Xi'an travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Xi'an.
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1
Terracotta Army (Emperor Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Site Museum)
The 8,000-strong buried army of life-size clay soldiers, chariots, and horses built to guard China's first emperor, discovered by farmers in 1974.
Tip: Book the timed-entry ticket online in advance through the official museum site or a licensed reseller; bring a passport for the ID check at entry · Arrive at 8:30 AM opening on a weekday to see Pit 1 before large domestic tour groups arrive · Hire an official on-site English-speaking guide near the entrance, or download an audio guide app beforehand, since object labels are sparse inside the pits · Walk or take the electric cart (extra fee) from the main gate to Pit 1, about 1.5 kilometers · Visit Pit 1 first while it is calmest, then work backward through Pit 3, Pit 2, and the bronze chariot hall · Combine with Huaqing Palace on the same day, as both sites sit in Lintong District a short taxi ride apart
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2
Xi'an City Wall (Ancient City Wall)
One of China's best-preserved ancient city walls, a 13.7-kilometer Ming-dynasty rampart that can be walked or cycled in full circuit.
Tip: Rent a bicycle at the South Gate (¥45 per 2 hours for a single bike, ¥90 for a tandem, plus deposit) and return it at any gate along the route · Ride or walk in the late afternoon to avoid midday heat and catch the wall's evening lighting · Buy the flat-rate ¥54 ticket at any of the four main gates; it is valid for wall access at that gate · Watch the South Gate's evening ceremony re-enactment, typically held around sunset, for a free cultural performance · Bring water for the full loop, as vendors on the wall itself are limited · Combine a wall visit with the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, both visible from the ramparts near the city center
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3
Shaanxi History Museum
Shaanxi's flagship provincial museum, holding over 370,000 artifacts spanning 1.1 million years of local history including Zhou bronzes and Tang gold.
Tip: Reserve a free timed-entry slot online 5-7 days ahead through the museum's WeChat account or website using a passport number · Book weekend slots the moment they release, typically around 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 6:00 PM, or 7:00 PM, as they can sell out within minutes · Buy the separate Tang Dynasty Wall Painting Treasures Gallery ticket on-site if interested; it is not included in general admission · Start in the Western Zhou and Qin halls before crowds concentrate around the Tang sancai displays later in the morning · Bring a passport for the mandatory ID check matching the reservation · Rent an audio guide near the entrance for context on unlabeled or lightly labeled pieces
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4
Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Giant Wild Goose Pagoda)
A 64-meter Tang-dynasty Buddhist pagoda built in 652 AD to house scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang, still standing within an active temple.
Tip: Buy the temple grounds ticket separately from the pagoda tower-climbing ticket; both are needed to go inside and up · Visit the temple in the morning for a quieter, more contemplative experience before tour groups arrive · Time an evening visit to catch the free musical fountain show in the North Square; check the day's showtimes posted on-site · Combine with a walk through Datang Everbright City at the South Square, especially atmospheric after dark · Wear comfortable shoes for the narrow, steep pagoda staircase if climbing to the top · The temple remains active, so keep voices low and dress modestly in the prayer halls
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5
Bell Tower of Xi'an
A Ming-dynasty timber tower at the exact geographic center of the old city, once used to sound the hour, now displaying replica bronze bells and Tang-dynasty artifacts.
Tip: Access the tower via the underground pedestrian tunnel beneath the traffic roundabout, not by crossing the road directly · Buy the combined ¥50 ticket with the Drum Tower if planning to visit both, which saves a small amount over separate tickets · Check the day's bell-ringing and drum performance schedule posted at the entrance · Visit at night for the tower's illuminated appearance, a highlight even without buying a ticket to view from outside · Climb early in the morning or in the evening near closing for a quieter viewing platform · Combine with a short walk to the Drum Tower and into the adjacent Muslim Quarter
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6
Drum Tower of Xi'an
A Ming-dynasty tower that once sounded the evening curfew, standing at the gateway to the Muslim Quarter with a collection of large drums and rotating exhibits.
Tip: Buy the combined ¥50 ticket with the Bell Tower to save over separate admissions if visiting both · Check the schedule for the drumming performance, held at set intervals during opening hours · Visit in the late afternoon, then walk directly north into the Muslim Quarter for dinner as the lanes light up for the evening · The square in front of the tower is free to enter and a good spot for photos even without a ticket · Combine with the Bell Tower on the same short walk, as the two towers are about 500 meters apart · Evenings bring the busiest crowds in the surrounding square; a daytime visit is calmer for the tower itself
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7
Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie / Beiyuanmen)
A dense network of lanes north of the Drum Tower where Xi'an's Hui Muslim community has lived for over a thousand years, packed with street food stalls, spice shops, and the Great Mosque.
