Chasing Snow Through the Ancient Capitals

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I’d been in Shanghai for about a month and wanted one last trip before heading back, somewhere with snow, somewhere old. Took the overnight train to Xi’an. The ride was long and not particularly comfortable, but I got there.

A destination plate on a green Chinese train carriage showing the Lhasa to Shanghai route.

And there was snow. Genuinely excited about it. Xi’an in winter with everything dusted white felt like stepping into a different era.

A large black Buddha statue in a blizzard, a snow-blurred pagoda visible behind it.

Large white Chinese characters reading Chang An painted on a red brick wall.

Bright yellow autumn leaves clinging to bare branches against the ornate facade of a Xi'an temple.

An ornate wooden temple signboard with gold Chinese script, viewed from above with a small potted plant beside it.

Walked the city wall at dusk and ended the night at the Drum Tower. The snow was still coming down lightly.

Xi'an's ancient city wall illuminated in warm gold light at dusk, stretching into the distance.

The Xi'an Drum Tower glowing gold against a dark snowy night sky, snowflakes visible in the air.

Stopped through Luoyang on the way back to Shanghai. The old city at night is all red lanterns and Tang palace architecture, genuinely dramatic.

A multi-tiered Chinese pagoda lit up in glowing amber rings against a pitch black night sky in Luoyang.

A red paper lantern with Chinese characters hanging from a dark rooftop in Luoyang at night.

The grand Tang dynasty palace complex in Luoyang lit up at night, rows of red lanterns lining a wide ceremonial avenue.

Then back to Shanghai, and Singapore.

-- Zhun Hao

Published: Jan 02 2026

Updated:

Chasing Snow Through the Ancient Capitals - Xi'an & Luoyang, China