Live Your Best Lives
"Spring has a hundred flowers, autumn has the moon, summer has a cool breeze, and winter has snow; if you have no worries in your mind, then this is the best time of the year." Every time I read this poem, I feel it describes the four seasons in Chang'an. November is here again, and winter is slowly approaching in Xi'an.
People often say, "When it snows, Beijing becomes Beiping and Xi'an becomes Chang'an."
As a popular tourist destination that consistently tops various lists, Xi'an's scenery is undoubtedly a treasure trove. Spring sees the rebirth of nature and the blossoming of flowers; summer boasts the lush, verdant landscapes of the Qinling Mountains; and autumn brings the vibrant crimson leaves of Chang'an, a dazzling and romantic spectacle.
So, where and how should you go to Xi'an in winter? And what rare scenery will you encounter?
Winter in Xi'an is cold and long, and it seems I can't muster the energy to do anything. Muslim Street isn't as crowded as it was in the summer, but there's still a huge queue of visitors at the entrance of the Shaanxi History Museum... But it seems I can't muster the energy to do anything.
Don't worry, winter is meant to be wasted! In the hazy early morning, head to Xicang Old Street, nestled deep within the ancient city, for a morning market that's sure to be eye-opening!
What is "Xicang"? Located at the junction of the bustling downtown area and the lively residential area, it is the imperial city market that has been going on for more than 200 years.
Here, you'll find numerous stalls and shops, bustling crowds, and a variety of unique and quirky items. Even things you can't find on Taobao can be found here!
A day in Xicang begins with the morning market. Smiling elderly people from all directions gradually pour into this small alley, chatting about their daily lives.
The morning market has everything. The fresh fruits, vegetables and meat of the day will whet your appetite. There are also some cheap and useful gadgets, such as slicing tools, knife sharpening tools and other various artifact products, as well as some kitchen utensils that are no longer available in supermarkets, old books, jade bracelets, old CDs, flowers, birds, fish, etc.
What's more, the prices here are incredibly cheap; you can buy a large bag of chili powder for just two yuan! If you want to explore the city on foot and spend half a day experiencing the rich atmosphere of old Xi'an, then Xicang Old Street is the place to go; you won't be disappointed.
As the "culinary capital" of Northwest China, Xi'an boasts a vast array of delicious dishes. Besides the spicy oil-splashed biangbiang noodles, you can't miss the early morning hot pot of meatball soup!
Different from Henan's Hu La Tang, Xi'an Huifang's meatball Hu La Tang uses beef and mutton bones to make soup, then cooks freshly made beef balls, adds potatoes, beans, carrots, cabbage and other vegetables, and finally thickens the soup.
The meatballs in each store are different, some are soft and sticky, some are chewy and elastic. On a cool morning, eating a bowl of steaming hot, spicy and spicy Hu La Tang will definitely satisfy your stomach!
When Xi'an locals eat breakfast, they usually eat a steamed bun with cured beef, or break the bun into pieces and soak it in the soup like they do with steamed buns.
Tips:
【Recommended Shop】
Liu Lao Hu La Tang (Chinese Hot and Spicy Soup) - If you want to know which restaurant in Xi'an is the most famous for its meatball hot and spicy soup, Xi'an people will tell you where to go - Liu Lao Hu.
Address: No. 12, Congxin Lane, Honghu Street, Lianhu District Price: Large bowl 8 yuan, small bowl 7 yuan
In Xi'an, if you take a walk on the city wall and walk to the northwest corner of the wall, overlooking the city, you will see a magnificent religious building hidden in the shade of trees - Guangren Temple.
Compared with the 3,000-year history of this city, Guangren Temple does not have a long history. Compared with the fame of Big Wild Goose Pagoda, it is little known and appears quiet and low-key. However, for the entire Shaanxi Province, it has a significance that cannot be ignored.
As the only Tibetan Buddhist temple in Shaanxi, after its construction, living Buddhas and lamas from Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Gansu and other places would stay in Guangren Temple for a while when they came to Beijing for pilgrimage. Therefore, there is a constant flow of incense here.
Walking into Guangren Temple, it feels like entering another world. Prayer flags flutter in the wind, butter lamps glow, incense is burning brightly, and lamas chanting sutras are pious and solemn... It brings a moment of peace to one's soul.
Every year around the Spring Festival, Guangren Temple holds a grand blessing ceremony, a tradition that has been passed down for hundreds of years. The temple is bustling with people, and believers light lanterns and make wishes, praying for a safe and prosperous year ahead.
Tips:
Address: No. 20, Northwest 1st Road, Xi'an
Ticket price: 20 yuan
Mr. Lao She once wrote in "Teahouse": "Teahouse is a meeting place for all kinds of people and can accommodate all kinds of people. A large teahouse is a small society." The fast-paced life makes it difficult for people to calm down and enjoy life.
