# Things to do in Xi’an: top sights and where to go

> Old Xi’an inside the city wall is walkable: the Bell and Drum Towers, the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque are 5–10 minutes apart, while the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi History Museum and the evening lights of Datang Everbright City are 20 minutes south by metro. Give the Terracotta Army half a day (about an hour each way by bus), and keep Mount Hua for a day of its own, 40 minutes away by high-speed train.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/china/xian

## Ready itineraries

- [One day in Xi'an: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/in-1-day.md): The Terracotta Army's clay warriors, the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane, street food in the Muslim Quarter and the Bell and Drum Towers lit up — in order.
- [2 days in Xi'an: an itinerary day by day](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/in-2-days.md): The Terracotta Army, the mosque and the Muslim Quarter first; then the Shaanxi History Museum, the Small and Giant Wild Goose pagodas and Datang at night.

## All 10 places with the YesGo score

- [Terracotta Army](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/terracotta-army.md): YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 3 h · ¥120, passport booking ahead. The Terracotta Army is the excavated pit museum of China's First Emperor in Lintong, about 40 km east of central Xi'an, with thousands of…
- [Great Mosque of Xi’an](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-great-mosque.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥25, ¥15 in winter; Muslims free. The Great Mosque of Xi’an is a working mosque built like a Chinese temple — four courtyards, a pagoda for a minaret and shady gardens…
- [Muslim Quarter](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-muslim-quarter.md): YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free, open 24 hours. Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter (回民街) is a web of Hui street-food lanes right behind the Drum Tower. It’s free and open around the clock; stalls…
- [Giant Wild Goose Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/giant-wild-goose-pagoda.md): YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ ¥10; pagoda climb ≈ ¥25 extra. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta) is a seven-storey brick pagoda from 652, standing in Da Ci'en Temple about 5 km south of central…
- [Small Wild Goose Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/small-wild-goose-pagoda.md): YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free, advance booking with passport. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda (Xiaoyanta) is a 13-tier Tang brick pagoda from the early 700s in the gardens of Jianfu Temple, 2.3 km south…
- [Bell and Drum Towers](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-bell-and-drum-towers.md): YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ¥30 per tower, ¥50 for both. The Bell and Drum Towers are Xi’an’s 14th-century landmarks at the central crossroads, about 330 m apart. Each costs ¥30 to climb, or…
- [Datang Everbright City](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/datang-everbright-city.md): YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free. Datang Everbright City (大唐不夜城) is a free pedestrian boulevard about 2 km long, running south from the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an…
- [Xi’an City Wall](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-city-wall.md): YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ¥54, bike ¥45 / 3 hours. Xi’an City Wall (西安城墙) is a 13.74 km Ming-dynasty brick rampart around the old centre, and you can cycle the full loop on top. Entry is…
- [Shaanxi History Museum](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/shaanxi-history-museum.md): YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Free with booking; Tang murals extra. The Shaanxi History Museum is Xi'an's essential museum, 4 km south of the Bell Tower: Zhou bronzes, Qin and Han figures, Tang gold and…
- [Mount Hua](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/mount-hua.md): YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ¥160; cable cars ¥80–140 extra. Mount Hua (Huashan) is a sacred Taoist mountain of five peaks 120 km east of Xi’an, about 30 minutes by fast train to Huashan North. Entry…

## Xi’an travel guide

Before you go: the Terracotta Army, the city wall and pagodas, the Muslim Quarter, Mount Hua, the airport, trains and weather.

