Xi'an
China's ancient capital at the eastern end of the Silk Road — the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang (8,000+ soldiers, discovered 1974) is humanity's greatest archaeological find of the 20th century. The Ming Dynasty City Walls (1370) form a 13.7km complete circuit you can cycle atop. Xi'an's Muslim Quarter has maintained a 1,300-year-old Hui community whose street food — roujiamo (Chinese burger), biangbiang noodles — is among China's best.
Tours & Experiences
Browse bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Xi'an
📍 Points of Interest
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At a Glance
- Pop.
- 8.7M
- Timezone
- Shanghai
- Dial
- +86
- Emergency
- 110 / 119 / 120
The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well — the 8,000+ life-size clay soldiers, horses, and chariots buried with the First Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 210 BC had lain undisturbed for 2,200 years in one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in human history
Xi'an (formerly Chang'an) served as China's imperial capital for 13 dynasties over 1,100 years — it was the world's largest city during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), with a population of 1 million at a time when London had perhaps 20,000 inhabitants
Xi'an is the eastern starting point of the Ancient Silk Road — the trade route that connected China to Rome, bringing silk, porcelain, and paper west while returning glass, gold, and Buddhism east for over 1,500 years
The Muslim Quarter (Huímin Jiē) reflects Xi'an's Silk Road heritage — a community of Hui Muslims who have lived here for 1,300+ years, maintaining distinct food traditions (roujiamo flatbread sandwiches, biang biang noodles, paomo lamb soup) that differ completely from Han Chinese cuisine
Xi'an's city walls, completed in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty, are the best-preserved and most complete ancient city walls in China — 13.7 km long, 12 metres high, and wide enough to drive a car on the top, which is used as a cycling path
The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 AD to store Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang — his 17-year journey to India and back (629–645 AD) inspired the 16th-century novel Journey to the West, one of the four great classics of Chinese literature
Top Sights
Terracotta Army (Bīngmǎ Yǒng)
📌One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century — three excavated pits housing over 8,000 life-size clay warriors, 130 chariots, and 670 horses, each with individually sculpted facial features, buried to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Pit 1 (the largest) shows the main infantry formation; Pit 2 has cavalry and archers; Pit 3 is the command unit. The site museum also holds the two extraordinary bronze chariots.
Ancient City Walls & Wall Cycling
🗼The most complete ancient city walls in China — built in 1370, encircling 14 km² of the historic city. The 13.7 km top surface is wide enough for car traffic and is used as an elevated cycling path, offering views down into both the Muslim Quarter and the modern city simultaneously. Rent a bicycle at the South Gate for the full circuit (1.5 hr).
Muslim Quarter (Huímin Jiē)
📌A 1,300-year-old Hui Muslim community centred around the Great Mosque — narrow lanes crowded with street food vendors selling roujiamo (pork-free flatbread sandwiches with spiced lamb), biang biang noodles (hand-pulled, belt-wide), and pomegranate juice. The Great Mosque (Qīngzhēn Dà Sì) at the quarter's heart is a remarkable fusion of Chinese architecture and Islamic religious function.
Shaanxi History Museum
🏛️China's finest provincial history museum — 370,000 artefacts spanning 1.15 million years of human presence in Shaanxi Province. The Tang Dynasty galleries are exceptional: gilt gold horse figurines, Tang three-coloured (tricolour) ceramics, and the Empress Wu Zetian collection. Admission requires advance online booking.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dàyàn Tǎ)
🗼A 7-storey Tang Dynasty pagoda built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang — the real figure behind the "Monkey King" legend. The temple complex is active with worshippers; the south plaza features the world's largest musical fountain show nightly. The pagoda can be climbed for views over the Tang-era city footprint.
Drum Tower & Bell Tower Square
🗼Two Ming Dynasty towers mark the historic centre of Xi'an — the Bell Tower (1384) and Drum Tower (1380) are separated by a pedestrianised plaza. The Drum Tower hosts daily drumming performances re-enacting the Tang court. From the Drum Tower top, the roofline of the Muslim Quarter stretches north.
Off the Beaten Path
Roujiamo at Old Sun Family
Roujiamo — a flatbread stuffed with slow-braised spiced meat — is called the "Chinese hamburger" but predates the hamburger by 2,000 years. The Old Sun Family (Lǎo Sūn Jiā) on Dong Dajie has been making them since 1898. The pork-free lamb version is the Hui Muslim tradition worth seeking in the Muslim Quarter.
