Xi'an named must-visit city in China

Xi'an made the list of the top 10 must-visit cities in China for 2023 that was released at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 on Nov 6-8.

The annual WTM London is one of the world's largest global tourism events with the highest professional standards. It serves as a compass for international travelers and the tourism industry.

The list was introduced by the English media Chinese Moment and takes into account various indicators such as transportation convenience and internationalization to showcase the diverse natural landscapes, rich cultural scenery, and unique cuisine of China, providing international tourists with a wide range of travel options.

Other destinations on the list include Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Wuhan, Shangri-La, Qingdao, Nanchang, Sanya, and Guiyang.

A member of the cast plays to the audience during a performance in the Great Tang Mall. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]

Xi'an is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization and the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road. Thirteen dynasties established their capitals here throughout history.

It is recognized as a world-famous historical city by UNESCO and has been listed as one of China's best tourist destinations, as well as one of China's cities with the best international image.

Xi'an is home to a number of unforgettable UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites, including the Mausoleum of Qinshihuang (including the Terracotta Warriors), the site of Weiyang Palace in Chang'an city of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), the site of Daming Palace in Chang'an city of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xingjiao Temple.

Hanfu enthusiasts pose for photos in front of the Bell Tower in Xi'an. [Photo/WeChat account of Xi'an Release]

Other well-known attractions in Xi'an include the Xi'an City Wall, the Bell and Drum towers, Huaqing Palace, the Tang Paradise, Shaanxi History Museum, and the Great Tang Mall.

In recent years, Xi'an has improved the quality of its urban development and enhanced the attractiveness, influence, and driving forces of the open city, attracting more and more international visitors.

In the first half of this year, the city received a total of 124 million visitors and generated 150.18 billion yuan ($20.61 billion) in tourism revenue, both surpassing the same period in 2019.