Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, has become the fastest-developing city in northwest China. Xi'an holds numerous prestigious titles: it is one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals, serving as the capital for 13 dynasties throughout history. It is also a world-renowned historic city, where pivotal events like the unification under the Qin Dynasty and the glorious Tang Dynasty occurred. Here, the cultural essence of the Chinese civilization spanning thousands of years quietly endures. Its charm awaits your personal discovery.  

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1-Day Xi'an City Tour

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Climate

Xi'an experiences four distinct seasons. The best times to visit are in spring and autumn, from March to May and September to November.

● March to May: Spring in Xi'an is warm and dry with many sunny days. It coincides with the blooming season, making places like Qinglong Temple and Xi'an Jiaotong University popular spots for enjoying cherry blossoms and peach blossoms. Xingqing Park and Daming Palace National Heritage Park are filled with vibrant flowers, and you may even catch folk performances.

● September to November: Autumn in Xi'an is cool and pleasant, with golden hues spreading across the city. The Small and Big Wild Goose Pagodas are surrounded by autumnal colors, and ancient ginkgo trees can be admired at temples like the Ancient Guanyin Zen Temple and Da Ci'en Temple. Osmanthus flowers bloom along Zhonglou North and South Streets, filling the air with fragrance. However, watch out for occasional autumn rains.

● June to August: Summers are hot and sunny, with temperatures sometimes reaching 40°C (104°F). When visiting outdoor attractions like the Ancient City Wall, avoid midday and prepare for the heat. Cool off with a local ice-cold Bingfeng soda or visit the musical fountain at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the evening.

● November to March: Winters are cold, with temperatures occasionally dropping to -4°C (24.8°F) and chilly winds. Fog is also common. Dress warmly to stay comfortable. If you're lucky, you might witness a beautiful snowfall in the ancient capital. Additionally, this is the off-season, so accommodations and ticket prices are generally lower.

Recommended Travel Duration

Plan for 3–5 days to fully explore Xi'an. Most attractions in the city are conveniently clustered and easy to navigate, with a grid-like street layout. Using the Ancient City Wall as the center, you can find the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Muslim Quarter just 1 km to the north. Walking south from the City Wall for about 20 minutes will take you to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. To the southeast, about 3–4 km away, you'll find the Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Tang Paradise. These landmarks can be visited together in one route.

In Xi'an's eastern Lintong District, you’ll find the Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Palace, and Mount Li, which can all be covered in one day. Buses from the city center make transportation convenient. If you plan to visit Mount Hua, take the high-speed train from Xi'an North Station to Huashan North Station. Allow 1–2 days for climbing the mountain.

Accommodation

It's recommended to stay near the Bell and Drum Towers, ideally within a 5-minute walk to a metro station, as many of Xi'an's attractions are accessible by subway. I stayed at a location where Metro Lines 1 and 2 intersect—it was incredibly convenient! To use the metro, search for "Xi'an Metro QR Code" on Alipay. Additionally, some cities’ IC transit cards work here, such as the one I use from Changchun.

Day 1:

● Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum [Terracotta Warriors and Horses]

When mentioning Emperor Qin Shi Huang, everyone immediately thinks of him as the great ruler who unified the six states. Naturally, the magnificent Terracotta Army comes to mind as well, showcasing its immense fame. Visitors from around the world flock here, and the Terracotta Army is often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." The Terracotta Army is arguably one of the most significant impressions of Xi’an, and almost everyone visiting the city includes it on their itinerary. Of course, we were no exception.

From the main entrance, it takes about ten minutes on foot to reach Pit 1, passing through a park-like area. It’s not too far. If you prefer not to walk, you can take an electric cart for 5 yuan per person, but I don’t think it’s necessary. If the weather is nice, walking is recommended. Personally, I suggest hiring a guide when visiting the Terracotta Army. Otherwise, it might feel like “you’re looking at clay figures, and they’re looking back at you.” Before my trip, I had spent a couple of weeks watching livestreams from guides and researching materials, so I already had a good grasp of the information they would provide. Thus, we decided not to hire a guide.

