Top 10 Things to Do in Xi'an: The Complete 2026 Guide

Top 10 Things to Do in Xi’an: The Complete 2026 Guide

I was standing on the south gate of the Ming City Wall, the sun just starting to slide behind the drum tower, when a group of teenage girls asked me to take their photo. They giggled, posed, then one of them handed me a cold plum juice from a street cart before running off. I stood there for a moment, sweating in the September heat, realizing I’d just been adopted by a pack of Chinese teenagers for three seconds. That’s Xi’an for you—an ancient capital that somehow feels like a giant, friendly neighborhood.

Xi’an isn’t just the Terracotta Warriors. That’s like saying Rome is just the Colosseum. This city has been the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, the capital of 13 dynasties, and a place where Muslim noodles and Tang Dynasty poetry collide in the same alley. If Beijing is China’s political brain and Shanghai is its wallet, Xi’an is its memory—and its stomach.

This guide is for first-timers who’ve never been to China. I’ll tell you what’s worth your time, what’s overhyped, and exactly how to get there without losing your mind. I’ve done the wrong turns so you don’t have to.

The Short Version

Don’t skip the Terracotta Warriors, but spend more time on the City Wall and the Muslim Quarter than you think you need. Eat everything—especially the yangrou paomo (lamb soup with bread) and the cold noodles. Get a guide for the Warriors, but wander the rest alone. And for god’s sake, don’t try to see it all in two days. You’ll hate yourself.

How I Picked These

I’ve been to Xi’an seven times over the last six years—first as a tourist, then as a guide for visiting friends, and finally as someone who just kept going back because the food was too good. For this list, I spent four days in March 2026 walking every entry, timing the metro rides, checking the 2026 prices, and arguing with a taxi driver named Mr. Chen about whether the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is worth the entrance fee (he said no; I agree). I also asked five Chinese friends from Xi’an what they’d show a foreigner. Two said the same thing: “Take them to eat, then walk the wall at sunset.”

Comparison Table

Rank	Place	Best For	Approx Cost (USD)	Time Needed	When to Go
1	Terracotta Warriors	History, awe, bucket-list	$25 (¥180)	3-4 hours	Weekday morning, Mar-May or Sep-Oct
2	Xi’an City Wall	Cycling, views, sunset	$8 (¥54)	2-3 hours	Late afternoon, weekday
3	Muslim Quarter & Food Street	Eating, wandering, nightlife	Free (food costs $5-15)	2-4 hours	Evening, any day
4	Shaanxi History Museum	Ancient artifacts, Tang Dynasty	Free (special exhibits $8/¥60)	2-3 hours	Weekday, reserve 3 days ahead
5	Giant Wild Goose Pagoda	Buddhist history, night fountain show	$6 (¥40)	1.5 hours	Late afternoon to evening
6	Drum & Bell Towers	City views, drum performances	$5 (¥35) combined	1 hour	Midday
7	Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Jianfu Temple	Quiet gardens, fewer crowds	$4 (¥25)	1-2 hours	Morning, weekday
8	Huaqing Hot Springs	Tang Dynasty romance, mountain views	$18 (¥120)	2-3 hours	Morning, spring or autumn
9	Tang Paradise	Reconstructed Tang theme park, evening shows	$18 (¥120)	3-4 hours	Evening for light show
10	Mount Huashan	Hiking, cliffs, thrill-seekers	$25 (¥180) entry + cable car $30 (¥200)	Full day (6-10 hours)	Weekday, May or September

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1. Terracotta Warriors — The One Everyone Comes For

The first time I saw them, I actually laughed. Not because they’re funny—they’re not—but because the sheer scale of it hit me all at once. Thousands of life-sized soldiers, each with a different face, standing in battle formation underground for 2,200 years. The guy who discovered them in 1974 was just digging a well. Imagine that.

The site is split into three pits. Pit One is the main event—the massive army in rows, with a wooden walkway around the perimeter. Pit Two has cavalry and archers. Pit Three is smaller but feels more intimate, like a command center. The museum building itself is modern and well-lit, but the real magic is standing at the edge and realizing you’re looking at an emperor’s afterlife army.

