ViaMei

　For 4000 years Xi'an reigned as the capital of China. Filled with history and culture, Xi'an was heavily influenced by the Tang Dynasty. It was the Tang Dynasty that formed the Silk Road. The Silk Road created a gateway for international trade from Xi'an to the Middle East and Europe. The Silk Road introduced Xi'an's brilliant and unique culture to the rest of the world. At this time Xi'an was one million people strong-the largest most advanced city in the world. As Xi'an's culture influenced the Middle East and Europe, Xi'an became a city of many cultures, yet distinctly Chinese. Xi'an became the melting pot of culture from food to traditions for all of China and a place one must visit to get the full essence of China.
　Xi'an is filled with a wealth of historical artifacts--one of the grandest city walls in China that was built during the Ming Dynasty Period, the Great Goose Pagoda and the recently discovered buried treasure of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. Each of the 8000 warriors and horses is uniquely different. Emperor Qin specially selected each artist that created the terracotta sculptures. He also chose the Terra Cotta Warriors that would guard his tomb. If the emperor was displeased with a sculpture, grave consequences would befall the artist holding this serious and honorable position.
　Also, near Xi'an is the Banpo Neolithic Village. This village, Chinese Scholars believe, was the primary starting point of a structured society in China nearly 5,000 years ago. Here you will see tools, pottery and other materials from a civilization of this early Chinese civilization. It is a once in a lifetime experience.
　Xi'an's city grid is easy to follow for any newcomer to the area. You may begin at the Bell Tower in the city center. Four roads lead out from the Bell Tower in four cardinal directions. They lead to visual treasures throughout the city. If you choose to stay at the five-star Sheraton Hotel in Xi'an, it is both comfortable and convenient due to its location near the Xi'an City Wall and the city center. Luxurious accommodations include a fitness center, swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and massage service, to name a few. Begin your mornings with a continental breakfast and set out on your travels near the very heart of Xi'an.

Day One
1)　Begin your day by venturing outside the city and visiting the Banpo Neolithic Village Site, where artifacts from 5,000-4,000 B.C.E. (taxi: 60rmb/40min, ticket: 25rmb). Residential, Burial, and Pottery are the three different sections that you can view. There are fossil remains of a Chinese Homo erectus (980,000-1,000,000 years old) from the Paleolithic Period that is a great world archeological find.
2)　Trek to Ling Tong city where the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are located (taxi: 30rmb, 25 min/ticket: 90rmb). It is the largest on-site historical museum in China and is also regarded as the "eighth wonder of the world." On March 29, 1974, local farmers when drilling for water wells discovered pottery fragments and bronze weapons. The Chinese government was alerted and the excavation of this wondrous finding began. In 1994, the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses were officially made public. There are different excavations sites that are called Pit 1, Pit 2, and Pit 3. Pit 1 is the most famously photographed site with an enormous steel dome that encapsulates a large number of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses that face the entrance and surround you as you walk inside. Pit 2 also possesses the warriors and two sets of bronze chariots and horses that are a marvel to behold. The last site, Pit 3, has multiple service halls where visitors can select souvenirs and relax a bit with a nice buffet lunch that serves a special type of noodle (35rmb).
3)　Next, visit the Huaqing Hot Springs and Li Shan Mountain (taxi: 20rmb, 15min/ticket: 70rmb Hot Springs). The Huaqing Hot Springs are a natural wonder on the building site of Emperor Li's Palace during the Zhou Dynasty. It is located at the foot of Li Shan Mountain.
4)　After a day outside the city limits, return to the center of Xi'an and walk by to see the Bell and Drum Towers that were built in the Ming Dynasty (Bell & Drum Tower ticket approx.: 25rmb each). This will lead you to the famous Muslim Square. You will smell the spicy food when you walk through the Drum Tower tunnel and see the beautiful white lights adorning the trees that illuminate the street restricted to pedestrians. Various restaurants and specialty shops that sell authentic Chinese art line the street. Share the famous Shanxi food, Yang Rou Pao Mo, with a friend. It is filled with shredded pancakes, mutton, and a variety of vegetables that will make your mouth water. Save room for the Dumpling Banquet that follows.
5)　Attend the Tang Singing and Dancing show with an Imperial Banquet (taxi: 15min/20rmb, Tang Dinner Show ticket: 410rmb). Indulge yourself with over 15 different types of dumplings that are stuffed with spinach, pork, mushrooms, nuts, and other savory mixes. The dumpling is Xi'an's most well-known and loved traditional cuisine. After gorging yourself on these tasty delights, watch the Tang singing and dancing entertainment begin. The dancing and singing is performed in accompaniment with Chang'an music, and has been presented to audiences for over one thousand years. The "Tang Dynasty Song and Dance Troupe," that is a branch of the "Shaanxi Provincial Song and Dance Troupe," perform a Chinese art that conveys both the Tang Dynasty and middle China's historical culture.

