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Top 10 attractions in Xunyang
Shuhe Ancient Town
Shuhe Ancient Town is located at the confluence of the Shu and Han rivers, and is located in the transportation hub of two provinces and three counties. It has a very advantageous geographical location. It reaches Sichuan and Han in the west, Guanzhong in the north, western Hubei in the south, and Central Plains in the east. It is an important material distribution center and commercial town in the upper reaches of the Han River, and is known as the "Little Hankou". The name Shuhe can be inferred as the place where the Western Zhou Dynasty was established. When King Wu of Zhou granted vassal status to protect Zhou, he granted Shu to the north of Nanyang, Henan. The impoverished and weak Shu was forced to migrate westward due to the expansion of Chu and stayed here, hence the name. Shuhe Town has many cultural attractions and rich cultural heritage. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the commodity economy developed day by day, and a large number of residents from Huguang moved in. The golden waterway of the Han River entered its heyday. Merchants from all over the world settled here to do business, set up businesses, opened pawnshops, and set up more than 100 money houses. During the Jiaqing period, Yan Ruyu, who was the magistrate of Xunyang, called Shuhe "a place full of merchants" and "a small metropolis of the Han River" in his book "Three Provinces Border Defense Preparation".Xunyang · 33.6km from downtown
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, also known as the Terracotta Army, is located about 1.5 kilometers east of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and forms part of the extensive necropolis. There were more than a thousand terracotta soldiers unearthed here, each with a different facial expression. Standing before the massive underground army, you will feel the extraordinary might of the Qin Emperor that enabled him to unify six warring states two thousand years ago. The Qin Emperor Ying Zheng began building the mausoleum for himself at the age of 13. Nearly 720000 men and 38 years were required to complete this vast project.China · Xi'an
The Three Gorges Dam Tourism Area
The Three Gorges Dam Tourism Area is located in the Xiling Gorge section of the Yangtze River in Yichang, Hubei. It is a scenic attraction built around the Three Gorges hydro project, covering over ten square kilometers. Currently, it offers travelers three viewing spots: Tanzi Ridge, the 185 viewing platform, and the river closure memorial park. The dam crest itself is not open to travelers, so visits primarily revolve around these three attractions. Tanzi Ridge is the highest accessible point in the dam area, named for its jar-shaped summit viewing platform resembling an overturned jar. It also served as the survey site for the dam's initial location selection. From the ridge top, visitors can overlook the Three Gorges Project in its entirety—the dam, power station, and twin five-level ship locks are all visible. The five lock chambers cascade down the mountainside, earning the nickname "Fourth Gorge of the Yangtze." The park displays engineering artifacts like ancient riverbed stones, river closure rocks, and foundation stones from the dam site, complemented by model exhibits that help visitors intuitively understand the origins and development of this mega-project. The 185 observation platform is located on the left bank of the dam. It gets its name from sharing the same elevation of 185 m as the dam crest. Standing on the platform feels like being atop the dam: on one side, the dam and vertical ship lift are within close reach, offering a chance to witness ships "riding the elevator" over the dam; on the other side lies the vast, tranquil reservoir upstream. The stark contrast between the stillness above and the dynamism below the dam is striking. The closure memorial park is situated on the right bank downstream of the dam, preserving artifacts like tetrahedral closure stones and large loading machinery used during the construction. It's an ideal spot to view the dam's full frontal grandeur. During flood seasons when the dam releases water, torrents rush out from the deep outlets, creating towering mist and thunderous echoes that reverberate through the valley—a truly awe-inspiring spectacle. The three attractions are far apart, and the scenic area provides shuttle buses for transportation. It is recommended to reserve half a day to visit them in order.China · Yichang
Xi'an City Wall
Xi'an City Wall is a landmark of this ancient city. The city walls that we see now were built in the early years of the Ming dynasty and they are now more than 600 years old. The walls were built on the foundations of the imperial city of the Tang Dynasty and they are formed together with a series of defensive installments such as moats and turrets. At present, Xi'an City Wall can be accessed by many city gates. Visitors can choose the nearest one to them. The South Gate is the visitor entrance of Xi'an City and is also the city gate with more tourists. Cycling on the ancient walls is a good experience. Riding on the wall overlooking the ancient capital of the thirteenth dynasty, you will have a feeling of travelling through time.China · Xi'an
