The Insider’s Guide to Xi'an

Welcome to Xi’an!

Known as Chang’an in ancient times, Xi’an was one of the most important centers of early East Asian civilization and the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

But Xi’an is not just an old city filled with museums. What makes it special is the way history and everyday life sit right next to each other. Ancient imperial ruins, pagodas, and temples share the city with busy night markets, old lanes, noodle shops, and locals simply going about their day.

One of the best things to do here is simply wander through the old city without rushing from one attraction to another. Walk into a local lane, follow the smell of noodles and lamb, and stop at a small restaurant for some classic northwestern Chinese food. You do not need every hour of your Xi’an itinerary planned.

By day, visit the Terracotta Army or spend a few hours inside Xi’an’s museums. Around sunset, head up to the Xi’an City Wall and watch the light fall over the old city. After dark, the Qujiang area lights up with Tang-style architecture and night performances.

Xi’an is one of those cities where I would avoid trying to tick off every attraction. The famous historical sights are absolutely worth seeing, but some of the nicest moments come from slowing down between them.

In short, if you love ancient history, local food, or simply want to experience everyday life in an old Chinese city, Xi’an is absolutely worth adding to your China itinerary.

How Long Should You Stay in Xi’an?

For a first visit, I would recommend 2–3 days in Xi’an. One full day is possible if you are only passing through, while 5 days is better if you want a slower trip and time for quieter parts of the old city.

1 Day: Terracotta Army, then return to central Xi’an for sunset on the City Wall and the Bell and Drum Towers at night. Very rushed, but possible.

2 Days: Day 1 in the old city with Beilin Museum, Shuyuanmen, the City Wall, and Sajinqiao. Day 2 in Lintong for the Terracotta Army, Lishan Garden, and Huaqing Palace.

3 Days: Add the Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Grand Tang Mall. This is the best balance for most first-time visitors.

5 Days: Add quieter places like Guangren Temple, Xiangzi Temple, Xi’an Museum, the Great Mosque, and Shuyuanmen, with more time for local neighborhoods and cultural experiences.

Where to Stay in Xi’an for First-Time Visitors

For a first trip, I would stay inside the city wall or close to Bell Tower, Dachaishi, or Yongningmen metro stations.

Xi’an’s attractions are spread across the city, so I would prioritize easy metro access over choosing a hotel simply because it looks close to one attraction on the map.

Bell Tower

Best for maximum convenience. You can easily reach the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter, restaurants, and shops, but the area gets very busy at night and can be noisy.

Yongningmen

Yongningmen is my preferred area. It is still very central, but feels calmer than Bell Tower, with easy access to the City Wall and good metro connections. For most first-time visitors, I think this is the best overall balance.

Qujiang / Big Wild Goose Pagoda

A good choice if you prefer quieter surroundings and easy access to Grand Tang Mall at night. Hotels here are often more spacious, but it is less convenient for exploring the old city during the day.

My simple rule: Wherever you stay, choose a hotel within about a 10-minute walk of a metro station. It will save you a lot of time and energy.

My Favorite Things to Do in Xi’an

What I like most about Xi’an is that history does not always feel like something sitting behind glass.

You can stand on the City Wall, walk into old temples, see the Terracotta Warriors in person, and explore Tang-era sites all in the same trip.

You also do not need to visit every historical attraction just because it appears on a “must-see Xi’an” list. For a first trip, I would combine a few major landmarks with one or two quieter places.

Here are some of my favorite things to do in Xi’an, from famous landmarks to places many visitors miss.

Most Popular Tourist Spots & Attractions

Terracotta Army: Almost every first-time visitor comes here, and for good reason. Standing above Pit 1 and looking at thousands of life-size warriors is far more impressive in person than in photos. This is also one of the few Xi’an attractions where I strongly recommend getting some historical context while you visit. Rent the official English audio guide or hire a licensed guide. Without explanation, it is surprisingly easy to walk past important details and miss the stories behind what you are seeing.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Da Ci’en Temple: One of the most recognizable landmarks in Xi’an and closely connected with Xuanzang, Tang dynasty Buddhism, and the city’s role in cultural exchange along the Silk Road. You do not necessarily need to climb the pagoda to enjoy the area.
Xi’an City Wall: The wall is nearly 14 km long, so I do not recommend walking the whole thing. My favorite way to experience it is to enter from Yongning Gate around sunset and rent a bicycle for part of the route. You get the atmosphere of the old wall without turning the visit into an endurance challenge.
Shaanxi History Museum: Admission is free, but tickets are difficult to get. Its collection connects the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, making it one of the best places to understand why Xi’an matters so much historically. Reservations are usually released five days in advance at 5:00 PM, while major holidays may use a seven-day release window. The museum is closed on Mondays except statutory holidays. If you enjoy Chinese history, I would make this a priority rather than trying to squeeze in several smaller museums.
Muslim Quarter: One of the busiest and most popular areas for first-time visitors, especially at night. Come for the atmosphere, food stalls, Drum Tower area, and narrow lanes—but I would not rely on the main Sajinqiao street for the best local food. For an easier introduction to local dishes, a Xi’an food tour is also worth considering.
Grand Tang Mall: Free to visit and definitely best after dark, when the Tang-style buildings light up. There are also scheduled street performances. Holidays can be extremely crowded, though, and some performances may be adjusted depending on weather or crowd control. I would not spend valuable daytime sightseeing hours here—the atmosphere is the reason to come, and that really begins after sunset.

Hidden Gems

Xi’an has plenty of famous historical attractions, but some of my favorite places are much quieter.

If your itinerary is longer than two or three days, these are the kinds of places I would start adding.

