Live Your Best Lives
Someone once said that in the city of Xi'an, the ground you step on is full of history, and the wind that blows is full of culture.
For a century of history, look to Shanghai; for a thousand years of history, look to Beijing; and for three thousand years of history, look no further than Xi'an, because the city itself is the world's largest museum.
According to incomplete statistics, there are more than 130 museums of all sizes in Xi'an and its surrounding areas, of which at least seven or eight are national-level museums.
So, among so many museums, which ones are the most worth seeing? And how should you check out Xi'an's museums for the first time? Read on for this comprehensive guide to museum-hopping.
The legendary Shaanxi History Museum is a national treasure that every Xi'an resident is proud of, and a must-see on every tourist's bucket list. This museum is the perfect first stop for anyone visiting Xi'an to learn about the rich history and splendid culture of this ancient capital of 13 dynasties.
As China's first large-scale modern national museum, the Shaanxi History Museum boasts an astonishingly large collection of cultural relics, diverse in variety, and of remarkable value! Dating from ancient times to the Shang, Zhou, Han, and Tang dynasties, these over 370,000 artifacts evoke the glory of Chang'an City.
The editor recommends that the cultural relics exhibition halls that must be visited are: the first exhibition hall - prehistoric period and Zhou and Qin periods, the second exhibition hall - Han Dynasty, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties and the third exhibition hall - Sui and Tang Dynasties and subsequent dynasties.
Shaanxi History Museum implements the principle of "free but not free tickets". Tickets are issued in limited quantities and at limited times every day. Everyone must make an appointment online in advance (public account or official website), and then bring your ID card to queue up early!
If you are too lazy to queue or don’t have enough time to queue, you can choose to buy tickets for the Treasure House or the Tang Dynasty Mural Treasure House and enter the museum directly for a visit!
Tips:
address:
No. 91, Xiaozhai East Road, Yanta District, Xi'an
transportation:
Take bus No. 5, 24, 27, You 8, etc. and get off at Cuihua Road (Shaanxi History Museum)
Take Subway Line 2 to Xiaozhai Station and walk east after exiting the station.
Opening Hours:
Closed on Mondays, open from Tuesday to Sunday
Visiting hours:
(Winter): 9:00-17:30 (invoices stop at 16:00)
(Summer): 8:30-18:00 (invoices stop at 16:30)
Tutorial fee:
Manual tour guide: Chinese tour guide for the basic exhibition hall is 100 yuan, and Chinese tour guide for the Tang Dynasty Treasures Exhibition and the Tang Dynasty Mural Treasures Hall is 50 yuan
Automatic audio guide: deposit 100 yuan, rental 30 yuan/unit
When visiting the Shaanxi History Museum, you must ask for a guide or rent an audio guide yourself. Otherwise, it will be difficult to understand the various cultural relics and the experience will be greatly reduced.
How can you travel to Xi'an and not visit the Terracotta Warriors? Don't miss this magnificent underground army!
When it comes to Xi'an's top travel destination, the Terracotta Warriors are undoubtedly the most popular. This attraction, in fact, stands for the "Museum of the Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum," and consists of two parts: the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors Museum and the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Site Park. Most tourists only need to visit the most important part—the Terracotta Warriors Museum!
As the guard of the first feudal emperor "Qin Shi Huang" in Chinese history, the Terracotta Army is huge and well-organized. If you look closely, you will find that each terracotta warrior has a different appearance, hairstyle, body shape and charm. It is said that the terracotta warriors' clothes when they were first unearthed were brightly colored and their facial features were delicate, just like real people!
However, due to oxidation immediately after being unearthed, the color disappeared immediately and it has never been seen again.
The editor recommends that the best routes for tourists to visit the Terracotta Warriors are: Pit No. 1 - chariots and infantry, Pit No. 2 - multi-service special forces, Pit No. 3 - headquarters, and finally be sure to visit the "treasure of the museum" of the Terracotta Warriors - the bronze chariot and horse exhibition hall.
