For a trip to Xi’an and Zhangjiajie, 7 to 8 days is ideal: 2 to 3 days in Xi’an, 3 to 4 days in Zhangjiajie, and half a day for the transfer between them.
You can visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Xi’an City Wall, and also witness the miraculous sandstone peaks and canyons of Zhangjiajie. It’s a single trip that combines the charm of ancient Chinese history with breathtaking natural scenery.
You can travel from Xi’an to Zhangjiajie by direct flight or direct bullet train. For a 6-to-8-day trip, a flight is the most time-efficient; if you have time to spare and want to avoid the rush of catching a flight, a 9.5-hour ride on a direct bullet train is a relaxing option.
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- How Many Days in Xi’an and Zhangjiajie?
- Things to See and Do in Xi’an and Zhangjiajie
- How to Get to Zhangjiajie from Xi’an: Flight & Train
- Xi’an-Zhangjiajie Trip Itinerary Recommendation for First-Time Visitors
- Best Time to Visit Xi’an and Zhangjiajie
- Stay and Eat in Xi’an and Zhangjiajie
- Xi’an-Zhangjiajie Trip Budget & First-Time Travel Tips
How Many Days in Xi’an and Zhangjiajie?
For most travelers, 7 to 8 days works best.
Xi’an’s attractions are more concentrated, so you can cover the key sites in 2 to 3 days. Zhangjiajie’s attractions, however, are scattered across a large mountainous area, which makes getting around harder, so plan at least three full days there.
6 Days: Core Attractions Only
A 6-day itinerary suits travelers with limited time.
You can spend 2 days in Xi’an, 3 days in Zhangjiajie, and a day in between for the transfer. In Xi’an, focus on the Terracotta Warriors and the ancient City Wall; in Zhangjiajie, don’t miss the National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, or the canyon glass bridge.
The downside is the fast pace and little flexibility if rain, fog, or long queues force you to reschedule.
Explore Xi'an's life-sized Terracotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, then fly to Zhangjiajie for the glass bridge, Tianmen Cave, and Bailong Elevator adventures.
7 Days: First-Timers’ Top Pick
If you want to balance pace and experience, stay 2.5 to 3 days in Xi’an and another 3 days in Zhangjiajie. That gives you time for Xi’an’s key historical sites without squeezing the three must-see sights in Zhangjiajie.
8 Days: Travel at a Comfortable Pace
An 8-day itinerary allows 3 days in Xi’an and 4 days in Zhangjiajie. The biggest advantage is that you can spend 2 days in the National Forest Park and cover other areas such as Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, and Jinbian (Golden Whip) Stream, without the pressure of rushing for cable cars, elevators, and shuttle buses.
10 Days: In-Depth Premium Experience
If you can spare 10 days, add Mount Hua near Xi’an, or extend the route to Furong Town and Phoenix Ancient City after Zhangjiajie. There is no need to stay another 5 days in the two cities themselves; the places around them will add more memorable moments to your trip.
Things to See and Do in Xi’an and Zhangjiajie
What makes this trip exciting is that the two destinations offer completely different highlights:
Things to Do in Xi’an:
If this is your first trip to Xi’an, put these attractions at the top of your list:
- Terracotta Warriors: it’s some way from the city center, so allow a whole morning or afternoon.
- Xi’an City Wall: you can visit the City Wall, Bell Tower, and Muslim Quarter on the same day. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the wall.
- Xi’an Museum + Small Wild Goose Pagoda: both are in the same scenic area, so you can see them in half a day.
- Giant Wild Goose Pagoda + Grand Tang Mall: a good pairing for an afternoon into evening.
If you are planning a 3-day Xi’an itinerary, you can spend 1 day visiting Mount Hua.
Combine Xi'an's ancient wonders with Mount Huashan's breathtaking trails — stand before the Terracotta Army, cycle the City Wall, and hike the world's most precipitous sacred mountain.
Things to Do in Zhangjiajie:
For a first visit to Zhangjiajie, the must-sees are:
- National Forest Park
- Tianmen Mountain
- Canyon Glass Bridge
The National Forest Park is the core of your Zhangjiajie itinerary, covering Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Bailong Elevator, and Jinbian Stream. If you have 3 days, give the park 1 to 1.5 days; if you have 4 days, 2 days there is worth it.