## Trip essentials

- How many days: 2–3 days: warriors, city, Mount Hua
- When to go: April–May and September–October
- Visa: Depends on your passport — many get 30 days visa-free
- Paying: Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card
- Airport: Xianyang (XIY) ≈ 35 km by road — metro
- Warriors: ≈ 40 km east, 1–1.5 h from the centre
- From Beijing: ≈ 4.5–6 h by high-speed train
- Booking: Warriors and museum tickets ahead, by passport
- Internet: Google, WhatsApp, YouTube blocked — roaming eSIM
- Time zone: UTC+8 all year

## Key facts

- **1974** — farmers found the first figures of the Terracotta Army (source: Wikipedia, “Terracotta Army”)
- **1987** — the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 441)
- **≈ 13.7 km** — length of the Xi’an city wall — you can cycle the whole loop (source: Wikipedia, “Fortifications of Xi’an”)
- **652** — the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was built to hold Buddhist sutras (source: Wikipedia, “Giant Wild Goose Pagoda”)

## Things to do in Xi’an

The top things to do in Xi’an are the Terracotta Army of the First Emperor, the Ming city wall, the Bell and Drum Towers, the Muslim Quarter with the Great Mosque, the Giant and Small Wild Goose pagodas, the Shaanxi History Museum and the evening Datang Everbright City. Mount Hua makes a day trip. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.

| Where | What to see | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **East** | [Terracotta Army](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/terracotta-army) | ½ day |
| **Centre** | [City wall](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-city-wall), [towers](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-bell-and-drum-towers) | ½ day |
| **Muslim Quarter** | [Quarter](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-muslim-quarter), [mosque](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-great-mosque) | evening |
| **South** | [Giant Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/giant-wild-goose-pagoda), [Datang](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/datang-everbright-city) | evening |
| **Museums** | [Shaanxi Museum](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/shaanxi-history-museum), [Small Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/small-wild-goose-pagoda) | ½ day |
| **Day trip** | [Mount Hua](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/mount-hua) | 1 day |

Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–2 days, with places in a sensible order.

## How to get to the Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army is ≈ 40 km from Xi’an: take the tourist bus from the east square of Xi’an station, Metro Line 9 plus a bus, or a taxi — about 1–1.5 hours. Tickets are in your passport name and booked online; allow 3 hours for the three pits and the museum.

| How | From | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Tourist bus** | Xi’an station | ≈ 1–1.5 h |
| **Metro + bus** | Line 9 | ≈ 1.5 h |
| **DiDi taxi** | Centre | ≈ 1 h |
| **Tour** | Hotel pickup | ½ day |

Start with Pit 1, the largest; the same ticket covers the Qin Shi Huang mausoleum nearby.

## Xi’an airport to the city

Xianyang International (XIY) is ≈ 35 km by road from the centre, with international flights at Terminal 5. Metro Line 14 to Xi’an North and Line 2 south reach the Bell Tower in 75–90 minutes; a DiDi taxi takes about an hour.

| How | To | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Metro Lines 14 + 2** | Bell Tower | ≈ 75–90 min |
| **DiDi taxi** | Centre | ≈ 50–60 min |
| **High-speed train** | Beijing — Xi’an | ≈ 4.5–6 h |

## Xi’an weather by month

The best time to visit Xi’an is April–May and September–October, ≈ 20–27 °C by day. Summer is hot at ≈ 32–33 °C with thunderstorms; winter is dry and cold, ≈ 6–7 °C by day and around freezing at night.

- **January in Xi’an**: day ≈ 6°C, night ≈ -3°C, rainy days: 4. About 6°, dry, frosty nights.
- **February in Xi’an**: day ≈ 10°C, night ≈ 0°C, rainy days: 5. About 10°, Spring Festival lanterns.
- **March in Xi’an**: day ≈ 16°C, night ≈ 5°C, rainy days: 7. About 16°, warming up.
- **April in Xi’an** (best time): day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 11°C, rainy days: 8. About 22° — a great time.
- **May in Xi’an** (best time): day ≈ 27°C, night ≈ 16°C, rainy days: 9. About 27°, warm.
- **June in Xi’an**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 20°C, rainy days: 8. Hot, ≈ 32°.
- **July in Xi’an**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 10. Heat and thunderstorms.
- **August in Xi’an**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 9. About 31°.
- **September in Xi’an** (best time): day ≈ 26°C, night ≈ 18°C, rainy days: 11. About 26°, rain.
- **October in Xi’an** (best time): day ≈ 20°C, night ≈ 11°C, rainy days: 9. About 20° — the best month.
- **November in Xi’an**: day ≈ 13°C, night ≈ 4°C, rainy days: 5. About 13°, cool.
- **December in Xi’an**: day ≈ 7°C, night ≈ -2°C, rainy days: 3. About 7°, cold.

