Xian: where thousands of terracotta warriors stand at attention
One of the four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Xian was once the endpoint of the Silk Road. Sitting in the Guanzhong Plains, with the Weihe River flowing gracefully to the north, and the Qinling Mountains offering a majestic backdrop to the south, the city certainly has a picturesque location.
The natural landscape around Xian includes commanding views of Mount Huashan, a sacred mountain in China, and you can take all this in from a Xian cruise on one of the nearby rivers.
Yet, many Xian delights have laid buried beneath the ground for hundreds of years. Xian is home to many museums and relics: its cultural and historical significance has led to it being referred to as a 'Natural History Museum'. On your Xian tour you may discover the Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and Xian's City Wall, the largest and most intact castle from the Ming Dynasty.
Gastronomes, too, will not be disappointed here at the ‘capital of table delicacies'. A vast array of cuisine is on offer, including specialities such as the delicious Shaanxi snack, Guangdong and Sichuan cuisine.
Whether it's history, natural beauty or food that ticks your boxes, you're in for a feast in Xian.