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Xian is one of the fourth ancient capitals in China, your gateway to ancient Chinese civilization.
Xian is the
urban capital of the Shaanxi Province. Its picturesque location sees the
Qinling Mountains to the south and the Weihe River to the north. Known as
Changan in ancient times, it was an important trade center for silk.
As with
many cities, Xian has become synonymous with its most famous attraction – the
Terracotta Warriors. However, they have actually housed some 30km away from the city so if you were planning just a fleeting visit you may well miss out on the
other attractions Xian has to offer.
The sights
of the city are quite spread out so unless you are planning a stay of several
days, a bus tour of the city would be the best way to ensure you don’t miss out
on any of the amazing sights, the city has to offer.
Xian’s climate is variable. Its summers tend to be hot and humid while winters are
normally cold and dry. Spring and autumn are the favorable seasons when Xian
witnesses maximum tourist traffic.
The average
monthly temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
5 |
8 |
14 |
20 |
26 |
31 |
32 |
31 |
24 |
19 |
12 |
6 |
|
Night |
-4 |
-2 |
3 |
9 |
14 |
19 |
22 |
21 |
15 |
10 |
3 |
-3 |
Xian has
been taken over in recent years by a large number of shopping plazas and the
Belltower has become surrounded by them. By far the largest is on the corner
of Nan Dajie which is a colossal seven storeys.
The main
items for sale in the city are cheap pirate copies of western brands. However, if you want something a bit more upmarket and exclusive you can always try the
Century Ginwa Shopping Mall. For those with a slightly more limited budget,
across the street is the Kai Yuan Shopping Mall which is one of the most
popular with tourists and locals. Other good department stores are Minsheng
Department Store, Parkson Shopping Centre and the Wenbaozhai Tour Shopping
Centre.
An
altogether more fun experience is a visit to the bazaar in the Old Muslim
Quarter. Admittedly some of the ‘antiques’ aren’t particularly authentic, but
if you haggle hard you can still pick up a bargain or two.
For great
souvenirs head for a narrow alley called Xiyang Shi or Shu Yuan Men, also known
as The Arts Street.
Xian’s
nightlife may not be the most vibrant in the world, but it does have something
for everyone.
The main a visual treat for any visitor is the illumination of the Belltower and Drum
tower creating an amazing atmosphere on the area and lighting your way to
finding the perfect restaurant.
There are
several options for your evening’s entertainment. Many people view their
evening meal as the main entertainment however you could also sample the
cabaret at the Tang Dynasty Restaurant (Changan Lu), the Fountain and Music
Show at the Big Goose Pagoda or the Shaanxi Grand Opera House.
If you are
looking for a livelier evening, many of the students hang out in bars along the
lively East Da Jie. But of its singing and dancing that you are after go to the
1+1 Disco Bar (1km from the Bell Tower on Dong Dajie) or one of the many KTV
venues in the city such as Real Love (Nan Erhuan Lu) or Xialudi KTV (4th the floor of 23 Yanta Bei Lu).
There are
plenty of attractions to see and do whilst staying in Xian, however should you
wish to travel further afield to see what else this area has to offer, here are
a few suggestions.
Medical
treatment can be expensive therefore you are strongly advised to ensure you
have sufficient medical insurance in place before traveling. You should always
check with your GP about any recommended vaccinations before traveling.
The tap
water is not considered safe to drink in China and you are therefore advised to
drink bottled water. Crime is not considered a major problem but you should
take the usual precautions when in busy areas.