Ultimate Xi’an Travel Guide 2026: Top Tips By A Chinese

👦🏻 This guide has been written based on the personal experiences of YenKid In China.

Summary: This guide contains information about attractions, activities, itinerary, directions, where to stay, what to eat, where to eat.

✨ Visit the extraordinary Terracotta Army and try the tasty roujiamo

✨ Check out this hotel, one of my favourites!

✨ Take a look at my ultimate Beijing, Nanjing, Chengdu guides and more!

Introduction

Xi’an is best known for

its status as the capital of 13 Chinese dynasties notably the Qin, Han, Tang.
being home to Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Army from 210BC !
its numerous landmarks such as the ancient city wall, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Bell and Drum Towers

A Few Facts about Xi’an

The ancient city was known as Chang’an 長安 for over 1,100 years. It means “Eternal Peace”.
The modern name, Xi’an, literally means “Western Peace”, highlighting its geographical location relative to the later capitals.
It was a major terminus on the ancient Silk Road across continental Asia
⬇️

What I liked particularly about Xi’an 👍🏻

Can’t avoid mentioning the Terracotta Army! Nothing is like seeing it with your own eyes.
The local cuisine is amazing! One of my favourite regional cuisines in China.
It felt magical to walk through the old city inside the city walls.

You could save money on your trip by:

👉 Comparing flight prices to China HERE

👉 Comparing hotel rates in China HERE

⬇️

3 Things To See + Photographic Spots Not To Be Missed 📷

The Bell and Drum Towers at night
A stage show like The Romantic Show of Xi’an (known in Chinese as Qianguqing 西安千古情) or The Great Qin 赳赳大秦 - featuring many elements of Chinese history, culture, acrobatics, dance.
The ancient architecture, hot springs, and beautiful scenery of Huaqing Palace
⬇️

3 Things To Do 🚶🏻

Scaling the city wall at sunset + seeing how the city was defended against invaders + cycling along the wall
Strolling the traditional streets of Grand Tang Everbright City at night. You can even dress up in Hanfu by visiting one of the nearby shops offering this service!
Eating as much delicious food as possible at Huiminjie, Yongxingfang, and more
⬇️

Points of Interest / Attractions to Visit 🌆

Must-See Attractions

Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Army 兵马俑 ⭐ - I don’t need to tell you how monumental this is! I’ve known about this since I could walk and I was still blown away by the scale.
The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, left many legacies over 2,000 years ago and this is one of his biggest! The site dates to 210 BC and was only re-discovered in 1974!
There are a total of 3 pits and an exhibition hall. Also, don’t forget to take the shuttle bus to Lishanyuan too, which shows further exhibits such as the bronze chariots and horses!
Xi’an City Wall 西安城墙 ⭐ - probably the best city wall I’ve visited anywhere! It was built in the 1370s during the Ming Dynasty.
You can even rent a bike and cycle along the entire 14km or a section of it. Sunset is the best time for photography! It’s certainly a unique way to see different parts of the old city.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 + Daci’en Temple 大慈恩寺 ⭐ - a grand Buddhist pagoda originally built in 652 AD during the Tang dynasty, containing Buddha statues. A statue of Xuanzang is located in front. Go at sunset, just as the lights turn on! The temple also has multiple halls and towers dedicated to Buddhism.
Small Wild Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 ⭐ - a majestic Buddhist pagoda with 15 levels of tiers, built in 709 AD. It’s right next to the Xi’an Museum
Grand Tang Everbright City 大唐不夜城 ⭐ - a pedestrianised area with a lot of Tang dynasty style architecture and food stalls.
The atmosphere is electric. There’s a lot of cultural performances worthy of the Tang dynasty era. A lot of people wearing traditional hanfu.
I thought this was gonna be mainly commercial stuff, but it certainly exceeded my expectations. Don’t forget to come here at night!
Bell Tower + Drum Tower 钟楼 + 鼓楼 ⭐ - two of the landmarks of Xi’an, dating from the 1380s. The lighting is something to behold. Visit these at night!
Huimin Jie (Muslim Quarter) 回民街 ⭐- an area full of street snacks, both local and from all over China. Come here for the street food, the atmosphere, and the lighting!
⬇️

