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.
- Public
- Xi'an Metro is clean, modern, fast, and bilingual — the best way to get around the city. Bus routes are comprehensive but signage is mostly Chinese-only.
- Taxi
- Use Didi exclusively — street-hailed taxis at tourist spots may not use meters. Download Didi before arrival and link a foreign card.
- Rental
- Car rental is not practical for foreign visitors without a Chinese license. Private car hire with an English-speaking driver ($60–150/day) is the best alternative for the Terracotta Army circuit and day trips.
- Walking
- Central Xi'an inside the City Wall — around the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Muslim Quarter — is very walkable and pedestrian-friendly.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $22–30 (Xianyang Airport to city center); 45–60 min
- Taxi Info
- Use Didi app to avoid overcharging; official taxi stands are also available at arrivals
- Shuttle
- $4–6, shared shuttle buses to multiple city destinations
- Shuttle Info
- Several shuttle bus routes serve different districts of Xi'an; check signage at arrivals
- Bus
- $1.10, Airport Metro Line direct to Xi'an North Railway Station and city center
- Bus Info
- Metro is the fastest and cheapest option, taking about 45 minutes to the city center
- Private
- $35–55, pre-booked private transfer from tour operators or hotels
- Private Info
- Book via your hotel or Ctrip for airport pickup signs — reliable and stress-free
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Comprehensive bus network across Xi'an; $0.30 flat fare per journey
Alternatives
Metro (9 lines, bilingual), Didi (most practical for tourists), Qingju shared bicycles ($0.30/30 min)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $0.45 base fare + $0.20/km (metered taxis inside Xi'an)
- Apps
- Didi Chuxing
- App Names
- Didi Chuxing — the dominant ride-hailing app in China
- Typical Fare
- $3–7 for average Xi'an city ride; $22–30 from Xianyang Airport to city center
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Long-distance coaches from $6 (nearby county towns) to $35 (Hanzhong, 4–5 hours); depart from Xi'an's main bus stations
Shared
Shared vans/taxis serve some routes in northern Shaanbei; arrange through local guesthouses
Flights
Domestic flights from Xi'an to Hanzhong ($45–80) and Yan'an ($50–90); saves several hours of road travel
Private
Private car with driver from $60/day for the Terracotta Army circuit to $150/day for multi-site regional tours
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Xi'an is the major transport hub of Shaanxi with an international airport, dense high-speed rail connections to the rest of China, and a growing metro network. The Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace, and Mount Li cluster together east of the city and are easily reached by bus, Didi, or private car. Mount Hua is a short high-speed train ride away, while Hanzhong and Yan'an require longer bus, train, or flight connections.
Airports
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
Hanzhong Chenggu Airport
Yan'an Nanniwan Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Didi Chuxing
Essential ride-hailing app; supports international credit cards; covers all of Shaanxi's cities
Ctrip / Trip.com
Book high-speed train tickets, flights, and long-distance buses; available in English
Alipay
Essential for paying metro tickets, shared bikes, and QR-code payments throughout Shaanxi
Baidu Maps
Best mapping app for China — use instead of Google Maps (blocked); has transit and walking navigation
Qingju Bike
Shared bicycle app for city cycling in Xi'an; unlocked via WeChat or Alipay
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Didi Chuxing before arriving — link your international Visa/Mastercard in the app settings
Set up Alipay Tourist Edition to pay for metro tickets at ticket machines and transit apps
Buy high-speed train tickets on Ctrip/Trip.com in advance — they fill up during holidays
Tourist bus Line 5 (also called the 306) from Xi'an Railway Station is the cheapest way to reach the Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace, and Mount Li in one loop
For Mount Hua, take a morning high-speed train from Xi'an North Railway Station to Huashan North, then a short shuttle bus to the mountain entrance
Xi'an Metro now connects directly to Xianyang International Airport — very convenient
Arrive at Xi'an Railway Station early for tourist buses to the Terracotta Army — morning departures get crowded
The Xi'an Metro app is available in English and shows real-time arrival times