One of the most underrated street foods in the world — a 2,000-year-old recipe that has never needed improving.
Shaanxi History Museum (Tuesday 9am)
The museum admits 6,000 free visitors per day — the remaining allocation requires a paid ticket. Free slots open at 9am and are often gone by 8:45am from queues. Arriving at 8:30am means free admission to what may be China's finest provincial museum.
The Tang Dynasty gold collection alone justifies the trip — and the free admission means you can stay as long as you want.
Night Market at Yongxingfang
A larger and less tourist-overwhelmed alternative to the Muslim Quarter night food market — Yongxingfang preserves a Tang Dynasty market atmosphere with street food, folk performances, and the remarkable "face noodle theatre" where noodle-makers pull and slap biang biang noodles to live music.
The biang biang noodle show is half street food, half performance art — the character for "biang" is the most stroke-complex character in Chinese writing.
Wall Cycle at Sunrise
Renting a bicycle at the South Gate at 7am and cycling the full 13.7 km wall circuit takes 1.5 hours — the city below is waking up, the light is golden, and the Muslim Quarter minarets to the north and modern towers to the south create an extraordinary time-collapsed panorama.
The city wall at sunrise is the best free urban experience in Xi'an — the same walls that enclosed the Tang Dynasty capital, now encircling a city of 10 million.
Insider Tips
Climate & Best Time to Go
Monthly climate & crowd levels
Xi'an has a continental monsoon climate — cold winters, hot summers, and two distinct seasons of pleasant weather in spring and autumn. Air quality can be poor in winter due to heating and fog trapped in the Wei River basin. The Terracotta Army site is outdoor and uncomfortable in extreme heat or cold.
Spring
March–May46–73°F
8–23°C
Excellent — wildflowers along the city walls, moderate temperatures perfect for outdoor sites. Air quality improves significantly from the winter lows. April is particularly good.
Summer
June–August77–99°F
25–37°C
Hot and sometimes hazy. The Terracotta Army pits are outdoors and uncomfortable at midday in peak summer — visit early morning. The Muslim Quarter food scene thrives in summer evenings.
Autumn
September–November46–73°F
8–23°C
The finest season — clear skies, golden light on the ancient stones, cool temperatures for comfortable sightseeing. October Golden Week is extremely crowded.
Winter
December–February28–46°F
-2–8°C
Cold and often foggy — air quality at its worst due to coal heating. The Terracotta Army is less crowded and atmospheric in winter mist. The city walls look dramatic in snow (rare but possible).
Best Time to Visit
April–May and September–November are ideal. Spring has mild temperatures and good visibility at the Terracotta Army. Avoid Golden Week (October 1–7) — the Army site gets 50,000+ visitors per day and queues are hours long.
Spring (Apr–May)
Crowds: ModerateBest weather — warm, low crowds, cherry blossom in the parks. Prime Terracotta Army conditions.
Pros
- + Best temperature
- + Good visibility
- + Manageable crowds except Qingming (early April)
Cons
- − Occasional sandstorms from the Gobi in April
- − Qingming holiday (early April) brings domestic crowds
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crowds: High (Golden Week Oct 1–7 extremely busy)Crisp air, golden light, and fall foliage on Hua Shan. Second-best season after spring.
Pros
- + Beautiful light
- + Comfortable temperatures
- + Hua Shan trail conditions at their best
Cons
- − Golden Week is impossibly crowded — avoid October 1–7 entirely
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Crowds: Very HighHot (35°C+) and humid. Very busy with Chinese domestic tourists and school holidays.
Pros
- + Long daylight hours
Cons
- − Oppressive heat
- − Peak domestic crowd season
- − Terracotta Army queues worst
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Crowds: LowCold (below freezing) but low season means manageable crowds at the Terracotta Army.
Pros
- + Fewest crowds
- + Lower hotel prices
- + City Wall looks stunning in light snow
Cons
- − Cold (−2°C to 5°C)
- − Shorter daylight hours
- − Some outdoor sites less pleasant
🎉 Festivals & Events
Tang Yue Customs Festival
SeptemberCultural performances recreating Tang Dynasty court life at the Tang Paradise theme park
Xi'an Silk Road International Marathon
NovemberA marathon along the ancient city walls and Silk Road routes — one of China's most scenic urban marathons
Safety Breakdown
Very Safe
out of 100
Xi'an is a safe city for tourists. The same cautions as Chengdu apply: art student scams, traffic behaviour, and the need for a VPN. The Muslim Quarter is very safe despite sometimes appearing hectic.
