Tours
Xi'an offers a remarkable range of tours centred on its ancient imperial heritage — from half-day excursions to the Terracotta Army and guided City Wall cycles to multi-day cultural itineraries combining museums, street food, and the dramatic Huashan Mountain.
Discover the imperial heartland of China across the Terracotta Warriors, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Huaqing Palace, and Xi'an City Wall, with a night performance of the Song of Everlasting Regret, a calligraphy lane stroll through the Stele Forest, and dinner at Defachang Dumpling Banquet.
Facts
Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Currency | Chinese Yuan (CNY / RMB) |
| Country Code | +86 |
| Nearest Airport | Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) |
| Best Time to Visit | March–May and September–November |
| UNESCO Status | UNESCO "World Historical City" (1981) |
| Famous For | Terracotta Army, Silk Road origin, ancient City Wall, Shaanxi cuisine |
Attractions
Xi'an is one of China's greatest open-air history museums. The city holds more than 3,000 years of civilisation within its ancient walls — from Qin Dynasty underground armies and Tang Buddhist pagodas to a bustling Islamic quarter and one of China's most dramatic sacred mountains just an hour away.
Terracotta Army (兵马俑)
The world-famous Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, 40 km northeast of the city centre, shelters over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 210 BC. Each warrior has a uniquely carved face, making every aisle a breathtaking procession of ancient individuality. Arrive early to beat the crowds. Open daily.
Xi'an City Wall (西安城墙)
Built in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty, Xi'an's 13.7 km-long city wall is the best-preserved ancient fortification in China. Rent a bicycle at the South Gate and cycle the full perimeter for sweeping panoramas of old city rooftops on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other. The wall is especially atmospheric after dark when illuminated.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔)
Constructed in 652 AD to house Buddhist sutras brought from India by the monk Xuanzang, this 64-metre square-brick pagoda is the city's most enduring symbol. After dark, Asia's largest musical fountain erupts in front of the pagoda's north square every evening, while the Great Tang All Day Mall to the south stages colourful Tang Dynasty street performances.
Muslim Quarter (回民街)
A vibrant labyrinth of food stalls, mosques, and artisan shops centred on Beiyuanmen Street near the Drum Tower. Home to Xi'an's Hui Muslim community for over 1,000 years, it is the best place to sample the city's most iconic street foods — lamb kebabs, Yangrou Paomo, Rou Jia Mo, and persimmon cakes — in an atmosphere rich with history and aroma.
Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆)
One of China's finest museums, housing over 170,000 artefacts spanning 1 million years of history — from Neolithic painted pottery and bronze ritual vessels to Tang Dynasty gold and silver treasures. The free permanent collection is unmissable; book tickets in advance online as daily quotas apply. Located near Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, easily reached by Metro Line 3.
Top 10 Things to Do
Visit Pit 1 to witness 6,000 life-sized warriors in formation — an awe-inspiring archaeological wonder. Book tickets online in advance, arrive at opening time (8:30am), and hire an official guide for context on the warriors' unique features and Qin Dynasty history.
Rent a bicycle at the South Gate and pedal the full 13.7 km perimeter of Xi'an's Ming Dynasty walls. The 60–90 minute loop offers contrasting views of the ancient city interior and the modern metropolis beyond — spectacular at both sunrise and dusk.
Built in 1384, the Bell Tower glows golden at the very heart of the city after dark. Walk or take Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower Station, cross underground to the tower base, and take in the illuminated façade and the surrounding four-avenue intersection — one of Xi'an's most photogenic scenes.
Asia's largest musical fountain erupts nightly on the north plaza of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda — weekdays at 20:00, weekends at 18:00 and 21:00. Arrive 20 minutes early to claim a good vantage point in this enormous free show of light, water, and music.
Follow the lantern-lit Beiyuanmen food street and graze on Yangrou Paomo, lamb skewers, Rou Jia Mo, persimmon cakes, and piping-hot Guan Tang Bao Zi dumplings. Go hungry, go late — the street is most atmospheric after 18:00 and stays busy past 22:00.