Huaqing Palace
Huaqing Palace attraction is located 30 km east of Xi'an, adjacent to the Terracotta Warriors. Renowned for its timeless hot spring resources and numerous historical events, it has become an iconic cultural tourism attraction of Tang Dynasty palaces in China. Palace scenic spots Huaqing Palace boasts a long history, serving as an imperial retreat for emperors from the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties. The palace features cultural zones like the Tang Imperial Hot Spring Relics Museum, the Xi'an Incident site—Five-Room Hall, Nine Dragon Lake and Lotus Lake scenic areas, and the Tang Pear Garden Museum. Notable architectural complexes include Feishuang Hall, Wanshou Hall, Changsheng Hall, Huanyuan Garden, and Yuwang Hall. The stele of "hot spring ode" Mount Li hot springs, developed early and favored by emperors throughout history, enjoy the reputation of being "the imperial hot springs under heaven." As far back as the Yangshao culture period 6,000 years ago, the ancient Jiangzhai people began utilizing these springs. With their profound cultural heritage spanning millennia, Mount Li hot springs represent an indispensable part of Chinese historical culture. The stele of hot spring ode in the attraction stands 154 cm tall, 72 cm wide, and 19 cm thick, featuring a coiled dragon design and a trapezoidal base. Engraved by Yuan Chang, the governor of Yongzhou during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the inscription reads, "The hot spring is nature's prescription and the primordial healer of the universe. People from all nations and those suffering from ailments come with provisions to seek relief in its waters." This stele is the earliest surviving written artifact at Huaqing Palace. Tang Imperial Hot Spring Relics Museum This is the site of the bathing pool described in the "Song of Everlasting Sorrow" where Yang Guifei emerged from her bath. After the An Lushan Rebellion, little remained of the original structure. In 1982, while constructing the "Guifei Pavilion," the Lintong County Government accidentally discovered the ruins of a Tang Dynasty bathing pool. After excavation and restoration, the Huaqing Palace imperial hot spring ruins museum was established. This small yet exquisitely designed pool measures 3.6 meters east-west and 2.9 meters north-south, with an oval-like shape. The pool walls are entirely built with bluestone slabs, featuring a two-tiered terrace structure composed of 18 arched stone sections. Inside the pool lies a dedicated bathing stone for Yang Guifei, engraved with the character "Yang." At the center of the pool bottom is a 10 cm diameter water inlet. A white marble lotus pedestal was unearthed here, connecting to both a showerhead above and ceramic water pipes below that linked to the main water source. Due to natural pressure, hot spring water would spray outward through the lotus showerhead, creating a mist effect remarkably similar to modern showers. Adjacent to the Guifei Pool to the east lies Emperor Xuanzong's exclusive imperial hot spring. During the Tang Dynasty, the Nine Dragon Hall stood above this pool, featuring nine white jade-carved dragons spouting water outside. This pool's surface resembles a realistic lotus shape, hence its alternate name "Lotus Pool." Xi'an incident site The five-room hall at the Xi'an incident site in Huaqing Palace is where the Xi'an incident took place. To this day, the glass windows and walls of the five-room hall still bear bullet marks from the fierce battle during the military remonstrance. The desks, chairs, beds, sofas, tea sets, stoves, carpets, telephones, and other office items in each room are replicated and arranged according to their original appearance. Historical events: Beacon fire to deceive the feudal lords In 779 BC, King You of Zhou obtained the beautiful Bao Si, yet she never smiled. To solve this, the king conspired with the treacherous minister Guo Shifu and lit the beacon fires at the Huaqing Palace attraction. The feudal lords across the land saw the signals.Beacon fireHe quickly led his troops to rescue the king, but King You told the feudal lords, "I lit the beacon fires just to make my queen laugh," upon which Bao Si burst into laughter. The feudal lords arrived valiantly but left resentfully. Seeing King You's incompetence and the people's discontent, the Quanrong tribe seized the opportunity to launch an attack. As the enemy troops approached the mountain, King You urgently raised the beacon fires.Beacon fireHe mobilized troops, but none of the feudal lords came to his rescue. King You fled with Bao Si toMount LiHe was later killed by the Quanrong tribe, leaving behind historical anecdotes such as "a smile worth a thousand gold," "losing the kingdom