Written by Natalia |
In Xi’an, history and future seem to merge together at Joy City. This is one place where you can raise a toast while overlooking the thousand-year-old Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, then dive straight into the city’s trendiest fashion scene in the next second.
Joy City is far more than a shopping mall. It is a “Trend Hub of Thirteen Dynasties.” It seamlessly blends ancient culture with contemporary lifestyles. This ultimate guide will help you unlock all the best experiences you can discover in the mall.
One more thing you may be interested: Joy City is one of the few pet-friendly malls in Xi’an. Visitors may bring pets with a shoulder height under 40 cm.
Note: Xi’an is known as the “Ancient Capital of Thirteen Dynasties.” In Chinese, the word for “trend” (chao) sounds exactly the same as “dynasty” (chao). So the name “Trend Hub of Thirteen Dynasties” suggests it’s a place where ancient heritage serves as the foundation and modern trends define the experience.
Fast Facts
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Address: No. 66 Cien West Road, Yanta District (next to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda)
- How to get there: Take Metro Line 3 or Line 4 to Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Station. Exit from Exit C, and walk a few minutes to reach the mall.
- What to Buy:
- Affordable luxury brands
- Premium beauty products
- Designer toys and collectibles
- Dining and lifestyle experiences
- Highlights:
- It has the best photo spot of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
- There are many latest trendy IP and collectible stores
- Pet-friendly for small pets
Content Preview
- Must-Visit Photo Spots
- Shopping & Brand Highlights
- Food & Dining
- Events & Experiences
- Essential Tips for Visiting
- Floor Guide
- Visitor Services
- Nearby Attractions
- Plan Your Trip with China Xian Tour
Must-Visit Photo Spots
1. The Best Viewing Platform
The observation deck on the 4th floor is the must-visit, which offers a panoramic view of both the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City. At dusk, when the city glows in lights, the contrast between ancient architecture and modern urban life can leave you with an unforgettable scene.
Recommended Tour
2. The Giant Sun Wukong Sculpture
On the B1 level, you’ll see a towering 7-meter-tall Sun Wukong sculpture. You may also notice that elevator buttons are also designed like the Monkey King’s Golden Cudgel. And this has become one of the mall’s most iconic Chinese-style trend attractions.
3. The Most Photogenic Indoor Street
The “Trend π District” gathers numerous trendy brands into one stylish space. So it’s a favorite hangout for fashion lovers and content creators. Graffiti walls and internet-famous quotes add even more visual appeal. If you’re interested in these elements, don’t miss it.
You can see many stores are making their first appearance in Xi’an or Northwest China, including:
- Nintendo
- ILOVETOY & ILOVEGOODS (Northwest China debut)
4. The Most Stylish Staircase
The spiral staircase on the 2nd floor resembles a European palace. It is widely regarded as one of the best photography backdrops in the mall, especially for visitors in light-colored outfits.
Shopping & Brand Highlights
Joy City continuously attracts first-to-market brands in Northwest China and beyond. So people say it is one of the best places to discover emerging consumer trends.
Northwest China First Stores
- Shanye Banzha – Authentic Yunnan and Guizhou cuisine
- Xiaocongshan – Chinese-style matcha specialties
- Tenkichi Tempura & Beef Rice – Japanese cuisine
- Tang Xiaomiao Crêpes – French-inspired desserts
Xi’an First Store
M Stand Market – A merchandise store coming from Shanghai
POP MART
POP MART is currently one of China’s leading designer toy and pop culture brands and has become increasingly popular among people from all over the world.
The Joy City store features exclusive collections inspired by Journey to the West and it’s a major destination for fans seeking the extremely popular collectibles such as MOLLY and LABUBU.
DJI Experience Store
As China’s drone technology is gaining increasing attention worldwide, many international travelers will look for a DJI store.
The store offers:
- Consumer drones (including Mavic and Air series)
- Handheld gimbal cameras
- Educational robots
- Wireless microphones
There’s also an interactive experience zone, which allows you to test products firsthand and fully discover the appeal of DJI technology.
Beauty & Sports Shopping
Joy City provides a one-stop shopping experience for beauty, skincare, and outdoor gear.
Beauty brands include:
- Estée Lauder
- Clarins
- Gucci Beauty
- Sephora
Outdoor and athletic brands include:
- lululemon
- Salomon
Recommended Tour
Food & Dining
Restaurants with the Best Views
- KCOOKING Korean Restaurant: Most of the seats offer direct views of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, so that you can enjoy Korean cuisine while admiring one of Xi’an’s most famous landmarks.
- Weizhuoyin Shaanxi Cuisine: This restaurant is located in the rooftop garden on the 4th floor. It specializes in creative Shaanxi dishes and provides another excellent point overlooking the pagoda.
Trendy Tea & Signature Dining
Chahuanong
This is a homegrown Xi’an tea brand that embodies the spirit of modern Chinese trends.
Signature drinks include:
- Osmanthus Bloom – Osmanthus oolong tea with milk
- Half a Day of Leisure – Jingyang Fu Tea iced beverage
The packaging and the store’s interior design both incorporate Chang’an-inspired artwork and traditional Chinese aesthetics.
Chang’an Food Stall
The Joy City branch has a themed Journey to the West design. Guests may encounter many live performances such as:
- Zhu Bajie magic shows
- Chang’e dance performances
- Traditional pipa music
Local Snack Street
Another place to hunt for the popular local snacks is the B1 food court. Feel free to sample the authentic Shaanxi flavors.
