Written by Clementine |
Looking for the best places to shop in Xian? Instead of the expensive shopping malls, cheap Xian markets, from busting night markets to delicious food markets and cultural antique markets are better choices for those traveling in Xian. In this ancient city of rich history and mouthwatering cuisine, the most popular markets in Xian show you snacks, crafts, souvenirs and antiques going back millennia. Furthermore, immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture.
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- Shuyuan Gate (书院门)
- Xian Antique Market (西安古玩市场)
- Muslim Street
- Laochenggen Gpark
- Baxian Palace Antique Market
- SAGA International Shopping Mall
- Xi’an SKP
- Kaiyuan Mall
- JoyCity (Near Giant Wild Goose Pagoda)
- MixC (Premium Commercial Complex for Families & Business)
Traditional Xian Markets & Streets for Antiques, Food & Souvenirs
Shuyuan Gate (书院门)
Built in 1592 during Ming Dynasty, Shuyuanmen (Shuyuan Gate) is one of the representatives of ancient school culture. Today, it is a cultural street factually restored with the style of the ancient architectures of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is 570 meters long and 10 meters wide. Rambling down the street market, you may taste the true life of people in Xian and find the remains of an ever-refulgent dynasty.
- What to Buy: All kinds of hand-made fans, bookmarks, paintings, shadow puppets, etc.
- Address: Eastern Side of the South Gate
- Open Time: A whole day (stores usually opened from 9:00-21:00)
- How to Get to: Bus No. 600, 603, 608, 46, 229, 800, 609, 239, 29, 6
Xian Antique Market (西安古玩市场)
A wealth of cultural artifacts and riches have been left for Xi’an by the history of the capital of the thirteen dynasties. With an authenticity ratio as high as 5-8%, the Xi’an Antique Market has the greatest authenticity ratio of any Chinese antique market. The Guanzhong region of Shaanxi Province is the primary source of authentic items.
Here, you can buy literary games, antiques, porcelain, jade, bronze, calligraphy and painting, badges, books, ancient coins and other cultural works of traditional Chinese art.
Address: No.66, Xingshan Temple West Street, Yanta District, Xi ‘an City
Open Time: full day
How to Get to:
- Bus726, 19, 30, 36, 401, 605, 710, 720, 12, 14, 215, 239, 400, 323, 504, 600, 616, and more.
- Take Subway Line 2, get off at Xiaozhai Station and walk about 650 meters to the antique market of Xian.
Muslim Street
One of the most popular food street and night markets in Xian, the Beiyuanmen Muslim Street of Xi’an Muslim Quarter is about 500 meters (about 547 yards) in length from south to north. It is lined with black stone and has green trees that offer a lot of shade in the summer. The buildings on each side of the street are designed to resemble both Ming and Qing Dynasties architecture.
There are many restaurants and stores run by Muslims, so you can eat some special Xian food and buy some memorable souvenirs.
What to Eat: Lamb pie with a thousand layers, dried persimmon, Steamed Jujube-cake, Biangbiang Noodles, Roujiamo, etc.
- Address: North of the Drum Tower
- Opening Hours: A whole day (stores usually opened from 9:00-22:00)
- How to Get to: Bus 4, 15, 32, 43, 45, 201, 205, 206, 215, 218, 221, 222, 251, 300, 604, 610 or 611
√Related reading: Xian Nightlife: Top Things to Do in Xi’an at Night
Laochenggen Gpark
Laochenggen Gpark redefines “urban micro-vacation” with a blending of traditional alley textures, Chinese trend commercial spaces, art venues, and local street life. It houses craft workshops, retro cafes, intangible cultural heritage experience shops, and authentic Shaanxi snacks (e.g., meatball hulatang, persimmon paste). At night, it transforms into a lively hub with livehouses and street performances, ideal for those who want to experience “old Xi’an with new energy.”
- Address: No. 69 Xinghuo Road, Lianhu District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China (Laochenggen G-PARK Leisure Plaza)
- Opening Hours: 10:30–22:00 (some shops open until midnight)
- How to Get to: Take Metro Line 1 to “Yuxiangmen” Station, walk ~300m; or take Bus No. 511, 528, 9, 21 to “Hongmiaopo” Station, “Dabaiyang” station, “Hefeng Road East” Station.
Baxian Palace Antique Market
Housed near the Baxian Palace (a Taoist sanctuary with a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty), this market is one of Xi’an’s most bustling folk antique trading hub. You can see stalls line the area, offering porcelain, jade, wood carvings, and miscellaneous antiques, and prices would range from affordable trinkets to collectible treasures. Surrounding teahouses serve fragrant local herbal tea in clay cups, and you can watch antique repair shops display intricate restoration work while having you tea. The market has then become a spot to “hunt for antiques, sip tea, and chat with craftsmen,” embodying old Xi’an’s leisurely, time-honored culture.
