Where to Stay in Xi’an: Best Areas & Hotels for First-Time Visitors
Xi’an is a large city, but for most visitors, choosing where to stay is actually fairly simple.
If it’s your first trip and you only have a few days, I’d prioritize convenience over saving a little on the hotel. Staying around the Bell Tower keeps you close to the old city, the City Wall, restaurants, and several metro lines, which means less time spent commuting.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda area is better if Tang dynasty sights and evening walks around Great Tang Mall are a major part of your itinerary, while Yongningmen is a good compromise if you want to stay central without being right in the busiest part of the city.
I’d only choose Xi’an Railway Station mainly for an early train or a short overnight stop.
I’ve stayed in several of these areas myself, and below I’ll break down which one I’d choose for different types of trips, along with a few hotels worth considering.
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Where Should You Stay in Xi’an?
| Area | Best For |
|---|---|
| Bell Tower & Muslim Quarter | First-time visitors, short 2–3 night stays |
| Big Wild Goose Pagoda | Tang culture, Great Tang Mall, longer stays |
| Yongningmen & South Gate | A quieter stay near the old city |
| Xi’an Railway Station | Early trains and one-night stopovers |
Another useful way to narrow things down is to decide whether you want to stay within the old city at all. My Inside vs Outside Xi’an’s City Wall guide breaks down the practical differences.
Bell Tower & Muslim Quarter: Best for First-Time Visitors
If it’s your first trip to Xi’an and you’re only staying for two or three nights, I’d choose the Bell Tower area.
It may not be the quietest or cheapest part of Xi’an, but it’s very hard to go wrong. The Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter, and Yisushe are within walking distance, while Shuyuanmen, the Beilin Museum, and the South Gate of the City Wall are also easy to reach.
It’s especially convenient in the evening. Once the Bell Tower lights up, you can head out for dinner, wander through the old city, grab some barbecue or a cup of sour plum drink, and simply walk back to your hotel.
Zhonglou Station is served by Metro Lines 2 and 6, which also makes this one of the easiest bases for getting around. For first-time visitors to China, I think having fewer transfers and taxi rides makes a real difference.
I wouldn’t stay directly on the busiest part of the Muslim Quarter, though. It gets crowded and noisy at night. For food, I actually prefer walking farther west toward Sajinqiao, which feels a little more local.
For a short two- or three-night stay, I think paying slightly more to stay around the Bell Tower is worth it simply for the time you save. For more specific hotel options in this area, see my guide to the best hotels near Xi’an Bell Tower.
Campanile Xi’an Bell Tower
If you want a reasonably priced international chain, Campanile is a practical choice.
It’s close to Guangjijie Metro Station and within easy walking distance of the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter. Breakfast, laundry facilities, and luggage storage cover most of what you need when you’re spending the whole day sightseeing.
Novotel Xi’an The Bell Tower Hotel
I’ve stayed here myself, and the location was easily my favorite part: Zhonglou Metro Station Exit H is right outside the hotel.
The bed was large, breakfast wasn’t huge but tasted good, and I liked the small extras such as evening snacks and warm milk. Even the duvet was just the right thickness—something I appreciate after staying in plenty of hotels where the bedding feels far too heavy.
There are also direct tourist buses to the Terracotta Warriors departing nearby.
If my budget allowed, this would be my personal pick around the Bell Tower.
Zenyard Courtyard Accommodation
If you’d rather avoid a standardized chain hotel, Zenyard offers more of an old-Xi’an atmosphere.
The small courtyard has lanterns, a very relaxed resident cat, and complimentary late-night snacks. Rooms also come with useful touches such as washing and drying facilities.
I especially like the location for evenings: you can explore the Muslim Quarter, stop for food, and walk back without worrying about transport.
There aren’t many rooms, though, so it can sell out quickly around Chinese holidays.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Great Tang Mall: Best for Tang Culture and Evening Sightseeing
I’d stay around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda if the Shaanxi History Museum, Great Tang Mall, and Tang dynasty Xi’an are major priorities.
The area feels newer and more open than the old city, with wider streets and generally newer hotels. The pagoda, Da Ci’en Temple, Great Tang Mall, and Joy City are all close together, while the Shaanxi History Museum is also nearby.
But the real reason I’d stay here is the evening.
Great Tang Mall is at its best after dark, when the lights and street performances begin. Staying nearby means you can enjoy the whole evening and simply walk back instead of squeezing onto the metro or trying to find a taxi with everyone else.