Attractions to Consider

Huaqing Palace 华清宫 - an ancient Tang dynasty resort with hot springs, ancient architecture, and views of the Qinling Mountains.
Said to have been used for this purpose for over 3000 years. You can even take a cable car up the mountain.
Tang Paradise (Dàtáng Fúróng Yuán) 大唐芙蓉园 - a Tang dynasty theme park with an array of ancient style architecture, gardens, and a lake show.
Shaanxi History Museum 陕西历史博物馆 - one of the best museums not just in Xi’an, but in all of China. There are over 1.7 million artifacts.
If you’re a museum buff, you mustn’t miss this! But you must book in advance!
Xi’an Museum 西安博物院 - the city museum focusing on Xi’an’s history from multiple ancient dynasties. A lot of priceless artifacts here, especially horses.
Located right next to Small Wild Goose Pagoda.
Shuyuanmen 书院门步行街 - an ancient culturally themed street filled with shops selling Chinese art, calligraphy, and antiques. Hunt for souvenirs here!
Great Mosque of Xi’an 西安大清真寺 - one of the oldest mosques in China, originally built in 742 AD, with 5 courtyards and Chinese architecture features. It’s in the Muslim Quarter.
Qinglong Temple 青龙寺 - a Buddhist temple dating back to the Tang dynasty, famous for its thousands of cherry blossom trees in Spring.
Xianqinggong Park 兴庆宫公园 - the largest park in Xi’an’s central districts, built on top of the old Xingqing Palace in the Tang dynasty.
Here, I had a great time away from the bustle of the city and taking in the greenery and ponds.
Xian Tree 生命之树 - this is a new 57m tall tree landmark. It is aesthetically striking. This was a must-see for me because I like futuristic architecture (as well as ancient architecture).
If you’re going, go after it gets dark.
Qin Han Museum 秦汉馆 - this museum focuses on the Qin and Han dynasties between 221 BC to 220 AD, two of my favourite dynasties.
Huashan 华山 - One of the Five Great Mountains of China. The highest peak is at 2,154m.
⬇️

My Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Xi’an + check in ➡️ Bell Tower ➡️ Drum Tower ➡️ Huimin Jie
Day 2 - Terracotta Warriors ➡️ Lishanyuan ➡️ Huaqing Palace
Day 3 - Small Wild Goose Pagoda ➡️ Xi’an Museum ➡️ Xi’an City Wall ➡️ Giant Wild Goose Pagoda ➡️ Grand Everbright City
⬇️

Ticket Prices and Directions 🎟️

Attraction | Ticket Price | Metro Station Exit

Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors 兵马俑 | 120rmb | Line 9, Huaqingchi, Exit C - take the 602 or 613 bus or a private cab
Xi’an City Wall 城墙 | 54rmb | Line 2, Yongningmen, Exit A1
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 | free to view, 50rmb to enter | Line 3/4, Dayanta, Exit C
Small Wild Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 | free | Line 2/5, Nanshaomen, Exit A/F
Xi’an Museum 西安博物院| free | Line 2/5, Nanshaomen, Exit A/F
Shaanxi History Museum 陕西历史博物馆 | free | Line 2/3, Shaozhai, Exit D/E + walk 700m east OR Line 3/4, Dayanta, Exit A + walk 700m west
Huaqing Palace 华清宫 | 120rmb | Line 9, Huaqingchi, Exit B/C
Grand Tang Everbright City 大唐不夜城 | free | Line 3/4, Dayanta, Exit C
Bell Tower + Drum Tower 钟楼 + 鼓楼 | free to view, 30rmb to enter one, 50rmb for a combo ticket | Line 2/6, Zhonglou, Exit C/E/J
Huimin Jie 回民街 | free | Line 2/6, Zhonglou, Exit C

Note: most museums closed on Mondays. Even if the attraction is free, it is likely to require online booking. Please check Trip or the official museum mini-program for info.

