Xi'an

Ancient capital of 13 dynasties. Where the Silk Road began and the Terracotta Army still stands guard.

About Xi'an

Where China's story begins

Xi'an was the starting point of the Silk Road and the capital of China for over a thousand years. This is where Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified China, built the Terracotta Army, and set the blueprint for every dynasty that followed.

Today the city is a living crossroads of cultures. The Muslim Quarter buzzes with Hui street food vendors whose families have been here for centuries. The ancient City Wall — one of the best-preserved in the world — still circles the old town, and you can cycle the full 13.7 km on top of it at sunset.

For students studying history, religion, or geography, Xi'an makes abstract concepts physical. The Silk Road isn't a line on a map — it's a dumpling recipe, a mosque built in Chinese style, a puppet show that's survived a thousand years.

What You'll Experience

Top Attractions

Terracotta Warriors

Terracotta Warriors

One of the greatest archaeological discoveries in history. Over 8,000 life-sized warriors guard Emperor Qin's tomb — each with a unique face. Students analyse Qin dynasty mass production, archaeological method, and the mystery of an emperor who tried to conquer death.

Featured in Roots Programme
Xi'an City Wall

City Wall Cycling

Sunset cycling on one of the world's best-preserved city walls. The 13.7 km circuit atop the ancient Ming-dynasty ramparts gives you a panoramic view of old Xi'an on one side and the modern city on the other.

Featured in Roots Programme
Muslim Quarter Food Walk

Muslim Quarter Food Walk

A guided walk through Xi'an's Hui community — Silk Road culinary heritage alive in every stall. Students taste their way through centuries of cultural exchange, then make dumplings with a local chef in a hands-on jiaozi class.

Featured in Roots Programme
Shadow Puppet Theatre

Shadow Puppet Theatre

A traditional performance followed by a hands-on craft workshop. Students learn to carve and operate shadow puppets — intangible cultural heritage that dates back over 2,000 years to the Han dynasty.

Featured in Roots Programme
Great Mosque and Wild Goose Pagoda

Great Mosque & Wild Goose Pagoda

Islamic architecture built in a Chinese style — a physical record of Silk Road cultural fusion. Paired with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang-dynasty Buddhist monument that tells the story of Xuanzang's pilgrimage to India.

Featured in Roots Programme
Plan Your Visit

Good to Know

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November) are ideal. Summers are hot; winters are cold but uncrowded. The Terracotta Warriors site is open year-round.

Getting There

High-speed rail from Beijing takes about 4.5 hours. From Shanghai, a 2.5-hour flight. All internal transfers are arranged by China Quest with private coaches.

Local Flavour

Xi'an is one of China's great food cities. Don't miss biangbiang noodles, roujiamo (Chinese "burger"), and the lamb skewers of the Muslim Quarter. We include a dumpling-making class.

Featured Programme

Xi'an features in Roots

3 nights in Xi'an as part of our 12-day History & Culture programme. Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai. From €3,190pp all-inclusive from Dublin.

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