Xi'an Travel Guide

Visiting Xi'an requires a method. Its history is layered: Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties are stacked on the same land. What you see above ground are the Ming dynasty city walls, and what lies underground belongs to the Qin and Han dynasties. Therefore, the best way to experience Xi'an is to "first establish a timeline, then view the artifacts."

Key Highlights

Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Terracotta Warriors)

Suggested order of visit: Pit 1 (to see the scale) → Pit 3 (to see the command structure) → Pit 2 (to see the unexcavated condition and types of soldiers). Many people only stand briefly in front of the largest Pit 1 and leave. In fact, the most worth pondering is Pit 2—it retains a large amount of unexcavated original state, and what you see is the ongoing process of archaeology. Be sure to hire a guide; otherwise, it is hard to distinguish the differences among the terracotta figures on your own. The site is large, and with travel time, you should allow at least half a day.

Ming City Wall

The largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. You can ride a bicycle around it (about 13.7 km). The best time is in the evening when the light is slanted and the wall and rooftops are in the same frame. If your stamina is average, just ride half a circle. The South Gate (Yongning Gate) area is the most intact and best for photos.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Tang Paradise

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is where Xuanzang translated Buddhist scriptures, and you can climb the pagoda. Nearby, Tang Paradise is a night walking street with lively lights and Tang-style architecture. It gets very crowded at night, so take care if you are with children or elders. The music fountain at the North Square of the pagoda has scheduled shows, so check the time in advance.

Muslim Quarter and Bell & Drum Towers

The Muslim Quarter has become highly commercialized; the real local flavors are in the surrounding alleys. The Bell and Drum Towers are better viewed from outside for their outlines; climbing the towers offers limited value. The small alleys behind the Drum Tower get lively in the evening.

Huaqing Palace and Lishan Mountain

These are on the same east route as the Terracotta Warriors and can be combined in one day. Huaqing Palace's Tang imperial hot springs ruins and the Xi'an Incident site overlap, with the main attraction being "two different eras happened in the same place."

Recommended Duration and Route

• 3 days: Terracotta Warriors & Huaqing Palace in one day, City Wall, Bell & Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter in one day, Shaanxi History Museum for half a day.
• 4 days: Add Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Paradise, and surrounding Han and Tang tombs.
• The Shaanxi History Museum is free but requires a reservation, making it the best introductory lesson for understanding Xi'an. It is recommended to schedule it before the Terracotta Warriors.

Best Season

From March to May and from September to November. Summers are hot and humid, winters are dry and cold but with fewer tourists, and the city wall looks beautiful in the snow. In spring, there can occasionally be sand and dust weather, so those with sensitivities should remember to bring a mask.

Local Tips

• The Terracotta Warriors are about 40 kilometers from the city center. Official tourist lines or chartered cars are the most reliable.
• Portions of noodle dishes are large. For paomo, you need to tear it yourself; the smaller you tear it, the more flavorful it becomes.
• Popular venues require real-name reservations, and tickets are quickly sold out during holidays.
• There are "one-day tour" touts around scenic areas—be sure to check whether they include hidden shopping stops.

Province

This entry belongs to Shaanxi (3 ready-made routes) and you can compare all routes in the province on the provincial page.