Xi'an Tours 2026/2027: History, Culture, and Authentic Local Experiences

• Terracotta Warriors and Horses: Known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, it is an unearthed clay army dating back over 2,000 years ago in the Qin Dynasty, housing over 8,000 life-size terracotta soldiers and horses.
• Ancient City Wall: It is a well-preserved old city wall surrounding central Xi’an. Most visitors would walk or cycle atop the wall during their Xi’an tours.
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda: The landmark of Xi’an, it is a historic Buddhist pagoda from the Tang Dynasty.
• Muslim Quarter: The most popular place to taste authentic local food, and experience vibrant local life.
• Mount Huashan: One of China’s Five Sacred Mountains, Mt. Huashan is known for its dangerous hiking trails, and gorgeous scenery.

Minimum 2 days: In two-Day you can cover the Terracotta Warriors and the most iconic sights in downtown areas (listed above).

Preferably 3–4 days: If you have 3 or 4 full days, you can travel at a more relaxed pace. Except for the city highlights, you can have a side trip to Mount Huashan (or another nearby site).

1-day or layover visit (limited time):If you’re short on time, you can still have a rewarding tour. While the Terracotta Warriors is a must-see, you can add another central site (city wall, pagoda, or museum), but this requires you to start rather early.

City center area (near Bell & Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter, City Wall): This is one of the most convenient places to stay. Famous sites or restaurants are all within walking distance.

Around Big Wild Goose Pagoda: This area is also convenient, but compared to the city center, it can be quieter and much closer to Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City and the largest Music Fountain in Asia.

The Muslim Quarter is certainly a must-visit for food lovers. You can find some of the best street snacks and local specialties here, and what’s more interesting, it has an extremely lively cultural atmosphere. Popular local foods include lamb skewers, handmade breads, local noodles, and other regional snacks.

Metro should be the most reliable way to travel around Xi’an. Currently, Xi’an has 12 metro lines connecting its main attractions, landmarks, airport, train stations and commercial areas.

Traveling around the city by public buses is also easy, thanks to its extensive bus lines. Just avoid the rush hours (typically 7:00-9:00 and 17:00-19:30).

For more convenience and flexibility, or if you have luggage, you can take a taxi or hail a ride through apps like Didi.

The site is about 45–50 km from downtown, with a drive time of around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic.

Subway + Bus: Take Subway Line 9 to Huaqingchi Station (华清池站), then take bus No. 613 to Terracotta Warriors

Direct bus: Take Lintong Tourist Bus from Xi’an North Railway Station. Or take Bus 306 (also known as Tourism Bus 5) from Fangzhicheng Station on Metro Line 1.

Mount Hua (Huashan) is about 120 km east of central Xi’an. Taking a high-speed train from Xi’an North Railway Station to Huashan North Railway Station is the most convenient, taking only about 40 minutes. Xian Bus Station operates hourly buses to Mount Hua, with a drive time of around 1.5 hours.

The best times to visit Xi’an are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) when temperatures are pleasant, and the natural landscapes are most beautiful. Just remember to avoid public holidays, such as the National Day holiday (Oct. 1 – Oct. 7), and the Labor Day holiday (May 1 – May 5).