for a smile," and "playing with beacon fires to deceive the feudal lords." And this beacon tower at Huaqing Palace attraction towers at an altitude of 913.6 m.Mount LiThe beacon tower at Huaqing Palace attraction on the first peak of Xixiu Ridge. Su Dongpo composing poetry at Mount Li During the Jiayou era of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Lishan hot springs, meticulously restored by Liu Ziyong and others, became breathtakingly beautiful, attracting crowds of visitors who composed poems and essays to express their nostalgia. Among the countless poetic works, the emerging literary giant Su Shi stood out with his masterpieces like "Lady of Guo's night outing" and "Lishan" during his visit to the hot springs. Xi'an incident The Xi'an incident, also known as the "double-twelfth incident". Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng launched a mutiny at Huaqing Palace, detaining the then chairman of the Military Commission of the National Government. Performance items You can watch a large-scale dance drama at the attraction. ▲ The Song of Everlasting Sorrow is China's first large-scale live historical dance drama created by Shaanxi Tourism Group. Based on Bai Juyi's timeless poem of the same name, it fully utilizes the attraction's resources and employs high-tech stage lighting to combine historical storytelling with live performances, recreating the love story of Emperor Li Longji and Yang Guifei at Huaqing Palace over 1,300 years ago. ▲There is also the historical adaptation "12-12 Xi'an Incident," which vividly and authentically recreates the lesser-known details of the "Xi'an Incident."China · Xi'an
Mount Hua
Mount Hua, formerly known as "Xiyue", is one of the five famous mountains in China. It is located in Huayin City, Shaanxi Province. Huashan is also known as "Taihuashan". It is the birthplace of Chinese civilization. The "Hua" in "Zhonghua" and "Huaxia" comes from Huashan. The words "strange and dangerous" are the essence of Huashan's scenery. "Since ancient times, there has been only one road to Huashan" describes the steepness of Huashan. The Attraction has many thrilling attractions such as Changkong Plank Road, Kitesurfing, Qianchi Chuang, Baichi Gorge, Laojun Ligou, etc., which are carved out on the steep cliffs. Those who visit them in person will be amazed. Huashan Attraction covers a vast area, including the Main Peak Attraction, Xiyue Temple Attraction, Xianyu Attraction, etc. The Main Peak Attraction is the core Attraction of Huashan, including "Huashan One Road" and the five main peaks in the southeast, northwest, and center. Huashan in most people's minds refers to the Main Peak Attraction. Five main peaks The East Peak is about 2,100 meters above sea level and is named for its location in the east. There is a platform on the top of the peak, which is high and dangerous with a wide view. It is a good place to watch the sunrise. It is called Chaoyang Terrace, and the East Peak is also called Chaoyang Peak. The East Peak consists of four peaks, one main peak and three s-ervant peaks. The peak where Chaoyang Terrace is located is higher, the Yunv Peak is in the west, the Shilou Peak is in the east, and the Botai is in the south. There are more than dozens of landscapes on the East Peak. There is a natural stone pattern on the cliff on the side of the East Shilou Peak, which looks like a giant palm print. This is the Huayue Immortal Palm, which is listed as the first of the eight scenic spots in Guanzhong. The story of the giant spirit opening the mountain and guiding the river originated from this. The West Peak is about 2,000 meters above sea level. Because there is a huge rock on the top of the peak that looks like a lotus petal, ancient literati often called it Lotus Peak or Hibiscus Peak. Xu Xiake wrote in his "Diary of Traveling to Mount Taihua": "There is a rock rising on the peak, and there are stone pieces covering it, like a lotus flower." This stone must be referring to it. There are many landscapes on the West Peak, including Cuiyun Palace, Lotus Cave, Giant Spirit Foot, Axe-Split Stone, Sheshen Cliff, etc., and there are many beautiful myths and legends. Among them, the well-known story of Chenxiang splitting the mountain to save his mother is circulated here. The South Peak is over 2,100 meters above sea level and is the highest peak of Huashan. The ancients called it the "Head of Huashan". On one side of the South Peak is a thousand-foot cliff, standing straight like a knife, and below is a deep ravine, which is separated from Sangong Mountain and Sanfeng Mountain. The South Peak consists of one peak and two peaks. The east side is called Songhui Peak, and the west side is Luoyan Peak. The origin of the name of Luoyan Peak is said to be because the migrating wild geese often land here to rest. The North Peak is about 1,600 meters above sea level, with cliffs on all sides, covered with clouds above and connected to the earth veins below. It stands tall and unique, and is also called Yuntai Peak because it looks