Baoji

Baoji has four distinct seasons, with a fairly noticeable temperature difference between morning and evening in autumn.

Baoji is a city in Shaanxi with a deep historical heritage, known as the “hometown of Emperor Yan” and the “home of bronze ware.” It is well suited for visiting museums and historic sites, as well as tasting Xifu-style local snacks. It takes about 1 hour by high-speed rail from Xi’an, making it a good choice for a short weekend or mini-holiday trip.

Suggested Itinerary

• Day 1: Urban culture and everyday local life
  • Morning: Start with a local breakfast at the Yongxing Alley morning market and get a feel for Baoji’s street life. Then walk or take a taxi to the Baoji Bronze Ware Museum, focusing on the museum’s treasure, the He Zun. Plan for about 2 hours.

• Afternoon: Head to China Shigu Garden for a walk, and climb Shigu Pavilion for views over the Wei River area. After that, you can choose to visit Jintai Temple to learn about Daoist culture, or go to the Changle Plateau Anti-Japanese War Industrial Site to see the remains of cave factories.
  • Evening: Try Xifu snacks at Chencang Old Street or Xifu Old Street, then walk to Shigu Covered Bridge to enjoy the night views along both banks of the Wei River.

• Day 2: Natural scenery or Buddhist culture
  • Option A (nature and mountains): Set out early for Mount Taibai National Forest Park. Take the park shuttle and cable car to “Tianyuan Difang,” and enjoy views of the sea of clouds and alpine meadows. Set aside a full day.

• Option B (history and culture): Go to the Famen Cultural Scenic Area in Fufeng County. Visit the Famen Temple Museum and the Namaste Dagoba to learn about Tang dynasty treasures and Buddhist culture, then return to the city in the afternoon to rest.

• Day 3: Nearby grassland or in-depth city history
  • Option A (self-drive/chartered car): Go to Guanshan Grassland in Long County. You can arrange horseback riding, grass skiing, or camping on the grassland to stargaze and experience the scenery of the northwestern grasslands.

• Option B (in-depth city visit): Visit the Great Tang Qin King Mausoleum to learn about the underground royal tomb site, then go to the Qinqiang Opera Museum to discover intangible cultural heritage. In the afternoon, buy local specialties such as Xifeng liquor and rolled cold noodles before heading home.

Must-Try Xifu Foods

• Qishan rolled cold noodles: Made by steaming fermented batter, these noodles are chewy and smooth. They are usually served with chili oil and bean sprouts, with a sour-spicy, appetizing flavor, and are one of Baoji’s signature noodle dishes.

• Qishan saozi noodles: Known for being “thin, chewy, smooth, sour, spicy, and fragrant.” The five-colored floating toppings symbolize good fortune. Traditionally, people eat only the noodles and do not drink the soup.

• Fengxiang tofu pudding paomo: Slices of guokui flatbread absorb the aroma of soy milk and are paired with delicate tofu pudding, then topped with fried dough twists. Savory and rich, it is a common Xifu breakfast.

• Copper hot pot with oil-splashed chili: One of Baoji’s distinctive ways of eating hot pot, using oil-splashed chili as a dipping sauce, paired with baked flatbread and sliced meat for hot pot. The chili aroma is prominent but not overly harsh.

• Xifu vinegar noodles: Made from the ingredients left after vinegar brewing, with a naturally fermented vinegar aroma. The texture is soft and glutinous, and the flavor becomes especially vivid when mixed with chili oil.

• Dalele yogurt: A common local Baoji old-style yogurt with a rich, thick texture. It helps cut through the greasiness when paired with noodles or hot pot.

Accommodation and Transportation Guide

• Where to stay:
  • Near Chencang Old Street/Shigu Mountain: Attractions are relatively concentrated here. You can walk to the Bronze Ware Museum and the old streets, transportation is convenient, and overall value for money is good.
  • High-Tech Zone: Hotels are generally newer, close to Baoji South Railway Station, and the environment is pleasant. Suitable for travelers arriving by car or high-speed rail.
  • Tangyu Town, Mei County: If your trip focuses on Mount Taibai, consider staying in Tangyu Town, where there are many hot spring hotels nearby.
• Transportation tips:
  • Intercity transport: The high-speed rail from Xi’an to Baoji takes about 1 hour. Baoji Railway Station is closer to city attractions, while Baoji South Railway Station is closer to the High-Tech Zone.
  • Getting around the city: Baoji’s urban area is not large, and taxis and buses are both convenient. Taxi fares between attractions are not high. For Mount Taibai or Guanshan Grassland, chartering a car or self-driving is more suitable.

Practical Travel Tips

• Reservation reminder: The Baoji Bronze Ware Museum is free to enter, but advance reservation is required, and it is closed on Mondays. Check opening information before you go.
• What to wear: Baoji has mountainous terrain, and places such as Jintai Temple and Shigu Garden have many steps. Comfortable flat shoes are recommended. In October, the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so bring a light jacket.
• Choosing an old street: Chencang Old Street and Xifu Old Street have similar styles. Chencang Old Street is close to the museum and has better night views; Xifu Old Street is larger and has more snacks, but it is located on a hill. If time is limited, choose just one.
• Motion sickness reminder: The routes to Mount Taibai and Guanshan Grassland include many mountain roads and bends. Travelers prone to motion sickness may want to prepare motion sickness medicine in advance.