📍 Lintong District, about 40 km east of Xi’an
🎫 $25 (¥180), includes all pits and the museum
🕐 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (winter), 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (summer)
🚆 Take Metro Line 9 to “Terracotta Warriors” Station (yes, it has its own station now as of 2025), Exit B. Then take a free shuttle bus from the station to the site. Or take a direct tourist bus from Xi’an Railway Station (¥7, 1 hour).
⏰ Go at 8:30 AM on a weekday. By 10 AM the tour groups arrive.
💡 Insider tips: 1) Don’t pay for a guide at the entrance—use the free audio guide app (QR code at ticket counter). 2) The photos you see online are from Pit One only. Pits Two and Three are darker and less crowded. 3) There’s a small shop selling replica warriors outside—bargain hard, they start at ¥200 and you can get one for ¥50. 4) Bring water and snacks; the food inside is overpriced and sad.

I bought a miniature warrior from a woman who told me her uncle was one of the original diggers. I don’t know if it’s true, but I believed her.

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2. Xi’an City Wall — The Best Way to See the City

I rented a bike at the South Gate and spent two hours cycling the 14-kilometer perimeter. The wall is wide enough for two cars to pass, and the surface is smooth stone. At every watchtower, I stopped to look out over the city—old gray roofs on one side, new glass towers on the other. A man was flying a kite shaped like a dragon near the East Gate.

You can walk it too, but cycling is better. You’ll feel like you’re in a movie. The wall was built in the Ming Dynasty (14th century) and is one of the best-preserved in China. The sunset from the South Gate is worth the ticket price alone.

📍 Central Xi’an, multiple gates but South Gate (Yongningmen) is the main entrance
🎫 $8 (¥54), bike rental $4 (¥30) per hour
🕐 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (gates close at 10 PM, bikes until 9 PM)
🚆 Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station, Exit D. Walk 2 minutes east.
⏰ Late afternoon (4-6 PM) for sunset. Avoid midday in summer—it’s hot and exposed.
💡 Insider tips: 1) Rent the bike at the South Gate—they have the newest bikes. 2) The wall is flat and easy to cycle, but there are small ramps at each gate. 3) Bring a hat and sunscreen. 4) If you don’t want to cycle the whole thing, do the south-to-east section—it has the best views.

I stopped for a photo and an old man on a tricycle offered to sell me a cold Tsingtao. I said yes.

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3. Muslim Quarter & Food Street — Where You’ll Eat Until You Hate Yourself

The alleys around the Great Mosque are a sensory assault in the best way. Lamb skewers sizzling on charcoal grills. Noodle pullers slapping dough on counters. The smell of cumin and chili oil everywhere. I ate yangrou paomo (lamb soup with hand-torn bread) at a tiny shop called “Lao Sun Jia” and watched a man tear his bread into a thousand tiny pieces before the waiter took it to the kitchen.

This isn’t a single street—it’s a maze of alleys. The main tourist strip is Beiyuanmen, but the real food is in the side lanes. Go hungry. Try the cold noodles (liangpi), the persimmon cakes, and the pomegranate juice. Skip the “emperor’s dumpling” places—they’re for tour groups.

📍 Around the Great Mosque, north of the Drum Tower
🎫 Free to enter; food costs $1-5 per item
🕐 Most shops open 10 AM – 11 PM; busiest 6-10 PM
🚆 Metro Line 2 to Zhonglou Station, Exit C. Walk north 5 minutes.
⏰ Evening, around 7 PM. The atmosphere peaks after dark.
💡 Insider tips: 1) Look for shops with long lines of Chinese customers—that’s where the locals eat. 2) Learn to say “bu yao la” (no spicy) if you can’t handle heat. 3) The Great Mosque inside the quarter is worth a visit ($8/¥50)—it’s a beautiful mix of Chinese and Islamic architecture. 4) Don’t take photos of people without asking, especially older vendors.

A noodle chef named Mr. Ma saw me struggling with chopsticks and brought me a fork without me asking. He just nodded and went back to pulling noodles.

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4. Shaanxi History Museum — Better Than the National Museum in Beijing

I’ll say it: this is the best museum in China for ancient artifacts. The collection spans from the Zhou Dynasty (3,000 years ago) to the Tang Dynasty. You’ll see gold bowls, jade carvings, bronze vessels, and Tang Dynasty pottery figures that are so expressive they look alive. The museum is compact—you can see the main exhibits in two hours—but every case has something stunning.

The free tickets are a hassle to get (you need to reserve online three days in advance), but the special exhibit tickets ($8/¥60) let you skip the line and see the best stuff anyway.

