Written by Ivy Dong |
Xi’an is a city of living history. The 3000 years of rise and fall as the capital city for multiple ancient Chinese dynasties and a crucial hub of the Silk Road have molded its unique vibe.
This will be an all-you-need plan for a trip to Xi’an, which covers the five most important agendas—top attractions, itineraries, accommodations, food, and transport.
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- Best Time to Visit Xi’an
- How Many Days Needed & What to Do
- Must-Visit Attractions in Xi’an
- Accommodation in Xi’an — For Convenience
- Transport— How to Get to Xi’an City
- Where to Find “Must-Try” Food in Xi’an
- Explore Xi’an with China Xian Tour
Best Time to Visit Xi’an
It is during spring, or more specifically, March and April, that Xi’an offers visitors with its most breathtaking views—you may find roaming along the ancient city walls adorned with lively peach and cherry blossoms a joy; if you visit landmarks like the Giant and Little Wild Goose Pagodas in September or October when layers of leaves transform into a canvas of red, gold, and amber, you can appreciate the masterpiece created by autumn. And a heavy snowfall in winter plays its magic of a time machine,awakening the ancient soul of this historic capital city and amazes visitors with a glimpse of “Chang’an”.
- Best Time: March to May, September to October (when the temperatures are mild and suitable for a leisure tour)
- Second-Tier: Summer (avoid heat at noon if possible) and Winter
- Think Twice: Chinese Spring Festival (February 5th to 12th), Labor Day (public holiday from May 1st to 5th), National Day of the PRC (public holiday from October 1st to 7th), and Summer Holiday (July to August)
Tips: Traveling during public holidays usually means dealing with huge crowds, so it is recommended to book your entry tickets, hotels, and all the necessary services at least 3 months in advance.
How Many Days Needed & What to Do
The average stay in Xi’an for international tourists is 3 days. The details are as follows:
- Day 1: Arrival in Xi’an (night tour options: Drum Tower Square or The Muslim Quarter street food area)
- Day 2: Terracotta Warriors at Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang; Giant Wild Goose Pagoda; Grand Tang Mall (experience Tang suit/hanfu)
- Day 3: Xi’an Museum, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, City Wall (optional: cycling tour), return to your hotel
A 3-day stay can cover key attractions in a well-organized, relaxing, and efficient way. It makes the most of your trip in Xi’an with time to breathe between stops.
If you are staying more than 3 days, you can “upgrade” your itinerary according to your schedule by adding 1-2 days:
+1 Day: Option 1. Mount Hua
Option 2. Qianling Mausoleum & Famen Temple
Option 3. Yuanjia Village
+2 Days: Hukou Waterfall & Yucha Grand Canyon
If you fancy exploring the surrounding area from Xi’an as a starting point, while experiencing the efficiency of China’s high-speed rail, the two 2-day trip routes are good choices:
2-Day Trip to Luoyang (Longmen Grottoes, Baima/White Horse Temple, Shaolin Temple)
2-Day Trip to Pingyao (Ancient City of Pingyao, Shuanglin Temple, Wang’s Family Compound, etc.)
Must-Visit Attractions in Xi’an
The Terracotta Warriors at the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang — A Wonder That Stunned the World
The vivid features on thousands of unique faces constantly remind visitors of the underground army’s vigor and power during the peak of the Qin Empire 2000 years ago. The extraordinary technique that brings the whole army back to life is a dual miracle of ancient military and sculpture.
Xi’an City Wall — Go Cycling in the Beautiful Sunset
The City Wall has long shrugged off its former role as a cold-blooded defensive barrier, but has become a “history-loaded” cycling track in the air. Feel free to hire a bike and cycle on the broad and smooth path on top of the City Wall. You don’t have to go through the total length of 13.7 kilometers; usually, 30 to 40 minutes would suffice to appreciate its charm without draining your energy. It is recommended to start from the Yongning Gate, where you can enjoy the cinematic vibe of cycling in the sunset and feel hopeful for the next bright day to come!
The Muslim Quarter— Roam at the Popular Halal Street Food Hub
The Muslim Quarter is the gathering spot of local Islamic culture, the history of which can be traced back to the Tang dynasty. The street buzzes with local food lovers and tourists, who come for the specialty restaurants and stalls famous for a variety of authentic halal street foods. A historic great mosque is also situated in this area. Wandering in the aroma of food, it is completely up to you whether you’d like to taste flavorful cuisines, shop for special gifts, appreciate ancient architecture, or simply resonate with the peculiar harmony of Han and Islamic cultures.
Xian Muslim Quarter: 2-Hour Night Walking Foodie Tour
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda & Grand Tang Mall — An immersive experience of the Tang Dynasty at its Golden Age
When night falls and the lights come on, suddenly you are standing in the middle of the Tang dynasty night market. In the Grand Tang Mall, you can trace the history through the ancient buildings, try authentic Xi’an tastes at food stalls, and take a walk in the glowing lanterns and neon lights. If you wish to take an even closer look at the colorful Tang culture, you are welcome to dress up in a Tang suit and unlock a limited-version of yourself.
