5 Unique Things Xi'an Is Known For (Other Than Terracotta Warriors)

Most travelers heading to China default to the big names: Beijing for the Great Wall, Shanghai for the skyline. And sure, those cities are impressive. But if you’re even slightly interested in understanding how China became what it is today, you need to add Xi’an to your list—possibly right at the top.

Xi’an has been around for over 3,000 years. That’s older than Rome. It was once called Chang’an, or “Eternal Peace,” and served as the capital for more than a dozen dynasties, including heavy-hitters like the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang.

Xi’an was the eastern end of the Silk Road, a bustling hub where ideas, goods, and people from across Asia and the Middle East passed through. If ancient China had a global launchpad, this was it!

When I first started researching things to do in Xi’an, I kept running into the same checklist: bike the city wall, see the Wild Goose Pagodas, eat your way through the Muslim Quarter. All cool experiences, but all easily done in one day. Could that really be it for one of China’s most important cities?

After visiting for myself, I realized Xi’an is a treasure trove of fun. The entire city is so rich in culture, layered with history, and still relatively undiscovered by much of the Western world.

What surprised me most wasn’t just the history, but how immersive learning about it all felt. You don’t just visit sites here—you live in them, eat through them, and interact with them in ways that feel refreshingly un-touristy.

If you’re ready to go beyond the surface and dig into a more cultural, hands-on side of China, my 3-day Xi’an itinerary breaks down all the historical, quirky, and underrated things you can experience while you’re here.

Here’s what makes Xi’an worth visiting and how to do it right.

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Table of Contents

Xi’an was the old capital of China.

Xian Drum Tower — You’ll see numerous ancient, ornate structures in Xi’an.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with China’s history at all, think of Xi’an as the OG capital of ancient China. It served as the capital under several of the country’s most important dynasties for over 1,000 years.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang (a man you’ll get to know quite well if you visit the Terracotta Warriors site) unified China in Xi’an for the first time. Xi’an was also where dynasties like the Han and Tang ruled from, and where ancient Chinese civilization took shape along the fertile Yellow River valley.

Back then, Xi’an was called Chang’an, which means “Eternal Peace.” At its height during the Tang Dynasty, it was the largest, most cosmopolitan city on the planet.

Imagine medieval Paris or Baghdad, but way bigger and even more diverse.

How to experience it today:

Walk the Ancient City Wall – One of the few complete city walls still standing in China. You can even bike around the top.
Visit the Big and Little Wild Goose Pagodas – These 7th-century Buddhist temples are great intro points to China’s spiritual and architectural history.

XI’AN: HOTEL SPOTLIGHT

Yunheyebo Hotel

Just steps from Xi’an’s ancient city wall, Yunheyebo Hotel is where comfort meets convenience.

Breakfast is a standout here: whether you’re craving a Western spread or leaning into hearty Chinese dishes to start your day off. Another highlight? Their airport transfer service. After a long flight, having a ride waiting will make your arrival way less stressful.

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The Terracotta Warriors

Yup, you probably already know about this one: the Terracotta Army is easily Xi’an’s most famous attraction.

Discovered by farmers in the 1970s, this underground army of over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots was built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.

What’s wild is that each soldier has a different face. These weren’t mass-produced from a mold—this was craftsmanship on an insane level, meant to show off the emperor’s power and protect him for eternity.

How to experience it today:

Visit the Terracotta Army Museum – About a 45-minute drive from downtown Xi’an. It’s massive, a must-visit, and still being excavated to this day! You’ll most definitely want a tour guide for this one; you’ll get so much more out of your visit with one.

Xi’an was an important stop along the Silk Road.

Silk Road Legend of Camel Bell Show — Don’t miss *The Legend of Camel Bell* show in Xi’an!

If the Great Wall was built to keep invaders out, the Silk Road was how ideas and goods flowed in. Xi’an was the starting point of the Silk Road—the ancient trade network that connected China to Central Asia, the Middle East, and even Europe.

The Silk Road wasn’t just about silk, though. Traders moved spices, ceramics, paper, precious stones, and (maybe most importantly) cultures. That exchange helped shape Xi’an’s diverse food scene, art, religion, and architecture.

How to experience it today:

Catch a performance of “The Legend of Camel Bells” – This high-energy show brings the Silk Road to life with acrobatics, costumes, and storytelling. I’ve seen it for myself; it’s one of the best cultural experiences in the city!
Visit the Shaanxi History Museum – A crash course in what came in and out of Xi’an via the Silk Road.
Try the food – The Muslim Quarter is packed with flavors influenced by Silk Road traders over the centuries. You’ll find everything from hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, persimmon cakes, and more.

