Visit Classic China
For centuries the city of Xian (or Chang’An) was the heart of the Chinese Empire and seat of its most glorious dynasties. The city and surrounding countryside is honeycombed with fascinating archaeological remnants of these halcyon days, but the biggest draw by far remains the Terracotta Army of the First Emperor Qin Shihuang. Dating back to 200 BC, the ranked statues, larger than life, each unique and many mounted on horseback, make an awe-inspiring sight in their three excavated pits. The figures are complemented by a display of equally stunning bronze craftsmanship discovered nearby.
In the region there are numerous ancient pagodas and the Shaanxi History Museum, arguably the best in the country, which houses a remarkable array of artefacts spanning China’s entire history. For a taste of living China you can visit the lively Muslim quarter, home to the country’s oldest mosque and rich with the aromas of street cooking, and stroll along the magnificent city walls.