The current ticket package for the National Forest Park, including adult entry and the eco-friendly shuttle bus, is about CNY 236. One ticket covers multiple entries within its validity period, but the Bailong Elevator, Tianzishan cable car, Yangjiajie cable car, and others are charged separately.
Discover Zhangjiajie's breathtaking natural beauty including the National Forest Park, Glass Bridge, Tianzi Mountain, Tianmen Cave, and a cruise on Baofeng Lake.
How to Get to Zhangjiajie from Xi’an: Flight & Train
For a 7-day Xi’an-Zhangjiajie itinerary, flying is the more practical option.
Flight from Xi’an to Zhangjiajie
A direct flight gets you from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport to Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport in about 1.5 hours. Schedules may change by season, so confirm that a direct flight operates on your dates before booking.
Door to door, the trip takes about 4 to 5 hours once you add the return transfer to the airport, check-in, and security checks.
Suitable for:
- Families with children or elderly travelers
- Travelers on a first China tour
- Anyone who wants more time at the attractions
If a late-night flight is available, you can sightsee in Xi’an during the day and fly to Zhangjiajie at night, saving half a day to a full day.
Xi’an to Zhangjiajie Bullet Train
If you prefer not to fly, you may wonder whether bullet trains run from Xi’an to Zhangjiajie.
Yes. One direct bullet train runs daily, taking 9.5 hours. The current reference price for a second-class seat is about CNY 683, though availability depends on your travel date.
Flight |
Bullet Train |
|
Travel Time |
1 hr 30 mins |
9.5 hrs |
Actual Time Spent |
4-5 hrs |
10–11 hrs |
Direct Arrival or Not |
Yes |
Yes |
Strength |
Time efficiency |
No complicated boarding procedures |
Suitable for |
Most tourists staying for 6-8 days |
Travelers who have sufficient travel time and don’t want to travel by plane |
First-time visitors should think twice before taking an overnight train from Xi’an to Zhangjiajie, as it is more tiring and less convenient than a direct flight or bullet train.
If you plan to take a regular sleeper train or need to transfer, double-check the details for your dates.
Xi’an-Zhangjiajie Trip Itinerary Recommendation for First-Time Visitors
For a first visit to both, we recommend traveling from Xi’an to Zhangjiajie. Xi’an’s location makes it easy to extend your tour to other major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, so the trip moves from urban culture to mountain scenery smoothly.
7-Day Itinerary: Core Attractions
Day 1: Arrival at Xi’an
- Stay at a hotel near Bell Tower or City Wall
- Take a night tour of the Bell and Drum Towers and the Muslim Quarter
Day 2: Terracotta Warriors + Giant Wild Goose Pagoda + Grand Tang Mall
- Visit Terracotta Warriors in the morning
- Return to the city center and visit one of Xi’an’s landmarks, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
- Soak up the Tang Dynasty atmosphere after dark
Day 3: Xi’an Museum + Xi’an City Wall + Fly to Zhangjiajie
- Complete your Xi’an tour in the daytime
- Head to the airport (check your flight time and allow enough time for luggage and boarding)
- Choose a hotel in Wulingyuan upon arrival in Zhangjiajie
Day 4: National Forest Park — Yuanjiajie + Tianzi Mountain + Jinbian Stream
Highlights include the Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie, Qiankun Pillar (Avatar Hallelujah Mountain), the First Bridge Under Heaven, and Tianzi Mountain.
Day 5: Yellow Dragon Cave + Zhangjiajie Canyon + Glass Bridge
- Take a boat tour on the underground river
- Walk on the 430-meter glass bridge, which stands about 300 meters above the canyon floor and holds several world records.
- Drive to Zhangjiajie city center and check in to your hotel
Day 6: Tianmen Mountain + 72 Wonder Tower
- Tour around Tianmen Mountain and Tianmen Cave
- Take in the night views of 72 Wonder Tower
Day 7: Leave for Home
Take your departure flight from Zhangjiajie Airport.
