Xi'an travel guide
西安
If every city had a gender, Xi'an would be the most masculine of them all. Its massive city walls, grey-yellow tones and the deep imperial aura of an ancient capital leave no room for anything delicate.…
15 places · In the guidebook: pages 630–654
Xi'an, Shaanxi Province · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Xi'an in 2 days
- Day 1
- Shaanxi History Museum→
- Giant Wild Goose Pagoda→
- Da Tang Furong Garden (enter in the afternoon to enjoy the night views)
- Day 2
- Bell and Drum Towers→
- Hui Muslim Street (lunch)→
- Small Wild Goose Pagoda→
- Xi'an Beilin Museum (Forest of Stone Steles Museum)→
- City Wall (watch the sunset in the evening)→
- Yongxing Lane (dinner)
The feel of the place
- Masculine Strength
- If every city had a gender, Xi'an would be the most masculine of them all. Its massive city walls, grey-yellow tones and the deep imperial aura of an ancient capital leave no room for anything delicate. Locals eat from enormous bowls, and the occasional strains of Qinqiang opera (秦腔) carry a rugged, weathered masculinity.
- Rediscovering the Grandeur of High Tang
- “Nine heavenly gates swing open on the palace halls; robes from all nations bow before the crowned emperor.” With just a few lines, Wang Wei conjured the bustling splendour of Chang'an, the Tang capital. A thousand years on, how much of High Tang's grandeur does this ancient city still retain? Sadly, after centuries of lost capital status, many of Xi'an's precious cultural relics have vanished or been damaged, and only a handful remain intact above ground. In recent years the city has planned and built several ruin parks and site museums and is vigorously developing Tang cultural tourism. Today you can stroll past the Bell and Drum Towers in Hanfu, glimpse the magnificence of the “Palace of Palaces” at the Daming Palace ruins, or row a boat across the lake at the Qujiang Pool Ruins Park and savour the contentment the ancients found in “stealing half a day of leisure from a fleeting life”…
Ancient Capital Xi'an
“Forty years of reform: look at Shenzhen. A century of change: look at Shanghai. A millennium of ups and downs: look at Beijing. Five thousand years of civilisation: look at Xi'an.” And, “Talented scholars from the south, generals from the north, emperors buried in Shaanxi's loess.” As a Chinese person, Xi'an is a place you simply must visit. Shaanxi people like to say that the province's shape on the map resembles a kneeling Terracotta Warrior, and looking at a map, the resemblance is uncanny.
Peak Season
As tourism in western China grows in popularity and Xi'an is a famous destination, visitor numbers are very high during the May and October Golden Week holidays. It is best to avoid peak periods to save yourself inconvenience.
Check the Map First
To save time, check the location of each attraction in advance. Some sights are very close together, and if you don't realise this, you may take a taxi and waste money needlessly.
Layout
Xi'an is laid out on a grid. Major avenues and roads divide the city into neat blocks, and all streets and alleys run exactly north-south or east-west, so it is very hard to get lost.
Preparation and Information
Language
Northwest dialects are common in remote villages, but in big cities Mandarin is very standard, so language is not a problem.
Climate and Travel Seasons
The average annual temperature is 13°C. Winter averages -5°C and summer 26°C. Spring and autumn are the golden seasons for visiting Xi'an. In summer, be sure to wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen. Visitors from southern China should also drink plenty of water after arriving, as many find their lips becoming dry and cracked.
Things to see
For discounted attraction tickets, consider buying a Shaanxi Tourism Annual Pass, which gives free entry to many sights. Annual passes are generally ¥98. They are sold at post offices, postal outlets and Li'an electronics supermarkets, and can also be purchased through the WeChat official account.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda
The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda carries the character of Indian Buddhist architecture and conveys a sense of simple, sturdy dignity. Da Ci’en Temple is the most famous architectural complex in Xi’an. The monk Xuanzang was the temple’s first abbot, and the temple has a history of more than 1,300 years. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda, located within Jianfu Temple, is no less remarkable than its larger counterpart in terms of its distinguished origins and architectural artistry. Viewed together, the two pagodas are important landmarks of Tang-dynasty Chang’an that survive to this day.
2–4 hours · Da Ci’en Temple: ¥40
Xi'an City Wall
Xi’an City Wall stands in the centre of Xi’an. Built during the Hongwu era of the Ming dynasty, it is more than 600 years old and is one of the most famous city walls in Chinese history. If you have not walked along the city wall, it is as if you have not really been to Xi’an. The old city gates have now become part of everyday street life.
