Browsing Category: Xi'AN

When you think of Xi’an (西安 Xī’ān), the Terracotta Army (兵马俑 Bīngmǎyǒng) or the ancient city wall (城墙 Chéngqiáng) probably comes to mind. But tucked away in a quiet neighborhood east of the city lies a lesser-known treasure: the Banpo Museum (半坡博物馆 Bànpō Bówùguǎn). To our surprise, it ranks among the Top 20 attractions on TripAdvisor—a clear sign that travelers, despite what many think, actually love museums when they bring history to...

The lights flickered to life just as dusk folded into night. A warm golden outline traced the rooftops of the ancient gate towers, standing proudly on the mighty Xi’an City Wall (西安城墙 Xī’ān Chéngqiáng). It was a calm evening, and as Elaine and I stepped onto the cobbled sidewalks near Yongning Gate (永宁门 Yǒngníng Mén), we felt like we had quietly walked into a painting — the kind filled with history, poetry,...

We thought we were just going for dinner. But sometimes, a night walk through the backstreets of Xi’an reveals more than what’s on the plate. The glow of neon, the smoke of grilled meat, the loud chatter of local voices — it’s easy to get distracted by the sensory overload. Yet for me, what stood out most that night wasn’t the food or the scenery. It was Elaine. And how she quietly,...

  📍 Xi’an Old Quarter, China🗓 May 2, 2025 – Labour Day Golden Week We thought we were smart. The plan was perfect: get out of Xi’an early on May 1st—just before China’s infamous Labour Day crowd tsunamikicked in. Catch the 8:00 AM high-speed train to a quieter city, Yuncheng (运城市, Yùnchéng) in Shanxi province, where a peaceful homestay awaited us. No chaos. No crowds. Just a slow two-day escape. But travel, like life, doesn’t always go to...

🌎 Where East Truly Met West Long before the Renaissance lit up Europe, the Tang Dynasty’s capital, Chang’an (today’s Xi’an), stood as a glowing beacon of civilization, multiculturalism, and trade. At its peak, Chang’an was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, welcoming foreigners, ideas, religions, and goods from Persia, Arabia, India, and beyond. To truly understand how this ancient city flourished, a visit to the Xi’an Museum (Xi’an Bowuyuan 西安博物院) is essential. Unlike the larger...

A Beautiful Day in Xi’an’s Historical Heart A Beautiful Day in Xi’an’s Historical Heart It was one of those picture-perfect afternoons in Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān) — crisp blue skies, just enough warmth from the sun, and that unmistakable hum of life you only get in ancient cities where the past and present walk side by side. Elaine and I decided to spend this beautiful day at the iconic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda...