Xi'an 西安
Xi'an is China’s great ancient capital, famous for the Terracotta Army, the Ming city wall and the Muslim Quarter food scene. For a first visit, stay inside or just outside the city wall near the Bell Tower/South Gate and use the metro for sights beyond the centre.
Sights in Xi'an
Terracotta Army 秦始皇帝陵博物院
Xi'an City Wall 西安城墙
Shaanxi History Museum 陕西历史博物馆
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔
Bell Tower 西安钟楼
Drum Tower 西安鼓楼
Great Mosque 西安清真大寺
Beilin Museum (Stele Forest) 西安碑林博物馆
Daming Palace National Heritage Park 大明宫国家遗址公园
Tang Paradise 大唐芙蓉园
Shuyuanmen 书院门
Huaqing Palace 华清宫
Mount Huashan 华山风景名胜区
Famen Temple 法门寺
Qianling Mausoleum 乾陵
Banpo Museum 西安半坡博物馆
Shaanxi Archaeological Museum 陕西考古博物馆
Xingqing Palace Park 兴庆宫公园
Qujiang Pool Heritage Park 曲江池遗址公园
Xi'an Museum 西安博物院
Datang Everbright City 大唐不夜城
Yongxingfang 永兴坊
Prices are approximate and hours change. Sights without a page haven't been checked yet.
Where to stay
Bell Tower / Muslim Quarter 钟楼
Most central base for first-timers, walkable to the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter and South Gate.
Good for: first-time visitors, food, sightseeing on foot
Yongningmen / South Gate 永宁门
Quieter and more local than the Bell Tower but still inside the city wall, with easy metro access and wall views.
Good for: couples, culture, evening walks
Big Wild Goose Pagoda / Qujiang 大雁塔
A polished area around the pagoda with museums, night fountains and family-friendly hotels.
Good for: families, museums, night scenery
Getting there
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport 西安咸阳国际机场
Metro Line 14 to Xi'an North then Line 2 toward the centre, about 70–80 min, roughly ¥8; airport shuttle bus about 60–90 min, ¥25–30; taxi/Didi about 50–70 min, ¥120–150.
Xi'an North Railway Station 西安北站
Main high-speed rail hub for Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Zhengzhou; far north of the centre, allow about 1 hour by metro.
Xi'an Railway Station 西安站
Central conventional station near the city wall; also useful for some slower trains and the official Terracotta Army tourist bus.
Getting around
Metro
Cross-city trips, Xi'an North, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and most major sights
Buy a single-journey ticket at machines or scan Alipay/WeChat; bags are scanned at every station.
Taxi/Didi
Late nights, airport runs and places away from metro lines
Use Didi in-app for fixed pricing and avoid drivers soliciting at stations.
Bike share
Short hops around the city wall, Bell Tower and quieter streets
Needs a Chinese app account; ride on bike lanes and avoid the busiest tourist lanes at dusk.
Bus
Local trips where the metro does not reach
Routes and stops are in Chinese; use a map app with live bus info rather than guessing.
Good to know
- Alipay accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover and Diners cards. Payments under ¥200 carry no Alipay service fee; payments of ¥200 or more carry a 3% fee. Verify your passport in the app to raise limits. Source
- A travel eSIM or home SIM on roaming reaches Google, WhatsApp and Instagram without a VPN; a Chinese SIM or hotel Wi-Fi does not. Keep your home SIM active for SMS codes. Source
- The Muslim Quarter is lively but touristy; go to Sajinqiao (洒金桥) for a more local food street.
- For the Terracotta Army, go early and use the official tourist bus from Xi'an Railway Station or metro plus local bus; ignore touts selling “tours”.
- Shaanxi History Museum is free but requires advance booking and is closed Mondays; tickets disappear fast in peak season.
- Rent a bike on the city wall late afternoon for cooler temperatures and sunset views, but check the rental closing time.
- Carry your passport for museum and attraction tickets, and set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival as cash is less common.
What to eat in Xi'an
肉夹馍
ròu jiā mó
Chinese hamburger with shredded pork · Xi'an’s signature snack; ask for the plain baked bun, not a flaky one.
羊肉泡馍
yángròu pàomó
Lamb soup with torn flatbread · You tear the bread yourself; it is rich and filling.
凉皮
liángpí
Cold skin noodles · Chilli oil, vinegar and cucumber; a light, tangy street snack.
biángbiáng面
biángbiáng miàn
Wide belt noodles · Often topped with tomato, egg or meat sauce; mix well before eating.
臊子面
sàozi miàn
Noodles with minced pork sauce · Sour-spicy broth with small pork bits; common at casual noodle shops.
甑糕
zèng gāo
Steamed glutinous rice with jujube · Sweet, sticky breakfast treat sold from large steamers.
柿子饼
shìzi bǐng
Persimmon cakes · Golden fried cakes with a soft, sweet centre; best hot.
锅盔
guōkuī
Large baked flatbread · Dense and chewy; good for breakfast or with soup.
Weather by season
| Months | Day | Night | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar-May | 21 °C | 9 °C | Mild and often dusty; spring blossoms but occasional windy days. |
| Jun-Aug | 33 °C | 23 °C | Hot and humid with thunderstorms; sightsee early or late. |
| Sep-Nov | 20 °C | 9 °C | Crisp and clear; the most comfortable season for walking. |
| Dec-Feb | 6 °C | -3 °C | Cold and dry; occasional snow and haze, dress in layers. |
Typical averages, not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Xi'an?
Mar–May and Sep–Oct
Which sights in Xi'an should I book in advance?
Terracotta Army, Xi'an City Wall, Shaanxi History Museum, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Beilin Museum (Stele Forest), Daming Palace National Heritage Park, Tang Paradise, Shuyuanmen, Huaqing Palace, Mount Huashan, Banpo Museum, Shaanxi Archaeological Museum.
Which airports serve Xi'an?
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY).
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