For a first trip of only two or three nights, I’d still choose the Bell Tower. But if you have four to six days, or know you’ll spend several evenings around the pagoda, this area makes much more sense.
Mercure Xi’an Great Tang Mall of Dayan Pagoda
For an international chain without paying Westin prices, Mercure is a solid middle-ground option.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Great Tang Mall, and Shaanxi History Museum are all easy to reach, and there are plenty of places to eat nearby. It’s a practical base if most of your day will be spent outside sightseeing.
The Westin Xi’an
I stayed here with a friend when Great Tang Mall was becoming especially popular, and its biggest advantage is still the same: the hotel sits directly opposite the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
If you book a pagoda-facing room, the nighttime view is excellent. What I liked most, though, was being able to watch the evening performances and then walk straight back to the hotel.
The property itself isn’t especially new anymore, but if you’re staying here specifically for the pagoda and Great Tang Mall, the location is difficult to beat.
Yongningmen & South Gate: Quieter but Still Central
If you like the old city but think the Bell Tower feels too busy, I’d look around Yongningmen.
It’s only one metro stop from the Bell Tower, yet the area generally feels calmer. Metro Line 2 runs directly to Xi’an North Railway Station, and getting to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda area is also straightforward.
I especially like Yongningmen if you enjoy walking. Shuyuanmen, the Beilin Museum, Xiangzi Temple, and Shuncheng Lane are all nearby.
In the morning, you can also walk toward Xiaonanmen Morning Market for a more local breakfast scene. Later in the day, being so close to the City Wall makes it easy to go up around sunset and walk back to your hotel after the South Gate lights come on.
The main downside is price. Hotels around Yongningmen tend to be more expensive, and there aren’t as many budget options.
Xi’an Dajing Castle Hotel
If you want to wake up near the City Wall, this is one of the most recognizable options in the area.
The hotel sits directly opposite Yongningmen, and some rooms have views of the illuminated wall. The metro, SKP, Shuyuanmen, and Beilin Museum are all within easy reach.
The choice between these two areas usually comes down to convenience versus atmosphere. I compare them in more detail in Xi’an Bell Tower vs South Gate.
Near Xi’an Railway Station: Best for an Early Train
First, don’t confuse Xi’an Railway Station with Xi’an North Railway Station.
Xi’an Railway Station sits beside the northern City Wall in the main city, while Xi’an North is farther out and mainly serves high-speed trains.
I’d only stay near Xi’an Railway Station if I had an early departure, a late arrival, or wanted to keep sightseeing until the last few hours of my trip.
Metro Line 4 runs directly toward the Big Wild Goose Pagoda area, while the Bell Tower is only a short transfer away. Hotels here are also generally cheaper than those around the Bell Tower or Yongningmen.
You’ll also be close to Daming Palace National Heritage Park, whose imposing Tang‑style architecture makes it a fantastic spot for photos.
The downside around Xi’an Railway Station is obvious: it’s busy, functional, and not particularly atmospheric.
I see it as a transit base, not a first-choice neighborhood for sightseeing.
Jiefang Hotel
This long-established hotel sits just south of Xi’an Railway Station and is less than a ten-minute walk from the entrance.
It’s more practical than stylish, but that’s exactly the point. If you have an early train, heavy luggage, or want to leave your bags at the hotel while sightseeing on your final day, the location is very convenient.
Pai Hotel Xi’an Railway Station
For a simple one-night stop, Pai Hotel is the budget option I’d consider.
It’s close to both Xi’an Railway Station and Wulukou Metro Station, with plenty of restaurants and convenience stores nearby.
The rooms are basic and some facilities may feel dated, but if your priorities are simply cheap, clean, and easy for an early train, I don’t think you need to spend much more here.
Final Tips on Choosing Where to Stay in Xi’an
For most first-time visitors, I’d still choose the Bell Tower area, especially if you only have two or three nights. The location makes sightseeing easier, and you’ll spend less time moving back and forth across the city.
If you have more time, you can choose based on the kind of trip you want: Big Wild Goose Pagoda for Tang culture and evenings around Great Tang Mall, or Yongningmen if you prefer somewhere quieter but still central.
I’d only stay near Xi’an Railway Station for practical reasons, such as an early train or a one-night stopover.
Still planning the rest of the trip? My Xi’an travel guide covers the main sights, transport, food, and practical details, while the 3-day itinerary is a good starting point for working out where it makes the most sense to stay.
