2–3 days recommended

Xi'an 西安

Q: How many days do I need in Xi'an, and where should I stay?

Two days covers the Terracotta Army and the city. Stay inside the city wall, near the Bell Tower. If you want to visit the free Shaanxi History Museum, book as soon as places open, 5 days ahead at 5 pm, and remember it is closed on Mondays.

Q: When is the best time to visit Xi'an?

March to May and September to November. Summers are very hot and winters cold. From December to February the Terracotta Army ticket drops from 120 to 100 yuan and the crowds thin out.

Q: How do I get from the station or airport to the centre?

Bullet trains arrive at Xi'an North, and metro line 2 takes you to the Bell Tower. From the airport a taxi takes about 45 minutes. By metro, ride line 14 to Xi'an North and change to line 2, about an hour and a half.

Q: How do I book the Terracotta Army?

Tickets go on sale 7 days ahead at midnight Beijing time, and your original passport is the ticket. Book on a trusted site and ignore sellers at the gate. The site is over an hour from the centre, so go early or with a guide.

Q: Is Xi'an good with kids?

Yes. Cycling the city wall, flat and with tandems for hire, is a favourite. The Muslim Quarter at night is all smells and stalls. At the Terracotta Army, a guide with good stories keeps kids interested.

Q: What should I eat in Xi'an? Is there vegetarian food?

Try roujiamo, a meat-filled bun, biangbiang noodles and yangrou paomo in the Muslim Quarter. Vegetarians can go for liangpi, cold noodles with sesame and chilli, or biangbiang with tomato and egg. Say "wǒ chī sù" to ask for no meat.

The old Silk Road capital. The Terracotta Army, a complete city wall you can cycle and a great street food quarter.

How many days2–3

Where to stayInside the city wall

What you will see

Terracotta ArmyOver an hour away, better with a guide

Shaanxi History MuseumFree, but you must book. Places go fast

Big Wild Goose PagodaWith the music fountain at dusk

Our hotels in Xi'an

BudgetAtour Bell TowerInside the city wall, short walk to the Muslim QuarterFrom 44 € a night · 9.8 on Trip.com ComfortableGrand Mercure Renmin SquareHeritage building from 1957 on Renmin Square, inside the wallsFrom 43 € a night · 9.4 on Trip.com SpecialSofitel LegendLandmark 1953 building restored as a Sofitel LegendFrom 160 € a night · 9.6 on Trip.com

Weather month by monthAverage high and low, °C

5°-4°J

9°-1°F

16°4°M

22°9°A

27°14°M

32°19°J

33°22°J

31°20°A

25°16°S

19°10°O

13°3°N

7°-3°D

Green, pleasant. Blue, cold. Red, hot. Grey, many rainy days. 1991 to 2020 averages from the China Meteorological Administration.

Extras to add to your trip

Terracotta Army with a guideTransport and tickets included · Civitatis

Tang dynasty showWith a dumpling dinner · Civitatis

More hotels in Xi'an

Itineraries that include Xi'an

10 daysThe golden triangle · Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai 12 daysZhangjiajie's Avatar peaks · Beijing, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai 12 daysWith kids and pandas · Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai 12 daysFrom the Li River to the Bund · Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Shanghai 15 daysChina in depth · Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai

Metro and bus in Xi'an

Use the Alipay code. There is no official word on foreign cards at the gates. Step by step

What to eat in Xi'an

肉夹馍ròujiāmóRoujiamo, the Xi'an meat bunCrisp flatbread stuffed with braised meat, Xi'an's most famous street bite.Not spicyKid friendlyIn the Muslim Quarter it is usually beef or lamb.

羊肉泡馍yángròu pàomóLamb soup with torn breadYou tear the bread into the bowl, then it is topped with lamb broth.Not spicySmaller pieces soak up more broth.

凉皮liángpíLiangpi cold noodlesChewy cold noodles with vinegar, garlic and chili oil. Very refreshing.SpicyVegetarianYou can ask for them without chili oil.

油泼面yóupō miànHot-oil noodlesWide hand-pulled noodles, topped with chili and garlic sizzled in hot oil.SpicyVegetarian

柿子饼shìzi bǐngPersimmon cakesFried persimmon cakes with a sweet filling. Easy for kids, no spice.Not spicyVegetarianKid friendlyFreshly fried in the Muslim Quarter.

Allergies or vegetarian? You have cards in Chinese to show at restaurants in the My trip kit.

Questions about Xi'an

How many days do I need in Xi'an, and where should I stay?

Two days covers the Terracotta Army and the city. Stay inside the city wall, near the Bell Tower. If you want to visit the free Shaanxi History Museum, book as soon as places open, 5 days ahead at 5 pm, and remember it is closed on Mondays.

When is the best time to visit Xi'an?

March to May and September to November. Summers are very hot and winters cold. From December to February the Terracotta Army ticket drops from 120 to 100 yuan and the crowds thin out.

How do I get from the station or airport to the centre?

Bullet trains arrive at Xi'an North, and metro line 2 takes you to the Bell Tower. From the airport a taxi takes about 45 minutes. By metro, ride line 14 to Xi'an North and change to line 2, about an hour and a half.

How do I book the Terracotta Army?

Tickets go on sale 7 days ahead at midnight Beijing time, and your original passport is the ticket. Book on a trusted site and ignore sellers at the gate. The site is over an hour from the centre, so go early or with a guide.

Is Xi'an good with kids?

Yes. Cycling the city wall, flat and with tandems for hire, is a favourite. The Muslim Quarter at night is all smells and stalls. At the Terracotta Army, a guide with good stories keeps kids interested.

What should I eat in Xi'an? Is there vegetarian food?

Try roujiamo, a meat-filled bun, biangbiang noodles and yangrou paomo in the Muslim Quarter. Vegetarians can go for liangpi, cold noodles with sesame and chilli, or biangbiang with tomato and egg. Say "wǒ chī sù" to ask for no meat.

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