China's finest provincial museum displays 170,000 artefacts across three linked Tang-style halls — bronze vessels, Han Dynasty frescoes, and Tang gold hoard included. Free admission (book in advance online; daily cap applies). Plan two hours minimum. Take Metro Line 3 to Xiaozhai station.
One of China's Five Sacred Mountains, Huashan (2,154 m) lies 120 km east of Xi'an — reachable by high-speed train in 45 minutes. The notorious "Plank Walk" hugging sheer cliff faces is the bucket-list challenge; take cable cars for the less vertiginous alternative. Start very early in summer.
The nightly performance at the Tang Dynasty Palace or Shaanxi Grand Opera House features over 100 artists in full Tang-era costume playing ancient instruments including pi pa, gu zheng, and 24-tone bronze bells. Dinner packages with traditional dumplings are available before the show.
The pedestrian heritage block flanking Giant Wild Goose Pagoda replicates Tang Dynasty Chang'an at street level. Street performers in Hanfu, replica Tang architecture, and nightly light projections make it ideal at dusk. Browse artisan shops, taste snacks, and catch free theatrical performances throughout the evening.
Dress in traditional Han Dynasty clothing rented from dozens of shops near the City Wall, Bell Tower, or Great Tang All Day Mall, and step into Xi'an's 3,000-year story. Many photographers offer guided portrait sessions at iconic sites — a favourite activity for solo travellers and couples alike.
Transportation
Xi'an is the major transport hub of northwest China, superbly connected by air, high-speed rail, and expressway. The city's expanding nine-line metro network and ride-hailing services make navigating the urban area straightforward for international visitors.
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) sits 47 km northwest of the city centre and ranks among China's top ten airports. Direct international routes serve the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea. Nine airport shuttle bus lines run to downtown, and a dedicated metro airport line is in service.
Xi'an North Railway Station (西安北站) is the city's high-speed hub with bullet trains to Beijing (4.5 hrs), Shanghai (6.5 hrs), Chengdu (3 hrs), Chongqing (3.5 hrs), Luoyang (1.5 hrs), and Guilin (8 hrs). Xi'an Railway Station handles conventional trains to Lhasa and other destinations.
Seven large long-distance bus stations serve Xi'an across nine national freeways, with coaches to Luoyang (4 hrs), Lanzhou (6 hrs), Zhengzhou (5 hrs), and regional Shaanxi destinations. The main coach terminals are Xi'an Coach Station (East) and Xi'an Coach Station (South).
Xi'an has no navigable waterways or river ferry services. The city's nine-line metro network is the primary alternative for city-wide travel, connecting the airport, Bell Tower, Shaanxi History Museum, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, and Tang Paradise. Fares start at ¥2.
DiDi ride-hailing is the most reliable way to get around beyond the metro. Public buses cover most areas cheaply. Shared bicycle schemes (Hello Bike, Meituan Bike) are popular near the City Wall and university districts. Avoid taxis during rush hours (07:00–09:00 and 17:00–19:00) when refusals are common.
Foreign driving licences are not valid in China — an International Driving Permit (IDP) combined with your home licence is required, along with a temporary Chinese driving permit. SHENZHOU Rent-a-Car (神州租车) and CAR Inc. (一嗨租车) are the most established rental platforms with Xi'an airport desks.
Weather
Xi'an has a warm-temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Summers (June–August) are hot and rainy, with July temperatures regularly hitting 35°C. Winters (December–February) are dry and cold. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, with mild temperatures and manageable rainfall, though spring brings occasional dusty winds from the Loess Plateau.