Tips:
address:
East of Lintong District, Xi'an
transportation:
Take bus No. 5 (No. 306), the fare is 7 yuan;
Xi'an Railway Station East Square - Terracotta Army;
First bus: 07:00 Last bus: 19:00
Tickets and tour guide:
Adult ticket price: 120 yuan/person, student half price
Official tour: charged by the number of people, 90 yuan/time for 1-5 people; 100 yuan/time for 6-11 people; 110 yuan/time for more than 12 people
English tour: 200 yuan/time
Xi'an is full of treasures, and it's true! Besides the two must-see museums mentioned above, the one I would most like to recommend is the Xi'an Forest of Steles Museum.
Quietly nestled within Wenchang Gate, adjacent to the quaint Shuyuan Gate, every step and every view of the Forest of Steles is imbued with a cultural atmosphere. Wander through the museum, attentively examining the inscriptions of generations of scholars and admiring the exquisite remains of over 1,000 steles and epitaphs. Even without a guide, the inscriptions are captivating and captivating.
Politics, religion, culture... Every stele in the Forest of Steles bears witness to a glorious history. Turning back to the calligraphy art here, the stele alone encompasses a wide range of scripts, including cursive, official, and small seal scripts. Many well-known calligraphers, such as Yan Zhenqing, Mi Fu, and Liu Gongquan, can be seen here.
The reputation of the Forest of Steles as a "treasure house of oriental culture" is well-deserved. If you have the opportunity to come here in person, you will definitely feast your eyes!
Tips:
address:
No. 15 Sanxue Street, Xi'an, located inside Wenchang Gate
transportation:
Take Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station and walk for 10 minutes to the destination
Opening Hours:
8:00-17:30 (December 1st - end of February) 8:00-18:00 (March 1st - end of November)
Tickets:
50 yuan/person (off-season)
65 yuan/person (peak season)
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is famous for the Buddhist monk Xuanzang, while the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is named after the eminent monk Yijing. The Xi'an Museum is located within the Small Wild Goose Pagoda scenic area, offering a great escape from the crowded Shaanxi History Museum and a chance to explore the lesser-known history and culture of this ancient capital.
The Xi'an Museum is themed "Ancient Capital Xi'an". In addition to the two exhibition areas of "Millennium Ancient Capital" and "Imperial Capital", the most recommended exhibition hall is the "Sculpture Art Special Topic" exhibition hall.
As we all know, Chang'an is renowned for its Buddhism. The stories of the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang's journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures and Jianzhen's voyages to the East are both renowned both domestically and internationally. Therefore, to experience the historical evolution of Buddhism in Chang'an, it's essential to spend an afternoon strolling through the Xiaoyan Pagoda Gardens and admiring the exquisite Buddhist stone carvings within the exhibition halls.
Tips:
address:
No. 72 West Youyi Road, Xi'an
transportation:
Take bus lines 18, 203, 204, 218, etc. to get there
Opening Hours:
Every open day 9:00-17:30
Closed all day on Tuesdays, open as usual on other days
Ticket prices:
The museum is free to visit, and visitors must bring their ID cards to collect tickets (limited to 3,000 free tickets per day)
Mention "Banpo" and many people might say, "Oh, I think I learned about it in history textbooks!" Indeed, the Banpo Ruins in Xi'an are a cultural icon of primitive China's Neolithic Age. This matriarchal settlement, dating back over 6,000 years, is a truly rare and precious heritage site.
The Banpo Site Museum in Xi'an is a relatively unpopular museum. Its collection of more than 30,000 treasures includes various types of cultural relics such as stone tools, bone tools and pottery.
The main hall of the ruins preserves a portion of the original village, complete with houses, enclosures, and a large moat, authentically recreating the lifestyle and people of primitive society. Those interested in the Yangshao culture and matriarchal clans might want to venture off the beaten path and experience this lesser-known culture.
Tips:
address:
No. 155 Banpo Road, East Suburb, Xi'an
transportation:
Take bus No. 105, 406, or 913 to get there directly
Take Metro Line 1 to Banpo Station and walk 300 meters west to arrive
Opening Hours:
08:00-18:00 (Monday to Sunday, March 1st - November 30th) 08:00-17:30 (December 1st - February 28th of the following year)
Ticket prices:
March to November 65 yuan; December to February 45 yuan
Those who love culture often find themselves in places steeped in history, where they resonate with the ancients, a journey that transcends time and space. The Daming Palace is one such site. During the Tang Dynasty, the Daming Palace was once the most magnificent palace complex in the world. At that time, the Daming Palace was equivalent in size to 13 Louvres and 4.5 times the size of the Forbidden City!