1–3 hours · ¥54
Bell Tower and Drum Tower
The Bell Tower and Drum Tower stand facing each other and are known together as the “Sister Towers”. Both were built in the Ming dynasty and are more than 600 years old. In ancient times, time was announced by the “morning bell and evening drum”. The Bell Tower houses a huge bell and preserves many ancient chime bells, while the Drum Tower holds a large drum covered with a single cowhide. Visitors can try striking the bell or the drum when they climb up.
1 hour · Drum Tower ¥30; Bell Tower ¥30; combined Bell and Drum Towers ticket ¥50
Xi'an Beilin Museum (Forest of Stone Steles Museum)
The Xi’an Beilin Museum (Forest of Stone Steles) was first built in the Northern Song dynasty and has a history of more than 900 years. It was originally established to preserve stone steles inscribed by Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan and others, which had been abandoned in the markets during the chaos at the end of the Tang and the Five Dynasties. Today it holds nearly 3,000 steles and epitaphs, from the Han dynasty to the present day, the largest collection in China. It is not only a repository of ancient Chinese classics carved in stone, but also a gathering place for the calligraphy of famous masters through the ages.
1–2 hours · ¥10
Cuihua Mountain
Cuihua Mountain has a history of more than two thousand years, dating back to the Qin dynasty. Over the centuries it served as the 'Shanglin Park' and 'Imperial Garden' of successive dynasties. The Cuihua Mountain scenic area consists of three parts: Bishan Lake Scenic Area, Tianchi Scenic Area and Shanbeng Shihai (Rockslide Sea) Scenic Area. The most popular attraction is Qiuchi Pool at the summit. On its north side is Ice Cave, where ice stalactites hang year-round, and on its west side is Wind Cave, the remains of a rockslide. Temples are scattered throughout the area, including Laojun Hermitage and Shengmu Palace. Every year, from the 1st to the 3rd day of the sixth lunar month, the Cuihua Temple Fair is held and is extremely lively.
0.5–1 day · ¥65 (March–November); ¥40 (December–February)
Great Tang All Day Mall
A famous pedestrian street and a must-visit for experiencing Tang culture in Xi'an. The ancient-style buildings, dazzling lights, tempting snacks and elaborate exhibitions all leave a lasting impression. Only by strolling through Datang Everbright City at night can you understand what 'fire trees and silver flowers light up the night like day' really means. The southernmost Kaiyuan Square is the climax of the whole street. The tall statue of Emperor Xuanzong looks even more majestic under the lights, and the distinctive performances and music on the square are spectacular, making visitors linger.
1–3 hours
Tang Paradise
Built on the site of the former Tang imperial Furong Garden, Tang Paradise is the largest Tang-style architectural complex in China. Centred on Furong Lake, attractions such as Ziyun Tower, Lu Yu Teahouse and the Fengming Jiutian Theatre are scattered around its shores. Here, besides admiring the magnificent Tang-style buildings, you can watch “Dream Return to Tang”, a song-and-dance show full of High Tang flavour. The night scenery of Furong Garden is especially dazzling. When dusk falls and the lights come on, you can stroll along the Tang Culture Corridor, Ziyun Tower and Fanglin Garden, where the Tang Paradise takes on an even more refined beauty.
2–4 hours · Peak season ¥120; off-season ¥90. “Dream Return to Tang” is charged separately
Caotang Temple
A modest temple at the foot of Guifeng Mountain, 30 km southeast of the urban area of Huyi District. Most of its buildings were rebuilt in modern times. Its most distinctive feature is the Stupa of Kumarajiva, the Yao Qin Sanzang (Tripitaka Master), which was built to commemorate the Kuchean monk Kumarajiva and is dated to the Tang dynasty. The stupa is 2.33 metres tall, has eight sides and twelve storeys, and is inlaid with jade and stone in eight colours: jade white, brick green, ink black, cream yellow, pale red, light blue, ochre and purple. This gives it the name 'Eight-Treasure Jade Stupa'. The Japanese Nichiren sect regards Caotang Temple as its ancestral temple, and its followers visit every year.
1–3 hours · Free
Xi'an Silk Road Joyland
Known as 'Xi'an's Little Disneyland', this large amusement park blends cultural elements from around the world, including China, India, Central Asia, the Middle East, Russia, Greece and Italy. The architecture is distinctive and ideal for photos, and the rides are varied and thrilling.
5 hours · ¥168; ¥60; ¥55
Getting there & around
Getting There and Around
As the capital of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an has well-developed transport links, which support its tourism and make it the first choice for travelling in Shaanxi.