Monthly Climate at a Glance
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain mm | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -4 | 5 | 6 | Cold & dry |
| Feb | -1 | 9 | 8 | Cool, foggy |
| Mar | 4 | 14 | 24 | Mild, windy |
| Apr | 10 | 21 | 40 | Warm, spring |
| May | 14 | 26 | 60 | Warm & sunny |
| Jun | 19 | 31 | 55 | Hot & humid |
| Jul | 22 | 32 | 98 | Hottest, rainy |
| Aug | 21 | 31 | 88 | Hot, heavy rain |
| Sep | 15 | 25 | 105 | Cooling, rainy |
| Oct | 8 | 18 | 50 | Ideal, pleasant |
| Nov | 1 | 11 | 20 | Mild & cool |
| Dec | -4 | 5 | 5 | Cold & dry |
Live Weather
Travel Tips
Most nationalities require a Chinese tourist visa (L-type) obtained in advance. Xi'an Xianyang International Airport participates in the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit programme for passport holders of 54 eligible countries, allowing stopovers without a visa. Check the current country list with your airline or the Chinese embassy before travelling.
WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate cashless payments across Xi'an — from big restaurants and shopping malls to Muslim Quarter street vendors. Both platforms now support foreign Visa and Mastercard linkage via their international user onboarding flows. Cash (RMB) is still accepted everywhere as a fallback and is useful for small vendors.
China's Great Firewall blocks Google, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites. Install and test a reputable VPN before arriving in China, as downloading VPN apps inside the country is difficult. VPN use is technically restricted in China but is widely practised by foreign visitors without reported enforcement issues.
Local SIM cards for tourists are available at Xi'an Xianyang Airport on arrival from China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom — bring your unlocked phone. Data-only tourist SIMs offer 30-day packages from around ¥100. International eSIM providers (Airalo, YOHO) with China coverage are a convenient alternative to arrange before travel.
Mandarin is the official language and is universally spoken. English is limited outside international hotels and major tourist attractions. Download Google Translate (with Chinese offline pack) or the Pleco Chinese dictionary before arrival. Locals in Xi'an speak the Guanzhong dialect (关中话), which differs from standard Mandarin but all residents also speak Mandarin.
The Terracotta Army and City Wall are extremely crowded during Chinese Golden Week holidays (1–7 October and 1–5 May). Book tickets online weeks ahead for these periods. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the best combination of pleasant weather and manageable visitor numbers. Weekday mornings are significantly quieter at all major sites.
Exchange currency at Bank of China branches (Bell Tower Branch, Drum Tower Branch, or Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Branch) for the most favourable rates. Airport exchange desks are convenient but offer slightly lower rates. ATMs are widely available across the city centre; use UnionPay-accepting machines for international cards. Keep some small denomination RMB for street food stalls.
Xi'an is generally very safe for tourists, though pickpockets operate around crowded sites like the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter — keep valuables secure. Tap water is not safe to drink; bottled water is cheap and widely available. Air quality can be poor in winter and spring (dust storms). Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Emergency ambulance: 120; police: 110.
Dining
Xi'an is famously dubbed "the capital of table delicacies" — a city where visitors routinely gain weight. Shaanxi cuisine (also called Qin Cuisine) is characterised by bold use of salt, vinegar, dried chilli, and garlic, producing flavours that are sour, spicy, and deeply savoury. Street food is the real highlight: Muslim Quarter and Yong Xing Fang are the twin food pilgrimage sites every visitor must experience.
Local Specialities
Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍)
Xi'an's signature dish: a rich slow-cooked mutton broth in which diners tear flatbread into tiny pieces by hand before ladling over the soup with bean vermicelli and topped with pickled garlic. Available at dedicated paomo restaurants throughout the city, especially near the Drum Tower.
Rou Jia Mo (肉夹馍)
Often called the "world's oldest hamburger" — slow-braised spiced pork or beef (or lamb in the Muslim Quarter version) packed into a crispy baked flatbread. Sold from street carts and small shops across the city for around ¥10–15, it is the perfect on-the-go snack.
Biang Biang Noodles (Biáng Biáng 面)
Extra-wide belt noodles (3 cm across, up to 1 metre long) made from hand-pulled wheat dough and topped with chilli oil, black vinegar, garlic, and sliced vegetables or meat. The character "biang" is one of the most complex in Chinese script and is itself a Xi'an icon — watch cooks slap the dough table-side.
