Ever dream of stepping back in time? Then, China’s ancient capital Xian and Silk Road can be your time machine. Buried beneath the surface for over 2,200 years, the world-famous Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an will transport you back to the Qin Dynasty’s ancient battlefields. Meanwhile, the ancient relics and stunning natural landscapes along the Silk Road will carry you to a time when intrepid merchants loaded camel caravans with silk, spices, horses, and precious stones to forge connections between East and West. Mix them together in your China tours, you’ll uncover living history far more thrilling than any textbook.
Meet the Terracotta Army in Xian
Besides noodles and city walls, Xian tours are also not complete without visiting the world-famous Terracotta Army, where 8,000 clay soldiers guarding China’s first emperor for 2,000 years. Here’s why it’s mind-blowing:
- Each soldier is unique. No two faces are alike—some smile, some scowl, one even looks like your grumpy uncle.
- They were buried with weapons. These weapons are real, including swords, crossbows, chariots—all to protect the emperor in the afterlife.
- Farmers found them by accident. In 1974, the farmers digged a well, and they hit a soldier’s head- that’s where a plot twist starts!
Why you’ll love it:
Here you’ll step into a world frozen in time. Spread across three massive pits, with each larger than a football field. Right there, over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, 130 chariots, and 670 horses are arranged in battle formation. From frontline infantry to officers in armor, this army follows a strict hierarchy of the Qin Dynasty, showing how ancient China organized its forces for war. In a word, the Terracotta Army reflects the how Qin dynasty is obsessed with order, power, and immortality.
Pro tip: Go early. Crowds swarm by 10 AM.
China Silk Road : Encounter Rich Historical Relics
Xi’an wasn’t just about warriors. It was the Silk Road’s starting line. From here, camel caravans hauled silk, spices, and ideas across deserts and mountains. China Silk Road tours let you walk in their dusty footsteps.
Don’t miss:
- Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves: There are 492 caves filled with Buddhist art. Its colors are still vibrant after 1,600 years.
- Kashgar’s Sunday Market: Kashgar’s Sunday Market isn’t just a marketplace—it’s a place for us to experience Uighur culture and Central Asia’s ancient traditions.
- Jiayuguan Fort: Jiayuguan Fort is where the Ming Dynasty Great Wall ends. Standing here, you’ll see endless desert (the Gobi) stretching to the horizon, with the snow-capped Qilian Mountains glowing in the distance. It’s stark, silent, and surreal—like stepping into a painting of ancient China.
Travel Tips for Visitors
- When to go: April–June and September–October. Skip Xi’an’s summer sweat and desert frosts.
- What to pack: Comfy shoes, scarf (block sun and sand),layered clothing (base layer, mid-layer and outer layer) and sun protection (sunglasses, suncream and hat etc.) .
- What to eat: Xi’an Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), Biangbiang Noodles, Uighur Lamb Skewers, Dapanji (Big Plate Chicken), etc.