Heavy history, light fare in Xi'an

(Ecns.cn)—Once the largest city in the world, Xian was known as "Chang An"- the capital city of as many as 11 dynasties.

Though less famous now, Xian shines with the legacies of its own long past- there are attractions like the restored city walls, Wild Goose Pagodas and the "Eighth Wonder of the World"- the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, to name just a few.

Trips to the old capital of Shaanxi Province in Northwest China are certain to feature tales of history and discovery. It's suggested that (if you are a backpacker, you probably need to write this down) you visit the Drum Tower (ticket price $6.30 per person), drumbeats music and shadow puppets ( $47 per person), and the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum ($14 per person).

Moreover, if you are looking forward to experiencing what symbolizes the roots of Chinese civilization, you may as well pay a visit to Huangdi or Yellow Emperor Mausoleum and Scenic Area that covers about 300 hectares (750 acres). Huangdi is believed to be the founder of the Chinese nation.

After exploring and sightseeing, it's a good idea to wander into the renowned Moslem Street (Huimin Street) to satisfy your appetite with a diversity of cuisines in their most authentic forms. Steamed buns soaked in mutton soup (literally yangroupaomo in Chinese), cold noodles, Chinese hamburgers and so on, can all be found on the street.

If you are accompanied by several other tourists, the Tang Dynasty Banquet is suggested. This dish, Manhanquanxi in Chinese, is authentic imperial cuisine that has been revived and enriched. Tasty, colorful and fragrant with well-selected ingredients it seems to go with an ancient culture and its legends.

Imperial cuisine is served in plenty of the city's decent restaurants but the most famous venues for the Tang Dynasty banquets are the Tang Dynasty Palace and Shaanxi Grand Opera Theatre where the Tang Dynasty shows are staged.

Spoil yourself with a Dumpling Banquet where nearly 20 varieties of this Chinese favorite are stuffed with different delicious fillings made of vegetables, meats and seafood. Don't assume this recommendation is just par for the course; the dumpling are unique in their taste and certainly can't be found anywhere but Xian.

One final tip: in addition to not being able to resist the imitations of Terracotta Warriors and Horses peddled everywhere, you won't be sorry you explored the herb market- Xian Wanshou Road Chinese Medicine Market is the formal name. Grab some herbs as gifts for friends at home. The market is a traditional one where peasants and wholesalers flog bags and boxes of interesting dried plant life, medicines andmedicinal foods. Some things, like dried seahorses for example, may seem strange, while old standbys like ginseng and ginger might seem less risky. Either way, the prices can be surprisingly low here.

Shop around for best buys on products, and bargain – it is still necessary as sellers often quote higher prices to foreign tourists.