Xi'an 西安
About Xi'an 西安
Highlights
- ✓ Terracotta Warriors — 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers
- ✓ Ancient City Wall — 14km of Ming Dynasty fortification
- ✓ Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street) — China's best street food
- ✓ Big Wild Goose Pagoda — Tang Dynasty Buddhist temple
- ✓ Bianliang Noodles — 1-meter wide hand-pulled noodles
- ✓ Yangrou Paomo — sheep soup with torn bread
- ✓ Sunset bike ride on the city wall
Trip Essentials
Photo Gallery
Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, China
Local cuisine
Local people
Adventure
Xi'an 西安 Itinerary
Suggested Travel Plan
Suggested Itinerary
Terracotta Warriors
The UNESCO World Heritage Site. 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots. Allow 3 hours. Go early to avoid crowds.
Return to the city
Bus or taxi back to downtown (45 min). Check in at your hotel.
Muslim Quarter Lunch
Biang biang noodles, yangrou paomo, jianbing, and dozens of other street food stalls. Eat as much as you can.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
The tallest pagoda in China, built in 652 AD. The surrounding Daci'en Temple has beautiful gardens.
City Wall Sunset
Rent a bike and ride the 14km Ming Dynasty city wall. The sunset over the old city is one of Xi'an's most iconic moments.
Dinner at the Muslim Quarter
Come back for a proper dinner: lamb skewers, cold noodles, and osmanthus cake.
Xiaoyao Tower
The largest and best-preserved ancient tower in China. Built in 1374, it dominates the city's skyline.
Shaanxi History Museum
One of China's largest museums, with over 350,000 artifacts. The Tang Dynasty exhibits are world-class. Free but requires reservation.
Lunch — Biang Biang Noodles
The 1-meter wide hand-pulled noodles with chili oil. A Xi'an specialty that's been around for over 1,000 years.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda North Garden
A quiet garden with fountains and the famous musical fountain show (free).
Yingxiang Tower & Bell Tower
The city's central axis. The Bell Tower and Drum Tower mark the center of old Xi'an.
Farewell Dinner
A proper Xi'an restaurant: yangrou paomo (sheep soup with bread), cold noodles with chili oil, and sesame cakes.
Location
Practical Information
✈️ Getting There
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is 45km from the city. High-speed trains from Beijing (4h), Shanghai (5h), and Chengdu (3h) arrive at Xi'an North Station. The Terracotta Warriors are 40km east of the city — take the dedicated bus or a taxi (about 1 hour).
🏨 Where to Stay
Stay near the Bell Tower / City Wall area for easy access to the Muslim Quarter and city wall ($30-80/night for a good hotel). The Beilin District is quieter and closer to the Shaanxi History Museum. The Terracotta Warriors area has hotels if you want to stay overnight near the site.
💡 Travel Tips
Xi'an is best visited April to June and September to November. The city is 1,000m above sea level, so the climate is drier and cooler than coastal cities. The Terracotta Warriors is a must-visit — go early morning to avoid the tour groups. The Muslim Quarter is best at night when the lights are on and the food stalls are at their best. Wear comfortable shoes — you'll be walking a lot.
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is 45km from the city. High-speed trains from Beijing (4h), Shanghai (5h), and Chengdu (3h) arrive at Xi'an North Station. The Terracotta Warriors are 40km east of the city — take the dedicated bus or a taxi (about 1 hour).
Stay near the Bell Tower / City Wall area for easy access to the Muslim Quarter and city wall ($30-80/night for a good hotel). The Beilin District is quieter and closer to the Shaanxi History Museum. The Terracotta Warriors area has hotels if you want to stay overnight near the site.
Xi'an is best visited April to June and September to November. The city is 1,000m above sea level, so the climate is drier and cooler than coastal cities. The Terracotta Warriors is a must-visit — go early morning to avoid the tour groups. The Muslim Quarter is best at night when the lights are on and the food stalls are at their best. Wear comfortable shoes — you'll be walking a lot.
Travel Tips
The Terracotta Warriors is a must
This is not just a museum — it's one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The three pits contain over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, each with unique facial features. Allow at least 3 hours. The Pit 1 is the largest and most impressive.
The Muslim Quarter is the best street food in China
Biang biang noodles, yangrou paomo, jianbing, lamb skewers, osmanthus cake, and dozens more. The area is crowded, noisy, and chaotic — that's part of the fun. Go hungry and eat as much as you can. Cash is king here; many stalls don't take cards.
Xi'an is one of China's cheapest cities
A full day of sightseeing, meals, and transport costs under $30. The Terracotta Warriors ticket is $35, the city wall is $8, and the Shaanxi History Museum is free (reservation required). Meals range from $1 for street food to $15 for a proper restaurant.
Pack for Four Seasons in One Day
China's climate varies dramatically by region. In the north, winters can be -20°C; in the south, it's 30°C year-round. Pack layers, a light rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for any trip.
High-Speed Trains Are a Game Changer
China's high-speed rail network covers most major cities. A Beijing-Shanghai trip that used to take 12 hours by plane now takes 4.5 hours by train — and the experience is far more comfortable. Book tickets on the 12306.cn website or app.
Cash Is Still King in Small Towns
While major cities are increasingly cashless (WeChat Pay and Alipay), many smaller towns and rural areas still rely on cash. Always carry RMB bills (¥10, ¥20, ¥50, ¥100) for small purchases and street food.
The Terracotta Warriors is a must
This is not just a museum — it's one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The three pits contain over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, each with unique facial features. Allow at least 3 hours. The Pit 1 is the largest and most impressive.
The Muslim Quarter is the best street food in China
Biang biang noodles, yangrou paomo, jianbing, lamb skewers, osmanthus cake, and dozens more. The area is crowded, noisy, and chaotic — that's part of the fun. Go hungry and eat as much as you can. Cash is king here; many stalls don't take cards.
Xi'an is one of China's cheapest cities
A full day of sightseeing, meals, and transport costs under $30. The Terracotta Warriors ticket is $35, the city wall is $8, and the Shaanxi History Museum is free (reservation required). Meals range from $1 for street food to $15 for a proper restaurant.
Pack for Four Seasons in One Day
China's climate varies dramatically by region. In the north, winters can be -20°C; in the south, it's 30°C year-round. Pack layers, a light rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for any trip.
High-Speed Trains Are a Game Changer
China's high-speed rail network covers most major cities. A Beijing-Shanghai trip that used to take 12 hours by plane now takes 4.5 hours by train — and the experience is far more comfortable. Book tickets on the 12306.cn website or app.
Cash Is Still King in Small Towns
While major cities are increasingly cashless (WeChat Pay and Alipay), many smaller towns and rural areas still rely on cash. Always carry RMB bills (¥10, ¥20, ¥50, ¥100) for small purchases and street food.