How to Spend 2 Days in Xian? – What to See & Helpful Guide

Written by Catherine | Updated October 09,2025

As one of the Golden Triangle cities along with Beijing and Shanghai, Xian is a popular destination on most tourists’ lists for their first-time China tours. From the Terracotta Warriors and Horses and Ancient City Wall to the iconic Big and Small Wild Goose Pagodas, Bell Tower, Muslim Quarter, and many museums, Xian is a bustling city that is vastly rich in culture, history, and food.

It can be a challenge to see everything in just two days. That’s where this article comes in to show you how to make the most of your Xian tour in under 48 hours.

Content Preview

• Are 2 Days Enough to Visit Xian?
• Essential Places and Activities You Can See and Do in 2 Days in Xian
• Locations of Xian’s Popular Attractions
• Itinerary A: For 2 Full Days in Xian (Get to Xian one day in advance)
• Itinerary B: Recommended to arrive at Xian before 10 AM
• More Xian 2-Day Itineraries for Your Inspiration
• Xian Travel Tips
• FAQs about Xian Travel
• Contact China Xian Tour to Plan Your Enjoyable Xian Trip

Are 2 Days Enough to Visit Xian?

With 2 days in Xi’an, you have just enough time to visit the highlights. While two days can feel quite rushed, you can still have a rewarding Xian travel experience. Feel the weight of the ancient capital’s history, see its top attractions, enjoy local cuisine, and soak up the vibrant nightlife… as long as you can plan well.

Essential Places and Activities You Can See and Do in 2 Days in Xian

You can marvel at the Terracotta Army, enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the city and a thrilling cycling experience on the Ancient City Wall, get a history lesson at the Shaanxi History Museum, stroll through the Bell and Drum Towers to the Muslim Quarter at the heart of the city, and explore ancient historical sites around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, including the pagoda itself and the nearby squares.

For the nights, you can watch a musical fountain show at the North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda, enjoy cultural performances at the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, or watch a Tang Dynasty show and have a dumpling banquet.

If you get away from Xian the late afternoon or in the evening, you can also consider adding the Yangling Mausoleum of the Han Dynasty to your itinerary.

Terracotta Army

For a relatively peaceful exploration of this grandiose underground army, it is recommended to enter the museum as soon as it opens at 8:30 AM, before the large tourist groups arrive. If possible, it is recommended to get in line before 8:00 AM.

The nearly 8,000 life-sized terracotta warriors were intend to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the after life, and had been buried for over 2,200 years. They were originally painted in vibrant colors, not the terracotta colors we see today. You’d better follow a professional guide to discover the stories and history behind them.

• Opening hours:

Peak Season (March 16 – November 15): Ticket sales: 08:30 – 17:00; Closing time: 18:30

Off Season (November 16 – March 15 of the following year): Ticket sales: 08:30 – 16:30; Closing time: 18:00

• Estimated visit time: 3–4 hours
• Key highlights: Nearly 8,000 life-size figures originally painted in vivid colors, terracotta chariots, Lishan Garden.
• Pro tip: Arrive at opening time or line up before 8:00 AM to avoid crowds.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

This 7 storey brick pagoda was used to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha in the Tang Dynasty. It sits in the Daci’en Temple. You can visit the temple ground, and ascending the pagoda will need an additional fee, but will reward you with great views.

Around the pagoda are many Tang Dynasty-styled architectures, providing a great opportunity for dressing in Tang Dynasty costume and taking some memorable photos.

• Opening hours: 08:00–18:00
• Estimated visit time: 1–2 hours
• Key highlights: A 7-storey Tang dynasty pagoda, Daci’en Temple gardens, Tang-style squares, and opportunities for Tang-era costume photos.

City Wall

This ancient military defense system dates back to the Ming Dynasty. At 12 meters (39.4 feet) tall and 12-14 meters (13-15.3 yards) wide, the wall offers a great chance to enjoy the old Xian and nearby Bell and Drum Towers from above.

It is popular to walk or bike atop the wall to see ancient watchtowers, drawbridges, and the surrounding view. Just prepare for the bumpy walkway. You can walk or cycle the entire loop, or choose to cover just half of it. There are several gates along the way where you can exit.

It is recommended to start or finish off at South Gate just because most of the main attractions within the wall are in that area.

• Opening hours: 08:00–22:00
• Estimated visit time: 1–2 hours
• Key highlights: Cycling or walking atop Ming-era ramparts, views of watchtowers & drawbridges, great city views near South Gate and Bell & Drum Towers.

Good to know: The bike rental service on the city wall is charged by the hour. And the cost for single-person bicycles and tandem bicycles is CNY 45 and CNY 90 for 3 hours. To cover the entire section, the journey takes about 2 – 3 hours.

Muslim Quarter

This is a paradise for foodies, comprising of several streets. As a gathering place of the Hui people, you’ll see a lot of beef and mutton food and other halal food. Ready to satisfy your stomach with diverse delicacies here.

The Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter is worth a visit. It is the oldest and biggest mosque in China, featuring a blend of Islamic and Chinese architecture.

• Opening hours: Mosque 08:00–20:30
• Estimated visit time: 1–1.5 hours
• Key highlights: Bustling food streets serving halal snacks, historic Great Mosque reflecting Islamic–Chinese architecture.

Bell & Drum Towers

Within walking distance from the Muslim Quarter, these two towers are Xian’s iconic landmarks. They are about a five-minute walk from each other.

Visitors can climb the staircases inside the towers to reach their top and enjoy stunning panoramic city views. Or just marvel at the exquisite architecture from the outside. When the tower’s lights illuminate at night, the view is especially captivating, enhanced by the surrounding vehicle headlights and streetlights.

• Opening hours: 08:30–18:00(off season)/08:30–21:30 (peak season)
• Estimated visit time: 1 hour
• Key highlights: Climb for panoramic city views or simply enjoy their architectural beauty. The towers light up beautifully at night.

Evening Activities

If you are still energetic, consider a Xian night tour to look into its vibrant nightlife. Our recommended evening activities include:

• Watching the musical fountain show at the North Square of the Big Wild Pagoda
• Enjoying cultural performances and bustling atmosphere at the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City (adjacent to the North Square)
• Watching a Tang Dynasty show in the Tang Paradise
• Having a dumpling banquet with a Tang Dynasty dance show

Shaanxi History Museum

The museum sits to the northwest of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, featuring a vast collection that spans from the early human era to 1840. It closes on Mondays, and the ticket is often a bit tricky to book. The tickets are released four times each day: 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 6:00 PM, and 7:00 PM for booking three days in advance.

• Opening hours: Summer 08:30–18:00; Winter 9:00-17:30
• Estimated visit time: 1–5 hours
• Key highlights: Artifacts from early humans to Tang dynasty. Tickets must be booked in advance and release in batches during the day.

Yangling Mausoleum of the Han Dynasty

This depends on your departure time. If your departure flight is in the late afternoon or evening, you can add Yangling Mausoleum to the itinerary of Day 2.

The mausoleum is the most well-preserved Han Dynasty imperial tomb complex discovered to date. Here you can see vivid terracotta figures of soldiers, attendants, and animals from over 200 sacrificial pits.

• Opening hours: 08:30—18:30
• Estimated visit time: 1–5 hours
• Key highlights: Well-preserved Han imperial tombs, hundreds of terracotta figures in rural setting—ideal if departing late afternoon or evening.

√Recommended tour: 2 Days Essencial Xian Tour Package

Locations of Xian’s Popular Attractions

Getting a general idea of the location of Xi’an’s popular attractions is absolutely helpful to arrange your trip.

Many of its iconic landmarks are scattered in the city center area, connected by public buses, and metro, or are walkable. Those city center attractions include the Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum, Great Tang All Day Mall, Bell and Drum Tower, etc.

The Terracotta Army is in the suburban area, which is about 40 km from Xian city center, and about 70 km from Xian Xianyang International Airport.

Two days will be tight to extend your Xi’an trip to Huashan Mountain, which is about 120 km east of Xi’an (about 2 hours’ drive). But if you are an outdoor enthusiast, we also have 2-day Xi’an tours with Mt. Hua for your inspiration, allowing you to experience the breathtaking hiking trails and stunning views of one of China’s most famous mountains.

Itinerary A: For 2 Full Days in Xian (Get to Xian one day in advance)

This itinerary is recommended for those who have two full days in Xian, which means, you arrive at Xi’an in the afternoon or evening of previous day.

Here is an overview of the itinerary:

Day 1: Terracotta Army + Big Wild Goose Pagoda + City Wall + Muslim Quarter + Bell & Drum Towers + (evening activities)

Day 2: Shaanxi History Museum + Yangling Mausoleum of the Han Dynasty based on your departure time

Itinerary B: Recommended to arrive at Xian before 10 AM

If you arrive at Xian by a morning flight or high-speed train, then, we recommend to explore iconic sites in downtown area on the first day afternoon. As the Terracotta Amry will be more crowded after 10:00 AM. You can put it on the second day, for an early morning visit.

Overview of itinerary B

Day 1: Big Wild Goose Pagoda + Ancient City Wall + Muslim Quarter + Great Mosque + Evening activities

Day 2: Terracotta Warriors and Horses + Hanyangling Mausoleum

For details, you can refer to Itinerary A.

More Xian 2-Day Itineraries for Your Inspiration:

• 2 Days Xian Small Group Tour (with Hanyangling Museum)
• 2 Days Beijing-Xian Tour by Overnight Train
• 2 Days Xian Culture Tour
• 2 Days Xian Small Group Tour (with Mount Huashan)

Xian Travel Tips

Booking Entrance Tickets in Advance

Many of Xi’an’s top attractions will be extremely packed during weekends and holidays. No matter whether you’re traveling during these period, to avoid disappointment, it’s highly recommended to book entrance tickets in advance. This is almost a must-to-do if you are visiting sites like the Terracotta Army and the Shaanxi History Museum, as both of them often have limited daily capacity. Some tickets can be reserved online via official platforms or local travel apps like Ctrip (Trip.com).