## What to eat in Xi’an

Xi’an is a city of noodles and street food. In the Muslim Quarter try lamb and beef skewers, yangrou paomo soup with torn bread, roujiamo — the “Chinese burger” — and wide biangbiang noodles.

- **Roujiamo** — flatbread stuffed with braised meat.
- **Yangrou paomo** — lamb soup with crumbled bread.
- **Biangbiang noodles** — wide, hand-pulled, with chilli oil.
- **Liangpi** — cold noodles, especially in summer.

## Xi’an ticket prices

The Muslim Quarter, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Datang Everbright City and the Shaanxi History Museum’s main galleries (booking required) are free. You pay for the Terracotta Army, the city wall, the towers, the mosque, the Giant Pagoda and Mount Hua with its cable cars.

- [Terracotta Army](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/terracotta-army) — ¥120, passport booking ahead
- [Great Mosque of Xi’an](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-great-mosque) — ¥25, ¥15 in winter; Muslims free
- [Muslim Quarter](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-muslim-quarter) — Free, open 24 hours
- [Giant Wild Goose Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/giant-wild-goose-pagoda) — ≈ ¥10; pagoda climb ≈ ¥25 extra
- [Small Wild Goose Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/small-wild-goose-pagoda) — Free, advance booking with passport
- [Bell and Drum Towers](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-bell-and-drum-towers) — ¥30 per tower, ¥50 for both
- [Datang Everbright City](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/datang-everbright-city) — Free
- [Xi’an City Wall](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-city-wall) — ¥54, bike ¥45 / 3 hours
- [Shaanxi History Museum](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/shaanxi-history-museum) — Free with booking; Tang murals extra
- [Mount Hua](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/mount-hua) — ¥160; cable cars ¥80–140 extra

## Tips

- Rent a bike on the city wall — the loop is about 14 km, and the light is best at sunset.
- The Muslim Quarter comes alive in the evening: go for dinner.
- Shaanxi History Museum tickets sell out a week ahead in holidays — book early.

## Questions

### Is Xi’an worth visiting?

Yes — the Terracotta Army alone is worth the trip, plus a complete Ming city wall and some of China’s best street food.

### Do I need a visa for Xi’an?

It depends on your passport: many nationalities can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days, and Xi’an accepts 240-hour transit. Check the rules for your passport.

### How do I get to the Terracotta Army?

By tourist bus from Xi’an station, Metro Line 9 plus a bus, or taxi — about 1–1.5 hours; a tour is easiest.

### How long do you need at the Terracotta Army?

About 3 hours for the three pits and the museum, plus travel — half a day.

### How many days do you need in Xi’an?

Two days for the warriors and the city; three if you add Mount Hua.

### How long is the train from Beijing to Xi’an?

About 4.5–6 hours by high-speed train, or 2 hours by air.

### What is the weather like in Xi’an in October?

About 20 °C by day and 11 °C at night — one of the best times.

### How do I get to Mount Hua from Xi’an?

By high-speed train to Huashan North (about 30–40 minutes), then a bus to the cable cars; the climb on foot is tough.

### How do I get from Xi’an airport to the city?

By Metro Lines 14 and 2 in 75–90 minutes, or by DiDi taxi in about an hour.

### What to eat in Xi’an?

Roujiamo, yangrou paomo, biangbiang noodles and skewers in the Muslim Quarter.

## Sources

- UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 441
- Wikipedia, “Xi’an”; “Terracotta Army”; “Fortifications of Xi’an”; “Giant Wild Goose Pagoda”; Xi’an climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum — official website

Facts checked: 09.11.2026

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