Xi'an
The Eternal City
Welcome to Xi'an! The start of the Silk Road and the capital of 13 ancient dynasties.
1. Attractions
Tap copy & paste icon at the right side of attraction name and paste in map app to see the location.
Note: Some major attractions require reservations even with tickets. Be sure to use Trip.com to purchase and reserve simultaneously
Day 1: The Eighth Wonder
Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑)
Thousands of life-size clay soldiers guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. 1 hour drive from city center.
Muslim Quarter (回民街)
A lively food district behind the Drum Tower. Perfect for dinner.
Cost:Free to walk
Hours:Open late
Day 2: The Ancient City
Xi'an City Wall (西安城墙)
Rent a bicycle and cycle the full 14km loop on top of the wall. Best done in the morning or sunset.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔)
Built to store Buddhist scriptures brought from India by Monk Xuanzang. Watch the musical fountain show in the North Square at night.
Grand Tang Mall (大唐不夜城)
A pedestrian street near the Pagoda that lights up like the Tang Dynasty at night.
Cost:Free
Hours:Best after 19:00
Day 3: Treasures & Faith
Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆)
One of the best museums in China. If free tickets are sold out, buy the 'Treasure Hall' ticket to skip the line.
The Great Mosque (西安大清真寺)
A unique mosque built in traditional Chinese architectural style.
2. Food
Tap copy & paste icon at the right side of food name and paste in Dianping app to find restaurants.
Note: Food items may contain allergens. Please confirm with restaurant staff directly
Carb Heaven
Roujiamo
肉夹馍
Chopped spiced meat in a crispy bun.
Biangbiang Noodles
Biangbiang面
Thick, hand-pulled noodles with chili. Famous for the complex character 'Biang'.
Yangrou Paomo
羊肉泡馍
Mutton soup where you crumble the bread into the bowl yourself before they cook it.
3. Transportation
Arrival
- Air:
Metro Line 14: Best value (~6 RMB). Fastest and most punctual (35-45 mins). Connects to Xi'an North Station; transfer to Line 2 or Line 4 for city center (Bell Tower/Big Wild Goose Pagoda). Runs ~06:00–22:20.
Airport Bus: Convenient for heavy luggage (~25 RMB). Direct routes to Bell Tower, Railway Station, and High-tech Zone. 24-hour service available on some lines (e.g., Xishaomen line), making it ideal for late arrivals. Travel time is 60-90 mins, subject to traffic.
Taxi/Ride-hailing: Door-to-door service (24/7). To city center costs 100-130 RMB (~40-60 mins). Only use official taxi ranks or DiDi to avoid scams.Check flights via
- Train:
Xi'an Station (Old Station): City center hub near the City Wall and Bell Tower. Primarily serves standard (K/Z/T) and some bullet trains. Best if staying downtown; direct access via Metro Line 4.
Xi'an North: Massive high-speed hub in the north. Primary arrival point for G and D trains. Though further from the center, it offers excellent transit via Metro Lines 2, 4, and 14, with Line 2 providing a direct 30-minute link to the Bell Tower.Check trains via
City Transport
- Metro: The lines follow the grid of the city.
- To Terracotta Warriors: Take Metro Line 9 to Huaqing Chi station, then take the tourist bus.
4. Where to Stay
Bell Tower Area
Inside the city walls. Walkable to the Muslim Quarter.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda Area
More modern, great night views.
5. Essential Tips
💡 Top Tips
- Cycling the Wall: It is bumpy! The bricks are uneven. It takes about 1.5 - 2 hours to cycle the full loop.