Xi'An 2-day itinerary - Slow travelling

If you are interested in the fascinating culture of Ancient China you should not miss out on a visit to Xi’An. Formerly known as Chang’An (“Eternal Peace”), Xi’An was the capital of the empire during one of the most magnificent eras of the Chinese civilization.

Though little remains of the ordinary architecture, Xi’An still retains a few vestiges of the past and preserves important historic temples.

During a 2-day visit it is possible to see many of Xi’An main historical sites. In this page we describe a classic itinerary.

First visit to Xi’An

To make the most of the little time available, we suggest you begin your visit from the main cultural sites. A good choice could be starting from the ancient pagodas.

Day 1: Xi’An, ancient temples, city centre

During the Tang Dynasty Period Xi’An (西安), then known with the name of Chang’An (长安 | Eternal Peace) was the capital of a unified Chinese nation. With a history of more than 3.000 years it is known as one of the Four Great Capitals of China.

The magnificent city became a model also for the neighbouring nations. Korean Silla capital, Gyeongju, and Japan’s ancient capitals, Nara and Kyoto were built by drawing inspiration on the layout and majestic architecture of Chang’An.

Though not much remains today of its glorious past, you can see feel a sense of history and visit a number of historical sites that display the scale and importance of the ancient city.

Located in central China, Xi’An grew into an important trade centre and and the eastern end of the Silk Road. The city still serves as gateway to Western China and Central Asia.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

One of China’s most important temples, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔, DaYanTa) had a fundamental role in the diffusion of Buddhism throughout China.

The beautiful ancient pagoda is part of the DaCi’En Temple (大慈恩寺, DaCiEnSi), which comprises a few halls, a bell tower, a drum tower and a spacious garden. It was built during the reign of Emperor GaoZhong of the Tang Dynasty.

It served as a temple and major collection centre of Buddhist scriptures. These along with Buddha images and relics were brought from India to China by the monk XuanZang. His incredible seventeen-year long journey through modern-day India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan became the theme of a renowned classic novel, the “Journey to the West” (西游记).

The impressive task of translating the sutras from Sanskrit into Chinese was supervised by XuanZang, who became a crucial figure in China and all East Asia.

The seven-storey pagoda has a simple and dignified appearance. Inside are an ancient statues and stelae made by noted artists. The engraved statues were made by Yan LiBen.

The pagoda is located at around 5 km from the city centre. It can be reached by metro and a 15-minute walk or by taxi.

You can also reach the pagoda by bus. There are many lines serving the area (the staff at your hotel can give indications and write the name of the destination on a piece of paper in Chinese characters).

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

The Small Wild Goose Pagoda (小雁塔, XiaoYanTa) is part of the ancient DaJianFu Temple (大荐福寺, JianFuSi), another masterpiece of Tang China’s religious architecture.

As in the case of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the structure of the pagoda has a square base. Only 13 of the original 15 stories survive. The dimensions of the sections decrease progressively with elevation, giving the ensemble a very delicate appearance.

The pagoda can be reached on foot in less than 10 minutes from NanShaoMen Station (Line 2). The area is also served by some bus lines.

City centre

The city centre is a rather compact area where you can have a pleasant stroll. At the central square is the city’s most iconic landmark, the Bell Tower of Xi’An (钟楼, ZhongLou).

Marking the geographical centre of the city, where the north-south and east-west main avenues meet, the tower is an elegant two-storey architecture dating back to the Ming Dynasty Period.

North-west of the Bell Tower is another masterpiece of Ming China, the imposing Drum Tower of Xi’An (鼓楼, GuLou). Both buildings feature delicate decorations and vivid colours, which become particularly beautiful at night when they are lit.

Next to the Drum Tower is the Muslim Quarter (回民街, HuiMinJie), one of the few areas where the city retains ancient vernacular architecture. The place is very popular among tourists because there is plenty of small restaurants and stalls which offers a wide choice of food, especially noodles and sweets. Xi’An is one of China’s gastronomical capitals and here you will quickly understand why. This is a good place to wrap up your first day in Xi’An.

Day 2: Xi’An great archaeological site

The second day in Xi’An offers images of the city’s imperial grandeur. The morning is devoted to a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Archaeological Site while the remaining time is spent for a visit to the DaMing Palace Archaeological Site.

Terracotta Warriors Archaeological Site

The Terracotta Army (兵马俑, BingMaYong) is a vast collection of impressive life-sized terracotta statues that portray an army tasked with protecting Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇), the emperor who unified the nation for the first time.

The army is part of a huge necropolis, much of which has not been explored out of deference and preservation concerns.

A roofed building covers a large section of the main pit (number 1) where visitors can see long formations of over 6.000 figures of soldiers. Other partially excavated sections provide insight into the archaeological practice. These include figures of cavalry and infantry units.

The Imperial Tomb, located at the foot of Mount Li, has escaped plundering and remains sealed as there are concerns that violating it might damage its artefacts, which are supposed to be unique in quantity and artistic and historical importance. According to historical accounts the construction of the mausoleum required an enormous amount of treasure and labour.

The sculptures, depicting soldiers, horses, chariots and generals, include a large quantity of details and some were painted, though colours have faded upon exposure to open air.

The site is best visited by joining a guided tour. You can also reach the site by bus. Buses leave regularly from the square south of Xi’An Railway Station.

DaMing Palace Archaeological Site

The DaMing Palace (大明宫, DaMingGong) was an enormous imperial residence of the Tang Dynasty Period. In the eyes of a westerner its grandiose architecture, impressive for its beauty and massive scale, can only be matched by the works of art by Imperial Rome.

Hardly any vestiges survive but a large reconstructed building, the DanFeng Gate (丹凤门, DanFengMen) at the southern end of the area, and the platforms of the main halls offer eloquent sights of the former glory of the site.

The former gardens have been recreated. They include a number of plants of particular ornamental value.

Beneath the DanFeng Gate an interesting museum and the original foundations of the structure can be visited.

A few models on display give a general idea of the former magnificence of the site. A interesting 3-D virtual reconstruction can be admired at the National Museum of China in Beijing.