Study Abroad in Xi'an, China

Xi’an was China’s ancient capital when the Qin Emperor first unified China in 221 BC. He built a mausoleum with an army of warriors sculpted out of terracotta to keep him company in the afterlife. Today, the Terracotta Army is a must-see (easily accessible by tour bus about an hour outside the city) — and Xi’an, with its long history, modern conveniences, and highly respected universities, is an excellent location for study abroad.

The Terracotta Warriors stand guard outside Xi’an, China. Photo by Colin Speakman

Xi’an today is the capital of Shaanxi Province. It competes with Chengdu (capital of Sichuan Province) farther south as a gateway to the West of China, and with Nanjing (capital of Jiangsu Province) as another historic capital of China in several periods. All these provincial capitals have established universities. Those in Xi’an include NorthWest University, Shaanxi Normal University, and Xi’an Jiaotong University, all of which have storied educational traditions. Programs for foreign students can be found either directly or specially enhanced by third-party providers. In addition, U.S.-based universities often arrange their own faculty-led study-abroad programs in Xi’an for the summer or (less commonly) the winter sessions.

The Xi’an urban area has 8.5 million residents and one of the few complete city walls left in a major Chinese city — in fact, it is possible to cycle right around the top of the wall. The inner city is busy and relatively compact, with many bus routes and the first stage of the new metro system in operation. Modern Xi’an has a newly refurbished international airport and, apart from agriculture and tourism as its major industries, its location at the start of the Silk Road in China has helped it to develop as a hi-tech and aeronautic center.

Studying Abroad In Xi’an. The city’s long history — including as the capital in the Tang Dynasty (a period of high culture in 618-907 AD) — makes study of Mandarin, Chinese History, Chinese Culture, Philosophy, and Religion great subjects for interacting with the city’s resources (don’t miss the Tang Dynasty Dance Show). The magnificent Shaanxi Museum, as well as the amazing Terracotta Warriors Museum, can play important roles in a study-abroad program in Xi’an. The city has a growing Muslim population and a famous active Big Mosque and Muslim market. Xi’an is also a good base for looking at China’s Western region policies and challenges, and the increasing economic and political links with Eurasia.

Costs Of Xi’an Study Abroad Programs. As it is a provincial capital, Xi’an has lower costs of living than do the Eastern municipalities of Beijing and Shanghai. This is reflected in restaurant prices, taxi fares, and hotel costs. The pace of life will seem a little slower than in the China megacities, and there is a limited late-night life. Entrance to several major museums is free. Food in and around university campuses is inexpensive and local students often dine from perfectly acceptable street food carts and stalls. There are street markets, supermarkets, and famous cuisine such as the Xi’an-style hotpot and “dumpling banquets” — some of the latter are aimed at tourists with a bigger budget.

Resources And Hidden Gems In Xi’an. It is sensible to read about the city and culture as much as possible before going to Xi’an for study abroad. There are many trusted city guidebooks from international publishers and the latest updates from monthly local publications, usually available on the web. Studying abroad in Xi’an is not the same as being a tourist in Xi’an. The extra advantage is a longer time in the city, and courses that encourage, and sometimes even require, deeper engagement with the locale. The local providers will help facilitate this and give students an inside track.

Opportunities For Travel Outside Xi’an. It is recommended to see more than just Xi’an. Students can travel farther West into the heavily agricultural-based Gansu Province, explore the Hexi Corridor, head South to Chengdu and the famous Panda Reserve in Sichuan Province, or East to Beijing to compare historic capitals. Overnight sleeper trains provide good value. It is always advisable to check if such travel opportunities are included in your Xi’an study-abroad program.