Xi'an, a city rich in the history of thirteen dynasties, is packed with cultural heritage and delicious food. In just one day, you can experience its unique charm. Here’s a detailed one-day itinerary to help you plan your trip and fully enjoy this amazing city.
Morning: Shaanxi History Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Shaanxi History Museum
Recommended departure time: 8:00 AM
Transportation: You can take the subway or bus, depending on where you're staying.
Visit: Book free tickets on the official website or WeChat account 2-3 days in advance, or buy tickets for the Tang Dynasty Treasure Exhibition or Tang Dynasty Mural Exhibition for a deeper appreciation of the artifacts. The museum has a rich collection, covering various relics from ancient times to the Ming and Qing dynasties, like Shang and Zhou bronzes, Han and Tang gold and silverware, and Tang Sancai. Plan to spend about 3 hours here.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Transportation: It's a short walk from the Shaanxi History Museum.
Visit: the big wild goose pagoda is a landmark of Xi'an and a symbol of Buddhist culture. You can enjoy Asia's largest musical fountain show at the North Square (shows usually start on the hour, check official info for details). If you want to climb the pagoda, you’ll need to buy a separate ticket to enter the Daci'en Temple and experience the charm of this ancient tower. Plan to spend about 1-2 hours here.
Afternoon: Xi'an City Wall and Bell and Drum Tower
Xi'an City Wall
Transportation: Take subway line 2 to Yongningmen Station and climb up the city wall.
Visit: This is one of the largest and best-preserved Ancient City walls in China. You can rent a bike and ride around the wall to enjoy the ancient city scenery, or stroll along the wall to feel the weight of history. The wall is 13.7 kilometers long, so plan for about 2-3 hours.
Bell and Drum Tower
Transportation: After coming down from the wall, walk or take a short bus/subway ride.
Visit: The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are iconic buildings in Xi'an, located close to each other, and you can buy a combo ticket to visit both. Climb up to enjoy ancient architectural art and city views, and learn about ancient timekeeping culture. Plan for about 1-2 hours here.
Evening: Muslim Street and Tang Paradise
Muslim Street
Transportation: It's near the Bell and Drum Tower, just a short walk away.
Food: This is a famous food street in Xi'an, featuring various local snacks like lamb paomo, sesame cold noodles, steamed rice cake, and roasted meat. You can taste the food while strolling around and soak in the rich Muslim culture. Plan for about 1-2 hours.
Grand Tang Mall
Transportation: After leaving Muslim Street, walk or take a short bus/subway ride.
Visit: This is a commercial pedestrian street filled with Tang Dynasty elements, sparkling with lights at night, featuring various Tang-style buildings, sculptures, and performances, like the balancing lady and the Tang Dynasty secret box, making you feel like you've traveled back to the glorious Tang Dynasty. Plan for about 2 hours here.
Tips:
Transportation: The Xi'an subway is convenient and doesn't get stuck in traffic, making it a great choice for getting around.
Tickets: Some attractions require advance reservations or ticket purchases, so it's a good idea to plan ahead.
Food: Xi'an has a rich variety of food, so you can choose to try based on your personal taste.
Weather: Xi'an's summer temperatures can be high, so be sure to prepare for sun protection and heat.
With this guide, you can fully experience Xi'an's historical culture and food charm in just one day. Hope you have a fun and unforgettable day here!
Related Posts
Create Your Customized Trip
Take about 2 minutes to fill the form to tell us how you like to travel, and get a reply within 1 working day.