like a cloud platform. Li Bai of the Tang Dynasty wrote in his poem "A Song of the Cloud Platform of Mount Xiyue to Complimentary Danqiuzi": "Three peaks stand as if about to collapse, and the green cliffs and red valleys are high. The golden essence of the White Emperor mobilizes his vitality, and the stones become lotus flowers and the clouds become platforms." The famous story of "Taking Huashan by Strategy" took place here. There are many landscapes on the mountain, including the Zhenwu Hall, Jiaogong Stone Chamber, Changchun Stone Chamber, and the place where Laojun hung the plow. The Middle Peak is the only way to the other four peaks. It is located in the middle of the East, West and South Peaks. The forests on the peak are lush and green, and the environment is quiet. There is a Taoist temple named Yunu Temple on the top of the peak. It is said that it was the place where Qin Mu Gong's daughter Nong Yu cultivated herself in the Spring and Autumn Period, so it is also called Yunu Peak. Main landscape: There are more than 210 famous Attraction in Huashan. From ancient times to the present, countless literati and poets have left various classic poems here. Skywalk The Changkong Plank Road is located on the east side of the Huashan South Peak. It was built by the master of the Huashan School, Taoist He Zhizhen of the Yuan Dynasty, who wanted to get away from the world and practice Taoism. He built it by inlaying stone piles on the cliffs and paving wooden boards. At the end of the plank road, you can see the "Hezu Cave" where Master He practiced self-cultivation. The road builders chiseled stone holes on the cliffs, wedged stone piles into the holes, and laid wooden boards about 40 cm wide between the stone piles. Visitors must stick to the cliff wall, pull the iron chain with their hands, step on the wooden boards, and move forward slowly sideways. Xiyue Temple Xiyue Temple, also known as Huayue Temple, is a temple where emperors of all dynasties worshipped and offered sacrifices to Shaohao, the Great Emperor of Xiyue. It was first built during the Yuanguang period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (134-129 BC) at the entrance of Huangshengu (now Huangfuyu) at the foot of Huashan Mountain. It was moved to its current location during the reign of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty (147-167 AD) and renamed today. It was rebuilt many times during the Tang, Song, Ming and Qing dynasties. Canglong Ridge The steps on Canglong Ridge are only 2 feet wide, with deep ravines on both sides, as steep as a knife. The height difference between the ridge and the top is about 500 meters, and the slope is more than 45 degrees. Looking at the green pines and white clouds in the distance and hearing the sound of the wind is dizzying. Jinsuoguan Jinsuoguan is one of the five passes of Huashan Mountain. It is built on a stone archway at the entrance of the three peaks. It is the throat of the Wuyun Peak to the four peaks of East, West, South and Center. There is no way to pass after the pass, so it is also called Tongtianmen. Taoists believe that Huashan is the fairyland of gods. Only after passing Tongtianmen can you enter the fairyland. Therefore, there is a folk song that "after passing Jinsuoguan, there is another world". There has been only one road to Mount Huashan since ancient times "There has been only one road to Mount Hua since ancient times" refers to the "Huashan Valley" hiking trail, which includes various scenic spots along the Huashan hiking trail since ancient times. When connected together, it is what is commonly referred to as "There has been only one road to Mount Hua since ancient times." How to visit Huashan has two mountain gates (entrances): East Gate and West Gate (also known as Huashan Gate). Take the cable car up the mountain and go to the East Gate; if you climb the mountain on foot, enter from the West Gate. Huashan currently has two cable cars, the East and West Lines, which reach the North Peak and the West Peak respectively (please plan the climbing route in advance before purchasing the ticket and purchase the corresponding ticket type, and you cannot change it midway.). Route 1: Hiking route There has been only one road on Mount Huashan since ancient times. It is an ancient mountaineering road with a total length of 12.5 kilometers and 9,567 steps. It takes about 4 hours to hike from Yuquanyuan, through Wuli Pass, Shaluoping (night climbing), Qianchi Chuang, Baichi Gorge, etc. to the North Peak, and then start the tour from the North Peak. Route 2: "Up West and Down West", a mountaineering route suitable for the Seniors and tourists with children This route goes up the West Peak Cableway of Mount Huashan and down the West Peak Cableway, that is, going up from the west and down from the west. The whole route takes a relatively short time, about 4 hours, and is also more energy-saving, making it more friendly to the Seniors and tourists with children. Route 3: "Up West and Down North", a one-day mountaineering route