Why visit
Xi'an is ancient Chang'an. Terracotta Army an hour out, 14th-century city walls you can bike, the Muslim Quarter's food street, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
China at a glance
Country center
35.0°, 105.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
9,706,961 km²
3,747,877 mi²
Country population
1.43 billion
147/km²
Subregion
Eastern Asia
Currency
Chinese yuan (¥)
CNY
Dial
+86
Language
Chinese
Demonym
Chinese
Internet
.cn
UN
Member state
ISO code
CN / CHN
Where in the world
35.0° · 105.0°
China
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Did you know
- Xi'an (Chang'an) was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and served as China's capital for 13 dynasties spanning 1,100 years.
- The Terracotta Army was discovered by farmers digging a well in 1974; over 8,000 figures, each with a unique face, guard Qin Shi Huang's tomb.
- Xi'an's Muslim Quarter has been home to the Hui people for centuries; lamb skewers and biangbiang noodles are local specialties.
- China uses a single time zone for the whole country, even though it spans 5 geographic time zones.
- The Great Wall is not visible from space with the naked eye: that is a myth.
Bordering China
Traveler notes
- Terracotta Warriors. Allow half a day
- Bike the 14 km city wall at sunset
- Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) for lamb skewers
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Xian
What currency is used in Xian?
Xian uses the Chinese yuan (¥), ISO code CNY.
What languages are spoken in China?
The primary language is Chinese.
What is the international calling code for China?
The calling code is +86.
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