Things to Know
- •The same "art student" scam operates in Xi'an as in other Chinese tourist cities — decline politely
- •At the Terracotta Army, only buy official guidebooks at the entrance — fake "archaeologist guide" books at touts' prices are junk
- •VPN must be downloaded before arriving in China — Google Maps does not work; use Apple Maps or Baidu Maps
- •WeChat Pay or Alipay is essential — an increasing number of vendors no longer accept cash
- •The Muslim Quarter is crowded and friendly — keep your belongings close in the densest parts of the night market
- •Air quality can be very poor in winter — those sensitive to pollution should consider masks
Emergency Numbers
Police
110
Ambulance
120
Tourist Hotline
12301
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayQuick cost estimate
Customize per category →Estimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$25–45
Hostel dorm, Muslim Quarter street food 3 meals/day, metro everywhere, wall cycling — Xi'an is China's best-value major tourist city.
mid-range
$60–100
Mid-range hotel, Terracotta Army day trip, Shaanxi Museum, restaurant dinners including lamb hotpot.
luxury
$150–300
Sofitel Renmin Square or similar, private Terracotta Army guide, Hua Shan overnight, premium Tang cuisine.
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AttractionTerracotta Army entry | CNY ¥120 | $17 |
| AttractionShaanxi History Museum | CNY ¥72 | $10 |
| FoodRoujiamo (flatbread sandwich) | CNY ¥10–15 | $1.50–2 |
| FoodSit-down restaurant dinner | CNY ¥40–80 | $6–11 |
| TransportMetro single journey | CNY ¥2–5 | $0.30–0.70 |
| ActivityCity wall bicycle rental (1.5 hr circuit) | CNY ¥45 | $6 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •Book Shaanxi History Museum tickets online 3 days ahead — free slots save ¥72
- •Stay inside or near the city walls — walking eliminates most transport costs
- •Eat at Muslim Quarter stalls for the same food as restaurants at half the price
- •The 144-hour visa-free transit applies at Xi'an airport for qualifying nationalities
Chinese Yuan (Renminbi)
Code: CNY
WeChat Pay is essential — set up the international version linked to a foreign Visa/Mastercard before arriving. ATMs at Bank of China and ICBC accept most foreign cards. The airport has reasonable currency exchange. Some Muslim Quarter food vendors are cash only — carry CNY ¥100–200 in small notes.
Payment Methods
WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate — set up WeChat Pay international before arriving. ATMs at major banks accept foreign cards. Cash needed for smaller Muslim Quarter vendors.
Tipping Guide
Not customary — tipping is not Chinese culture; at tourist restaurants catering to foreigners, rounding up is occasionally done
Not expected — the app calculates the exact fare
CNY ¥50–100 for private guides at the Terracotta Army and other sites
How to Get There
✈️ Airports
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport(XIY)
42 km northwestMetro Line 14 (opened 2023): 40 min. Airport shuttle buses: 1 hr. Taxi: 45–60 min, CNY ¥120–150.
✈️ Search flights to XIY🚆 Rail Stations
Xi'an North Railway Station (Xī'ān Běi)
Xi'an North is the high-speed rail hub — direct connections to Beijing (4.5–5.5 hr), Chengdu (3.5 hr), Shanghai (6–7 hr), Zhengzhou (1.5 hr for Luoyang connection), and Lanzhou (2 hr westward on the Silk Road). Xi'an Station (old) handles some slower trains.
🚌 Bus Terminals
Multiple bus stations
Long-distance buses connect to Luoyang, Yanan, and other regional destinations. The East Bus Station (Dong Keyun Zhan) is the departure point for Terracotta Army tourist buses.
Getting Around
Xi'an has a metro system covering the city centre and reaching the high-speed train stations. The Terracotta Army requires Bus 306 or a taxi/Didi. The city walls are walkable from the South Gate metro stop.
Xi'an Metro
CNY ¥2–7Six metro lines cover the historic centre, railway stations, and suburbs. Line 2 runs through the Muslim Quarter area. Line 1 connects the South Gate with the main rail stations.