chosen by 80% of tourists This route goes up by cable car from the West Peak of Mount Huashan and down by cable car from the North Peak, that is, going up from the west and down from the north. The entire route is a classic one-day tour route, which takes about 6 hours. You can visit all the attractions without backtracking. Most tourists choose this route because this road almost goes straight down, which is easier and faster than the uphill road. Route 4: "North up and north down", a time-saving, economical and panoramic mountaineering route This route goes up by cable car at the North Peak of Huashan and down by cable car at the North Peak, that is, going up from the north and down from the north. The whole route is a relatively low-cost cable car mountaineering route. If your sightseeing time is limited, you can choose this route and visit the North Peak, which has the Memorial Pavilion, Ear-Crushing Cliff, Canglong Ridge, Huashan Sword Contest Monument, panoramic Huashan and other attractions.China · Huayin
Laojun Mountain Scenic Spot
It is said that Laojun Attraction is the place where Li Er (Laozi), the founder of Taoism, practiced in seclusion. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, a temple was built in the mountain to commemorate it. Later, it was named "the famous mountain in the world" and has always been popular. The mountain is lush with trees and picturesque, and mountain springs can be seen everywhere. In the golden autumn, this is the best choice for viewing red leaves in the Souvenir areas. After the rain, Laojun Mountain is surrounded by clouds and mist in each peak, like a fairyland in the sky. The Attraction area is huge and is mainly divided into the main Laojun Mountain Attraction in the center, the Dream Valley Attraction in the west, and the Zhaigou Attraction Area in the east. Generally, tourists will spend a day to visit the main Laojun Mountain Attraction, which is also the most developed area of the entire Attraction. If you go to the top of the mountain, you will also have the opportunity to see the beautiful sea of clouds, sunrise, and sunset. The main Attraction of Laojun Mountain includes Zhongtianmen, Jinding, Laojun Temple, Nantianmen, Yuhuangding and Mazongling. Since its construction in the Northern Wei Dynasty, Laojun Temple has been the center of worship for pilgrims from the Central Plains; the Taoist temple on Yuhuangding enshrines the Jade Emperor and is also a good place to view the scenery in the mountain; Jinding and Mazongling are good places to watch the sunrise and the sea of clouds. Recommended itinerary: Day Trips Most tourists choose to spend a day to visit the main Attraction of Laojun Mountain. Lingguan Hall - the statue of Laojun at the foot of the mountain - Lincu Hall - Zhongtianmen - tree-lined trail - Lying Yunsong - Bodhisattva Hall - Laojun Temple, Jinding - Yuhuangding, and then return along the original route. Tourists can choose to walk the whole way or take a "walk + cable car" tour of Laojun Mountain according to their own conditions. There is the Zhongling Cableway of the Attraction between the Lingguan Temple at the foot of the mountain and the Zhongtian Gate on the mountainside. Take the Zhongling Cableway and then walk from Zhongtian Gate to the top of the mountain, Yuhuang Peak. The road from Zhongtian Gate to the top of the mountain is not very steep and can usually be completed in about an hour. Two-day tour If you have enough time, you can spend two days to visit Laojun Mountain. The general route is: D1: Visit the main Attraction of Laojun Mountain and stay in the mountain that night. D2: From the top of Laojun Mountain, choose to go down the mountain to the Dream Valley in the west or the Zhaigou Attraction in the east, and arrive at the west gate and east gate of the Attraction respectively. In the main Attraction of Laojun Mountain, you can stay near Zhongtianmen on the mountainside and Laojun Temple on the top of the mountain. There are hotels near Zhongtianmen with better accommodation conditions, while the accommodation conditions Souvenir Laojun Temple are relatively poor. If you plan to go to the top of the mountain to watch the sunrise the next morning, you can stay Souvenir Laojun Temple. Compared with the Zhaigou Attraction in the east, the mountain roads in Dream Chasing Valley are smoother, and tourists can choose one of them to go down the mountain according to their preferences. There are many places in the Attraction that can provide Dining services for tourists, but the signboards on some sections of the road in the Attraction are not yet very complete, so tourists need to pay more attention when visiting.China · Luanchuan
Grand Tang Mall