Day Two
1)　Start the day by going to the countryside (taxi: 60rmb, 45min) The Cao Tang Village is an aspect of China that not many foreigners ever get to experience. The village has local artists that paint clay sculptures or carved wood and weave colorful wall hangings. Near the village is a temple called Cao Tang Temple (ticket: 20rmb). It is famous for a well, but also has an interesting tablet that is engraved with generations of monks that have lived at that temple site. If you come during the lunch hour, you may hear the monks singing their song before they receive food.
2)　After listening to the monks sing about their meal, you'll probably be hungry. Take the taxi to Shang Wang Village (taxi: 25rmb, 15min). There is a great place to eat, especially in warm weather because you can eat outside on the central patio area, then take a little nap in the upstairs resting area. The food is typical savory Shaanxi cuisine (30rmb per person).
3)　Now, find your way back to Xi'an city and see the famous Buddhist landmark architecture, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta), located in the south part of the city (entrance ticket: 25rmb, ascending pagoda ticket: 30rmb). The walk up this seven-storied Tang Dynasty structure is well worth the effort, because at the top you can see Xi'an's great cityscape. After you are finished viewing the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, you can venture to the prominent Historic Provincial Museum, where you will view objects dating back to 1.7 million years ago. A great number of dynasty collections are kept there as well (ticket: 25rmb).
4)　At this point, you may be working up an appetite, so stroll over to Tian Long Bao Yan for vegetarian cuisine. All items on the menu are beautifully presented and may look like fish or other meats, but are 100% vegetarian.
5)　After having dinner, walk over to the North Square that is just west of the pagoda and watch the lovely music, lights, and fountain display. It lasts about 20 minutes.
6)　Then you can head over the Tang Dynasty Paradise Park for more night entertainment (ticket: 9am-11pm, 50rmb; 9pm-11pm, 30rmb). You may view the Tang Dynasty culture that is displayed by massive sculptures, and gardens while you are surrounded by music and dance of the Tang period. The three-dimensional water film is also enjoyable entertainment in Paradise Park.

1)　After breakfast, journey toward the Ancient City Wall Shuncheng Lane where you will see the preserved historic architecture in the midst of present day Xi'an. Here you will find many opportunities to buy unique art pieces, jewelry, and also art supplies that native Chinese people purchase to perfect their calligraphy skills. Nearby, walk onward to the Xi'an's city wall, also called South Gate (ticket: 40rmb). It is the most complete and well-maintained wall in the world.
2)　For lunch, go to the Prince Palace. This restaurant has amazing seafood hotpot. Hotpot is definitely a special food you should try before leaving Xi'an. You can choose various ingredients such as Chinese cabbage, mushrooms, shrimp, fish, and many more. It is fun to be able to choose your own pieces of food, which you boil in the pot that IS in the center of the table (40rmb per person).
3)　After lunch, it's time to drive toward the airport, but before you take off for other adventures, you must stop to see the Han Yan Ling Mausoleum of Han Museum (ticket: 90rmb). When you walk inside the museum, there is a section with a glass floor through which you can see the partially excavated tomb relics such as naked figurines once clothed in silk and other precious fragments left from the Han dynasty.
　Now, it is time to continue your journey to the airport and your next destination. You have truly seen the history and tasted the culture of what Xi'an has to offer. As you look out the plane window, you can reflect on all the amazing moments you experienced in the "Eternal City."