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Destinations / China

Xi'an

Xi'an (西安)

Terracotta Army and ancient city walls

historyfoodfirst-timersarchitecture
Plan your trip to Xi'anSee the top 10
12,952,907Population
Chinese (Mandarin)Language
CNYCurrency
4 daysIdeal stay
$100-160Typical day

Xi'an was China's capital for over a thousand years and the starting point of the Silk Road. The Terracotta Army is its star, and the intact city wall is great for cycling. The Muslim Quarter is famous for street food.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. Thousands of life-size clay soldiers guarding the first emperor's tomb. Pit 1 is breathtaking.

    Half dayTime needed
    about $16-20Cost
    yesBook ahead

    Entry fee in CNY (about 120 yuan in peak season at last check).

    Tip. About 1 hour by bus or car.
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. A complete Ming dynasty wall about 14 km around. Bikes can be rented on top.

    2 to 3 hoursTime needed
    about $7-10Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry fee in CNY, plus bike hire.

    Tip. Cycle at sunset.
    See on the map

  3. Lively lanes of Hui Muslim food stalls and the Great Mosque. Evenings are busiest.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Try roujiamo.
    See on the map

  4. Ming-era towers at the city center. Drum shows run inside.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $4-6Cost
    noBook ahead

    Per tower, or as a combined ticket.

    Tip. Lit at night.
    See on the map

  5. Tang dynasty pagoda built for Buddhist scriptures. Fountain shows are nearby.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Pagoda climb extra.

    Tip. Evening fountain show.
    See on the map

  6. Top museum of ancient Chinese treasures. Tickets are limited.

    3 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    yesBook ahead

    Free with booking; special halls paid.

    Tip. Book days ahead with passport.
    Official siteSee on the map

  7. A mosque built in Chinese temple style. Gardens are peaceful.

    45 minutesTime needed
    about $1-4Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry fee in CNY.

    Tip. Dress modestly.
    See on the map

  8. Sacred granite mountain known for steep cliff paths. Cable cars help.

    Full dayTime needed
    about $30-50Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Entry fee plus cable car in CNY.

    Tip. High-speed train about 30 minutes plus bus.
    See on the map

  9. Tang-style pedestrian boulevard lit up at night. Performances happen.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Go after dark.
    See on the map

  10. Imperial hot spring palace at Mount Li. Shows tell a Tang romance.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $10-15Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry fee in CNY.

    Tip. Combine with Terracotta Army.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Xi'an in three days

Warriors day, city day, then Huashan or museums.

  1. Terracotta ArmyHalf day · about $16-20
  2. City Wall2 to 3 hours · about $7-10
  3. Muslim Quarter2 hours · Free
  4. Bell Tower and Drum Tower1 hour · about $4-6
  5. Big Wild Goose Pagoda1.5 hours
  6. Shaanxi History Museum3 hours · Free
  7. Great Mosque of Xi'an45 minutes · about $1-4
  8. Mount HuashanFull day · about $30-50
  9. Datang Everbright City2 hours · Free
  10. Huaqing Palace2 hours · about $10-15
Beyond the city

Day trips

Famen Temple

Buddhist relics.

75 mi · Car, about 2 hours

Hanyangling Mausoleum

Han tomb with tiny figures.

12 mi · Car, about 40 minutes

Qianling Mausoleum

Tomb of a Tang emperor with a stone statue avenue.

53 mi · Bus or tour, about 1h30

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: March to May and September to November. Mild temperatures.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.5JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

41°F
Typical daily high
Average32°F
Rain0.4 in
About1 rainy days
Sun strength2.5 kWh/m²

Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Year

Lantern Festival

15th day of the lunar New Year

Lantern displays on the city wall.

Oct

National Day Golden Week

October 1 to 7

Very crowded; avoid if possible.

Jan

Spring Festival lights and fairs

January or February

Lanterns and fairs around the city wall.

Year

Xi'an City Wall Marathon

Typically spring (check yearly)

Runners complete part of the course on top of the wall.

Sep

Mid Autumn Festival

September or October

Moon watching and mooncakes.

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Know before you go

At a glance

4/5
Safety

China is at US State Department Level 2 (increased caution) due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws; Xi'an is safe for visitors.

4/5
Walkability

The walled center is walkable.

4/5
Public transport

Metro covers key sights; buses to the Terracotta Army.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
123456

1. Inside the city wall

$$

Best for: first-timers

Near the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter.

2. Qujiang

$$$

Best for: couples

Near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

3. Near the South Gate

$$

Best for: budget

Good transport.

4. Near the Muslim Quarter

$

Best for: food lovers

Hostels and guesthouses near the street food.

5. Dayan Pagoda area

$$

Best for: couples, families

Quieter with a good evening fountain show nearby.

6. Near the railway station

$

Best for: short stays, budget

Easy for train arrivals.

Getting there and around

Main airportXi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY), 25 mi from the center
To the centerAirport shuttle bus or metro Line 14 and 2 takes about 50 to 70 minutes.
Around townMetro, DiDi and tourist bus to the Terracotta Army.
Ride appsDiDi
Taste it

What to eat

Roujiamo

Chinese burger with braised meat.

Biangbiang noodles

Wide hand-pulled noodles.

Yangrou paomo

Lamb soup with bread.

Persimmon cakes

Sweet fried pastries.

Good to know

PlugsType A, C and I, 220 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingTipping is not customary in China.
PaymentsMobile payments rule; set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before arrival, and carry some cash.
EtiquetteQueue patiently and avoid political topics. Remove shoes in homes and keep voices low at temples.
  • Most visitors need a visa, but many nationalities now qualify for visa-free or transit-without-visa stays; check current rules.
  • Google, WhatsApp and many Western apps are blocked; plan maps and messaging in advance.
  • Carry your passport, it is needed for trains and many attractions.
  • Many major sights require real-name advance booking on WeChat mini programs.
  • Book Terracotta Army tickets on the official channel days ahead.
  • Book Terracotta Army and museum tickets online, as numbers are limited.
  • The Terracotta Army is far outside the city, so budget half a day.
  • Beware of unofficial guides at the Terracotta Army.

A short history

As Chang'an, Xi'an served as capital for 13 dynasties, including the Han and Tang. Under the Tang it was one of the world's largest cities. Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor, was buried nearby with the Terracotta Army. Farmers found the warriors in 1974.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Xi'an