September is one of the best times of the year to visit Xi’an. It’s when the summer heat begins to cool down, with an average high temperature of about 25°C and an average low temperature of about 16°C. The weather in September makes it comfortable to take a walk outdoors in the daytime: you are less likely to be sweaty and exhausted in the cool morning and evening. Whether it is cycling on the Xi’an City Wall, going on a city walk, or hiking Mount Hua, the weather will make your experience more pleasant than in July or August.
However, rainfall is not rare in September. The average rainfall in September can reach 90 to 100 mm and there might be a total of 10 to 11 rainy days. The weather is relatively stable in early September, but in the second half of the month, the temperature will continue to drop, and the possibility of consecutive rainy days increases.
If your schedule is relatively flexible, traveling to Xi’an from 1st to 14th September 2027 is highly recommended. 15th September 2027 is the Mid-Autumn Festival. The tourist flow may rise temporarily during the festival. It’s recommended to avoid this specific period for your tour.
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- Xi’an Weather in September at a Glance
- One of the Best Times to Visit Xi’an
- Things to Do in September
- Things to Do during Mid-Autumn Festival
- Best Time to Visit Xi’an in September
- Does It Rain a Lot in Xi’an in September?
- What to Wear in Xi’an in September?
- Plan Your Xi’an September Tour
Xi’an Weather in September at a Glance
September Overview |
|
Average High Temperature |
Around 25°C / 77°F |
Average Low Temperature |
Around 16°C / 61°F |
Average Temperature |
Around 20°C / 68°F |
Season |
Early autumn |
Suitable For |
Visiting the Terracotta Warriors; cycling on the City Wall; climbing Mount Hua & taking a city walk |
Note |
Frequent rainfall in the second half of the month & tourist flow during the holiday |
September Is One of the Best Times to Visit Xi’an
The biggest advantage of visiting Xi’an in September is that the weather suits long hours of outdoor sightseeing. You have more flexibility for activities such as cycling on the City Wall, hiking Mount Hua, and city walks, without having to dodge the midday heat as you would in midsummer.
September’s weather works in your favor if you enjoy walking or cycling, or plan to include Mount Hua in your itinerary. The only thing that might affect your plan is rain. Remember to set aside extra time in case the weather turns bad and you have to change your plan for outdoor activities.
Best Things to Do in Xi’an in September
1. Visiting the Terracotta Warriors (Try to Schedule It on Weekday Mornings)
The Terracotta Warriors are worth visiting all year round. By September, summer vacation is over. Visiting on regular working days makes for a better experience than in July or August.
Consider setting off early in the morning to avoid the concentrated tourist flow around noon. The visit usually takes half a day, but touring on foot in September is much more comfortable than in midsummer. In addition to visiting the real Terracotta Warriors, China Xian Tour can also arrange a mini terracotta warrior-making tutorial for you, so you can design your own terracotta warrior by hand as a special souvenir of this trip to Xi’an.
Cover must-see attractions in Beijing and Xi'an including Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Mutianyu Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
2. Xi’an City Wall — When the Weather Is Perfect for Cycling
Cycling around the City Wall at noon in summer can be exhausting under the intense sun. In September, the weather cools down, making it perfect for a cycling tour.
You can ascend the City Wall from the Yongning Gate, rent a bicycle, and ride along the City Wall in the late afternoon. If you are physically fit, you can challenge the 13.7-kilometer length; if you just want an easy ride, there is no need to complete the full loop.
It’s worth staying a little longer in the evening when the weather in Xi’an is clear and sunny. If the weather is just right in early September, there is a chance to catch a beautiful sunset. After descending the City Wall, you can walk along Xiangzimiao Street and Defu Alley in the city lights, where you can see old streets built with blue bricks, charming little cafes, and various small shops, before continuing your night tour near the Bell Tower.
3. Xicang Morning Market + Xicang Cultural and Creative Park — An Impression of Daily Life in Xi’an
If you want to know Xi’an beyond the tourist attractions, simply spend one morning at the Xicang Morning Market and Xicang Cultural and Creative Park.
First, visit the morning market and try local breakfasts such as oil tea and sweet cakes. An English-speaking guide can help you order food and explain how to eat it. Then, head to Xicang Cultural and Creative Park and visit the handicraft market, ceramics workshop, and cultural and creative space transformed from old warehouses.
From the traditional morning market to the creative park, you can see another side of Xi’an different from the Terracotta Warriors and the City Wall.
4. Mount Hua — A More Comfortable Outdoor Tour without Midsummer Heat
September is one of the best times for visiting Mount Hua. Compared to July and August, long-distance walking and hiking will be more relaxed after the temperature drops. On a clear day, you can see steep granite peaks, deep valleys, and rolling mountains along the way, and the view is panoramic from a high vantage point. For first-time visitors, there is no need to plan an intensive hike; just choose a more relaxed route by combining hiking with the cable car.
5. City Walk around Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the Evening
The weather on September nights is not as hot and humid as midsummer. That makes a walking night tour more enjoyable.
You can start your adventure from the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Daci’en Temple, take a look at the night view of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda after dark, and then walk along the surrounding blocks.