How to Get to Xian

Xi’an is well-connected with other major Chinese cities by both flights and high-speed rail. For travelers wanting to maximize their time, high-speed trains from Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, and other nearby cities can get you to Xi’an in the early morning. If you’re coming from farther cities like Shanghai or Guangzhou, overnight trains or late-night flights may help you arrive before 10 AM, giving you a full first day in the city.

Getting Around Xian

Getting around Xi’an is very convenient because of its modern and efficient metro system, which connects major tourist attractions including the Bell Tower, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Xian North Railway Station. For areas not covered by the metro system, taxis and ride-hailing apps like Didi are readily available (and they are also super convenient). Biking is also an enjoyable option within the old city walls, and if your are interested in this, you can use the bicycle rental services near the site.

Listed below are options to reach some popular attractions in Xian:

Best Time to Visit

Xi’an is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is during spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) when the weather is pleasantly mild and crowds are more manageable. Summer dose offer amazing experience but it can be very hot humid and crowded. Winter is much cold but this season has fewer tourists, which may appeal to those seeking a quieter experience.

Hiring a Guide for Historical Sites

Many of Xi’an’s top sites, such as the Terracotta Army, are rich in history, cultural meaning and other context that can be missed (or getting less satisfying experience) without proper translation and explanation. As a result, we strongly recommend you to consider hiring a professional guide or joining a local tour to gain deeper insight into the significance of each site, especially if you’re visiting on a tight schedule.

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

As of the latest policy, Xi’an now offers a 240-hour visa-free transit for travelers from 54 countries who transit through China and meet certain conditions. This makes Xi’an a great destination for a short stay without the hassle of applying for a Chinese visa. However, be sure to check current regulations with your airline or Chinese immigration authorities (there will also be official documents available on-line) before arrival.

Where to Stay

For a 2-day visit, where to stay is definitely one of the most concerning things. The best areas to stay are near the Bell Tower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, both of which offer proximity to major attractions, restaurants, and convenient public transport.  Staying in these neighborhoods can save your time on commuting and also puts you right in the heart of Xi’an’s charm.

Add Cultural Experiences to Your 2-Day Xian Trip

To make your trip more memorable, consider add some immersive cultural activities to your plan. Rent a traditional Hanfu costume and stroll through the ancient city wall or Tang-style parks to feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Or, attend a shadow puppet performance—a traditional folk art native to Shaanxi. Many shows are held in the evening at local theaters or cultural centers, and some even offer behind-the-scenes experiences for visitors.

What and where to eat in Xian?

The most classic snacks include Roujiamo, Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup or Beef Soup, Cold Noodles, Biangbiang Noodles, etc. To taste the authentic local food, the Muslim Quarter is the top one place where the tourists visit most. Besides, the local prefers Sajinqiao Food Street and Yongxingfang Food Street. If you want to savor the characteristic local drinks, do not miss plum syrup and Ice Peak, which can be found in almost all the restaurants. The most famous and popular local beverage store is called Chahuanong, which mainly sells Chinese tea beverages. As for big dinner, Xian Fanzhuang Restaurant, Changan Dapaidang Restaurant and Defachang Restaurant are highly recommended, where you can taste the authentic Shaanxi cuisines.

FAQs about Xian Travel

How to get from Xi’an airport to city center?

Xian Xianyang International Airport is 40 km from downtown. Options include a taxi (¥120–150), express bus (45–60 min), or Metro Line 14 then Line 1 for an economical and efficient route.

What are the best hotels in Xi’an for tourists?

It is most recommended to stay near to Big Wild Goose Pagoda or Bell & Drum Towers, as hotels in these two places can offer quick access to major sites, subway lines, restaurants, and museums.

Can I buy Terracotta Warriors tickets on arrival?

Walk-in tickets are limited due to daily quotas. Booking online in advance can most greatly ensure your entry. Just rely on walk-in availability may increase the risk of disappointment.

Is the Xi’an City Wall bike ride worth it?

Absolutely—riding or walking atop the Wall offers fresh air, excellent panoramic views, sunset scenes, and a memorable perspective on Xi’an’s ancient defenses. Bikes are widely available and the route is easy even for beginners.

Contact China Xian Tour to Plan Your Enjoyable Xian Trip

To discover the charm of Xian, tourists may wonder how long is enough and what the must-visit tourist attractions are. China Xian Tour is pleased to offer help. Our travel consultant is very familiar with the scenic spots and can give you satisfactory advice. And we can customize an itinerary to meet all your demands. Of course, if needed, we can also arrange a guide or a driver to ensure a smoother tour. We are always willing to help you, so feel free to contact us at any time.