Xi'an
Xi’an is one of China’s oldest cities, famous for its ancient city wall and deep imperial history. It feels grounded and lived-in, where everyday life sits right next to sites that are over 2,000 years old.
Xi'an is a great first stop if you want classic history without the “big capital” vibe. The city center is compact, the main landmarks are close to each other, and the food scene is a big part of the trip.
The one thing to plan ahead is the Terracotta Army. It is not in the city center, so it works best as a half-day or full-day trip if you combine it with nearby activities.
Things to do in Xi'an
Discover the best activities and experiences
DiningMuslim Quarter, Xi’an
A street-food and market area near the city centre
CulturalXi’an Ancient City Wall, Xi’an
Walking above the old city
CulturalTerracotta Army, Xi’an
CulturalBell Tower and Drum Tower, Xi’an
Two historic landmarks in the city centre
Best time to visit Xi'an
Most people find spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) the easiest time to visit. Better walking weather, and it is more comfortable for the city wall and day trips.
- Summer: hot, and afternoons can feel heavy. Start early and plan indoor breaks.
- Winter: cold and dry, but often quieter. November weather is often fine.
How many days you need
- 2 days: city wall + central sights, plus one longer museum or evening area. Can priorities Terracotta Army if you want.
- 3 days: comfortable first visit, with time for the Terracotta Army
- 4 to 5 days: slower pace, more food wandering, and extra day trips
Where to stay
For most first-time travelers, it is easiest to stay central, inside the city wall. That puts you close to the core sights and makes evenings simple.
If you stay far out, you will spend more time commuting than you expect.
Getting around
Xi'an is easy to navigate with a mix of metro + walking + a taxi app.
- The metro is useful for crossing the city and reaching big areas without traffic.
- Central sightseeing is very walkable, especially around the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and the Muslim Quarter.
“With distances” is a big deal in Xi'an
A lot of Xi'an is about smart grouping.
- Bell Tower / Drum Tower / Muslim Quarter are close enough that you can treat them like one area. From Bell Tower metro station, it is roughly a short walk into the Muslim Quarter.
- Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is not far, but it is usually a separate stop, not something you casually tack onto a tight evening plan.
- Terracotta Army is the one that catches people. It is outside central Xi'an, roughly 40 km away, so plan transport time both ways. You can read more about this at https://travelchinanow.com/xian/things-to-do/terracotta-army-xian.
Xi'an City Wall: timing and expectations
The wall is huge, and you do not need to “do it all”. Most people either:
- walk a shorter stretch, or
- rent a bike and do a longer loop
- personally i ran the entire wall, which was a very fun experience!
It is about 14 km around, so it is normal to pick a gate, do a section, and call it a day.
Payments
Like most cities in China, mobile payments are the default.
- Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay if you can
- Keep a little cash as backup, but do not rely on it everywhere
Internet and apps
A simple setup makes Xi'an feel easy:
- Have a plan for blocked apps (either a VPN, or just rely on local apps for maps and transport)
- Save your hotel address in Chinese
- Screenshot bookings and QR codes
A simple way to plan your days
Xi'an works best with a rhythm like this:
- Morning: one main sight (wall or museum)
- Afternoon: a second area nearby
- Evening: Muslim Quarter or a food street, no tight schedule
And if you are doing Terracotta, make that the main plan for that day.