China Xian Tour can tailor a Xi’an-Zhangjiajie trip for you!
Best Time to Visit Xi’an and Zhangjiajie
April to May and mid-September to early November are the two best windows for an Xi’an and Zhangjiajie trip.
Time |
Overview |
Recommendation Rating |
March to May |
mild temperature; green mountain forests; relatively frequent rain and fog |
★★★★ |
June to August |
hot and humid; large crowds during the summer holiday |
★★★ |
September to early November |
cool weather; suitable for a city tour or mountain sightseeing |
★★★★★ |
Mid-November to February |
cold weather; possible ice and snow in the mountains |
★★★ |
What if the Weather Turns Bad?
It’s best to reorder your Zhangjiajie days. Most historical sites in Xi’an are not much affected by the weather, but the views at Zhangjiajie’s scenic spots — Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, and Tianmen Mountain — vary greatly with visibility. If the forecast changes a lot over the next two or three days, save the clearest day for the mountain-top sights.
Stay and Eat in Xi’an and Zhangjiajie
A hotel’s star rating shapes the quality of your stay, but its location is the key to an efficient itinerary.
Where to Stay in Xi’an?
For first-time visitors, we recommend:
Hotels near Bell Tower/City Wall: these offer convenient transport, diverse dining, and a good evening city walk.
Hotels near Giant Wild Goose Pagoda: with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere, the area is ideal for families, and it’s easy to walk to the pagoda and Grand Tang Mall in the evening.
Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie?
The two core districts in Zhangjiajie are Wulingyuan and the CBD.
Wulingyuan: close to the National Forest Park, so it suits visitors combining the park and the canyon in one route.
Zhangjiajie CBD: near Tianmen Mountain, the airport, and Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, which suits travelers arriving late at night, leaving early in the morning, or saving Tianmen Mountain for last.
It usually takes 40 to 60 minutes to travel from Wulingyuan to the CBD, Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, or the airport, so keep your departure day light. If you save Tianmen Mountain for the last day, staying in the CBD is more convenient.
What to Eat?
Must try food in Xi’an include Roujiamo (Chinese meat burger), Biangbiang noodles, shredded buns in lamb soup, and Liangpi (cold rice noodles).
In Zhangjiajie, try the Tujia-style mixed meat and vegetable hot pot, cured pork, and other classic local home cooking. Food inside the National Forest Park is less varied and pricier than in the city, so bring some water and snacks.
Xi’an-Zhangjiajie Trip Budget & First-Time Travel Tips
How much a Xi’an-Zhangjiajie trip costs largely depends on hotel category, transportation between the two destinations, and whether you opt for a private guide.
Below are reference budgets for two travelers sharing a twin room (excluding round-trip international flights):
Travel Type |
Reference Cost for Each Day/pp |
Budget Self-Guided Tour |
US$70–110 |
Comfortable Self-Guided Tour |
US$120–180 |
Private Customized Tour |
US$180–250+ |
Note: budget separately for the Xi’an-Zhangjiajie flight or bullet train, as prices vary a lot by date.
A Xi’an trip is relatively easy to fit into a general budget. In Zhangjiajie, though, expect extra charges beyond entry tickets for services like the Bailong Elevator, cable cars, and transport inside the scenic areas. A single ride on the Bailong Elevator, for example, costs about CNY 65, and one way on the Tianzi Mountain cable car costs CNY 72.
Practical Travel Tips
- Book entry tickets for popular attractions as early as possible, especially in the summer holiday or on other Chinese public holidays.
- Non-slip sports shoes and a lightweight raincoat help on Zhangjiajie’s mountain trails.
- Don’t plan your Zhangjiajie itinerary by counting attractions; how you get to and from the mountains matters just as much.
- Is the itinerary suitable for children? Yes, especially for pre-school children. They can have as much fun as adults visiting the Terracotta Warriors, cycling on the City Wall, riding the Bailong Elevator, taking in the views from the cable car, and stepping onto the glass bridge. For children and older travelers with limited mobility, cable cars, the elevator, and the eco-friendly shuttle buses are better than long stretches of steps.
