Visit the Terracotta Warriors

No trip to Xi’an’would be complete without a visit to the famous Terracotta Warriors. To make sure all LTL students get a chance to see them we organise regular trips so students can go with their classmates to  really get a feel for this city’s Ancient history.

One of the must visit attractions of China, it’s easy to see why. 

The Terracotta Warriors are a collection of sculptures depicting the soldiers in Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s army.

The warriors were buried with the Emperor around 210 BC, in order to protect him in the afterlife.

They were only re-discovered in 1974 by local farmers who were digging a well.

Explore the Muslim Quarter

The Muslim Quarter is famous for one thing and that’s food!

This is the best place to try out local Xi’an dishes so we like to take our students here on a regular basis.

Eat some traditional ‘Biang Biang’ noodles… and try to learn how to write the characters for that!

Or grab a ‘Rou Jia Mo’, a pork meat bun, which is China’s answer to a burger.

Along with sampling traditional Xi’an snacks, the Muslim Quarter is also a great place to pick up some souvenirs with lots of little market shops in the area.

The market surrounds the food street and you can pick up some traditional Chinese wares such as paintings or fans.

Or if you fancy something more unusual they have some comical t-shirts and posters such as those featuring ‘Obamao’.

Cycle the Ancient City Walls

Encircling the central area of the city, the Xi’an city walls have a long history.

These walls have been restored so don’t actually look that “ancient” but it does make them into a great place to cycle on and see the city.

We organise regular cycling tours where you’ll bike around the length of the wall.

If you’ve got someone to pair up with we’d recommend giving the tandem bikes a try! If you’re not a big fan of cycling or would prefer to take in the surroundings at a slower pace then you’re welcome to take a stroll along the wall instead.

We normally head out just before dusk so that you can get a great view of the city and some great snaps of the sunset.

LTL School KTV

One of Chinese people’s favourite night time activities KTV which means karaoke is a must. 

This isn’t like karaoke in Western countries where you have to sing in front of a bar full of people.

Instead you’ll be in a booth with the rest of the LTL group where you can sing to your heart’s content. Grabs drinks and food and you are well on the road to a great night!

Practise your singing skills in Chinese and enjoy some true classics.

A great way to bond with your fellow LTL students in a laid back setting while enjoying a beer and some snacks.

Huashan Weekend Trip

Just a few hours away from Xi’an is another one of China’s most famous scenic spots: Huashan.

Also known as Mount Hua, this is one of China’s Five Great Mountains.

This makes it a great location for a long day trip or weekend trip for our LTL students. 

For those who love hiking then this is the perfect place to put on your hiking shoes and enjoy some amazing views. The climb is very steep though so be prepared.

Or alternatively take the easier option and go in the cable car instead.

You can expect to see some utterly spectacular views from the top (and that’s at over 2000m)!

Local Museum Trip

For those interested in Chinese history and culture Xi’an has plenty to offer with its museums and cultural sites.

We often make a day of it and visit a chosen location together as a group.

To give you an idea of what’s on offer here are some of our favourites:

• Xi’an Museum – a museum, monument and park complex
• Drum and Bell Towers
• Stele Forest – collection of interesting stone carvings
• Shaanxi History Museum – lots of historical bits and pieces
• Banpo Museum – bringing a neolithic settlement back to life
• Big and Small Goose Pagodas
• And many more things to see!

Chinese Hot Pot

One of the must try Chinese dishes. Hot pot is an LTL favourite and makes a great group meal for students. 

Every few weeks we’ll organise a student dinner at one of Xi’an’s many great hot pot restaurants.

There are varying styles of hot pot depending on the region, but the most famous is the Chongqing/Sichuan hot pot.

As you may have guessed from the name this Chinese dish is traditionally on the spicy side but at most hot pot establishments you can choose the level of spice or even a non-spicy pot if wanted.

Your table will be given a giant pot of steaming soup, flavoured to choice

You then pick a selection of meat, vegetables or tofu to cook in the pot. Usually there is also a selection of delicious sauces for you to dip the food into after it’s cooked. We’d definitely recommend you give the sesame sauce a try!

Friday Night Beers

One of the best ways to get to know people when you’re new to a city is to of course go out for a drink.

That’s why we regularly go out for a relaxing pint on a Friday night.

What better way to get the weekend started after a hard week studying than to have a cold local beer(s) with your new friends.

We’ll help you discover some of the best spots to enjoy a drink in Xi’an.

So come along, explore and socialise with the LTL family.