Air
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport lies in the northwest of Xi'an, 47 km from the city centre, and is connected by an airport expressway. The airport bus costs ¥25 and departs from Xishaomen (西稍门). A taxi from downtown Xi'an costs ¥70–80.
Xi'an Xianyang Airport Telephone
Railway
Xi'an has three main railway passenger stations: Xi'an Station, Xi'an North Station and Xi'an South Station.
Railway Stations and Departure Directions
Highway
Long-Distance Bus Stations and Departure Directions
Getting Around Town
Buses
Tourist Shuttle Buses
Xi'an runs several tourist shuttle routes to help visitors reach the various sights.
Tourist Bus 3 goes to Qianling Mausoleum; Tourist Bus 4 goes to the Han Yangling Museum; Tourist Bus 5 goes to Huaqing Pool and the Terracotta Warriors; Bus 307 runs from Da Tang Furong Garden to the Terracotta Warriors; Bus 500 goes to the Guanzhong Folk Customs Museum; Ring Mountain Line 1 offers views of the Qinling Mountains; Ring Mountain Line 2 goes to Dongtangyu (Hongzhai) for hot springs.
Metro
Xi'an currently has eight metro lines in operation: Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 14 and 16. Lines 2 and 4 reach Xi'an North Station, and some stations are close to famous sights such as the Bell Tower, Nanmen (South Gate) and the Shaanxi History Museum. Line 3 reaches the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
Getting to the Sights
For the Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Pool route, take Metro Line 2 from Xi'an North Station to the Municipal Library (市图书馆) station, then transfer to the direct shuttle to the Terracotta Warriors. From Xi'an Station, take Bus 16 to Shijiajie (石家街) and transfer to the direct shuttle to the Terracotta Warriors scenic area. This option is fast and has frequent departures. Avoid one-day tour coaches, which take you to artificial attractions and shopping stops, restrict your time and are notorious for overcharging. To visit Huashan, take a minibus from Xi'an Bus Station. The one-way fare is ¥40 and the journey takes 2 hours.
Expressways
The newly completed ring expressway encircles the ancient city, connects to nine national trunk highways and links to several major urban arteries, making it extremely convenient.
tip: Xi'an's electronic city bus and metro cards can now be applied for through Alipay and WeChat. They offer the same discounts as physical cards, work on most city buses and all metro lines, and are very convenient.
Airport Information
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport Phone Number- Phone:
- 029-96788
Xi'an Railway Station
Xi'an Railway Station- Getting there:
- The major hub on the Longhai Railway. All trains passing through Xi'an stop here. Located on Huancheng North Road in the New City District. Take bus 9 or 266, or metro Line 1 or Line 4 to Xi'an Railway Station, then walk about 15 minutes.
Xi'an North Railway Station
Xi'an North Railway Station- Getting there:
- Mainly high-speed trains and EMUs to Beijing, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Shenzhen, Changsha, Wuhan, Shanghai and other cities. Located in Lijiajie Village, Weiyang District. Take metro Line 2, Line 4 or Line 14 and get off at Xi'an North Station.
Xi'an South Railway Station
Xi'an South Railway Station- Getting there:
- Mainly handles through trains on the Xi'an–Xikang Railway. Located in Yinzhen, Chang'an District. Bus routes 340 and 920, among others, serve the station.
Xi'an Bus Station
Xi'an Bus Station- Address:
- 354 Jiefang Road, Xi'an
- Getting there:
- Runs coaches to Yanliang, Huyi District, Yuxia, Zhouzhi, Yabai, Jiufeng, Shangluo and other destinations.
Sanfuwan Bus Station
Sanfuwan Bus Station- Address:
- 353 Changying West Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an
- Getting there:
- Runs coaches to cities and counties across southern Shaanxi, as well as to other provinces, including Yiwu, Xining, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan and Shanghai.
Chengxi Bus Station
Chengxi Bus Station- Address:
- 92 Zaoyuan East Road, Xi'an
- Getting there:
- Runs coaches to Baoji and other cities and counties in western Shaanxi, as well as to provinces across Northwest China.
Chengnan Bus Station
Chengnan Bus Station- Address:
- 78 Zhuque Avenue, Xi'an
- Getting there:
- Mainly runs coaches to southern cities and counties such as Ankang, Shangluo, Hanzhong, Huyi, Qinzhen, Zhouzhi, Foping and Yang County. There are also coaches to destinations in Sichuan Province.
Chengbei Bus Station
Chengbei Bus Station- Address:
- No. 9, West Section of North Second Ring Road, Xi'an
- Getting there:
- Mainly runs coaches to Tongchuan and Yan'an counties to the north, and to counties in Yulin.
