Jetset to China: Historic Xi’an

Summary:rnSee an army of terracotta soldiers, climb ancient city walls and dine on a feast of dumplings in this historic city. Body:rnXI’AN (西安)rnBeijing and Shanghai may be more bustling but it’s Xi’an that travellers flock to, for the famed terracotta warriors and historical sights.rnIt’s hardly even a stretch to say that China’s centuries’ of development can be found within this one city: inhabited from the Neolithic period 7,000 years ago to present day, Xi’an has also served as the capital of 13 Chinese dynasties.rnThe city’s food streets are not to be missed either. Besides tasting the best of Shaanxi style cuisine, you’ll also get to try Middle Eastern-inspired treats at the Muslim Street, a popular stop for street eats.rnHere’s a quick checklist of five things to do, for a short stay in Xi’an:rn1.See the army of Terracotta Warriors (Bingmayung 兵马俑)rnYou’ve read of it in the history books: here’s the chance to see these famed figurines in person. One of the city’s star attractions, this life-sized terracotta army stood underground, undiscovered for centuries until a group of well-digging farmers had chanced upon it in 1974.rn2. Walk around the Xi’an city wall rnThis is the most well-preserved stretch of ancient city walls in China; a relic of the Tang dynasty (618-907AD), the wall encircles the city, covering nearly 13.7 kilometres in total. rnStart your trek at the South Gate (Nanmen 南门) or rent a bicycle to cycle your way around these city walls. The Bell Tower, another famed attraction in Xi’an, is just a short walk from the South Gate too.rn3. Visit the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum (Shanxi Lishibowuguan 陕西历史博物馆)rnAs one of China's four major museums, this museum is a must-go for history buffs. The large museum offers a comprehensive coverage of the Shaanxi's 13 feudal dynasties, so make for a long leisurely stroll here if you’re super keen on Chinese history.rn4. Make a trip to the Great Mosque (Qingzhensi 大清真寺) and the Muslim Street (Huiminjie 回民街)rnAs the starting point of the Silk Road, some of the Arab merchants eventually settled in Xi’an, thus gradually forming a close-knit community of Asian Muslims, commonly known as the Huis. One of the key attractions in the Muslim quarter of Xi’an is the Great Mosque. Said to be the first mosque built on Chinese soil, this place of worship combines distinctly Chinese architecture with Arabic inscriptions of the Koran on its gates and walls. The incredible array of street food at the Muslim Quarter is not to be missed too. Which brings us to our next point. . . 5. Dine on Xi'an dumplings (Xi'an jiaozi/ 西安饺子) and more street snacksrnYou’ll find so many variations of this popular traditional snack that you can even dine on an entire feast of dumplings alone, if you’re so inclined. The Yang Rou Pao Mo (羊肉泡馍) is a must-try: tear the flat wheat bread provided into bite-sized bits, before soaking them in warm mutton stew. We won’t wax lyrical on the many more tantalising snacks to be found, safe to say that the intrepid diner will get to enjoy a wide variety of dishes in Xi’an. For the adventurous:rnIf you’re keen on a more adventurous trip while you’re in Xi’an, make your way to Mount Hua (Hua shan 华山) on a three-hour bus ride from the city. rnKnown as one of China’s five sacred mountains, over 700 temples and shrines can be found on Mount Hua. Then take a cable car ride for the first leg of the journey, before making about a four-hour trek up to any one of the peaks.rnAdmittedly, it’s still far from an easy climb up this misty and craggy mountain range but the views would make it worth the effort.rnThe weather: It's best to visit Xi'an in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) as the city tends to be rainy and hot in the summer. Xi’an’s cool, breezy spring and autumn weather will make your outdoor jaunts in the city more pleasant too.rnHow to get there: Presently, there are no direct flights from Singapore to Xi’an but the city’s central location does make it easy to travel to Xi’an within China: Beijing and Shanghai are just two hours away by air.rnFrom Singapore, fly on Cathay Pacific, China Eastern and other air carriers with a stopover, typically at Shanghai or Hong Kong to Xi’an.