Guangren Temple: A royal Tibetan Buddhist temple with deep red walls, a white stupa, and prayer wheels. It feels much quieter than Xi’an’s major attractions and is a lovely place to slow down after a busy morning in the old city.
Xiangzi Temple + Shuncheng Lane: Only around a 10-minute walk from Bell Tower, yet very few tour groups come here. Xiangzi Temple is a small Taoist temple, while Shuncheng Lane runs right along the base of the city wall. I especially like coming here toward evening for a quiet walk and a cup of sour plum drink.
Xi’an Museum + Small Wild Goose Pagoda: Completely different from the busy Big Wild Goose Pagoda area. Old trees, courtyards, and the pagoda create a much calmer atmosphere, and you can also see local archaeological finds from Xi’an. If you have already had enough of crowds, I would choose this area for a slower afternoon.
Great Mosque of Xi’an: Just steps away from the busy Muslim Quarter, but often skipped by tour groups. The mix of traditional Chinese courtyard architecture and Islamic culture makes it one of the best places to see the cultural exchange created by the ancient Silk Road.
Shuyuanmen Cultural Street: A relaxed old street beside the city wall, filled with calligraphy shops, painted fans, and traditional craft stores. It is a nice place for a slow afternoon walk and a small handmade souvenir rather than another major sightseeing stop.

Unique Experiences & My Favorite Things to Do

Some Xi’an experiences are less about “seeing a sight” and more about how you experience the city.

Cycle the City Wall at Sunset: If I could choose only one Xi’an experience, this would probably be it. Go up one or two hours before sunset, when the old brick walls and city lights begin to appear together. The surface can be bumpy, so there is absolutely no need to ride the entire loop. A shorter section gives you the experience without exhausting yourself.
Watch Shadow Puppetry and Huayin Laoqiang: Gao Family Courtyard, hidden inside the Muslim Quarter, hosts traditional shadow-puppet performances and Huayin Laoqiang. Even if you do not understand every word, the sound and energy of the live performance are memorable and offer something completely different from visiting another museum or temple.
Watch The Song of Everlasting Sorrow: This outdoor performance uses Mount Li itself as part of the stage. Lighting, water, mist, and the mountain landscape all come together, so the experience feels very different from a normal indoor show. Bring a jacket because Lintong can feel much colder at night.
Transport tip: Lintong is about 40 km from central Xi’an. After the late performance, Metro Line 9 is usually closed, so you will likely need a ride-hailing car back to the city. Plan the return trip in advance rather than figuring it out after the show ends.

What to Eat in Xi’an

Xi’an food is all about northwestern wheat dishes and Hui Muslim flavors.

Some classics to try are roujiamo, lamb paomo, biangbiang noodles, Qinzhen liangpi, zenggao, and sour soup dumplings. If your stay is short, I would focus on a few regional specialties rather than trying to eat everything at once.

For food, I would not spend the whole evening on the main Beiyuanmen section of the Muslim Quarter, which is more commercialized. Walk toward Sajinqiao, Dapiyuan, or Xiyangshi instead for more local restaurants and better value.

Lamb paomo is one of the most interesting dishes to try—you tear the flatbread into small pieces before the soup is added. For dessert, zenggao, made with sticky rice and red dates, is another Xi’an classic.

Many small restaurants have little or no English menu, so keeping photos of dishes on your phone helps. If you do not eat chili, ask for no chili, rather than simply “less spicy.”

Muslim Quarter tip: Sajinqiao, Dapiyuan, and Xiyangshi are Hui Muslim areas. Avoid bringing pork into halal restaurants, and some places do not serve alcohol.

If you want an easy introduction to Xi’an’s local flavors, a Xi’an food tour is a great place to start.

How to Get Around Xi’an

The Xi’an Metro is one of the easiest ways to get around the city.

The network looks large on the map, but most first-time visitors do not need to understand the entire system.

For a typical Xi’an trip, you will probably rely on only a handful of lines.

You will use Line 2 the most. It connects Xi’an North Railway Station, Bell Tower, Yongningmen, and Xiaozhai.

Line 4 is also useful for Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Grand Tang Mall, and Dachaishi, while Line 9 continues toward Lintong.

Metro & Suburban Lines

Xi’an has a large metro network, including Line 9 for Lintong and Line 14 for Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.

At first glance, the system can look a little confusing, but for sightseeing, keep these four lines in mind:

Line 2 — Xi’an North Railway Station, Bell Tower, Yongningmen, and Xiaozhai.
Line 4 — Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Da Ci’en Temple, Grand Tang Mall, and Dachaishi.
Line 9 — Get off at Huaqingchi Station for Huaqing Palace. For the Terracotta Army, get off at Qinlingxi Station and transfer to a short local bus. The metro does not go directly to the museum entrance.
Line 14 — Direct service to Airport West (T1/T2/T3) at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.

Stay connected: Get a China-compatible eSIM before arrival so maps and transport apps work as soon as you land.

Buses

In many Chinese cities, buses are heavily used, but in Xi’an the metro covers most major tourist sights.

For a first visit, I would use the metro as your default and only look at buses when they genuinely save time.

You may still find them useful for places like Guangren Temple or smaller old neighborhoods without a nearby metro station.

I sometimes take a short bus ride simply to avoid walking another 20–30 minutes to the nearest station. After a full sightseeing day, those extra 20 minutes can feel much longer than they look on Google Maps.

How to Pay for Public Transport

Alipay / WeChat: Use the Xi’an metro QR code and scan when entering and leaving the station.

Chang’an Tong card: Available at metro service centers and some convenience stores, and works on both the metro and buses.