Pit 2 and Pit 3 are located on either side of Pit 1. Like Pit 1, they contain nearly 2,000 terracotta figures and horses, including chariot soldiers, cavalry, and infantry, all arranged in neat formations. Although they are not as visually striking as Pit 1, each pit serves a unique purpose and offers a fascinating glimpse into history, making them worth visiting.

After finishing the tour, follow the crowd or the signs to return to the main entrance. If you want to see the bronze chariots, you’ll need to go to the shuttle bus station at the visitor center. While the shuttle bus is free, you’ll need to take another small sightseeing cart afterward, as the site is quite far on foot. Personally, I felt this was unnecessary and didn’t visit that section. If your schedule is tight, it’s better to skip it.

For lunch, we found an authentic Shaanxi noodle shop near the Shaanxi History Museum and ordered a local favorite, Ice Peak soda. It felt great to experience life like a true local.

● Shaanxi History Museum

"Give me one day, and I’ll return you 10,000 years." The museum houses an impressive collection of over 370,000 artifacts, ranging from simple stone tools used by early humans to various objects from before 1840. The exhibits span over a million years of history.

This museum was at the top of my must-visit list, and since we visited during the off-season, reserving tickets wasn’t too difficult. However, during peak season, securing tickets can be a challenge. There’s a saying: “For underground relics, go to Shaanxi; for above-ground relics, go to Shanxi.” In Xi’an, the Shaanxi History Museum is the most famous and boasts the largest collection of invaluable artifacts.

To avoid crowds, I recommend visiting during less busy hours, such as lunchtime or in the afternoon. Definitely avoid going in the morning, as the crowds can make the experience overwhelming.

● Xi’an City Wall

After finishing our visit to the Shaanxi History Museum, we headed to Yongning Gate. Many people overlook the City Wall when visiting Xi’an, but it’s worth exploring. Tickets to climb the wall cost 45 yuan. The Xi’an City Wall we see today refers to the Ming dynasty city wall, which is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China.

Walking along the City Wall is a peaceful and enjoyable experience, especially when the weather is just right—not too hot or cold, with a light breeze. Halfway through our walk, I had a sudden idea to exit the wall at Jianguo Gate and explore the surrounding area. The street views around here caught my attention, and I love wandering through the alleys of old city neighborhoods. Walking north along this route, you can reach Yongxing Fang.

● Yongxing Fang

After a short walk, we arrived at Yongxing Fang, which was just as bustling as expected. Yongxing Fang is a food street showcasing a variety of Shaanxi delicacies. It’s like a commercialized food hub with a traditional aesthetic. Visiting in the evening is a great idea, as the area is beautifully lit and retains a classic charm.

Day 2

This morning, we walked from our hotel to the Gao Family Courtyard. Our hotel was located at the intersection of Metro Lines 1 and 2, right in the city center, so it was only about a kilometer away, making it very convenient.

● Gao Family Courtyard

Walking along the Muslim Quarter, you’ll find the Gao Family Courtyard tucked away in a quiet corner amidst the bustling streets. This was the former residence of Gao Yuesong, whose ancestral home was in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province. During the 10th year of the Tongzhi reign in the Qing dynasty, his descendant achieved second place in the imperial examination and was awarded the honorary plaque of "Second Rank Graduate." The courtyard reflects a distinctive northern Shaanxi architectural style, showcasing the lifestyle of the northwest region during that period. I recommend visiting—it’s an interesting site, and the ticket price is quite affordable.

● Muslim Quarter

The Muslim Quarter is a hub for Xi’an’s snacks and street food, including many popular shops known online. While it’s not necessarily the go-to place for locals, it is an accessible and comprehensive food street for tourists.

It’s worth noting that the Muslim Quarter is not just one street but a large area. I don’t recommend eating at the main section directly under the Drum Tower, as it’s often overpriced due to its prime location. Instead, explore streets like Beiguangji Street, Beiyuanmen, Xiyangshi, Dapiyuan, and Sajinqiao for more authentic experiences.

● Bell Tower & Drum Tower

The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are only 200 meters apart and stand as two iconic Ming dynasty structures that complement each other. They are among the largest and best-preserved examples of drum towers in China.

