CB
Claire Bennett
Melbourne, Australia
“Jian brought the history alive without ever making the day feel like a lecture. We also ate brilliantly.”
·March 2026
Verified localXi’an
Meet Jian
History enthusiast and explorer of the old city lanes
4.98 (73 reviews)165 trips hostedReplies in ~3h
HistoryMuslim QuarterPhotography
National tour guide licenseHistory degree, Northwest UniversityFirst-aid certified
About your local
Meet Jian
My family has lived inside the Xi'an city wall for four generations. I grew up hearing the call to prayer from the Great Mosque and eating breakfast at the same noodle counter my grandfather used.
I studied history at Northwest University and hold a national tour-guide license. I've worked with museums on interpretation projects, which is where I learned to make big history feel human.
Guests often tell me they arrived expecting warriors and walls and left remembering conversations with a bread baker, or the light on the wall at sunrise.
My Work: Certified national guide since 2016
Languages: English (fluent), Mandarin (native)
Based in: Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
Response time: Usually replies within 3 hours
Verified Host:
- Government ID confirmed
- Phone number verified
- Email verified
- Licensed national guide
My idea of a great day
We start on the wall in soft morning light, explore the lanes around the Great Mosque, eat as we go, and finish with a small museum or family craft workshop chosen for your interests.
Morning on the city wall
On top of the wall in soft morning light, before the tour groups arrive.
Lanes around the Great Mosque
Muslim Quarter side streets—bread ovens, spice sellers, and the snacks worth stopping for.
A museum or a workshop
A quieter finish at a small museum or family craft workshop chosen for you.
Nothing is fixed—we shape the day around you.
What’s included
Included
- A flexible plan shaped around you
- Translation and navigation
- Food and ticket help
- Message support before meeting
Not included
- City wall, museum, and mosque tickets
- Taxi and Didi fares
- Food and drinks
- Hotel accommodation
- Gratuities (never expected)
Things to know
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your experience
- Want something custom? Just message me — I love designing personal itineraries
- Tips are never expected, always appreciated
- Kid-friendly by default — I adjust the pace and food picks for young travelers
- Message anytime before we meet to ask questions or share what you'd like to see
Activity level
Moderate
~8 km walking
City wall stairs and longer walks in the old town
Accessibility
- Kids welcome
- Seniors welcome
Slow pace with plenty of sit-down stops
- Pregnancy-friendly
Light walking, easy to shorten anytime
- Wheelchair accessible
Some lanes are narrow — message me for a wheelchair-friendly route
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water bottle
- Sun hat (the wall has no shade)
- Modest layer for the mosque
- A little cash for street food
Where we’ll meet
Meet at landmark
We'll meet at the South Gate (永宁门) of the Xi'an city wall — the most photogenic starting point.
Address: South Gate of Xi'an City Wall (永宁门), Beilin District, Xi'an, Shaanxi
Nearest metro: Line 2 · Yongningmen Station (永宁门站), Exit C — 2 min walk south to the gate
How to find me
I'll stand at the outer entrance under the main archway holding a small 'China Unlocked' sign and wearing a black cap.
Coming from further out? Message me and we can meet at Yongningmen metro station instead.
Get directions in Google MapsWhat guests are saying
4.98 · 73 reviews
4.98
73 reviews
5
94%
4
5%
3
1%
2
0%
1
0%
Communication5.0
Punctuality4.9
Local knowledge5.0
Value4.9
Frequently asked
- We shift indoors — tea houses, museums, or covered markets. If the weather is severe, we can reschedule or refund.
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$96 total
Free cancellation · Reserve now, pay later