If your schedule allows, you can also visit the Xi’an Film Park (the former Xi’an Film Studio) nearby. The studio was one of China’s most important film production bases, and its old factories, red brick buildings, movie posters, and retro scenes have been carefully preserved. Even if you are totally unfamiliar with old Chinese movies, you might still resonate with the nostalgic atmosphere here. You are more than welcome to take some vintage-style photos for fun.
Eating, taking a walk, and appreciating the night view are all very relaxing activities for a night tour in Xi’an.
An 8-hour Xi'an layover tour covering Terracotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda with private round-trip airport or train station transfers included.
What Are the Best Things to Do during Mid-Autumn Festival 2027 in Xi’an?
If your trip to Xi’an happens to coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival from September 15th to 17th, you don’t necessarily have to reschedule to avoid the peak travel period.
In the evening, you can watch the lantern displays, night views, and the full moon at the Xi’an City Wall; if you want to experience the festival in a local way, you can also visit the Daming Palace National Heritage Park and enjoy the moon in an open space. It is a good way to experience the cozy atmosphere of family reunion during China’s Mid-Autumn Festival.
If you want a livelier evening, the bustle of the Grand Tang Mall won’t disappoint you. You can still participate in interactive performances such as Tumblers and Tang Dynasty Secret Boxes around the Mid-Autumn Festival and have much fun, even if you don’t speak Chinese — the performances might impress you more than a freshly made mooncake at a tourist spot.
If you encounter community garden parties, pot-throwing competitions, lantern riddle guessing, or mooncakes made on site by time-honored brands, give them a go.
If you care about quietness and tour efficiency, it is recommended to avoid travelling from 15th to 17th September and save popular attractions for regular weekdays around that period.
Best Time to Visit Xi’an in September 2027
If you can arrange your itinerary flexibly, visiting Xi’an anytime from 1st to 14th September is highly recommended.
1st to 14th September: Top Recommendation
By that time, summer vacation has come to an end, while the peak travel period around the Mid-Autumn Festival has not yet arrived. So there are fewer tourists than in July and August.
15th September: Avoid the Mid-Autumn Festival Tourist Flow Peak
The Mid-Autumn Festival in 2027 falls on 15th September.
Most people in China tend to visit relatives and take short-distance trips around the Mid-Autumn Festival. This brings a brief rise in tourist numbers. That’s why we recommend avoiding travelling during the festival, especially for tourists who plan to visit popular attractions such as the Terracotta Warriors and the City Wall, or who are more concerned about hotel prices and convenience of transportation.
If you happen to visit Xi’an during this period, it’s still a good time to immerse yourself in the strong Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere, as long as you plan the visits to popular attractions as early as possible.
After 15th September: Cooler Weather & a Higher Chance of Rain
Generally, the temperatures in the second half of September in Xi’an are more pleasant, but it’s likely to rain more often. And the National Day holiday (October 1st-7th) travel peak is approaching at the end of September.
For tourists planning a Xi’an tour around the end of September, it’s always important to book your hotel, your entry ticket to the Terracotta Warriors, and your connecting bullet train ticket in advance.
Does It Rain a Lot in Xi’an in September?
September usually has an average of 10 to 11 rainy days. But don’t worry too much when you see the rain icon on the weather forecast, because most of the time it’s just a light shower that lasts only a few minutes. However, there may be more consecutive cloudy or rainy days in late September.
On most occasions, rainfall doesn’t affect the regular itinerary: you can still visit the Terracotta Warriors or even roam in the “Chang’an Twelve Hours” themed block and watch a Tang-style song and dance performance in drizzle. What might be affected is your visits to Mount Hua and Xi’an City Wall — you should consider making adjustments if encountering consecutive rainfall or strong winds.
What to Wear in Xi’an in September?
Instead of thick, heavy clothes, pack pieces that are easy to put on or take off — it will save you a lot of trouble in Xi’an in September.
Early September: Short sleeves, thin trousers, or other light clothing would fit during the daytime; if you are sensitive to cold weather, add a light coat.
Late September: Long sleeves and trousers will be more practical, and a light jacket helps ward off the cold in the morning, evening and on rainy days.
You will be doing a lot of walking in Xi’an, which means well-fitting, non-slip walking shoes are more useful than stylish but uncomfortable shoes. If you are planning to climb Mount Hua, an extra coat is needed. The temperature on the mountain is usually lower than in the city.
Plan Your Xi’an September Tour
Xi’an in September can always offer tourists surprises, and choosing a good travel date makes for a better travel experience. If you visit in early September, you may consider spending more time at the City Wall and Mount Hua. Although travelling on rainy days may be upsetting, you can always bring forward or push back the outdoor tours if your schedule allows. If your trip meets the Mid-Autumn Festival, it’s always worth slowing down your pace, watching the moon, or walking through the streets and alleys to see an unusual Xi’an.
China Xian Tour can bring together different experiences for your personalized itinerary based on your travel dates and weather in September. We are dedicated to saving you the hassle of researching where to go each day or when to set off every morning. Simply mark out your preferences, and China Xian Tour will take care of the rest.