(Information last checked in Apr 2026) 👉 check out my article How to Buy Tickets to Attractions in China

⬇️

Recommended Days in Xi’an 📅

Minimum 3-4 days. Add on additional days if you’re visiting Huashan.

Best Time to Visit ☀️

April to May + September to October for the most comfortable temperatures.
Temperatures can rise to mid 30s in the summer months and drop to below 0C in the winter months
See my Weather Dashboard for temperature ranges by month.
⬇️

How to Get There ✈️

By air:

Fly into Xi’an Xianyang Airport + take the metro/cab into the city
👉 See my article The 9 Best Airports To Fly Into China in 2026 - Pros and Cons to help you decide!

By land:

Take the high speed train to Xi’an North station. Xi’an is around 4-5hrs from Beijing, 6-7hrs from Shanghai, 3-4hrs from Chengdu.

How to Get Around 🚇

Xi’an has a comprehensive metro network with 13 lines, as of 2026. You can reach most tourist spots using the metro.
The notable exception is the Terracotta Army (see directions in previous section).
City taxis or DiDi are widely available.
Xi’an’s central districts are mostly flat. It is perfect for cycling and you can hire a shared bike - see this article
Check out these articles if you’re stuck:
How to Ride the Metro in China: Ultimate Guide to Getting Around the City
How to Hail a DiDi Driver in China
⬇️

Where Should You Stay 🛏️

Overall, hotels in Xi’an are much more affordable than Beijing or Shanghai. However, you should note that less people speak English.

I recommend staying inside the city walls and near a metro station. Areas around the Bell and Drum Towers are most convenient for food choices and shopping.

No, I strongly don’t recommend staying near the Terracotta Army, because it’s around 1 hour from the centre of the city.

Here are my suggestions:

Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel if you want a central location inside the city walls, superb service and interiors, and plenty of dining options in the neighbourhood.
Elegant Hotel Xi'an Bell Tower if you want Tang dynasty themed rooms, grand views of the Xi’an city wall, a central location to most attractions, and restaurants everywhere.
Country Inn & Suites, Xi’an Bell & Drum Towers if you want a balance of location, service, and price with views of the eastern city wall gate.
I recommend you use Trip, since it is the top hotel booking platform in China and has the bigger range of hotels. Always cheaper for me as well.
Check out my articles How to Get The Best Deal For Hotels in China and Things To Consider When Booking a Hotel in China.
⬇️

What Should You Eat 🥢

Xi’an has a rich food scene, focusing on Shaanxi cuisine or the broader North West region.
There’s so much delicious food to eat in Xi’an, but these are the things you must try out as first priority!
- meat flatbread | ròu jiā mó | 肉夹馍
- hand pulled noodles in spicy sauce | biáng biáng miàn | 𰻞𰻞面/油泼面
- cold noodles in chili and vinegar sauce | liáng pí | 凉皮
- shredded flatbread soaked in lamb soup | yáng ròu pào mó | 羊肉泡馍
- gourd chicken | hú lu jī | 葫芦鸡
- sour plum juice | suān méi zhī | 酸梅汁

Check out my list of 60 dishes to eat in China and 31 classic breakfasts to try in China.
If you want to try cuisines from other provinces in China such as Cantonese and Sichuan food, look for regional restaurants.

Where Should I Eat 🧑🏻‍🍳

huí mín jiē | 回民街 - centre of the city, next to Drum Tower
yǒng xīng fāng | 永兴坊 - near the east gates, my favourite for hunting traditional dishes
sǎ jīn qiáo | 洒金桥 - west side of the city with lots of independent restaurants and stalls
luó mǎ shì bù xíng jiē | 骡马市步行街 - centre of the city, near Bell Tower
Grand Tang Everbright City | 大唐不夜城 - southern district, outside city walls

You can use Dianping to find restaurants and check out the food and reviews. Check out my articles

How to Find Great Restaurants in China - A Simplified Guide to Dianping and RedNote.

How to Order Food and Drink in China? A Mini-Guide with Key Phrases

How to Order Food Delivery in China - A Simplified Guide