Shaanxi is a landlocked province in north-central China that served as the cradle of Chinese civilization and the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road. Home to the world-famous Terracotta Army, the Ming-dynasty Xi'an City Wall, and the sacred cliffs of Mount Hua, Shaanxi pairs 3,000 years of imperial history with the hearty noodle-and-lamb cuisine of the Loess Plateau.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Terracotta Army Excavation Pits Visit
Walking through Pit 1, the largest excavation hall, children are struck by the scale of the thousands of life-size clay soldiers standing in formation. Audio guides and English-speaking guides help make the history accessible for school-age children.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Xi'an City Wall Bike Ride
Cycling the complete 13.7 km loop atop the Ming-dynasty city wall is a favorite family activity, with tandem bikes and child seats available for younger riders. The flat, wide wall path is safe and offers panoramic views over the old city.
Duration: 1–2 hours
Shaanxi History Museum Visit
Bronze artifacts, Tang-dynasty gold and silver work, and dynastic-era displays are presented with enough visual variety to hold children's attention, especially with an audio guide or docent-led tour aimed at younger visitors.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Tang Paradise (Datang Furong Yuan) Evening Visit
A large recreated Tang-dynasty garden park with fountain and light shows, boat rides, and evening performances. The open space and lantern-lit evening atmosphere make it an easy, low-stress outing for families with children of any age.
Duration: 2–4 hours
Xi'an Qujiang Ocean World Aquarium Visit
An indoor aquarium in the Qujiang district with underwater tunnels, marine life displays, and a dolphin or sea lion show, giving families an air-conditioned, weather-proof activity option.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Huaqing Palace Hot Spring Gardens Walk
Children enjoy the historic bathing pool ruins tied to the legend of Yang Guifei, the garden pavilions at the foot of Lishan, and — for those with more energy — the cable car ride up Lishan itself.
Duration: 2 hours
Shaanxi Science and Technology Museum
Interactive science exhibits covering physics, space, and technology give children a hands-on break from history-heavy sightseeing, with English labeling on many exhibits.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an
A five-star hotel in the High-tech Zone with an indoor pool, spacious family rooms, and a full-service spa for parents who want downtime
Family features: Indoor pool, spacious family rooms, babysitting available on request, central High-tech Zone location with easy metro access
Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin Square
A centrally located hotel near the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter with an indoor pool and connecting room options
Family features: Indoor pool, connecting rooms, walkable to major old-city sights
Hyatt Regency Xi'an
A well-located mid-to-upscale hotel close to the City Wall and Bell Tower, popular with international families
Family features: Central location, family rooms, indoor pool, breakfast buffet with familiar options
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most Xi'an restaurants can adjust spice levels on request — Shaanxi cuisine (biangbiang noodles, rou jia mo) is generally milder than Sichuan cuisine and easier for children
The Muslim Quarter food street offers small, shareable portions that let children sample without committing to a full meal
Western fast food (McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut) is widely available around the Bell Tower and Qujiang districts if children need a familiar option
Many hotel and mid-range restaurants have high chairs available — ask for a baby seat (宝宝椅, bǎobao yǐ)
Biangbiang noodles and rou jia mo (a bread-and-meat sandwich) are popular with children for their familiar textures and mild seasoning options
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Save the Mount Hua and Mount Taibai adventure sites for families with older children and teens — the chain-assisted cliff sections are not appropriate for young children or toddlers
The Xi'an metro is stroller-accessible with elevators at most stations, making it the easiest way to move between the City Wall, Bell Tower, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda areas
Book Terracotta Army and Shaanxi History Museum tickets online in advance — both cap daily visitor numbers
Pack layers — Xi'an's climate swings from hot, humid summers to cold, dry winters, and temperature drops sharply at altitude on any mountain excursion
Set up Alipay before arrival so that family purchases, metro rides, and museum ticket reservations go smoothly