Xi'an delights: Drumtower from a rooftop, terracotta warriors and streetfood

Our recent trip to Xi'an was a delightful mix of history, culture, and mouth-watering cuisine, made even better by sharing it with my parents who were visiting from South Africa. As photographers, we were in heaven with all the photogenic spots and vibrant street scenes Xi'an's old city had to offer. We stayed at The Ibis Styles Hotel right next to the Drum Tower, just a stone's throw from the bustling Muslim Street. The view of the Drum Tower from the rooftop (fifth floor) of the little hotel was gorgeous at night. This area is a street photographer's paradise with its lively vibe, colorful markets, and an endless array of street food. We devoured Biang Biang Mian (biángbiáng miàn, written using the most complex Chinese character with about 60 strokes), Roujiamo flatbread (ròujiāmó), and succulent lamb skewers (yáng ròu chuàn), returning to the walking street each of the 3 nights we were in Xi'an. A highlight was the Turkish Ice Cream shop where the ice cream man played fun tricks on customers, delighting kids (and my mother) by flipping the ice cream and pretending to hand it over, only to pull it away at the last second. Of course, we couldn't miss the Terracotta Warriors. Seeing the ancient soldiers up close was incredible, especially the sections still being uncovered. I've been before and was not disappointed the second time around. There is something awe-inspiring about the scale of the project to rebuild the warriors, which started in the 70s and continues to this day. If you are lucky and catch them before or after lunch (at 12-2), you will get to see the archaeologists building the world's most complex 3d puzzle, each warrior on average taking a year to rebuild from the tiny shattered fragments of terracotta clay. Mentally prepare for crowds though and it's worth the trip out. Xi'an truly has something for everyone, whether you're into history, food, or just capturing the perfect street shot. Our family trip was packed with memorable moments, and I can't wait to come back and explore even more of this amazing city and eat more of what I consider to be the best food in China. #xianadventures #travelchina #terracottawarriors #chinesehistory #streetphotography #foodietravel #familytravel #culinarydelights #muslimstreetxian #travelwithparents #xiancuisine #biangbiangmian #roujiamo #lambskewers #turkishicecream #travelinspiration #wanderlust