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XI'AN CHINA First Impressions: Better Than Beijing?
Xi'an China First Impressions: Bell Tower, Muslim Quarter &
XI'AN CHINA First Impressions: Better Than Beijing? That is exactly what we wanted to find out on our very first day exploring China’s ancient capital! Is Xi’an actually worth the hype, or does it fall short of cities like Beijing or Shanghai? Our first 24 hours here absolutely shocked us.
In this...
XI'AN CHINA First Impressions: Better Than Beijing? That is exactly what we wanted to find out on our very first day exploring China's ancient capital! Is Xi'an actually worth the hype, or does it fall short of cities like Beijing or Shanghai? Our first 24 hours here absolutely shocked us. <br><br> In this Xi'an China travel vlog, we hit the ground running to give you our raw, honest first impressions of this massive historic city. We explore the iconic central landmarks, checking out the gorgeous architecture of the Bell Tower of Xi'an and the Drum Tower, before diving headfirst into the famous Xi'an Muslim Quarter street food scene. <br><br> From tasting local legendary street food like Biangbiang noodles and Roujiamo (the famous Chinese burger) to wandering the vibrant night markets, Xi'an completely blew us away. Whether you are planning a China travel 2026 itinerary or just curious about what it's like to visit China today, this Xi'an travel guide covers everything you need to know for your first time.
In this Xi'an travel vlog, the traveler compares Xi'an to Beijing, asking if the ancient capital is better than its modern counterpart. They explore the Bell Tower and Drum Tower and Bell Tower districts, then dive into the Muslim Quarter's street food scene. They taste legendary Biangbiangbiang noodles and roujiamo, describing their first 24 hours in Xi'an as 'absolutely shocking' and completely blowing them away. The video offers a raw, honest first impression of this historic city, perfect for planning a 2026 China itinerary.
XI'AN CHINA First Impressions: Better Than Beijing? That is exactly what we wanted to find out on our very first day exploring China's ancient capital! Is Xi'an actually worth the hype, or does it fall short of cities like Beijing or Shanghai? Our first 24 hours here absolutely shocked us. <br><br> In this Xi'an China travel vlog, we hit the ground running to give you our raw, honest first impressions of this massive historic city. We explore the iconic central landmarks, checking out the gorgeous architecture of the Bell Tower of Xi'an and the Drum Tower, before diving headfirst into the famous Xi'an Muslim Quarter street food scene. <br><br> From tasting local legendary street food like Biangbiang noodles and Roujiamo (the famous Chinese burger) to wandering the vibrant night markets, Xi'an completely blew us away. Whether you are planning a China travel 2026 itinerary or just curious about what it's like to visit China today, this Xi'an travel guide covers everything you need to know for your first time.
The traveler, from Too Much Luggage, sets out to compare Xi'an to Beijing, taking a high-speed train from the capital. The journey itself is a highlight, with the traveler noting the seamless process of booking via Trip.com and the surprising comfort of first-class seats. The view from the train reveals endless condo complexes, a visual representation of China's scale that profoundly shifts the traveler's perspective. Upon arriving in Xi'an, the traveler checks into the tiny but modern Awaken Hotel, a $30-a-night find that offers a clean, functional base. The real adventure begins with a dive into local street food, finding a noodle restaurant where a giant bowl of noodles with pork costs just over $2. The traveler is shocked by the low prices and the delicious, unknown flavors, comparing it to the more expensive options in Beijing. Exploring the iconic Bell and Drum Towers, the traveler is captivated by the history, admiring the giant bell from 711 AD and the massive drum replica from 1996. The highlight is the surrounding Muslim Quarter, a sensory overload of street food, from meat on a stick to colorful dumplings, and souvenir shops. The traveler notes the presence of scammers, like a jewelry scratch-off game that feels like a Vegas gimmick, but it doesn't dampen the excitement. The night market is described as a thrilling, chaotic spectacle, feeling more open and fun than Beijing. The traveler concludes that, for this first day, Xi'an offers a more vibrant and enjoyable experience, with better food, better prices, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
From the moment the traveler stepped off the high-speed train in Xi'an, the city's vibrant energy was impossible to ignore. The first evening was a whirlwind of contrasting experiences, from the sacred history of the Bell and Drum Towers to the chaotic, delicious mayhem of the Muslim Quarter. The traveler was immediately struck by the city's unique vibe, feeling it was more open and accessible than Beijing, a surprising and delightful discovery that set the tone for the entire trip. This is a raw, honest look at a city that instantly feels like a home base for adventure.
