Xi'an
The Terracotta Army isn't just Xi'an's premier sight: it's one of the most famous archaeological finds in the world. This subterranean life-size army of…
Must-see attractions in Shaanxi
Xi'an
Xi'an is one of the few cities in China where the imposing old city walls still stand. Built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty, the magnificent 12m-high…
Xi'an
This seven-storey pagoda, Xi'an’s most famous landmark, 4km southeast of the South Gate and formerly within the old (and huge) Tang dynasty city wall,…
Xi'an
This tomb, also referred to as the Han Jing Mausoleum, Liu Qi Mausoleum and Yangling Mausoleum, is the burial place of the Han-dynasty emperor Jingdi (188…
Shaanxi
Seven kilometres north of the Yulin bus station, on the outskirts of town, are some badly eroded sections of the Great Wall and this imposing Ming-era…
Xi'an
Dating way back to the 2nd century AD, this temple was built to house parts of a sacred finger bone of the Buddha, presented to China by India’s King…
Xi'an
The sole Tibetan Buddhist temple in the entire province, Guangren Temple dates from the early 18th century, but was largely rebuilt in the 20th century…
Xi'an
Bigger than many temples in China, the Great Mosque is a gorgeous blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture and one of the most fascinating sacred sites…
Xi'an
The backstreets leading north from the Drum Tower have been home to the city’s Hui community (non-Uyghur Chinese Muslims) for centuries, perhaps as far…
Shaanxi
This lovely and perfectly preserved 14th-century village nestles in a sheltered location in a loess valley. Once the home of the Dang clan (党家),…
Xi'an
This impressive tomb, 85km northwest of town, is the final resting place of China's sole female emperor, Wu Zetian (AD 625–705), who is buried here with…
Shaanxi
The largest waterfall on the Yellow River (黄河; Huánghé) and the second largest waterfall in China (only the Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou province is…
Xi'an
In its time this tomb must have been one of the grandest mausoleums the world had ever seen. Historical accounts describe it as containing palaces filled…
Xi'an
More than 2000 years ago Xianyang was the capital of the Qin dynasty. These days it’s just a dusty satellite of Xi'an. Its chief attraction is this museum…
Xi'an
Standing in the pleasant grounds of Jianfu Temple, Little Goose Pagoda had its top shaken off by an earthquake in the middle of the 16th century, but the…
Shaanxi
Yan'an’s most prominent landmark on a hill overlooking town, Bao (Treasure) Pagoda dates from the Song dynasty. For an extra ¥10, you can climb the very…
Shaanxi
This knife-edged ridge connects the North Peak and the other peaks, a punishing step-master of 530 stone steps. Each step is harder than the last, and the…
Xi'an
This museum naturally overlaps with Xi'an’s surrounding sights but makes for a comprehensive stroll through ancient Chang’an. Most exhibits offer…
Xi'an
Housed in the pleasant grounds of the Jianfu Temple is this museum featuring relics unearthed in Xi'an over the years. There are some exquisite ceramics…
Xi'an
Housed in Xi'an’s Confucius Temple, this museum holds more than 1000 stone stelae (inscribed tablets), including the nine Confucian classics and some…
Xi'an
Banpo is the earliest example of the Neolithic Yangshao culture, which is believed to have been matriarchal. It appears to have been occupied from 4500 BC…
Shaanxi
In the heart of the old town, the tranquil and hoary Confucius Temple is the pick of the sights in Hancheng. The weathered Yuan, Ming and Qing buildings…
Shaanxi
By far the flashest building in town is the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall (延安革命纪念馆, Yán’ān Gémìng Jìniànguǎn), fronted by a statue of Mao and housing…
Shaanxi
Looming over the old town and dating to the Tang dynasty, but rebuilt in 1958, this pagoda also acts as a memorial to Red Army soldiers killed fighting…
Xi'an
Occupying a central place at the frantic bulls-eye intersection of Xi Dajie, Dong Dajie, Bei Dajie and Nan Dajie, the domineering form of the Bell Tower…
Yangjialing Revolution Headquarters Site
Shaanxi
Perhaps the most interesting of the revolutionary sites and located 3km northwest of the town centre, you can see the assembly hall here where the first…
Shaanxi
At the back of the Confucius Temple is the City God Temple (Chenghuang Temple), in a lane lined with Ming dynasty courtyard houses. An antediluvian temple…
Shaanxi
The principal sight in Mizhi is the Li Zicheng Palace, a well-preserved and compact palace built in 1643 at the height of Li’s power. Set against a…
Xi'an
While the Bell Tower originally held a bell that was rung at dawn, the Drum Tower, standing at the foot of the smoky and uproarious street of Beiyuanmen,…
Xi'an
Xi'an’s largest Taoist temple dates from the Song dynasty and is still an active place of worship. Supposedly built on the site of an ancient wine shop,…
Shaanxi
This was the birthplace of the CCP propaganda machine: Xinhua News Agency and the Liberation Daily started life here when the place was known as …
Wangjiaping Revolution Headquarters Site
Shaanxi
During an extended stay, the communist leadership moved around Yan'an, resulting in numerous former headquarters sites. Adjacent to the Revolution Museum…
Shaanxi
Yulin's drum tower was first erected in 1380 and destroyed several times (the current tower dates to the early-20th century). With several restaurants and…
Fenghuangshan Revolution Headquarters Site
Shaanxi
This was the first site occupied by the communists after their move to Yan'an (Mao Zedong lived here from 1937 to 1938), before being abandoned because it…
Xi'an
This tomb, 70km northwest of Xi'an, belongs to the second Tang emperor Taizong who died in AD 649. The tomb established the custom of building imperial…
Xi'an
A cone-shaped mound of rammed earth almost 47m high, the Mao Tomb is the largest of the Han imperial tombs. It's the resting place of Emperor Wudi (AD 156…
Zaoyuan Revolution Headquarters Site
Shaanxi
The communist leadership took refuge here between 1943 and 1947, on land allocated by a wealthy merchant. The leafy grounds are perhaps the most…
Tomb of Princess Yong Tai & Tomb of Prince Zhang Huai
Xi'an
Here you'll find the tombs of Princess Yong Tai (the grandaughter of Wu Zetian) and Prince Zhang Huai, who both fell foul of Empress Wu Zetian and were…
Shaanxi
This large Taoist temple awaits climbers taking the 6km walk from Hua Shan village to the North Peak and lies just before the ticket office.
Shaanxi
Literally meaning 'Assembled Immortals Terrace', this viewpoint looks out onto incredible views not far from North Peak.
