Terracotta Armies of Xian

As the starting point of the Silk Route and ancient imperial capital, Xian is where cultures and histories converge. Standing in mute guard over the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, Xian’s Army of Terracotta Warriors remains one of the world’s most intriguing archaeological treasures. Life-size with distinct facial expressions and ready for battle, it is said that these soldiers, numbering in the thousands, were created in the 2nd century BC to accompany the emperor into the afterlife. Equally fascinating is Xian City Wall, built during the Ming dynasty in 1370. Dividing the old city centre from modern Xian, it has the mark of being China’s most complete ancient city wall and is also a fantastic viewing point. Within it is the Muslim Quarter, replete with striking mosques and Islamic food markets, and outside it is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures imported from India by the monk Xuan Zang.