"Go to Shanghai and you will find a 100-year-old China; go to Beijing and you will find a 1000-year-old China; go to Xian and then you will find a 3000-year-old China." ~ TravelChinaGuide

Xian was on RenMan's bucket list because of the Terra Cotta Warriors,

so we really had not done our research on this city and its historical significance

 as the ancient Chinese capital

 and now current capital of the Shaanxi Province. 

Below are SIX other reasons to visit Xian 

before or after you spend a day with the warriors.

1)  Xian is quite walkable within the walled area of the city.  

Usually avoiding the larger hotel chains,

we were pleasantly surprised with the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square,

offering a comfortable and convenient area for our stay.

After spending the day out of town

 where the Terra Cotta Army and surrounding grounds are located,

it was late afternoon before we ambled towards what is always on my list...food!

As the sun was setting,

a group of soldiers marched towards the flagpole...

in front of the Shaanxi Province People's Government Building...

and performed the daily task of lowering its flag... 

and escorting it away before the sun sets on the city.

We headed towards the setting sun

 to meet up with a young couple we met at The Brickyard near the Great Wall.

Our destination?

2)  The Muslim Quarters

As the starting point of the Silk Road, 

Xian was the largest city in the world during the 8th century A.D. 

and attracted many traders.  

This Muslim community has lived amongst the Chinese Han people for centuries

sharing exotic foods from their culture.

Our new friends had rented an airbnb in the area

 and had become quite familiar with the stalls.

The 'frozen yogurt rolls' made as we watched, were my favorite.

Plain yogurt + fruit, etc. = pure cold yumminess.

Eating schedules forced me to wait

 until we were whizzing through the airport the next morning 

to taste the Roujiamo sandwich.

This version had pickled peppers, radish and a boiled egg

 along with other unidentifiable ingredients.

Delicious.

3)  The Bell Tower marks the geographical center of the ancient city of Xian.

East, West, North, South streets begin at this tower

 and lead to the gates of the city wall.

As the city grew, the center of the city changed,

so in 1582 the wooden tower was physically moved 1,000 meters east. 

Another beautiful part of the world to enjoy the full moon.

4)  Xian has the most complete city wall remaining in China today.

Walking the 15 meters (almost 50 feet) wide wall...

at 12 meters (39 feet) from the ground below

 offers great views of the city in all directions,

and can be explored on foot, bicycle, or motorized cart.

It takes about four hours to walk the 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) around.

5) Big Wild Goose Pagoda and surrounding park...

built in 652 during the Tang dynasty...

for the study of Buddhists scriptures.

The 12.5 acres surrounding the pagoda...

are well worth some ambling about.

I highly recommend visiting during the Spring months.

So many sculptures...

showing different aspects of the Shaanxi folk customs.

This shadow play was quite interactive.

Meanwhile... 

there is my personal favorite aspect of Xian...

6)  Ubiquitous dancing...

everywhere.

LOVE!