Must-try Shaanxi specialties include:
- Chinese-style braised pork sandwiches
- Lamb blood soup
- Ziwu Road Zhang Ji snacks
- Lao Jinjia egg-and-vegetable sandwiches
- Yuexiang donkey hoof noodles
Events & Experiences
Joy City has the tradition of hosting year-round IP exhibitions and pop-up events. Many people would come here to experience the trend culture.
Examples from 2026 include:
- Northwest China debut of Sesame Fox
- Bburago F1-themed pop-up exhibition
- Mirei book signing event
- Chinese New Year Experience
From late January to mid-February (Chinese New Year), the 4th-floor observation deck actually becomes “Chang’an Wish Platform.”
There’s also a large zodiac-themed wishing tree. With all the features, this mall offers a unique way to experience the festive atmosphere in this ancient capital.
Essential Tips for Visiting
Best Time to Visit
Weekdays (Monday–Thursday)
In weekdays, crowds will be generally smaller throughout the day. So if you want a relaxed shopping experience and in-depth exploration, you can come at any time.
Weekends & Public Holidays
If you’re visiting on weekends and holidays, then it’s recommended to arrive between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. It’s relatively less crowded just after opening, so you won’t miss the opportunities for photography and comfortable shopping. Crowds increase significantly in the afternoon and evening.
Best Photography Spots and Times
- Chater Garden Observation Deck (4F): It would be wonderful to wait for the sunset at approximately 4:00 PM–6:00 PM. There will be best lighting for photographs featuring the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
- Wukong District (B1): The 7-meter-tall Monkey King statue becomes even more impressive after the evening lights come on.
Suggested Routes
- Photo Route: 4F Observation Deck (daytime) → B1 Wukong District → Temporary Exhibitions
- Shopping Route: 1F International Beauty & Outdoor Brands → 2F Designer Fashion → B1 Designer Toys & Collectibles
- Food Route: B1 Local Snacks → 3F–4F Full-Service Restaurants → 4F Rooftop Bars & Scenic Dining
Floor Guide
Floor |
Theme & Function |
Key Brands & Highlights |
B1 |
Trend & Youth Hub |
Giant Wukong Sculpture, Trend π District (designer toys & anime culture), Local Snack Street, Shiguang Atrium (themed exhibitions) |
1F |
International Beauty & Trend Landmark |
CHANEL, Estée Lauder, premium outdoor brands such as Salomon and lululemon, affordable luxury brands, Blueglass, POP MART |
2F |
Fashion Design & Lifestyle |
Designer fashion boutiques, personalized lifestyle brands (U3 Nail), quality dining options including Zhuye and On-Yasai |
3F |
Family Entertainment & Dining |
Children’s retail stores, Bona International Cinema, popular restaurants including Chang’an Food Stall, Coucou Hotpot, and Tai Er |
4F |
Scenic Dining & Sky Views |
Chater Garden Observation Deck, premium dining and international cuisine, restaurants including Space Lab Lost in Space Restaurant, Green Jasmine, and Weizhuoyin Shaanxi Cuisine, plus a vibrant nightlife district |
Visitor Services
- Chinese-English signs are available throughout the mall.
- Full support for Alipay+ (international version of Alipay). You can link overseas bank cards to your account and pay via QR code just how local residents pay.
- You can find Xi’an’s first shopping mall foreign-card cash withdrawal ATM here. It supports Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and other major international cards. Foreign currencies such as USD and GBP can be exchanged directly into RMB cash.
- Tax refund services are available at appointed tax-free stores. You can apply for a tax-refund for purchasing above RMB 200. Some luxury shopping centers (such as SKP) offer instant tax refunds at the point of purchase.
- High-speed Wi-Fi covers the entire mall. Many customers say it delivers speeds over three times faster than many traditional shopping centers.
Nearby Attractions
Attraction |
Distance from the Hotel |
Highlights |
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda |
3–5 minutes on foot |
1. Xi’an’s most famous landmark
2. Spectacular nighttime views 3. Asia’s largest musical fountain and light show in the North Square |
Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City |
5–10 minutes on foot |
1. China’s most famous Tang-themed pedestrian street
2. Brilliant nighttime illuminations 3. Immersive street performances |
Daci’en Temple Heritage Park |
About 3 minutes on foot |
1. Excellent free photography location
2. Stunning views combining Buddhist statues and the pagoda 3. Quiet atmosphere away from crowds |
Tang Paradise |
About 20 minutes on foot |
1. China’s largest Tang-style royal garden complex
2. Immersive Tang Dynasty cultural experience 3. Evening water-screen spectacular Dreaming Back to the Great Tang |
Plan Your Trip with China Xian Tour
Xi’an Joy City is far more than a shopping mall. It has the finest pagoda viewing platform and the tallest Chinese-style trend landmark. You can explore some of the most cutting-edge brands and enjoy distinctive scenic dining experiences. With a year-round calendar of trendsetting events, your visit will be unforgettable. The tips in this guide will help you enjoy this exciting spot to the fullest.
As a local based travel agency, our 20 years of expertise will also help you discover more other highlights of Xi’an. We know all insider tips of attractions in this ancient capital. Feel free to contact China Xian Tour to plan your memorable Xi’an tour.