Interestingly, the entire construction uses no iron nails. The design, based on Tang dynasty architecture but incorporating Song dynasty techniques, results in a grand and innovative style.

● Xi’an Museum

The museum’s circular main hall features an intriguing floor mosaic comparing the maps of ancient and modern Chang’an. The innermost section represents Ming and Qing Xi’an, while the largest red area represents Tang Chang’an. To the top left, the dark gray section represents Han Chang’an, and the uppermost yellow area represents Qin Xianyang.

The museum has three levels: two above ground and one below. It houses nearly 130,000 historical artifacts, including over 14,400 nationally classified cultural relics. Most of the exhibits date back to the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties. Compared to the Shaanxi History Museum, the Xi’an Museum is less crowded, providing a quieter and more enjoyable viewing experience. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is the largest artifact in the museum, reflecting Xi’an’s ancient capital’s charm and rich cultural history.

● Small Wild Goose Pagoda

While not as famous as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is still worth a visit. Its surroundings are less developed for tourism compared to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda area, but that adds to its charm.

Located within Jianfu Temple, this pagoda was also built during the Tang dynasty, around 707 AD, later than the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Its smaller scale earned it the name “Small Wild Goose Pagoda.” It served as a place for translating Buddhist scriptures.

● Daci’en Temple & Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Compared to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda attracts far more visitors, including many tour groups. Personally, I found the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to be somewhat over-commercialized, with the surrounding shops and theaters occupying more space than the actual site.

Daci’en Temple was originally built by Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty to honor his mother. It was the largest temple during the Tang dynasty and later gained even greater significance when Xuanzang translated Buddhist scriptures there. Despite the large crowds outside, the temple itself is peaceful, offering many vantage points for views of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

For dinner, we ate at Da Qin Noodle House, a well-known local noodle chain in Shaanxi. Despite being a chain, the taste was excellent.

● Tang Paradise

Tang Paradise is centered around Furong Lake and features attractions such as Ziyun Tower, Lu Yu Tea House, and Fengming Jiutian Theater, which are spread across the lake’s perimeter. The park is divided into twelve cultural theme areas, showcasing the Tang dynasty’s splendor through its imperial, poetic, folk, culinary, and dance traditions.

When visiting Tang Paradise, it’s recommended to enter through the west gate (main gate, also called Yuyuan Gate) and follow the lakeside paths clockwise to explore all the attractions.

We’re now heading to the Great Tang All Day Mall.

● Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City

If Tang Paradise’s Spring Festival Lantern Fair can be described as "spacious and serene," then the Great Tang All Day Mall is the opposite—crowded and bustling. Due to the large number of visitors, be sure to take care of your belongings and keep an eye on elderly family members and children.

The Great Tang All Day Mall isn’t a traditional tourist attraction but rather a 1,500-meter-long central pedestrian street featuring sculptures and displays themed around Tang dynasty emperors, historical figures, heroic stories, and achievements in religion, literature, art, and technology. It’s a vibrant showcase of the Tang Empire’s cultural and historical legacy.

Day 3

● Guangren Temple

Located in the northwest corner of Xi’an’s city wall, Guangren Temple is a Tibet/index.html'>Tibetan Buddhist temple that’s well worth visiting. During the off-season, no reservations are needed, and admission is free.

Although small, Guangren Temple is rich in features, including one of only two life-sized statues of the Buddha at age 12 and the largest Thousand-Armed Guanyin statue in Shaanxi Province. It also houses China’s only exquisite Thousand-Buddha Hall. This temple was also part of Princess Wencheng’s journey to Tibet from Chang’an.

● Sajinqiao

In Xi’an, there’s a place that outsiders may not have heard of—Sajinqiao. It’s not a tourist attraction, nor is it famous. However, to locals, it’s a hidden treasure.

Sajinqiao runs from the northern entrance of Damai Market Street to the intersection of Lianhu Road and Laoguanmiao. Despite its modest length of 800 meters, it’s packed with authentic Xi’an delicacies. The street is lined with old eateries, making it a paradise for those seeking genuine local flavors known only to Xi’an natives.