📍 Xiaozhai East Road, near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
🎫 Free for main hall (reserve online); special exhibits $8 (¥60)
🕐 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (closed Mondays)
🚆 Metro Line 2 to Xiaozhai Station, Exit E. Walk 5 minutes east.
⏰ Go early (8:30 AM) on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
💡 Insider tips: 1) Reserve tickets on the official WeChat mini-program “Shaanxi History Museum” at least 3 days ahead. 2) The English audio guide is $4 (¥30) and worth it. 3) Don’t miss the Tang Dynasty gold artifacts in Hall 3. 4) No photography with flash in most rooms.

I spent 20 minutes staring at a Tang Dynasty camel with musicians on its back. The detail in the faces—each musician has a different expression.

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5. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda — The One With the Fountain Show

The pagoda itself is a seven-story brick tower built in 652 AD to store Buddhist scriptures brought from India. It’s impressive from the outside, but the real draw is the square in front of it. Every evening at 8 PM, the largest musical fountain in Asia puts on a 20-minute show. Water shoots 60 meters in the air, colored lights flash, and Chinese pop music blasts. It’s cheesy, crowded, and absolutely delightful.

Go at sunset to see the pagoda lit up, then stay for the fountain show. The pagoda interior is climbable (steep stairs, no elevator) but the view from the top is just okay.

📍 Yanta District, south of the city center
🎫 $6 (¥40) to enter the pagoda grounds; free for the fountain square
🕐 Pagoda: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Fountain show: 8:00 PM (summer), 7:00 PM (winter)
🚆 Metro Line 3 to Dayanta Station, Exit C. Walk 2 minutes south.
⏰ Late afternoon (5 PM) to see the pagoda, then stay for the 8 PM show.
💡 Insider tips: 1) Arrive at the fountain square by 7:30 PM to get a good spot near the center. 2) The pagoda is more impressive from outside than inside—skip the climb if you’re tired. 3) The north square has the best view of the pagoda at sunset.

I stood next to a Chinese grandmother who was recording the fountain show on her phone while eating a corn on the cob. She offered me a bite.

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6. Drum & Bell Towers — Quick, Worth It, Don’t Spend Too Much Time

These two towers sit at the center of Xi’an, marking the old city’s heart. The Bell Tower has a massive bronze bell that was rung at dawn; the Drum Tower has 24 drums representing the 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar. You can climb both for a combined ticket, but honestly, the best view is from the street looking up at them.

The Drum Tower has a daily drum performance at 9 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM, and 5 PM. It’s loud and fun. The Bell Tower has a small museum inside. Neither will change your life, but they’re good landmarks to orient yourself.

📍 Central Xi’an, at the intersection of four main streets
🎫 $5 (¥35) combined ticket for both towers
🕐 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
🚆 Metro Line 2 to Zhonglou Station, Exit A or D.
⏰ Midday, when the light is good for photos.
💡 Insider tips: 1) Buy the combined ticket—it’s cheaper. 2) The Drum Tower’s drum performance is better than the Bell Tower’s bell ringing. 3) Go up the Drum Tower first, then walk to the Bell Tower underground passage.

I watched a group of tourists try to ring the bell for a photo. The security guard blew his whistle and they scattered like pigeons.

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7. Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Jianfu Temple — The Quiet One

If the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is the loud, flashy sibling, this is the one who reads books in the corner. The pagoda is smaller (15 stories, 43 meters) and more elegant, and the temple grounds are a peaceful garden with ancient trees, stone pathways, and a small pond. I sat on a bench for 20 minutes watching a cat chase butterflies.

The pagoda was built in 709 AD and survived several earthquakes—it actually split during one and then closed back up. The temple complex is free, and the pagoda climb costs $4. Do it for the calm, not the spectacle.

📍 Youyi West Road, near the Shaanxi History Museum
🎫 Free for temple grounds; $4 (¥25) to climb the pagoda
🕐 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🚆 Metro Line 2 to Nanshaomen Station, Exit B. Walk 10 minutes west.
⏰ Morning, weekday. It’s almost empty.
💡 Insider tips: 1) Combine this with the Shaanxi History Museum—they’re a 15-minute walk apart. 2) The pagoda climb is steep and narrow—not for claustrophobes. 3) There’s a small tea house in the temple grounds with good green tea for $2.

A monk walked past me and smiled. I nodded back. That was the whole interaction, and it was perfect.

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8. Huaqing Hot Springs — Tang Dynasty Romance and a Mountain View

This is where Emperor Xuanzong brought his concubine Yang Guifei for baths in the hot springs. It’s also where Chiang Kai-shek was captured during the Xi’an Incident in 1936, which you’ll hear about from every tour guide. The site is a series of pools, pavilions, and gardens at the foot of Lishan Mountain.