Grand Tang Mall is a large-scale Tang-style architectural pedestrian street in Xi'an's Qujiang New District, built around the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. It stretches from the Xuanzang Square at the foot of the pagoda in the north to the Tang City Wall Ruins Park in the south, connected by a approx. 1500 m central axis view boulevard running north-south. The boulevard itself resembles an open-air sculpture gallery, featuring themed sculptures arranged sequentially from north to south: Buddhist culture of the Tang Dynasty, Tang heroes, the Zhenguan era governance, Empress Wu's procession, and the Kaiyuan heyday. Statues of eminent monks like Xuanzang and Jianzhen stand at the front, followed by Tang luminaries such as Li Bai, Wu Daozi, Sun Simiao, and Lu Yu in the middle section, with ceremonial processions of Emperor Taizong, Empress Wu Zetian, and Emperor Xuanzong concluding the display. Walking through this boulevard is akin to reading a three-dimensional history of the Tang Dynasty. The block connects three themed squares from north to south—Xuanzang square, Zhenguan square and Kaiyuan square—with Tang-style pavilions lining both sides. Among them are four cultural venues: Xi'an concert hall, Shaanxi grand theater, Xi'an art museum and Qujiang cinema. Enjoying concerts, visiting exhibitions and shopping for photos can all be arranged along the same route. By day, admire the architecture and sculptures, but the real highlight of this street comes after nightfall—when the lights come on, the Tang-style pavilions glow with radiant colors, and the entire street seems to recreate the splendor of the Tang Dynasty. The area features year-round immersive street performances: a "Tumbler Girl" in Tang attire leans in to hold hands with travelers as she spins; Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui from the "Secret Box of the Tang Dynasty" appear, posing riddles and bantering, with clever answers from selected travelers drawing cheers from the crowd; Hu Xuan dances and Tang-era music performances compete in a colorful parade; and actors dressed as the "Poet Immortal" may challenge you to a verse duel at any moment—strolling around, you might stumble upon a performance. This place gathers trending attractions, highlighting dazzling colors, fantasy, and a tech vibe. Through large-scale installations, it creates a stylish and dynamic interactive experience center, offering a sought-after photo spot for trendy young crowds. In the family-friendly tech zone, scene-based displays and hands-on actions spark children's imagination and creativity, combining play with skill development and experiential gains—making it an ideal destination for family-friendly fun.China · Xi'an
Xi'an Museum
Xi'an Museum is a modern comprehensive museum built upon the cultural relic protection site—the ruins of the Tang Dynasty Jianfu Temple and its iconic structure, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. It integrates cultural relic collection and protection, academic research, exhibition and display, social education, and garden leisure. Its core area is the location of the original Tang Dynasty royal temple, Jianfu Temple, while the precious and striking historical relic existing within the temple—the Small Wild Goose Pagoda—has become the museum's unique landmark and soul. Therefore, the Jianfu Temple ruins and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda are not only the foundation and core carrier for the establishment of Xi'an Museum, but also important outdoor historical exhibition areas and focal points for visitors. The main building of the museum is located on the north side of the ancient temple ruins. The three elements (ancient temple ruins, ancient pagoda, and modern museum building) are organically integrated, jointly forming a unique cultural space that combines "museum, pagoda, temple, and garden," vividly showcasing the historical context of Xi'an from ancient times to the present. Xi'an Museum officially opened to the public on May 18, 2007. Its establishment aims to comprehensively showcase the glorious history and splendid culture of Xi'an (ancient Chang'an) as the capital of thirteen dynasties, filling the gap of a comprehensive museum of Xi'an's urban history. Collection highlights: The museum houses over 100,000 precious cultural relics from various historical periods of Xi'an. The collection spans from prehistoric times to the Ming and Qing dynasties, with particular emphasis on artifacts from the prosperous dynasties of Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang, including bronze ware, jade articles, gold and silverware, ceramics, murals, stone steles, epitaphs, and Buddhist statues, systematically reflecting the political, economic, cultural, social life, and foreign exchanges of the ancient capital Chang'an. Main exhibition: The permanent exhibition "Ancient capital Xi'an" takes the urban development history of Xi'an as the main thread, showcasing the evolution and achievements of Xi'an as a capital (Zhou Fenghao, Qin Xianyang, Han Chang'an, Sui-Tang Chang'an) and a prefectural city (Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties) through a large number of precious cultural relics, models, charts, and multimedia means. Unique environment: The museum's greatest feature lies in its surroundings. Travelers can not only visit