Getting around
A growing, bilingual Metro covers the old city and reaches the train stations; the Terracotta Army is about an hour out by bus or car. Didi is cheap, and high-speed rail reaches Beijing in ~4.5 hours.
Updated Apr 2026 All cities
Capital of 13 dynasties and the eastern start of the Silk Road — home to the Terracotta Army, a complete Ming city wall, and legendary street food.
⏱️ First 24 hours
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and add a foreign card.
- Get the Xi’an Metro QR code for transit.
- Buy a local SIM or activate an eSIM.
- Save a foreigner-friendly hospital and your embassy contacts.
Explore the guide
Connectivity
Good coverage downtown. eSIM works on arrival; local SIMs need your passport. Set up a VPN before you arrive if you need Google or WhatsApp.
Updated Apr 2026Where to stay
Stay inside or near the City Wall (around the Bell Tower) to walk to the sights and the Muslim Quarter; the Big Wild Goose Pagoda area is quieter and more modern.
Updated Apr 2026Eat & drink
Xi’an is a street-food capital — roujiamo (Chinese “burger”), biangbiang noodles, lamb skewers, and yangrou paomo (bread-and-mutton soup). Graze the Muslim Quarter at night.
Updated Apr 2026Etiquette
Cash is rarely used — go cashless. Dress modestly at mosques and temples. Bargain politely in the markets.
Updated Apr 2026Safety
Very safe, including at night. Keep your passport or a photo of it on you; mind your belongings in the crowded Muslim Quarter.
Updated Apr 2026📜 History
As ancient Chang’an, Xi’an was the capital of a dozen dynasties and the eastern anchor of the Silk Road.
221 BCE
Qin Shi Huang unifies China nearby; his terracotta army guards his tomb.
Han & Tang
As Chang’an, one of the largest, most cosmopolitan cities on earth.
Silk Road
Caravans of silk, ideas and faiths set out west from its gates.
1936
The “Xi’an Incident” reshapes the course of modern China.
Top attractions
Terracotta Army 兵马俑
Bīngmǎyǒng
Thousands of life-size clay soldiers guarding China's first emperor's tomb.
Why it matters
One of the greatest archaeological finds on earth — every face is different. It is the scale of the first unified Chinese empire, made tangible.
Good to know
- ✓Hire a guide or audio guide — context is everything.
- ✓Pit 1 is the famous one.
- ✓About an hour from the city; go early.
Show to driver: 兵马俑
Big Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔
Dàyàntǎ
A Tang-dynasty Buddhist pagoda built to hold scriptures from India.
Why it matters
It marks where the monk Xuanzang brought Buddhism's texts to China — a real node in the Silk Road exchange of ideas. The nightly fountain show out front is a local favorite.
Good to know
- ✓Stay for the evening fountain show.
- ✓Climb the pagoda for views.
- ✓The south square is free.
Show to driver: 大雁塔
Mount Hua 华山
Huàshān
One of China's five sacred Daoist mountains, famed for vertiginous plank paths.
Why it matters
Sacred mountains are where Chinese Daoism meets landscape worship. Hua Shan is the most dramatic — temples cling to granite peaks reached by knife-edge trails.
Good to know
- ✓Take cable cars to save hours.
- ✓Full day from Xi'an by high-speed rail.
- ✓Wear proper shoes; weather changes fast.
Show to driver: 华山
Xi’an City Wall 西安城墙
Xī'ān Chéngqiáng
The most complete ancient city wall in China — 14 km around the old town.
Why it matters
Xi'an was the start of the Silk Road and capital of 13 dynasties. Cycling the wall at sunset is the best way to grasp how a walled Chinese capital worked.
Good to know
- ✓Rent a bike on top of the wall.
- ✓Sunset is magic.
- ✓Allow ~2 hours to cycle the loop.
Show to driver: 西安城墙
Muslim Quarter 回民街
Huímínjiē
A bustling street-food maze in the historic Hui Muslim neighborhood.
Why it matters
Living proof that "Chinese culture" is plural — centuries of Silk Road exchange on a plate: hand-pulled noodles, roujiamo (Chinese burger), and lamb skewers.
Good to know
- ✓Come hungry and graze.
- ✓Try roujiamo and biangbiang noodles.