- Address: Xiaodongmen, Xincheng District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
- Opening Hours: 8:00–17:00 (busier on weekends)
- How to Get to: Take Metro Line 1 to “Kangfu Road” Station (Exit B), or take Bus 20/139 to Xinyue Road & Changlefang Intersection (Xinyue Lu & Changlefang Lukou) ; or take a taxi directly.
Popular Modern & Trendy Shopping Hubs in Xian
SAGA International Shopping Mall
Strategically located in Xi’an’s bustling Xiaozhai Business Circle, Saga International Shopping Mall is a top choice for shoppers in Xi’an, offering a diverse selection of mid-to-high-grade merchandise. The mall was opened in 2013 and has consistently ranked among China’s top shopping centers. Here you can not only find a wealth of the latest fashion, jewelry, cosmetics, and mother & infant products but also excellent dining and entertainment options.
More than that, the mall is especially known for its three iconic features: Asia’s longest indoor escalator (50.3 meters, directly reaching the dining area on the 6th floor), the world’s largest indoor waterfall, and the largest rooftop garden parking lot in Western China.
- Location: 123 Chang’an Middle Road, Yanta District, Xi’an City, China
- Opening hours: 10:00-22:00 (Monday – Thursday); 10:00-22:30 (Friday – Sunday & on Public Holidays)
- How to get to: Take Metro Line 2 or 3 to Xiaozhai Station, and exit from Exit E to directly enter the shopping mall.
Related reading: Xi’an Shopping Tips: Where to Go, What to Buy & Essential Tips
Xi’an SKP
Xi’an SKP is a famous landmark of high-end commerce in this city and even in Northwest China, and it is known to centered on “quality lifestyle.” It gathers international luxury brands, designer labels, and premium beauty products, while integrating art exhibitions and immersive experience spaces. It is recommended to take a look at SKP RDV Bookstore and art installation areas, which mixes shopping experience with cultural scenes to cater to people pursuing refined living.
- Address: 261 Chang’an North Road, Beilin District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
- Opening Hours: 10:00–22:00
- How to Get to: Take Metro Line 2 to “Nanshaomen” Station (Exit D), walk ~800m; or take Bus 222, 23, 221 to “Nanmenwai” Station, “Diaojiacun” station and more.
Kaiyuan Mall
As a time-honored local mall, Kaiyuan Mall is built on the location of the old Kaiyuan Temple, and it has now evolved into a “shopping + cultural tourism” complex. Its 7th-floor observation deck becomes a highlight of this center—visitors can have a 360° view of the iconic Bell and Drum Towers. You’ll see how historical silhouettes infuse with modern city lights, perfect for day or night photography. The mall retains classic Chinese brands while adding trendy cafes and cultural creative spaces, balancing nostalgia with modernity.
- Address: No. 6 Jiefang Market, East Street, Beilin District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
- Opening Hours: 9:00–21:00
- How to Get to: Take Metro Line 6 to “Clock & Drum Towers” Station (Exit J/E), walk ~500m; or take Bus 193, 184, 102, 606 to “Clock & Drum Towers” East Station, “Fenxiang” Station, “Xihuamen” Station.
JoyCity (Near Giant Wild Goose Pagoda)
JoyCity (大悦城), positioned near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, is a youth-focused hub blending the hottest current trend and the deep local culture. It has a special “Monkey King Theme Park” with giant statues, interactive installations, and Chinese-style pop-up shops, providing both tourists and locals a wonderful shopping experience. The food hall offers typical northwest cuisine and influential restaurants (internet-famous eateries), while the rooftop terrace provides amazing views of the pagoda’s light show. Regular art fairs and live performances add a lot to its vibrant energy.
- Address: No. 777 Cien Road, Yanta District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China (West Side of the South Square of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda)
- Opening Hours: 10:00–22:00
- How to Get to: Take Metro Line 3 to “Big Wild Goose Pagoda” Station (Exit B), walk ~700m; or take Bus 41, 44, 224, 501 to “Big Wild Goose Pagoda South Square” Station.
MixC (Premium Commercial Complex for Families & Business)
MixC stands as a benchmark for high-end commerce in Xi’an, offering international luxury brands, upscale dining, boutique supermarkets, and also family-friendly spaces, like interactive play zones for kids and cozy lounges for parents. It features an indoor ice rink (perfect for skating sessions year-round), art galleries which hold rotating contemporary exhibitions, and a rooftop garden with panoramic city views (ideal for sunset cocktails). The B1 “MixC Food Hall” gathers various global cuisines, from Japanese sushi bars to Shaanxi’s signature biangbiang noodle stalls, catering to diverse tastes with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
- Address: No. 1076 Sanqiao New Street, Weiyang District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
- Opening Hours: 10:00–22:00
- How to Get to: Take Metro Line 2 to “Television Tower” Station (Exit C), walk ~1km; or take Bus 161, 820, to “Jinye Road Zhangba Yilu” Station.
