Located in central China in Shaanxi Province is the cultural city of Xi’an, one of China’s ancient capitals. Various dynasties contributed to the construction of Xi’an and have left the city with many cultural relics including tombs, gardens, terraces, pavilions, stone tablets and inscriptions. Xian, historically was the starting point of the Silk Road which stretched all the way though western China, Central Asia and the Middle East to the Mediterranean Sea.

Xi’an most famous sight is the Terraccotta Army and Horses of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The Emperor spent most of his life until his death in 210BC in constructing his burial place, conscripting thousands of people to build his tomb and the terracotta army that would guard him in the afterlife. This archaeological discovery only came to light in 1974. The underground battle formations of life-sized pottery warriors, archers, horses and chariots have been left in situ in 3 large excavated pits. Pit number one contains over 6000 soldiers, each with its own individual facial features and pit number 2 contains almost a thousand warriors and half the number of horses (also life size). Excavation work is ongoing and new figures are continually being brought to light and restored. You can see this fascinating and painstaking work in progress at the site.

Other places of interest also include the historic site of Banpo Village, a primitive tribal village dating back more than 6,000 years. Unearthed by chance, the Stone Age village consisted of round and square houses, barns and kilns, painted pottery pot and ceramic bowls.

Within the city itself, you can see the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in 632 AD, it was once used by the Tang monk Xuan Zang to house precious Buddhist scriptures. You can stroll along the top of the Old City Walls built more than 600 years ago which completely enclose central Xi’an and are China’s best preserved ancient city walls. Near the Drum Tower is the Muslim Quarter with narrow streets and alleys lined by low wooden houses, tiny shops and stalls.