- ✓Busiest and best at night.
Show to driver: 回民街
Bell Tower 钟楼
Zhōnglóu
The Ming-dynasty tower at the exact center of the old walled city.
Why it matters
The literal heart of Xi'an, once used to mark time for the whole city. Beautifully lit at night and ringed by the modern downtown.
Good to know
- ✓Visit with the nearby Drum Tower.
- ✓Best photographed at night.
- ✓Reach it via underground passages.
Show to driver: 钟楼
Don't want to go alone? Post on the board and find a travel buddy.
Find a buddy🍜 Must-eat dishes
What to eat in Xi’an
Roujiamo 肉夹馍
Ròujiāmó
Chopped, slow-stewed spiced pork stuffed into a crisp griddled flatbread — often called China’s hamburger.
💡A cheap, perfect snack; the Muslim Quarter does great beef versions.
Order this: 肉夹馍
Biangbiang Noodles biangbiang面
Biángbiáng miàn
Wide, belt-like hand-pulled noodles topped with chili, garlic and sizzling-oil-seared vegetables.
💡The character for "biang" is famously the most complex in Chinese — a fun photo.
Order this: biangbiang面
Yangrou Paomo 羊肉泡馍
Yángròu pàomó
A hearty mutton soup poured over bread you crumble yourself into small pieces.
💡You tear the flatbread into the bowl — half the fun; a Xi’an institution.
Order this: 羊肉泡馍
Liangpi Cold Noodles 凉皮
Liángpí
Chewy cold wheat or rice noodles in a tangy, spicy chili-vinegar dressing — refreshing in summer.
💡Often eaten with roujiamo for a classic Xi’an combo.
Order this: 凉皮
🏛️ Museums
Top museums in Xi’an
Shaanxi History Museum 陕西历史博物馆
FreeShǎnxī Lìshǐ Bówùguǎn
One of China’s finest museums — a dazzling journey through the dynasties that ruled from Xi’an, with Tang gold, silver and tomb murals.
💡Free but tickets are limited and go fast — book online (passport) several days ahead, or pay for the special Tang treasures hall.
Search this: 陕西历史博物馆
Xi’an Museum 西安博物院
FreeXī’ān Bówùyuàn
A relaxed museum set in a park around the beautiful Small Wild Goose Pagoda, with fine Tang figurines.
💡Free; far calmer than the big sights, and the pagoda grounds are lovely.
Search this: 西安博物院
Banpo Museum 半坡博物馆
Bànpō Bówùguǎn
China’s first site museum, built over a 6,000-year-old Neolithic village of the Yangshao culture.
💡Ticketed; a fascinating look at prehistoric daily life and painted pottery.
Search this: 半坡博物馆
🏥 Hospitals & clinics
Where to get medical help in Xi’an
Emergency: 120 ambulance · 110 police · 119 fire
Xi’an International Medical Center Hospital 西安国际医学中心医院
Fengdong
Large modern hospital with international / VIP services.
Show to driver: 西安国际医学中心医院
Xijing Hospital (VIP) 西京医院 特需
Xincheng
Top public hospital; VIP department, very busy — go early.
Show to driver: 西京医院 特需
Public hospitals need a Chinese ID to book online. Can't do it yourself? A bilingual hospital companion can register and come with you.
Get a hospital companionBest-effort list — call ahead to confirm English service, hours, and that they can treat your issue.
Questions about Xi’an?
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Experiences in Xi’an
Available in major cities
Chinese Classical Dance Class
Free cancellationPay on the day
1.5hCN¥150 ≈ $21 / person
Available in major cities
Hanfu Experience
Free cancellationPay on the day
3hCN¥280 ≈ $39 / person
Available in major cities
Chinese Tea Ceremony
Free cancellationPay on the day
2hCN¥160 ≈ $22 / person
Available in major cities
Chinese Calligraphy Workshop
Free cancellationPay on the day
2hCN¥180 ≈ $25 / person
Available in major cities
Ink & Wash Chinese Painting
Free cancellationPay on the day
2.5hCN¥200 ≈ $28 / person
Available in major cities
Morning Tai Chi in the Park
Free cancellationPay on the day
1.5hCN¥90 ≈ $13 / person