Tip: Visit in the early evening for the fullest range of open food stalls without the very densest late-night crowds · Bring small denominations of cash or a mobile payment app, as many stalls do not accept foreign cards · Sample food from stalls with visible turnover and a local crowd rather than the first stall encountered at the entrance · Bargain at souvenir and craft carts, but expect fixed prices at food stalls · Dress modestly out of respect for the neighborhood's Hui Muslim community · Ask before photographing individual vendors or the interior of the Great Mosque's prayer hall
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8
Great Mosque of Xi'an (Huajue Mosque)
China's largest and best-preserved early mosque, built in traditional Chinese courtyard style rather than the domed Middle Eastern form, in active use by Xi'an's Hui community since the Tang dynasty.
Tip: Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, before entering the complex · Avoid visiting during the Friday midday prayer window, when sightseeing access is paused · Photograph the Prayer Hall's exterior roofline from the courtyard rather than attempting to enter or photograph worshippers · Read the stone steles in the courtyards for historical context, some with English translations posted nearby · Combine with a walk through the surrounding Muslim Quarter lanes immediately outside the mosque's entrance alley · Visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon for a quieter, more contemplative pace through the courtyards
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9
Huaqing Palace (Huaqing Hot Springs)
A Tang-dynasty imperial hot-spring retreat at the foot of Mount Li, famous as the setting of Emperor Xuanzong and Consort Yang Guifei's romance and the 1936 Xi'an Incident.
Tip: Combine with the Terracotta Army on the same day trip, as the two sites are a short taxi ride apart in Lintong District · Book the separate evening theatrical performance ticket in advance during peak season, as shows can sell out · Visit the garden pavilions and bath pools in the morning before the site gets busy with day-trip tour groups · Look for the bullet-marked building associated with the 1936 Xi'an Incident, easy to miss among the garden pavilions · Bring a light jacket for evening performances, as outdoor seating can get cool after sunset · Check seasonal opening and closing times before planning an evening show, as they shift between peak and off-peak months
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10
Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Xi'an Museum
A slender 43-meter Tang-dynasty pagoda within the historic Jianfu Temple grounds, paired with the free Xi'an Museum's collection of city artifacts.
Tip: Reserve the free entry ticket online a few days ahead, especially for weekend visits, as daily free quotas fill quickly · Visit on a weekday morning for the calmest experience in both the temple grounds and museum galleries · Pay the small pagoda-garden fee if the free quota is unavailable rather than skipping the site entirely · Check that your visit does not fall on a Tuesday, when the site is closed for maintenance · Combine with a broader Beilin District walk, as the site sits within reach of the Bell Tower and Shaanxi History Museum · Climbing the pagoda itself requires a separate paid ticket beyond general grounds admission
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Explore by your interests.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Advance Booking
- The Terracotta Army and Shaanxi History Museum both require real-name online reservations tied to a passport, booked through the official ticketing channels; on-site ticket windows have been removed at both sites, so booking a few days ahead is necessary rather than optional.
- Opening Hours Note
- Most major sites operate roughly 08:30-17:30 with last entry around 30-60 minutes before closing; the Shaanxi History Museum closes on Mondays. Datang Everbright City and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda fountain show are evening-focused, typically starting after 18:30.
- Security Screening
- Bag X-ray and occasional ID checks are standard at the Terracotta Army, City Wall gates, and Shaanxi History Museum, similar to airport-style screening -- arrive a little early to account for the wait.
- Getting Around
- The City Wall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Muslim Quarter are all within walking distance of each other inside the old city; the Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace, and Han Yang Ling require a taxi, tourist bus, or metro-plus-transfer trip of 45-90 minutes.
- Best Order
- Most visitors spend one day on the Terracotta Army and Huaqing Palace together (both in Lintong District), a second day on the City Wall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Muslim Quarter in the old city, and a third day for the Shaanxi History Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the south.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book Terracotta Army tickets in advance?
Yes, real-name booking tied to a passport is mandatory through the official online reservation system; on-site ticket windows have been removed, so booking at least a day or two ahead is necessary, especially in peak season (April-October).
How many days do I need to see Xi'an's main attractions?
Most visitors need 2-3 full days: one for the Terracotta Army and Huaqing Palace, one for the City Wall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Muslim Quarter, and an optional third day for the Shaanxi History Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Which Xi'an attractions are free?
The Shaanxi History Museum offers free general admission with an advance WeChat reservation (though the Treasures of Great Tang hall carries a small fee), and the Bell Tower and Drum Tower squares, Muslim Quarter streets, and Datang Everbright City's evening performances can all be experienced without an entry fee.
Is the Terracotta Army far from the city center?
Yes, it's in Lintong District about 1-1.5 hours from downtown Xi'an by public tourist bus or metro-plus-transfer, and roughly 45-60 minutes by taxi or Didi.
What security measures are in place at Xi'an's attractions?
Bag X-ray screening is standard at the Terracotta Army, City Wall gates, metro stations, and the Shaanxi History Museum, similar to airport security -- carrying a passport is necessary since ID checks are also routine.