The Daming Palace Ruins Museum houses two fascinating artifacts: a gargoyle and a stone balustrade with dragon relief patterns. Both are architectural components of the Daming Palace, showcasing the grandeur and elegance of Tang Dynasty architecture.
Although the ruins today only contain some remains of the platforms, piers and other relics of the past palaces and a small "palace" model, I sincerely recommend that if you travel to Xi'an, don't miss this place!
The IMAX theater in the scenic area regularly shows the movie "Legend of Daming Palace" every day. Various touching and tragic stories were played out in the once prosperous Tang Dynasty Palace. I think it will definitely touch your heart.
Tips:
address:
No. 585, Ziqiang East Road, Xi'an
transportation:
Take bus No. 2, 262, 528, 717, or 723 to Daming Palace Danfengmen Station, then take Metro Line 4 to Hanyuandian Station.
Opening Hours:
March 1st - November 30th (peak season): 08:30-18:00
December 1st - February 29th (off-season) 08:30-17:30
Ticket prices:
The peak season package ticket is 95 yuan per ticket, and the price of a single ticket is 60 yuan per ticket
The Eighth Route Army Xi'an Office Memorial Hall, also known as the Eighth Route Army Shaanxi Office, is located at No. 1 Qixianzhuang, Beixin Street in the ancient city. The small alley where the memorial hall is located is quite interesting and is called "Qixianzhuang".
"Qixianzhuang" is named after the "Seven Sages" in the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove" in the Wei and Jin Dynasties. The whole courtyard faces south. You may not imagine that in addition to the memorial hall, there is also a super fun youth hostel secretly hidden here - Xi'an Qixianzhuang International Youth Hostel.
Many foreign friends choose to stay in this youth hostel, gathering in the small courtyard, chatting and feeling the old city atmosphere with a rural feel.
The Eighth Route Army Office, formerly the Red Army Liaison Office in Xi'an, was renamed after the July 7 Incident. While seemingly unremarkable, it was actually the oldest, longest-lasting, and most influential of the 15 Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army offices nationwide. Recalling its past, great figures like Ye Jianying, Dong Biwu, Liu Shaoqi, and Norman Bethune once lived and worked here, making it a perfect place to reminisce about those glorious times.
Tips:
address:
Qixianzhuang, Beixin Street, Xi'an
transportation:
Take bus No. 4, 9, 10, 11, 102, 103, 610, or 703 and get off at Beixin Street Station.
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00-17:00
Ticket prices:
5 yuan/person
The Xi'an Incident Site and General Zhang Xueliang's Residence, located at 60 Jianguo Road, are often bustling with visitors. This is where the patriotic General Zhang Xueliang once lived. Over 70 years ago, the Xi'an Incident, which shocked China and the world, took place here, from its planning and full-scale outbreak to its final peaceful resolution.
The mansion's architectural style is particularly distinctive. Its three Western-style buildings, arranged east and west, are constructed of brick and wood, surrounded by a blue brick wall. They exude a solemn, ancient charm yet remain elegant and magnificent. The reception room on the first floor features a group of lifelike portraits of Zhou Enlai, Zhang Xueliang, Yang Hucheng, Soong Mei-ling, and Soong Tzu-wen, vividly recreating precious historical moments from the peace negotiations surrounding the Xi'an Incident.
Tips:
address:
Qingnian Road and Jianguo Road in Xi'an
transportation:
Take bus No. 7 or No. 702 and get off at the Provincial Party Committee Guesthouse
Opening Hours:
08:30-17:30 (invoices will be issued after 17:00)
Ticket prices:
Admission to Zhang Xueliang's Residence and General Yang Hucheng's Memorial Hall is free
Xi'an, the ancient capital of 13 dynasties, is full of ancient style and charm, but it still has many places to live that are suitable for young people, especially for young literary and artistic people!
The following three places are great for taking beautiful photos or just taking a leisurely stroll at night! Young people, take a look!
