Fundació Mona is a pioneering primate rehabilitation centre dedicated to rescuing and caring for chimpanzees and macaques recovered from abusive situations like circuses, the advertising industry and the illegal pet trade. Here, primates regain physical and emotional health while living in social family groups within large, naturalistic enclosures. Visits are educational and ethically focused: guided by expert staff, you’ll learn about primate behaviour, conservation challenges, and the stories of individual animals. Advance booking is essential, and tours emphasise respect for the residents’ well-being over entertainment. Through its work, Mona raises awareness about wildlife trafficking, species extinction, and the importance of protecting our closest evolutionary relatives.

Those who live and work here say that you don’t really need to explain where the Jeker quarter is: Once you’re there, you’ll know. This is where the locals stroll the streets at their leisure, students read in the park, and you can spend a whole Sunday on a café terrace, a wisp of jazz music in the air in the background, and never get bored. The Jeker quarter is nestled between the old city walls and centuries-old houses, bordered by the green of the city park. Although people have lived here for centuries, no one has ever explored it all. Enterprise is deeply rooted in the genes of this community: A history full of crafts and trades has left its marks, and forged the unique, authentic, innovative and creative atmosphere you feel here today. And right through the middle of it, that impudent little river, the Jeker, flows brazenly on. The quaint streets, stately homes, and idyllic parks have everything to make history come alive, while the rich student life, mix of young and old, culinary highlights, and abundant art and culture pull you back to the present.

Nothing extremely thrilling can be said about this statue, which is located in front of the northern gate of the Diocletian Palace. It rises up celebrating bishop Grgur, Gregory of Nin, who firmly opposed the Pope and introduced the Croatian language into Catholic services. You may want to stop by though: its well-polished big toe is said to bring good luck for those who rub it.

The Daciensi Temple complex, anchored by the striking Daciensi Tower, stands as one of Xi’an’s most treasured landmarks. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty by Emperor Gaozong in memory of his mother, this historic site carries the weight of centuries. Legend has it that after the famed monk Xuanzang's epic journey to India to obtain sacred Buddhist scriptures, he returned here to translate them, setting up the temple as one of the earliest centres of Buddhist learning in China. Within the temple grounds, the iconic Dayan Pagoda (also known as the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda) draws most of the attention. Built in the 7th century, it’s an enduring symbol of China’s first female ruler, Empress Wu Zetian, and her devotion to Buddhist teachings. Architecturally, the pagoda is a masterpiece of Tang Dynasty design, and climbing its steep, stone steps rewards you with sweeping views of Xi’an below.