Liangpi (凉皮)
Translucent cold-dressed noodle ribbons made from wheat or rice flour, served with a tangy dressing of red chilli oil, black rice vinegar, mashed garlic, cucumber strips, and bean sprouts. A refreshing summer staple found at virtually every food street and roadside stall across Xi'an for around ¥8–12.
Recommended Restaurants
Xi'an's most famous paomo institution, founded in 1898 and still the benchmark for Yangrou Paomo. The Bell Tower flagship seats hundreds. Queue early at lunch; staff will hand you the flatbread to tear at your table. Must-order: large bowl paomo with mutton and sweet pickled garlic.
A lively heritage food street north of Zhongshan Gate where dozens of stalls cluster under one roof showcasing specialities from across Shaanxi province. Perfect for sampling multiple dishes — paomo, Rou Jia Mo, persimmon cakes, Liangpi, and the famous Xi'an ceramic-bowl yoghurt — all in one evening.
A century-old Shaanxi institution near the Drum Tower, equally celebrated for its Yangrou Paomo and traditional Shaanxi banquet dishes. Known for pristine broth clarity and generous mutton portions. The two-storey dining room retains a genuine old-Xi'an atmosphere beloved by locals and visitors alike.
Shopping
Shuyuanmen Cultural Street (书院门) is Xi'an's premier souvenir and arts street, running east from the South Gate of the City Wall. Dozens of shops sell calligraphy rubbings, ink paintings, chops, antique reproductions, and traditional handicrafts. Open roughly 09:00–21:00 daily; best visited on weekend mornings for the most active vendor scene.
The Bell and Drum Tower Commercial Centre is the most atmospheric shopping area in Xi'an, blending traditional architecture with dense market lanes and souvenir stalls. For wholesale bargains on clothing and goods, Kangfu Road is the go-to destination — arrive early and come prepared to negotiate. Best visited on weekday mornings to avoid weekend crowds.
Top Xi'an souvenirs include Tang tri-color glazed porcelain replicas (唐三彩), terracotta warrior miniatures, hand-cut shadow puppets (皮影), Shaanxi paper-cuts (剪纸), Xifeng Baijiu liquor (西凤酒), and dried persimmons with walnut from the Guanzhong Plain. These are available at Shuyuanmen, souvenir shops near the Terracotta Army, and Tang West Market.
Kai Yuan Shopping Mall (开元商城) near Bell Tower and Century Ginwa (世纪金花) are Xi'an's most centrally located department stores, stocking international and domestic fashion brands. Wanda Plaza locations across the city and the Xiaozhai commercial area cater to younger shoppers with a mix of fast fashion, dining, and entertainment.
Nightlife
Xi'an's nightlife is spectacularly diverse — ancient pagoda fountain shows, Tang Dynasty dance performances, and atmospheric bar streets coexist alongside bustling night markets and traditional opera teahouses. The city buzzes well past midnight around Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Defu Bar Street, typically winding down around 01:00–02:00.
Asia's largest musical fountain on the pagoda's north plaza sends jets of water 20 metres high in choreographed sequences set to music and coloured lights. Completely free to attend; arrive 20 minutes before showtime for a front-row position. Each performance lasts around 20 minutes.
Over 100 costumed artists perform Tang-era court dances and ancient Chinese instrumental music at the Tang Dynasty Palace or Shaanxi Grand Opera House. Combine with a Dumpling Banquet dinner package for the full imperial-era experience. Tickets range from ¥200–600 — book ahead.
Xi'an's most famous bar strip, lined with dozens of bars offering local craft beer, cocktails, and live music ranging from folk to rock. The relaxed, locals-and-travellers mixed crowd, outdoor seating, and fairylight-strung laneway give it a pleasantly unpretentious atmosphere — ideal for a late-night drink after a day's sightseeing.
Videos
Explore Xi'an through travel films covering the Terracotta Army, city wall cycling, night fountain shows, Muslim Quarter street food, and Tang Dynasty cultural performances.
Map
Explore the city centre, key attractions, and surrounding areas of Xi'an — including the Terracotta Army site 40 km northeast of downtown.
