Chang'an, now Xi'an, is an ancient city where the Buddhist monk Xuanzang (602-664) started his journey in the Chinese mythological tale, Journey to the West. Let's look at some of Xi'an's famous historical sites.

Dayan Pagoda

The Dayan Pagoda is an esteemed symbol of this ancient capital. It was initially situated at the Great Temple of Benevolence and Kindness as a construction project supervised by Xuanzang. The pagoda, a heritage site along the Silk Road Chang'an-Mount Tianshan corridor, is now inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

A bronze statue of Xuanzang stands in front of Dayan Pagoda. [Photo/WeChat account of Xi'an Cultural Tourism]

Grand Tang Mall

The Grand Tang Mall is located at the foot of the Dayan Pagoda. With its Tang Dynasty (618-907) theme, the mall strives to create a one-stop consumer paradise that integrates shopping, dining, entertainment, leisure, tourism, and business.

Xi'an City Wall

The Xi'an City Wall was first built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), giving it a history of more than 600 years. It is one of the most famous city walls of late medieval China and the most complete ancient city wall that still exists, making it a cultural wealth left by history that belongs to all mankind.

Xi'an City Wall. [Photo/WeChat account of Xi'an Cultural Tourism]

Xi'an Beilin Museum

The Xi'an Beilin Museum is a treasure trove of calligraphic arts, where visitors can fully experience Chinese culture. It covers an area of 31,900 square meters and displays ancient steles, historical records, and stone carvings from the Han Dynasty (206BC-220) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Beiyuanmen Historical and Cultural Customs District

The millennia-old Beiyuanmen Historical and Cultural Customs District is known as "the top stream of tourism and the ceiling of food" in Xi'an. Here, one can explore the local area's authentic cultural atmosphere and lifestyle. It has been rated as a "National Nighttime Culture and Tourism Consumption Gathering Zone" and a "Xi'an Nighttime Economy Demonstration Block".

Beiyuanmen Historical and Cultural Customs District features many specialty foods. [Photo/WeChat account of Xi'an Cultural Tourism]