modern exhibition halls but also stroll through the expansive heritage park encompassing the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the ancient architectural complex of Jianfu Temple (including structures like the Ming dynasty bell tower housing a Jin dynasty ancient bell), an ancient stone sculpture art exhibition area, and garden views—experiencing the charm of the millennia-old capital at its historical site. The view of "morning bells at the Wild Goose Pagoda" is particularly renowned. Functional positioning: The museum is not only an important center for cultural relic collection, research, and display, but also an urban cultural park where citizens can relax, entertain, and immerse themselves in history and culture, undertaking significant social education and cultural exchange functions.China · Xi'an
Xi'an Bell Tower
Xi'an Bell Tower is one of the larger and well-preservedBell tower, originally built in 1384, during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty,Bell towerLocated in the heart of Xi'an, it is one of the landmarks of the ancient city, radiating east, south, west, and north streets from its center, connecting to the east, south, west, and north gates of the Xi'an city wall respectively. The Xi'an Bell Tower was originally located on Guangji Street in the west. As the city center shifted eastward, it was relocated toDrum towerEast side, today's location. The Xi'an Bell Tower features a typical Ming Dynasty architectural style, with a square brick-and-stone base at the bottom and a triple-eaved pyramidal roof structure at the top, covered with dark green glazed tiles. The gilded pinnacle at the roof's apex is particularly striking under sunlight. Each side of the base has a central arched doorway approx. 6 m high, which were interconnected and once served as passageways for the intersection of four major streets—east, south, west, and north—allowing pedestrian and vehicular traffic. These doorways are now sealed, with a traffic roundabout built around them and an underground pedestrian passage. The entrance to the Xi'an Bell Tower is located within this underground passage, accessible via a spiral staircase. Inside the tower, there is a replica of the "Jingyun Bell," whose original was cast in the second year of Emperor Ruizong's Jingyun era (711 AD) during the Tang Dynasty and is now housed in the Xi'an Beilin Museum. Standing on the Xi'an Bell Tower, you can see the four main streets extending east, south, west, and north from the Xi'an Bell Tower. Around the Xi'an Bell Tower, there are bustling commercial areas and not far awayDrum towerTravelers can also enjoy wonderful historical performances when visiting the Xi'an Bell Tower.China · Xi'an
Free things to do in Xunyang
Shuhe Ancient Town
Xunyang · 33.6km from downtownEmperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
China · Xi'anCancel anytimeThe Three Gorges Dam Tourism Area
China · YichangXi'an City Wall
China · Xi'anImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeHuaqing Palace
China · Xi'anImmediate access, Book now for todayMount Hua
China · HuayinImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeLaojun Mountain Scenic Spot
China · LuanchuanGrand Tang Mall
China · Xi'anXi'an Museum
China · Xi'anBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeXi'an Bell Tower
China · Xi'anImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytime
What travellers say about Xunyang
爱旅游的鱼波3 August 2025
5.0
It retains the intact structure and non-commercial character of a major commercial town during the Ming and Qing dynasties, making it an ideal spot for visitors seeking a deeper understanding of the Han River culture and the Qinba Mountains. The core of Shuhe Ancient Town
The ancient town has not undergone large-scale commercial transformation, and its architectural complex, including bluestone streets, wooden buildings, and rammed-mud horse-head walls, is remarkably well-preserved. There are 102 designated ancient dwellings and five provincial-level cultural relics. The brick carvings of the Huangzhou Guild Hall and the Ming Dynasty relics of the mosque are particularly valuable.
Shuhe Ancient Town
Aleksander.Kocot18 October 2026
4.0
If you’re into history and visiting Xi’an, then the Mausoleum of the First Emperor and the Terracotta Army are an absolute must. The sheer scale of the army is impressive, but overall, it doesn’t quite take your breath away like the Forbidden City or the Great Wall.Apart from the museum, which houses plenty of excavated artefacts and provides loads of information about the site, there are three main halls filled with terracotta soldiers, and that’s pretty much it.As a history buff, I found the whole experience really interesting, but if you’re not that into history, you might find it a bit tedious. The crowds of people pushing their way around to take pictures of the soldiers in the largest hall can also get pretty annoying.All in all, though, I’d still recommend checking it out. It’s also really easy to get to from central Xi’an!
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
E11***958 October 2026
5.0
The tour takes approximately 3.5 hours. From the visitor transfer center, take a sightseeing bus to Tanziling. After descending Tanziling, proceed to the 185 Park, where you can take an electric cart or walk. From the 185 Park, take a sightseeing bus to the Interception Memorial Park. Finally, take a sightseeing bus to the Miniature Landscape Park (the park's exit), concluding the tour.
The Three Gorges Dam Tourism Area
厦门戴尔18 October 2026
5.0
Xi'an City Wall, as the best-preserved ancient city wall in China, truly lives up to its reputation! Climbing the wall from the main gate—the South Gate (Yongning Gate)—offers a panoramic view of the entire city wall. Looking north, you can see the Bell Tower; to the south, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda; and the east and west walls stretch straight out. Whether strolling along it or cycling around, it's a must-see in Xi'an. It would be even better if more rest areas were added along the way, such as cafes and comfortable chairs.
Xi'an City Wall
Natalia Valenzuela ubina15 October 2026
5.0
I’m really happy I visited this place! I thought I would find some gardens and a few temples, but instead, I discovered an entire mountain with a cable car and everything.I started walking around without really knowing where to go, but the area is full of maps, so it’s easy enough not to get lost.I had no idea Chiang Kai-shek’s temporary office was located here. It was truly interesting to visit!Afterwards, I wandered along the streams and lakes, surrounded by nature and temples, until I came across the cable car. I decided to take it only on the way up.From there, I continued hiking to Beacon Hill. There are quite a lot of steps, but the views make it absolutely worth it.After that, I walked all the way back down the mountain. I discovered so much more than I had expected! I even bought some souvenirs and grabbed some KFC along the way.If you’re planning to hike up to Beacon Hill without taking the cable car, be prepared for a very long walk!
Huaqing Palace
suyu17 October 2026
5.0
Mount Hua is renowned as "the most precipitous mountain under heaven," offering thrilling adventures like the Plank Road in the Sky and the Hawk's Turn, while the cable car soars through the clouds for breathtaking views. Each of its five peaks possesses its own unique character, and the sunrises and seas of clouds are magnificent. It also boasts a rich Taoist culture. With well-developed facilities and standardized management, it's a must-visit destination for adventurous travelers.
Mount Hua
M41***5318 October 2026
5.0
Laojun Mountain is a Taoist holy site with a history of 1500 years. The video introduces the history, legends, and main offerings of the Laojun Temple, as well as iconic landmarks such as the Golden Hall, Jade Emperor Peak, and Liangbaotai. It also provides practical tourism resources.
Laojun Mountain Scenic Spot
呦未来可期15 October 2026
5.0
Take a stroll through the Tang Dynasty Never-Sleeping City on a pleasant autumn evening. The evening breeze is cool, the lights are dazzling, and the atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty is palpable. Street performances are everywhere, and tourists come and go, creating a lively scene. No need to plan a route; just wander around and explore as you please. Immersed in this world of lights, feeling the warmth of everyday life and ancient charm, this is what small satisfactions in ordinary days are all about. Chang'an's autumn nights are as bright as ever.
Grand Tang Mall
叫我幸旅每18 October 2026
5.0
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xi'an Museum are separated by a wall, and both are free to enter. You need to scan a QR code at the entrance to make a reservation. Worth a visit!
After entering through the Small Wild Goose Pagoda gate, walk straight for 100 meters. A staff member will introduce the museum's guided tour services and arrange a time. Go to the service desk on the first floor of the museum to confirm your guide. I was lucky enough to hear "Brother Glasses" (a nickname for a guide).
His explanation was lively and interesting.
Both the museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda also offer free guided tours for children. Every child felt honored by this service and explained things very attentively. We enjoyed listening to their explanations.
Xi'an Museum
闲庭漫步3012 October 2026
5.0
The clock tower is located in the heart of the old town, at a crossroads, and can only be accessed via an underpass. Free baggage check-in is available at the entrance, which is quite convenient. Climbing the clock tower offers panoramic views of the old town, providing a pleasant visual experience.
Xi'an Bell Tower