- Taxi transport customer service hotline: 029-96716
Fangzhicheng Bus Station
Fangzhicheng Bus Station- Address:
- Xinsi Village, Xiwangjie Subdistrict, Baqiao District
- Getting there:
- Operates coach services between Xi'an and cities such as Shangluo and Weinan.
Eat & drink
Xi'an's title as a 'City of Gastronomy' is well deserved. Beef and lamb paomo, la zhi rou (cured pork), hulutou, liangpi (cold noodles), dumplings, spicy meatball hu la tang, fen tang yang xue (lamb blood in vermicelli soup) and more will be a serious test for your taste buds. That said, not every visitor will enjoy these dishes; some visitors from southern China may shake their heads and simply sigh over the food.
Recommended Food Streets
Xi'an's food culture is impressive, but few streets bring these specialties together, and the few food streets that exist are not perfect. To taste truly authentic Xi'an snacks, you will need to do some exploring. However, if time is limited and you're not fussy about food, a visit to a food street is still worthwhile.
Bell Tower Food Street
Recommended Food StreetsBell Tower Food Street is located in one of Xi'an's most bustling areas and is home to many traditional long-established shops.
Huimin Street
Recommended Food StreetsRight next to the Drum Tower is the famous Huimin Street. Highlights include Lao Mi Jia paomo, Bai Jia steamed pork, Jia San soup dumplings, Ding Jia crispy small pork, Hong Hong pickled cabbage stir-fry, Li Mu roast meat, Lao Feng Jia sour plum drink, Huang Gui persimmon cake, jinggao (mirror cake), scalded beef tripe, steamed pork, lamb patties, roast lamb and assorted marinated meats. Wash it down with a bottle of Bingfeng soda, which brings back childhood memories for many Xi'an locals. The mix of halal snacks and authentic Xi'an flavours is why locals and visitors crowd shoulder to shoulder here, eating with gusto.
Yongxing Fang
Recommended Food StreetsA popular snack street at the foot of the city wall, offering snacks from across China, antique art stalls and spots popular for photos and videos. One stall serving stir-fried liangfen (mung bean jelly) is considered outstanding.
Liuxiang Noodles
Recommended EateriesIts popularity has only grown after several relocations. Wherever it hides in the city, loyal fans will track it down.
- Address:
- Building B, Jiqing Mansion, Jiqing Lane
Qin Yu Rougamo
Recommended EateriesQin Yu's bread is large, evenly browned, with a crisp, fragrant crust and a soft, chewy interior. Combined with roast pork cooked in an aged master stock, the meat is 'rich without being greasy, and lean without being dry'. A hot rougamo with an equally steaming bowl of vermicelli soup is pure satisfaction! Rougamo is available in limited daily quantities; it typically sells out after 13:00, and even if you plead, there won't be any left.
- Address:
- No. 19 East Mutou Street, Beilin District
Maohong Stir-Fried Paomo Restaurant
Recommended EateriesIf you've had your fill of lamb paomo in Xi'an, try the signature stir-fried paomo here. It has the hearty texture of paomo with a tangy, spicy zing.
- Address:
- No. 46 Hongbu Street
- Phone:
- 15353593679
Where to stay
All of Xi'an's sights can be reached by bus from the railway station, so it's advisable to stay near the station, where there are many good-value budget hotels.
Xi'an Xiyun Holiday Hotel
Recommended AccommodationOpposite Wolong Temple, within the ancient city walls of Xi'an, with 24-hour access to explore the old city's scenery.
- Address:
- No. 19 Baishulin, Beilin District, Xi'an (north gate of Wenchang Gate Antiques City, opposite Wolong Temple)
- Phone:
- 029-87385883
Shopping
Souvenirs
Visit Shuyuanmen Antique Street (Nanmenli Antique Street) and North Gate Shopping Street (the first small lane on the south end of the west side of Beiyuanmen Antique Street, about 1 km long). Don't forget to haggle. Good keepsakes include replicas of the Terracotta Warriors, Tang tri-colour glazed pottery, rubbings from the Forest of Stone Steles, Fengxiang painted clay figurines, paper cuttings and shadow puppets.
Local Specialties
The area around the junction of Xiyang Market and Guangji Street is a good spot. Shops there do brisk business, and you can find mung bean cake, dragon's beard candy, sour plum powder, dried dates, dried kiwi fruit and more. Xi'an's main shopping streets are Jiefang Road, Dongda Street and Nanda Street, which are home to Xi'an's largest shopping malls and brand-name stores of every kind.
