25 Places to Go in 2025 Spotlight: Xi'an, China

Xi’an made the list of ports where you can enter under the policy, and if you’re on the hunt for hand-pulled noodles and dumplings, you’re in for a treat. The capital of Shaanxi region, Xi’an’s history spans over 3,000 years. The city has witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, flourished as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, and is now home to famous sites such as the Terracotta Warriors and the birthplace of biang biang noodles. The dining scene runs the gamut from street food to upscale restaurants, but you’ll find some of the best eateries in the labyrinth of narrow streets with hole-in-the-wall noodle and dumpling restaurants in the Muslim Quarter. Make sure to try a bowl of biang biang and other local delicacies such as pao mo (bread soup with lamb broth), sour and spicy dumplings, and rou jia mo (Chinese burgers, a street food that originated in Shaanxi Province).

If you’re considering a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Xi’an (or the other 36 ports of entry in China), you should do so now, as it’s unclear how long this visa-free policy will last.