On a sunny weekend in early winter, spend a weekend afternoon in an old teahouse hidden beneath the Xi'an city wall and savor the unique charm of life that belongs to the old Xi'an people. Xi'an people love tea culture, and Jingyang Fu tea is particularly popular.
For the people of Xi'an, who appreciate a good time, drinking tea is a way to while away the hours. They heat the teapot, wash the tea leaves, pour the tea, savor the tea, and chat... With a pot of tea down and a few friends gathered, an entire afternoon flies by.
In fact, these old teahouses in the city are more about carrying a leisurely lifestyle. Ordering a bowl of gaiwan tea in the quaint teahouse, drinking tea, listening to crosstalk, and cracking melon seeds, it feels like returning to the Chang'an City a thousand years ago.
For Xi'an residents, there's no more important food than steamed buns. Just like for travelers to this city, eating a bowl of mutton steamed buns is one of the most Xi'an experiences, making the trip worthwhile.
The sense of ritual of the coming of winter is this bowl of food that can make Xi'an people feel maxxxxxxx happy!
There are many kinds of Pao Mo in Xi'an. In addition to the beef and mutton Pao Mo of the Hui people, there are also three-fresh Pao Mo, stir-fried Pao Mo, gourd head Pao Mo, water basin mutton and many other methods.
Of course, there are also niche types of steamed buns such as Fengxiang tofu pudding and Huxian spicy dumplings, but each one has a large number of loyal customers!
So where can you find the most authentic and reliable Pao Mo? On the edge of Xi'an's Huifang district lies Yizhenlou, a Pao Mo restaurant considered by many local foodies to be the most authentic. They offer beef and mutton Pao Mo, both of which have a consistently consistent flavor. Each one is incredibly chewy and incredibly filling.
The steamed buns in this shop are cooked very thoroughly. The buns have absorbed enough soup and are eaten with chili sauce and pickled garlic. The taste is pure!
Many non-local friends who visit Jindao Pao Mo restaurants often wonder: should you break the steamed buns yourself or have them crushed by a machine? I would like to say, of course, breaking the buns yourself is more flavorful and chewier.
But if this is your first time in Xi'an, you can choose machine-crushed steamed buns, because for first-time tasters, the taste will not be much different. It often takes an hour to break a steamed bun, and your fingers will hurt. So it may be difficult for you to understand the fun of Xi'an people "breaking steamed buns for an hour and eating them for five minutes"!
Tips:
Zhenlou's homemade sour plum soup is both appetizing and thirst-quenching, and is definitely worth a try.
Address: No. 18, Dapiyuan Street, Lianhu District
Price: 38 yuan per person
Opening hours: 6:00-21:00
Xi'an has two world-famous towers, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. These two towers are quite different in both scenery and architecture.
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is like a pretty girl, exuding the elegance and shyness of the Jiangnan style. It is hidden among the shady thousand-year-old locust trees and long forest paths. When you come here, you will feel like you have escaped to a peach garden.
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the ancient bell in the Jianfu Temple Bell Tower are collectively known as the "Yanta Morning Bell," one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Guanzhong." The entire scenic area is filled with ancient charm and a tranquil environment.
Inside the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, there's a unique sight: a cluster of stone hitching posts. These are a unique Shaanxi folk cultural relic, combining practicality and artistry. Most feature images of lions, nomadic people with high cheekbones, Western barbarians with prominent noses, and monkeys in various poses.
The most memorable aspects of a trip are naturally the sights and culture you've never seen before. The concentration of horse hitching posts is a major feature of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, and a must-see for those visiting from other parts of the country.
Tips:
Address: No. 72 West Youyi Road, Xi'an
Admission: Free
Starting in late October, Xi'an will gradually transform into a breathtakingly beautiful scene, described as "the whole city is covered in golden armor." The vast expanse of ginkgo trees, illuminated by the warm sun, exaggerates the beauty of late autumn and early winter to its fullest.
When talking about "appreciating ginkgo trees", every Xi'an citizen will blurt out "Ancient Guanyin Temple".
The Ancient Guanyin Temple can be said to be a "hot item" in Xi'an. There is a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree in the temple, which is said to have been planted by Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty himself. It has now become Xi'an's "thousand-year-old internet-famous ginkgo tree."
The Ancient Guanyin Temple boasts not only ginkgo trees but is also one of the most famous, millennium-old temples in Zhongnan Mountain, boasting a majestic aura and a vibrant incense supply. Infused with history and culture, the ginkgo tree appears both ethereal and beautiful. Standing amidst it, one feels as if transported back to the Tang Dynasty.
The ginkgo trees here bloom for a long time. If you have friends from other places visiting Xi'an in early winter, you might as well take some time to visit the ancient Guanyin Temple at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain and avoid the crowds in the downtown area. Perhaps this is where the most gentle atmosphere of this thousand-year-old capital is hidden.