Accommodation in Xi’an — For Convenience
Top Choice: Near the Drum Tower
The area remains lively day and night. Within walking distance, you can reach popular business areas, including the Drum Tower Square and the Muslim Quarter. Accommodation here is mostly mid-range, with prices running from 200 to 700 CNY per night. The profound culture and history of this district also leave the facilities a bit outdated, which might be a slight downside.
The Closest Subway Station: Line 2— Get off at “Drum Tower”
Second-Tier: Near the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
If you’d like some “quiet hours” and cozy environments during your stay, we recommend staying near the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. It would be more convenient if you are interested in the Pagoda and the Grand Tang Mall. With a modern vibe, it is easier to enjoy newer infrastructure and high-end hotels in this area. However, it would be better to avoid staying in the Grand Tang Mall, as the lights and noise could be disturbing for your sleep.
Subway Station: Line No.3— Get off at “Giant Wild Goose Pagoda”
It is convenient to find food, go shopping, and travel by subway in both areas; you can easily get an ongoing list of “must-try” and “you might like”. If you are wondering about more information for hotels, please feel free to contact our travel consultants for help.
Transport— How to Get to Xi’an City
By Air
Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (T2/T3/T5) is the only international airport in Xi’an, but it has established multiple direct international routes between Singapore, Malaysia, Milan, Paris, Bangkok, Moscow, and so on. Moreover, extensive domestic flights cover major cities across China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Changsha, Nanjing, and Guilin.
The airport is 45 kilometers away from the city center, so a 1-hour drive is expected to get to the city. It is recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours ahead of your departure for a domestic flight and 3 hours ahead for an international flight.
Subway: Line 14, or Line 2/4—transfer to Line 14
Most Recommended High-Speed Rail Station: Xi’an North Station
It takes about 50 minutes (16 km) to drive to the city center from here, so it is recommended to arrive at the station 1 to 1.5 hours ahead of your departure.
Subway: Lines 2, 4, and 14 converge here
Xi’an Station (Train Station Closest to the City Center)
The station is only 4.5 kilometers away(about a 15-minute drive). It is recommended to arrive at the station 1 to 1.5 hours ahead of your departure. This station is the oldest Xi’an Train Station; a few high-speed rail services still stop here. Remember to double-check your platform number to avoid inconvenience.
Subway: Line 4
Overall, transport in Xi’an is quite convenient. The extensive city subway network alone can meet your transportation needs for visiting most key attractions, while ride-hailing apps (such as DiDi) and taxis are readily available to help with your adventure throughout the city. Usually, 20 to 50 CNY could support your travel between attractions in the city.
Where to Find “Must-Try” Food in Xi’an
Here are three “treasure-hunting” routes for the most popular local food, where you can try authentic Xi’an flavors all at once:
Route 1: Sajin Bridge (Locals’ Pick)
This bustling Halal food spot is more representative of the local lifestyle and cost-efficient than the Muslim Quarter. It is known for barbecue, paomo (bread soaked in lamb broth), and dumplings in vinegar soup.
Must-Try Restaurants: 老孙家泡馍 (Lao Sun’s Homemade Paomo), 定家小酥肉(Ding’s Fried Pork), 东南亚甑糕 (Southeast Asian Zenggao) & (马二酸汤水饺) Ma’er Vinegar Soup Dumpling
Route 2: Grand Tang Mall/ Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
This route is suitable for a night tour and a big dinner. The Tang-style architecture glitters with lights, and the food is exquisite and of great diversity— all kinds of specialties, like Shaanxi dishes and assorted dumpling platters, are there to make your mouth water.
Must-Try Restaurants: 西安饭庄（老字号陕菜） (Xi’an Restaurant, a time-honored classic), 长安大排档 (Chang’an Dapaidang, a lively casual food hall)
Route 3: Yongxing Fang (A One-Stop Taste of Multiple Flavors)
Yongxing Fang is the first intangible cultural heritage-themed food street. Taking bites of delicious street food is just the beginning—you can watch the making process of “thousand-hammer crispy pastry” (qianchuisu) and have hands-on experience of the “wine bowl smashing” ritual and other activities.
Must-Try Dishes: Zichang Pancake & Yellow Millet Sticky Rice Cake
Explore Xi’an with China Xian Tour
Once you’ve spent a short trip in Xi’an, the lingering echo of Chang’an from three thousand years ago might remain a delightful memory for years long. Xi’an is not just an ancient city that nurtures the cultural roots of ancient China, but also warms your heart and soul with busy streets and steaming woks. Each sight reads a line belonging to the poem called “Chang’an”.
Hope this plan made by China Xian Tour makes your Xi’an tour effortless yet pleasant. Pack your luggage and step onto this “time-traveling” journey of history and culture. Answer the call of ancient Chang’an and let Xi’an impress you in a style that perfectly balances classic and modern. Wishing you a wonderful journey through this greatest ancient capital city!
