Keji Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, China
Located in Daduhui, surrounded by independent boutiques and coffee shops, Xi’an Urban Memories Museum collates photos, videos and objects related to everyday life and culture. The museum also collaborates with local artists to put on exhibitions.
2 Minjie Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, China
Built in 1949 for the army and once the largest towel factory in China, this space has since been redeveloped into a community hub and creative center, housing a bookstore, café, restaurants, boutique shops and a flower market.
72 Youyi West Road, Beilin District, Xi'an, China
Built in 709 during the Tang dynasty, the brick-framed Small Wild Goose Pagoda comprises 15 tiers and stands 43 meters tall. It mirrors the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to the southeast but is a more tranquil experience. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
91 Xiaozhai East Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, China
Explore this 65,000 square meter museum so see 370,000 ancient artifacts from China’s former imperial capital of Shaanxi. Highlights include its Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes and Tang dynasty murals. Regarded as ‘the pearl of the ancient city and treasury of the Huaxia civilization,’ the Shaanxi History Museum is the art pavilion to curate and exhibit Shaanxi’s historical culture and ancient Chinese civilization.
28 Xiaoxuexi East Lane, Lianhu District, Xi'an, China
Simple eatery specializing in marinade bean jelly, a traditional local delicacy comprising bean jelly, steamed bun, egg and preserved egg in a prized chili-sesame sauce. Laohejia is considered the best in town and well worth trying.
East of Xicang West Lane and Xicang North Lane, Xi'an, China
Since the Ming Dynasty, Xicang Market has been where locals have flocked to buy flowers, birds, fish and insects. Today, on Thursdays and Sundays, you will still find these items alongside antiques, paintings, carvings and secondhand trinkets.
55 Zhubashi, Beilin District, Xi'an, China
A theater dedicated to xiangsheng or crosstalk—comedic Chinese banter and performance art, popular among young locals. A platform for veteran artists from the five northwestern provinces.
187 Beiguangji Street, Lianhu District, Xi'an, China
Popular store specializing in high-quality dry-cured beef and mutton, a beloved local specialty, especially during the Lunar New Year. Expect to queue.
Shuyuanmen Street, Xi'an, China
By the Yongninmen (South Gate) of the city walls, pedestrianized Shuyuanmen Street retains distinct Ming and Qing dynasty architectural elements. Shop for paintings, jade, curios, handicrafts and calligraphy accessories and commission rhyming couplets.
152 West North 1st Road, Lianhu District, Xi'an, China
Elaborate Tibetan Buddhist temple, originally built in 1705. Treasures include one of only two statues of 12-year-old Buddha in the world, the largest Thousand Hand Goddess of Mercy in the province, and the only Hall of a Thousand Buddhas in China.
282 Xiyi Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an, China
A cultural district that includes China’s oldest Qinqiang folk opera theatre, opera and theatre museums, the Bell Tower Bookstore, traditional restaurants and Dongbangge—an entire nostalgic block transporting visitors back to 1980s Xi’an.
Northeast side of the intersection of Wenyuan South Road and Zhongnan Avenue, Chang‘an District, Xi'an, China
The first of its kind in China, the Shaanxi Archaeological Museum spans 36,000 square meters and houses over 5,200 finds, from 4,000-year-old stone relics of the prehistoric city ruins of Shimao to artifacts from the mausoleums of imperial emperors.
