised that the traffic can be very heavy on the city's busy streets. more...

Xian Travel Tips

Travellers to China are allowed to bring in 400 cigarettes; two bottles of alcoholic beverages and a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use. Prohibited items include arms and ammunition and also printed material in conflict with either the country's moral standards or the public order. You are also advised that the government imposes strict regulations on the export of antiquities. All valuable items must be declared on arrival, on forms provided. more...