Terracotta Warriors, Xian, Shaanxi, China

Xian

Chang An, as Xian was once known, was the start of the Silk Road to Europe through Persia and the Subcontinent.

Shi Huang Di is perhaps the best known Chinese Emperor, largely because of his remarkable tomb.

Buried along with 5,000 terracotta warriors as representations of his own army, along with rumours that his yet undiscovered tomb itself is studded with stars of precious stones, Xian is one of China’s most extraordinary sites.

X'ian City Wall, X'ian, China
Xian, China

A little more about Xian

An army of miniature warriors was also discovered in the early 1990s and is now on display, this is the tomb of Emperor Han Jing. April 2006 also saw the opening of the first underground tomb museum where visitors can sometimes observe continued excavations of this smaller army taking place whilst walking above the glass-covered tombs.

Xian is one of the few towns in China that is still surrounded by a fortified wall and, with two pagodas, a museum and a mosque that resembles a Chinese temple, it is packed with fascinating sites yet feels small and is easy to explore.

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Sofitel Legend Hotel, Xian, China
Sofitel Legend Hotel, Xian, China

Sofitel Legend Hotel

Once a government guesthouse, Sofitel Legend Hotel has 71 stylish and elegant guestrooms. The decor blends local styles with French and Art Deco features and most of the rooms overlook the hotels landscaped gardens and fountains.

After a day spent exploring the ancient silk road city of Xian return to the hotel for a dip in the pool or a relaxing spa treatment.

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Paul Craven

Paul is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.

I first travelled to Vietnam in 1988, when tourism was barely a concept, and have been visiting Central Asia since it was still behind the Iron Curtain. Such first-hand experience makes all the difference when talking to clients. I know the importance of asking questions, not taking the first answer as gospel, and matching the right destination to the right person.

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Clare Wiggins

My love for Asia began with living there. Based in Vietnam and then Malaysia, I also explored the surrounding regions before eventually finding my way back home via China and the Trans-Siberian railway. At Steppes Travel, I get to share that love for Asia every day, helping clients experience the places I know best as if they were locals themselves.

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