A black T-shirt, a thermos, an old train ticket, a half-finished gray scarf... After a breakup, everything related to the ex, the little items that played various roles in the relationship, become one "love relic" after another. So, some people created the "Museum of Broken Relationships" to store these "relics."
Reading the messages in the museum, those broken loves, some succumbed to distance, some to time, some to reality... Thousands of regrets and countless memories are now collected here, on display, and on display. It turns out that life is truly more exciting than movies; it turns out that reality is often more dramatic than soap operas.
Tips:
address:
B2 Floor, Momopark Shopping Center, No. 232, Xiaozhai West Road, Xi'an
transportation:
Take Metro Line 4 and get off at Jixiangcun Station, Exit C.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday 10:00-22:00
price:
Starting from 29 yuan per person
Shewai is widely considered the "Hermès of Hu La Tang" by Xi'an residents. After a renovation and upgrade, the restaurant opened a city-famous Hu La Tang Museum!
The wall display area in the store displays various tablewares with a sense of age and little stories. Suddenly I discovered that Hu La Tang was actually named "Imperial Soup" by the emperor!
Every morning filled with energy should start with a bowl of steaming hot spicy soup! The large slices of beef are firm and chewy, and the juicy soup is fragrant. Paired with peanuts, gluten, day lily, and black fungus, it's so satisfying!
If you add a big fried pancake with Shewai’s speciality, “Flavorful World” is just so-so~~ However, this restaurant is really popular! Friends who want to satisfy their appetite must go early~
Tips:
address:
No. 186, Cuihua Road, Yanta District, Xi'an
transportation:
Take bus No. 26, 27, 527, etc. and get off at the intersection of Cuihua Road and Yanta West Road
Opening Hours:
They open at 6:30am every day and are sold out around 11:00am! (Friends, go early to try them out!)
price:
18 yuan per person
An old Xi'an Dahua Textile Factory has been renovated into a 1935 museum. In the city of Xi'an, there is such a place: it has warmth, stories, and the kind of human touch that attracts me the most.
Wander around the museum and feel the richness of history. Watch a play at the 1935 Theatre and immerse yourself in the stories of the cities. Or, on a beautiful evening, catch a show you love at the 1935 Livehouse, featuring both independent artists and major rock labels. In this way, you can find peace with your restless self in the world of music...
Walking along the bluestone pavement, the gray bricks, retro murals, and cool graffiti create a powerful collision of history and modernity. The rich artistic atmosphere creates a unique character here. In Xi'an, Dahua 1935 is my favorite little corner!
Tips:
address:
No. 251, Taihua South Road, Xi'an, adjacent to Daming Palace
transportation:
Public transportation
Take bus No. 2, 16, 17, 22, etc. and get off at Dahua 1935 Station or Hanyuan Road Intersection Station.
subway
Take Line 4 to Hanyuandian Station Exit C1 and walk for 3 minutes to arrive
How can you travel to Xi'an without bringing back some souvenirs? So how do you choose from the wide variety of local specialties and tourist products?
The following small gifts have been personally tested and are interesting. They are worth buying home as souvenirs and sharing with friends and family.
1️⃣Xi’an’s image spokesperson “Tang Niu” recommends refrigerator magnets, pillows, and bookmarks as souvenirs.
2️⃣ Customized calendar and exclusive postcards from Shaanxi History Museum
3️⃣Terracotta Warriors-themed figurines, "Qin Xiaozhuang" series refrigerator magnets
4️⃣Antique bamboo slips and hand-painted fans at the academy gate
5️⃣Shadow puppets and paper-cut patterns that are quite similar to Shaanxi local folk customs
It is said that the city of Xi'an is becoming more and more "Internet-famous", but only when you walk into the museums can you touch the truest soul and the most profound history of this ancient city.
I always feel that history and culture are the most attractive, not just in Xi'an, but in all cities. Because when the glitz and glamour fade away, what remains is the most precious.
Walking through the ancient capital, the brickwork of the city walls, the flowing water, and the vast expanse of the sky are all worth savoring and lingering in. After visiting the museum, go to the city wall to enjoy a cup of tea with your children, eat a bowl of spicy and chewy oil-splashed noodles, and chat with the locals sitting around playing cards... Perhaps this is the best way to travel!
