Xi’an

travel time: October 2024

On the day we arrived in Xi’an, we had half a day to explore the city before making a trip to see the famous Terracotta Warriors. Our first stop was the Big Goose Pagoda, a seven-story structure you can climb for views over the surrounding area. Unfortunately, a thick mist hung over the city that day, limiting the view. Next to the pagoda is a shopping center with a rooftop offering a fantastic view of the pagoda itself. We also found some shops we don’t have back home - so naturally, we did a little shopping, keeping our suitcase weight limit in mind! 😉

After dropping off our haul at the hotel, we set out to explore the Muslim Quarter, beginning with the bustling food street, Beiyuanmen Street, which starts just behind the Drum Tower. This vibrant street is filled with all kinds of snacks, food, and drinks to try, and after sampling the local flavours, you definitely won’t leave hungry.

Our journey to the Terracotta Warriors turned out to be quite an adventure. After some online research, we found what seemed to be a quick shuttle bus from the city to the site, so we decided to go with that option. However, when we arrived at the station (Xi'an Railway Station), we couldn’t locate the exact departure point mentioned online (East Square). We eventually found a bus with the correct route number 5 - or so we thought - but the driver told us it wasn’t heading to the Terracotta Warriors as it was just a regular public bus. Instead, he offered to drop us at a stop where the correct shuttle would pick us up - at the Big Goose Pagoda.

Following his instructions, we got off at the stop he suggested and were met by someone who confirmed a shuttle to the Terracotta Warriors did indeed depart from there. But, as it turned out, the next bus wouldn’t leave for another hour and a half—not exactly what we had in mind, and also not the one shuttle bus we were looking for. Back to the internet and we found another option: a different subway and bus station nearby where we could catch the correct bus. So, back on the subway we went. Upon arriving at the Fangzhicheng Station, we finally located the bus stop, and just a few minutes later, the bus 5 (306) pulled up.

Thinking we’d reached the end of our wild journey, we started to board, only to have the attendant tell us that we weren’t allowed to board at this stop and should head to the next one just a bit down the road. When we tried to catch the bus at that stop, however, it simply drove past without stopping.

At this point, thoroughly frustrated, we decided to call a DiDi (China’s rideshare app) to take us directly to the Terracotta Warriors—pricey or not, we were ready to get there! Finally, after hours of hopping from one transit option to the next, we made it to our destination.

We started our tour with Pit 3, the smallest, containing "just" 72 warriors and horses. Next, we made our way to Pit 2, where most of the site is still covered with wooden roof beams. It’s a big area, but only a few warriors are visible. On one side of the pit, you can get an up-close look at five soldiers—just be prepared to gently nudge your way through the crowd of Chinese tourists for a better view - it’s all part of the experience! 😉

Pit 1 is the largest and by far the most impressive, housing around 6,000 warriors - 2,000 of which are uncovered and on display. The massive hall is awe-inspiring, and as you walk around, you get a real glimpse into ancient history. Be prepared for a bit of a wait to reach the front row for the best views, but if you’re patient, it’s worth it. We wrapped up our visit with the museum, where you can get an up-close view of various soldiers and horses with hardly any crowds.

The journey back to the city was much smoother. We quickly found the departure point for the tourist bus 5(306), hopped on, and made our way back without any trouble.

After dinner, we took a leisurely walk to admire the Bell Tower illuminated at night, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere as the city lights reflected off this historic landmark. It was the perfect way to wrap up an eventful day.