Best for: City centre, railway stations, Bell Tower, Shaanxi History Museum
Bus 306 / Tourist Bus to Terracotta Army
CNY ¥7 per tripThe dedicated tourist bus to the Terracotta Army departs from the East Bus Station near Xi'an North Railway Station — the most reliable way to reach the site.
Best for: Terracotta Army site (40 km east)
Didi / Taxi
CNY ¥15–60 city trips; CNY ¥100+ to Terracotta ArmyDidi is the easiest way to reach outlying sights not served by metro. Taxi meters run in Chinese — use Didi for price transparency.
Best for: Terracotta Army, Hua Shan access, after-hours travel
Wall Cycling
CNY ¥45/hr or CNY ¥100 full circuitBicycle rental at the South Gate for cycling the 13.7 km city wall circuit — the most enjoyable way to see Xi'an's most distinctive feature.
Best for: City wall circuit — one of the best urban cycling experiences in Asia
🚶 Walkability
Moderate in city centre. Muslim Quarter and Bell/Drum Tower area walkable. Terracotta Army requires transport.
Travel Connections
Hua Shan (Mount Hua)
One of China's Five Sacred Mountains — notorious for its vertiginous "plank walk" along cliff faces bolted to the mountainside. More extreme than virtually any hiking route in the world with open access.
Qianling Mausoleum
The joint burial mausoleum of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian (China's only female emperor) — a 1,300-year-old tomb complex on a natural mountain, lined by 124 stone statues including headless foreign dignitaries.
Chengdu
Panda capital and Sichuan food mecca — the most natural pairing with Xi'an for a China itinerary combining ancient history and natural wonders.
Zhangjiajie
The floating Hallelujah Mountains of Avatar fame — sandstone pillars rising from forested valleys in Hunan Province. The world's highest glass-bottom bridge and longest glass walkway are also here.
Entry Requirements
China visa required for most nationalities. The 144-hour visa-free transit is available through Xi'an Xianyang Airport for qualifying nationalities transiting to a third country.
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Yes | Per visa — 10-year multiple-entry available | Apply at Chinese consulate in advance |
| UK | Yes | Per visa | Standard tourist visa; 10-year option available |
| Australia | Yes | Per visa | Standard tourist visa |
| Canada | Yes | Per visa | Standard tourist visa |
| Most EU | Visa-free | 15 days (2024 pilot) | Verify current policy with Chinese embassy — expanded significantly in 2024 |
Visa-Free Entry
Tips
- •Download a VPN before arrival — install before landing, as app stores may not work inside China
- •Keep your hotel's address card in Chinese to show taxi drivers
- •Register with local police within 24 hours if not staying at a registered hotel — hotels do this automatically
- •Check current US-China travel advisories before booking
Shopping
Xi'an's best shopping is Tang Dynasty-style ceramics, Qin-era reproduction artefacts, and Muslim Quarter food products. Avoid anything claiming to be a genuine archaeological artefact — all sales of genuine antiquities are illegal in China.
Muslim Quarter
Food and craft marketThe best food shopping in Xi'an — dried fruits, nuts, Hui spice blends, and a remarkable range of dried and cured products from the Silk Road food tradition.
Known for: Dried fruits and nuts, Silk Road spices, pomegranate products
Tang Paradise & Yongxingfang
Craft and cultural souvenirHigh-quality reproductions of Tang Dynasty three-coloured (tricolour) pottery, terracotta warrior figures, and silk scarves at better prices than airport shops.
Known for: Tang tricolour pottery reproductions, terracotta warrior figures
🎁 Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- •Tang Dynasty tricolour (sancai) ceramic reproductions
- •Hand-painted terracotta warrior figurines
- •Silk products (Xi'an was the Silk Road origin)
- •Dried persimmons and jujube dates from the Guanzhong Plain
- •Shaanxi local vinegar (老陈醋)
Language & Phrases
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the Terracotta Army? | Bīngmǎ yǒng zài nǎr? | bing-mah yong dzai nar |
| One roujiamo (flatbread sandwich) | Yī gè roujiamo | ee guh row-jyah-moh |
| Not spicy | Bù là | boo lah |
| Where is the city wall? | Chéngqiáng zài nǎr? | cheng-chyahng dzai nar |
| Hello | Nǐ hǎo | nee how |
| Thank you | Xièxiè nǐ | syeh-syeh nee |
| Excellent! / That's great! | Tài hǎo le! | tie how luh |
| I want this one (while pointing) | Wǒ yào zhège | woh yow juh-guh |
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