Traveler explores Xi'an, finding it more open and vibrant than Beijing. They taste cheap local noodles, explore the Bell Tower, and get lost in the chaotic, fun
Xi'an First Impressions Better Than Beijing Street Food and Ancient S
2:26 Use Trip.com to book high-speed train tickets. Use your passport as your ticket for a smooth boarding process.
3:49 Arrive at the train station with only 30-40 minutes to spare. Security checks are fast, unlike the 2 hours suggested online.
5:17 Pick train car 1 or 2 if possible. Walking to car 15 takes a long time, and row 13 has no window in first class.
11:41 When booking a hotel in China, confirm your room has a window. It's often a cheap, worthwhile upgrade.
12:56 Use Google Translate to decipher menus at local restaurants. Expect simple descriptions, but low prices make it a fun adventure.
15:40 Expect security checks at major attractions. You may need to check oversized backpacks before entering places like the Bell Tower.
22:13 Be aware of scratch-off ticket scams at tourist shops. Winning requires you to purchase an overpriced item.
2:26 Use Trip.com to book high-speed train tickets. Use your passport as your ticket for a smooth boarding process.
3:49 Arrive at the train station with only 30-40 minutes to spare. Security checks are fast, unlike the 2 hours suggested online.
5:17 Pick train car 1 or 2 if possible. Walking to car 15 takes a long time, and row 13 has no window in first class.
11:41 When booking a hotel in China, confirm your room has a window. It's often a cheap, worthwhile upgrade.
12:56 Use Google Translate to decipher menus at local restaurants. Expect simple descriptions, but low prices make it a fun adventure.
15:40 Expect security checks at major attractions. You may need to check oversized backpacks before entering places like the Bell Tower.
22:13 Be aware of scratch-off ticket scams at tourist shops. Winning requires you to purchase an overpriced item.
0:01 Leaving Beijing for Xi'an
2:56 Boarding the high-speed train
5:27 First class train tour
11:32 Checking into Awaken Hotel
13:57 Trying local street food
17:46 Exploring Bell and Drum Towers
21:34 Walking through Muslim Quarter
25:20 First impressions vs Beijing
0:01 Leaving Beijing for Xi'an
2:56 Boarding the high-speed train
5:27 First class train tour
11:32 Checking into Awaken Hotel
13:57 Trying local street food
17:46 Exploring Bell and Drum Towers
21:34 Walking through Muslim Quarter
25:20 First impressions vs Beijing
xi'an china first impressionsxi'an travel guide 2026things to do in xi'an chinaxi'an muslim quarter street foodbell tower of xi'anchina travel vlogxi'an chinaxi'an travel guidexi'an travel vlogchina travel 2026visit chinatravel chinathings to do in xi'anxi'an street foodbiangbiang noodlesroujiamobeijing vs xi'anchina travel guideancient capital chinachina vlog 2026How was the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an?
Surprisingly easy. Booking on Trip.com was simple, the security check was fast, and the first-class seats were very comfortable with lots of legroom.
What were the prices like for street food in Xi'an?
Incredibly cheap. A giant bowl of noodles with pork was only 15 yuan, which is just over $2. Four dishes and a beer cost only $7 total.
Is Xi'an better than Beijing?
From my first evening, yes. It feels more open, less busy, and more vibrant. The food is cheaper and the atmosphere in the Muslim Quarter is unbeatable.