Hanfu Costume Culture

Datang Everbright City Xian — Datang Everbright City is a dress-up hotspot!

If you walk around the tourist hotspots in Xi’an—especially near the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda—you’ll quickly notice something fun and a little surprising: tons of Chinese visitors dressed head-to-toe in flowing old-timey Chinese outfits.

Welcome to the world of Hanfu. This traditional clothing, worn by Han Chinese people for thousands of years, dates back to the Han Dynasty and perhaps even earlier. While the Hanfu was once everyday wear for ancient Chinese society, it’s been revived today as a way to connect with cultural roots, and Xi’an is one of the best places to do it.

These costumes have intricate embroidery, draping sleeves, and historically inspired hairstyles and accessories. These days, younger Chinese people are reviving this tradition, blending ancient aesthetics with modern appreciation.

You can rent these costumes, complete with accessories and a professional photographer, and enjoy reimagining life in ancient China. The accessories are a ton of fun; rental shops carry all kinds of goodies like wigs, necklaces, and hair sticks, as well as props like fans, oil-paper umbrellas, veils, and bags.

Now, before you get all “woke”—don’t worry, cultural appropriation isn’t a concern here. Dressing up in historical attire is just part of the experience for locals and tourists!

How to experience it today:

Rent a Hanfu costume yourself – You’ll find plenty of rental shops around major sites. You can rent just the outfit (usually for 24 hours), or go all out and splurge on the headpieces, makeup, and professional photography!
Take photos at historic sites – Hanfu looks especially pretty when paired with Xi’an’s ancient architecture. You’ll see so many people taking photos at the historical landmarks in their costumes. Totally normal in Xi’an!

👉 Pro Tip: You can experience Xi’an’s costume culture firsthand at these places: Tang Paradise, Chang’an Twelve Hours, Da Tang Everbright City, and even all around the Bell Tower.

Tang Dynasty Culture

Tang Dynasty Show - Empress of Great Tang — The *Empress of Great Tang* dinner show | Courtesy of Trip.com

Out of all the dynasties that ruled from Xi’an, the Tang era is remembered as a true golden age—a time of wealth, art, poetry, and openness to the outside world.

You’ll see this influence all around town: from grand light shows and statues of Tang officials to themed gardens/parks and dinner shows based on stories from this iconic period.

Xi’an (then called Chang’an) was not only China’s capital; it was one of the largest, most advanced cities in the world. Merchants, scholars, monks, and diplomats from all over Asia, and even parts of Europe, rubbed shoulders then.

The Tang Dynasty left a lasting impression on Chinese identity, and for many, it represents the peak of ancient Chinese civilization. That’s why the style and spirit of that time are still celebrated so vividly today in Xi’an (and in movies and TV shows)!

How to experience it today:

Watch a Tang-style music and dance show – Empress of the Great Tang is a dinner show that’s earned itself well-deserved praise from the people who’ve seen it. The show’s story is based on the life of a famous historical figure in China: Empress Wu Ze-tian of the Tang Dynasty, a concubine of the Tang Emperor when she was only 14 years old.
Snap photos at historical sites – Tang Paradise should be your first stop. This is China’s first large-scale cultural theme park that reproduces the landscape of the royal gardens and palaces of the Tang Dynasty.
Explore Tang Everbright City by night – A pedestrian zone full of Tang-themed sculptures, costumed performers, and periodic shows throughout the night.

Mutton Soup, Lamb Dishes, and Street Food

What To Expect At Xi'an's Muslim Quarter

One of the best parts of Xi’an? The food. Thanks to its Silk Road roots and Hui Muslim population, Xi’an has a unique flavor profile heavy on bold spices, tender meats, and chewy, hand-pulled noodles. Lamb and mutton dishes are a staple here.

You’ll find rich mutton soup (yang rou pao mo), freshly-made dumplings, skewers sizzling on street-side grills, and the iconic roujiamo (often referred to as a Chinese hamburger), made with braised beef or lamb stuffed inside crispy flatbread.

Along the food streets in the Muslim quarter, you’ll also come across spicy roasted tofu, biang biang mian (biang biang noodles), zenggao (glutinous rice and date cake), and freshly baked Muslim bread. Everything here is halal, so no pork or alcohol!

Where to eat it:

Muslim Street – The most famous street food hub in the city. It’s chaotic, crowded, and absolutely worth it.
Fan Ji La Zhi Rou Jia Mo – Beloved by locals for their spicy, juicy roujiamo.
Zhichuang’an– A popular spot to try all of Xi’an’s classics (there are multiple locations throughout the city).