Quick Answer
Xi'an is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Chinese history and culture. As the starting point of the Silk Road and capital of 13 dynasties, Xi'an offers the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, a remarkably preserved Ancient City Wall, vibrant Muslim Quarter street food, and easy access via high-speed rail from Beijing (4-5 hours) or Shanghai (6-7 hours).
Recommended stay: 3-4 days
Best time to visit: March-May, September-November
Estimated budget: $50-100/day (mid-range)
Why Visit Xi'an?
Xi'an (西安) is one of China's most historically significant cities. For over 2,000 years, it served as the capital for 13 dynasties including the Qin, Han, and Tang. Today, it's a fascinating blend of ancient history and modern Chinese life.
Top reasons to visit:
• Terracotta Warriors — One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century
• Ancient City Wall — The best-preserved city fortification in China
• Muslim Quarter — Incredible street food and vibrant night markets
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda — Iconic Buddhist pagoda from the Tang Dynasty
• Shaanxi History Museum — World-class collection of ancient artifacts
4-Day Xi'an Itinerary
Day 1: City Wall & Muslim Quarter
Morning: Ancient City Wall
• Rent a bicycle and cycle the entire 14km perimeter (1.5-2 hours)
• Entry: ¥54 ($7.50)
• Best time: Early morning for fewer crowds and cooler weather
• Tip: Start from South Gate (永宁门) — the most impressive entrance
Afternoon: Bell & Drum Towers
• Bell Tower: ¥30 ($4) — Center of ancient Xi'an
• Drum Tower: ¥30 ($4) — Just west of Bell Tower
• Combo ticket: ¥50 ($7) for both
Evening: Muslim Quarter (回民街)
• Location: Behind Drum Tower
• Must-try foods:
• Roujiamo (肉夹馍) — Chinese hamburger, ¥15-25
• Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍) — Crumbled flatbread in lamb soup, ¥30-50
• Biang Biang Noodles — Thick hand-pulled noodles, ¥20-35
Day 2: Terracotta Warriors
Morning: Terracotta Army Museum
• Hours: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM)
• Entry: ¥120 ($17)
• How to get there:
• Bus 306 from Xi'an Railway Station (¥7, 1 hour)
• Taxi/DiDi: ¥120-150 ($17-21), 45 minutes
What to see:
• Pit 1 — The largest and most impressive, 6,000+ warriors
• Pit 2 — Cavalry and archers, more detailed figures
• Pit 3 — Command center, smaller but significant
• Exhibition Hall — Bronze chariots and artifacts
Tips:
• Arrive early (8:30 AM) to avoid crowds
• Hire an audio guide (¥40) or join a tour for context
• Allow 3-4 hours for the full visit
Afternoon: Huaqing Palace (optional)
• Imperial hot springs from Tang Dynasty
• Entry: ¥120 ($17)
• Combined ticket with Terracotta: ¥200 ($28)
Day 3: Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Museums
Morning: Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔)
• Built in 652 AD during Tang Dynasty
• Entry: Pagoda ¥30, Da Ci'en Temple ¥40
• Best photo spot: North Plaza musical fountain (free)
Afternoon: Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆)
• One of China's best museums — Over 370,000 artifacts
• Entry: Free, but reservation required via WeChat/website
• Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (closed Mondays)
• Tip: Book 3-7 days ahead; tickets sell out fast
Alternative: Small Wild Goose Pagoda (小雁塔)
• Quieter alternative, beautiful park setting
• Xi'an Museum on-site
• Entry: Free with ID
Evening: Tang Dynasty Show (optional)
• Dinner + cultural performance
• Price: ¥268-368 ($37-51)
• Venues: Tang Paradise or Shaanxi Grand Opera House
Day 4: Day Trip Options
Option A: Mount Hua (华山)
• One of China's Five Great Mountains
• Famous for dangerous plank walk (长空栈道)
• High-speed rail: 30 minutes to Huashan North
• Full day trip, return to Xi'an in evening
Option B: Han Yang Ling Mausoleum
• Underground museum with glass floors over artifacts
• Less crowded than Terracotta Warriors
• Entry: ¥80 ($11)
• Metro Line 2 + taxi
Option C: Explore more of Xi'an
• Great Mosque of Xi'an (清真大寺) — Ming Dynasty architecture
• Bookworm International Bookstore — English books and coffee
• Tang West Market — Shopping and dining complex
Getting to Xi'an
By High-Speed Rail
From Beijing:
• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Price: ¥515-615 ($72-86)
• Xi'an North Station → Metro to city center (20 min)
From Shanghai:
• Duration: 6-7 hours
• Price: ¥660-900 ($92-126)
From Chengdu:
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Price: ¥260-400 ($36-56)
By Air
• Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)
• Airport Metro Line: ¥7, 40 minutes to city center
• Taxi: ¥100-150 ($14-21), 45 minutes
Where to Stay
Inside City Wall (Historic Center):
• Budget: Bell Tower Youth Hostel — ¥80-150/night
• Mid-range: Sofitel Xi'an — ¥600-1000/night
• Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton — ¥1500-2500/night
Near Muslim Quarter:
• Great for food lovers
• Walking distance to major attractions
• Try traditional courtyard hotels (四合院)
Near Big Wild Goose Pagoda:
• Quieter area, good for families
• Many modern hotels
• Easy access to museums
Food You Must Try
Local Specialties:
• Roujiamo (肉夹馍) — Xi'an's famous Chinese burger
• Price: ¥15-25
• Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍) — Lamb soup with crumbled bread
• Price: ¥30-50
• Biang Biang Noodles (油泼面) — Wide hand-pulled noodles
• Price: ¥20-35
• Guan Tang Bao (灌汤包) — Soup dumplings
• Price: ¥20-30 for 8 pieces
Estimated Budget
Daily costs (mid-range traveler):
• Accommodation: ¥300-600 ($42-84)
• Food: ¥100-200 ($14-28)
• Transport: ¥30-80 ($4-11)
• Attractions: ¥80-150 ($11-21)
• Daily Total: ¥510-1030 ($71-144)
Practical Tips
Best Time to Visit:
• Spring (March-May): Pleasant weather, cherry blossoms
• Fall (September-November): Comfortable temperatures, clear skies
• Avoid summer (June-August) — very hot and crowded
Getting Around:
• Metro is modern and cheap (¥2-7)
• DiDi (滴滴) for convenient taxi service
• Walking is easy within the City Wall area
Payment:
• Alipay and WeChat Pay accepted everywhere
• Carry some cash for small vendors
FAQ
Q: How many days do I need in Xi'an?
A: 3-4 days is ideal.
Q: Is the Terracotta Warriors worth it?
A: Absolutely. It's one of the world's most significant archaeological sites.
Q: Can I visit Xi'an without a tour?
A: Yes, Xi'an is very tourist-friendly.
Last Updated: March 2026