Nightlife
Stroll along the old city wall, or wander around the Bell Tower and Drum Tower squares, then head to a night market for snacks. A tip: the best way to sample Xi'an snacks is to wander the night markets with a few friends and share a bite of everything. Otherwise, with so many delicacies, you'll be left clutching your stomach in regret.
Day trips & beyond
Museum of the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qinshihuang
Standing before the Terracotta Army, the irresistible astonishment, fascination, delight and emotion that every attentive visitor feels is the highlight of any trip to Shaanxi. Nowhere else in the world has so many soldiers stood waiting for you for so long. Today the Terracotta Army Museum covers more than 20 hectares. Pit 1 covers 16,000 square metres and Pit 2 more than 6,000 square metres. A comprehensive exhibition building of over 17,000 square metres has been built over Pit 2 and serves as the main exhibition venue. Hall 1 in particular displays about 6,000 life-size terracotta warriors and horses. Along the walkways you can still see the black traces left when Xiang Yu's army set fire to Xianyang. The figures are vivid and lifelike, with well-proportioned and accurate bodies, and no two are alike. The sculpting is meticulous: even the stitching on the soles of the cloth shoes is evenly spaced, and the hair, beards, belts and the subtle expressions at the corners of the mouths, some angry and some smiling, make it feel as though you are facing an ancient army frozen by magic. The 360-degree cinema screens a film of several dozen minutes that outlines the process of the Qin unifying China and then falling. The scenes are grand, especially the thousands of troops fighting all around you in 360 degrees, which makes you feel as if you are right in the middle of the battle. It is a pity the sound quality is poor, which seriously undermines the sense of presence. However, the film is screened on a continuous loop, so you don't have to worry about missing a showing.
2–3 hours
Huaqing Palace (Huaqing Pool)
Huaqing Pool is a famous hot spring in Shaanxi. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Yang Guifei spent the winter here every year. The Lotus Bath (莲花汤) was where Emperor Xuanzong, Li Longji, bathed, while the Begonia Bath (海棠汤) was Yang Guifei's bathing pool. In recent years, a Tang-style museum and gardens have been built on the original site, recreating the appearance of the Huaqing Palace. In the southeastern part of the grounds are the remains of the ring-shaped palace site and the Five-Room Hall (五间厅), where Chiang Kai-shek stayed during the Xi'an Incident. The northeastern part houses hot spring bathhouses open to visitors. The water of Huaqing Pool stays at a constant 43°C and is rich in minerals, making it well suited for bathing and therapy. A live show, *Song of Everlasting Sorrow* (长恨歌), has also been added and is reportedly very moving.
History & Culture · Nature
Qinling Wildlife Park
Here you can get up close to animals, and the most famous residents are the 'four stars' of the Qinling Mountains: giant pandas, takins (羚牛), golden snub-nosed monkeys, and crested ibises (朱鹮). The park is divided into three areas. The walking area is mainly home to rare animals in dedicated enclosures, such as the Panda House and the Red Panda House. The grassland area is the realm of takins and sika deer. The predator area is the most thrilling, with lions, tigers, bears, and wolves, all full of wild energy.
3–5 hours
Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang
Located at the northern foot of Mount Li in Lintong District, Xi'an, this is one of the earliest surviving imperial mausoleums in China and one of the largest and best-preserved royal tomb complexes in ancient China. The earthen mound is backed by Mount Li and faces the Wei River, creating an impressive and majestic sight. According to the *Records of the Grand Historian* (史记·秦始皇本纪), construction began when the emperor ascended the throne and took more than 700,000 workers over 37 years, roughly eight times the number who built the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Countless traps were set inside to deter tomb robbers, and the lavish tomb contained precious treasures and vessels, with rivers and seas of mercury poured into its chambers. About 500 metres west of the mausoleum, numerous graves of labourers have been discovered, and 1,500 metres to the east lies the famous Terracotta Army. As for the interior, recent archaeological finds have confirmed that the underground palace lies beneath the earthen mound of the complex, and its design is remarkably ingenious.
2–3 hours
Mount Li
Mount Li is home to the Xi'an Incident Pavilion (兵谏亭), commemorating the Xi'an Incident; the Beacon Tower (烽火台), linked to the legend of the 'Beacon Fires and the Fickle Consort' (烽火戏诸侯); and Shiweng Temple (石翁寺), among other sights. You can take a bus to the rear of the mountain, where the foot of the slope leads to Huaqing Pool.
0.5–1 day
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 630–654. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version