Xi’an 西安

The starting (or ending) point of the Silk Road and one of China’s original capital cities, Xi’an in the Shaanxi provence was once the home to five major dynasties. The Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties all centered in Xi’an, long before there was a Beijing, Hong Kong, or Shanghai.  Primarily known now for the staggering and life size 3rd century BCE terra-cotta army inside the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. The find was discovered by farmers digging a well in 1974. The museum houses 8,000 fired clay warrior figures with unique faces, along with 700 full size horses, metal armor, chariots, and bronze weapons-all buried in the earth for over 2,000 years. It will be a century or more before the entire site can be properly cataloged and preserved.

Xi’an, which translates to western peace, is also home to the twin Wild Goose Pagodas, a well preserved drum and…