Check out our guide to life in Xi’an
Xi’an is a vibrant cultural, industrial and educational city in the central-northwest region of China. Major industries include tourism and manufacturing and the city is also home to facilities for research and development, national security and space exploration. Xi’an is well known for its delicious signature dish, yangrou paomo. It’s one of the oldest cities in China. Signs of human inhabitants of the area date back at least 500,000 years. Xi’an is the starting point of the Silk Road, the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals and home to the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Xi’an Fast Facts
Prefecture-level and Sub-provincial city
Settled 202 BCE
Population 12,000,600
Xi’an Weather
Hottest Month July (27 °C avg)
Coldest Month January (0 °C avg)
Wettest Month July (38.0 mm avg)
Windiest Month July (9 km/h avg)
Annual Rainfall 223.8 mm (per year)
10 Things to See and Do in Xi’an
Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum and Terracotta Army
See the famous terracotta armies of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
This Buddhist pagoda built in 652 during the Tang dynasty offers great views from the top.
Fortifications of Xi’an
Try cycling atop these formidable ancient fortifications for something different.
Huaqing Pool
Explore historic statues, gardens and a hot springs complex in a peaceful mountain setting.
Drum Tower of Xi’an
The ornate and colourful tower is home to a fabulous display of ancient drums.
Shaanxi History Museum
A collection of over 370,000 murals, paintings, pottery, coins, and precious objects.
Tang Paradise
This theme park celebrates the Tang Dynasty culture with replicas and cultural shows.
Banpo
See artefacts from the Banpo dig, which uncovered a 6,000-year-old Neolithic civilization.
Stele Forest
Discover a museum for steles and stone sculptures housed in a former Confucian Temple.
Mount Li
A scenic spot for hiking, horse riding and exploring, with dining and cable cars at the peak.
Cost Of Living
| ITEM | RMB | GBP | AUS | RAND |
| Cinema | 62 | 7.08 | 7.08 | 129.49 |
| Water | 2 | 0.23 | 0.42 | 4.18 |
| Beer in a bar | 17 | 1.94 | 3.55 | 35.35 |
| Beer in a shop | 5 | 0.57 | 1.04 | 10.44 |
| Coke | 3 | 0.34 | 0.63 | 6.27 |
| Meal at a cheap restaurant | 16 | 1.83 | 3.34 | 33.27 |
| Meal at an average restaurant | 80 | 9.13 | 16.69 | 166.37 |
| Meal at a high end restaurant | 120 | 13.70 | 25.03 | 249.55 |
| Gym per month | 200 | 22.83 | 41.72 | 415.92 |
| City bus | 2 | 0.23 | 0.42 | 4.18 |
| Monthly utility bills (electricity, heating, water, rubbish) | 360 | 41.09 | 75.09 | 748.66 |
| Loaf of bread | 13 | 1.48 | 2.71 | 27.03 |