Tips:
Admission: Free
Address: Ancient Guanyin Temple in Luohandong Village, Dongdajie Office, Chang'an District, Xi'an
Opening hours: 08:00-17:00
Tip: You need to make an appointment in advance to go to the Ancient Guanyin Temple!
If you were to ask me where I would choose to eat in Xi'an, I would definitely tell you to go to Sajin Bridge. Sajin Bridge has always been a hidden destination for local food lovers in Xi'an.
From the fragrant grilled beef and mutton skewers to the unique soup dumplings, from the refreshing and delicious sesame sauce cold noodles to the blissful hawthorn eight-treasure porridge... Sajinqiao makes you want to feast on it.
Most diners choose to come here for a hearty meal at night, so many of these small restaurants serve as late-night dining spots for urbanites. A bowl of mutton soup, two cumin pork buns, a side dish, and a few casual conversations with the owner—that's how an ordinary evening ends.
Walking along the streets of Sajin Bridge, you will find tempting snack shops open from early morning to late night, allowing people to enjoy delicious food while experiencing the three meals a day life of ordinary people in Xi'an.
Turning the corner, I saw a mosque that caught my eye, and instantly immersed myself in Islamic culture. I guess this is what it means to see a city "like a local."
Tips:
【Recommended Shop】
Zhiliang Steamed Dumplings in Soup, Steamed Dumplings in Soup, Mahjong Noodles, and Eight Treasure Porridge all have no negative reviews and are all must-try delicacies.
Address: No. 200 Miaohou Street, Lianhu District, Xi'an
Price: 20 yuan per person
I love looking out over the sea in spring, but I also yearn for the alpine meadows blanketed in snow in winter. Skiing and playing with friends, enjoying a delicious meal, soaking in a hot spring, and sleeping in amidst the pure white world of ice and snow—these are the most cozy and relaxing things to do in winter!
A must-do experience when visiting Xi'an in winter is skiing. Unlike the snow towns of Northeast China, most of the ski resorts around Xi'an are located in the Qinling Mountains, such as Aoshan Ski Resort.
There are 11 ski slopes here, divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, totaling 7 kilometers. With a vertical drop of 300 meters and a snowmaking area of 350,000 square meters, Aoshan Ski Resort is the only ski resort in Xi'an with a long snow season, good snow quality, and abundant snow.
After a tiresome day of sledding on the slopes, a hot spring retreat is a must. Located at the foot of Mount Taibai, the Yulongwan Hot Spring Hotel boasts over 70 relaxing and nourishing hot springs, encompassing six distinct zones: Rainforest Laziness, Taibai Wonderland, Thatched Cottage Hidden in the Clouds, Buer Zen Realm, and Lidao Beauty.
Those interested in wellness can also choose from herbal hot springs like Azalea Soup, Gastrodia elata Soup, Poria cocos Soup, and Panax notoginseng Soup, all of which are the essence of Taibai herbs. Spending time amidst waterfalls, rockery, and streams will soothe your restless heart.
Someone once said, "To listen to Qinqiang is to understand Shaanxi." The history of Qinqiang is as profound and precious as the land of Shaanxi.
It originated in the Western Zhou Dynasty and matured during the Qin Dynasty. For many young people in Xi'an, many of the pronunciations and articulations in Qinqiang are difficult to understand because of the ancient tones mixed in with the chanting.
Huayin Laoqiang has received much attention in recent years. In reality, Laoqiang is merely a musical accompaniment to shadow puppetry, and is quite different from traditional Qinqiang. For older Xi'an residents, especially those of the grandparents' generation, Qinqiang is an integral part of their daily lives.
In the mornings at Ring City Park, you'll often see groups of elderly people gathered by the moat, fiddling with their erhu and banhu instruments and roaring a few tunes to their heart's content. It's as if only this spirited roar can solemnly usher in a new day.
There are also some elderly people in their own homes, brewing a pot of tea, reading the newspaper, sitting on a recliner and singing a few lines of their favorite Qinqiang opera excerpts. Such scenes are all too common in Xi'an. Just like the people of this city, they all love culture and enjoy a rich entertainment life.
Tips:
If you are traveling to Xi'an and want to experience Qinqiang, the first choice is Yisu Society.
This century-old company lives up to its reputation, with tickets ranging from 50 to 100 yuan per performance. The setting is quaint and the stage, lighting, and sound are all top-notch, demonstrating a professional standard. The cast includes a full range of roles, so don't miss it!
Address: No. 26, Anban Street, Xincheng District, Xi'an
Tickets: 50-100 yuan
An old tune has been passed down through the ages. When you come to Xi'an, you'll find that the scenery is far more than just the surface. Every custom and every aspect of the land seems rich in history and full of surprises.