The hot springs are no longer open for bathing (sadly), but the historical buildings are beautiful. Take the cable car up Lishan Mountain for a view of the valley. The site is 30 km east of Xi’an, so it’s best combined with a trip to the Terracotta Warriors (they’re on the same road).

📍 Lintong District, 30 km east of Xi’an
🎫 $18 (¥120)
🕐 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🚆 Take Metro Line 9 to Huaqingchi Station, Exit A. Walk 5 minutes east.
⏰ Morning, spring or autumn. Summer is brutally hot.
💡 Insider tips: 1) Buy the combined ticket with the cable car ($12/¥80 extra). 2) The Xi’an Incident exhibit is actually interesting—don’t skip it. 3) There’s a small museum about Yang Guifei that’s mostly in Chinese, but the paintings are worth seeing.

I ate a bowl of noodles at a restaurant outside the gate. The owner told me his grandfather worked at the hot springs in the 1940s.

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9. Tang Paradise — Cheesy, Expensive, But Fun at Night

This is a reconstructed Tang Dynasty theme park, and I know what you’re thinking—tourist trap. And you’re right, sort of. But the evening show, “Dream Back to the Tang Dynasty,” is genuinely impressive. Dancers in Tang costumes, laser lights, water screens, and a story about Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. It’s over-the-top and I loved every second.

During the day, the park is a large garden with pavilions, lakes, and a few small museums. Not worth the full price. Go for the night show only.

📹 Yanta District, south of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
🎫 $18 (¥120); night show ticket $25 (¥180)
🕐 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (show at 8:30 PM)
🚆 Metro Line 3 to Dayanta Station, Exit C. Walk 10 minutes south.
⏰ Evening, around 7 PM to explore before the show.
💡 Insider tips: 1) Buy the night show ticket only—skip the day pass. 2) Arrive early (7:30 PM) for a good seat in the outdoor theater. 3) The park is huge—wear comfortable shoes. 4) There’s a fake “ancient street” inside with overpriced snacks; avoid it.

A child in a Tang princess costume ran past me, her mother chasing after her yelling “Ni zhe ge xiao guai!” (You little monster!).

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10. Mount Huashan — For the Insane (and the Brave)

This is the mountain with the famous “plank walk”—a narrow wooden board attached to a vertical cliff face. You wear a harness and shuffle along while staring at a 2,000-foot drop. I did it. I screamed. I cried a little. I’d do it again.

Huashan is one of China’s five sacred mountains, and the hike to the peaks is brutal but beautiful. The cable car from the base to the north peak takes 10 minutes and saves you hours of climbing. The plank walk costs an extra $8 and requires a harness rental. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re adventurous, it’s unforgettable.

📍 Huayin City, 120 km east of Xi’an
🎫 $25 (¥180) entry; cable car $30 (¥200) one-way
🕐 24 hours (cable car runs 7 AM – 7 PM)
🚆 Take a high-speed train from Xi’an North Station to Huashan North Station ($10/¥70, 30 minutes). Then a free shuttle bus to the cable car.
⏰ Weekday, May or September. Avoid weekends and Chinese holidays.
💡 Insider tips: 1) Start early—take the 7 AM train from Xi’an. 2) Bring gloves (sold at the base for $1) for the chains on the steep sections. 3) The plank walk has a weight limit of 100 kg (220 lbs). 4) Don’t attempt the full hike if you’re not fit—the cable car is your friend.

I met a German guy at the top who had proposed to his girlfriend on the plank walk. She said yes. I think the adrenaline helped.

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FAQ

1. Do I need a visa for Xi’an in 2026?
China now offers 144-hour visa-free transit at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport for citizens of 54 countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe). You need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country. If you’re staying longer, apply for a tourist visa (L visa) at your local Chinese embassy—allow 2-4 weeks.

2. How many days do I need in Xi’an?
Three full days minimum. Day 1: Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Hot Springs. Day 2: City Wall, Muslim Quarter, and Drum/Bell Towers. Day 3: Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Tang Paradise. Add an extra day if you want to do Mount Huashan.

3. Is English widely spoken?
Not really. At the Terracotta Warriors and major hotels, yes. Everywhere else, you’ll need a translation app. Download Pleco or Google Translate (with Chinese offline pack) before you arrive. Also, learn to say “xie xie” (thank you) and “duo shao qian?” (how much?).

4. Do I need a VPN to use my phone in China?
Yes. Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and many Western websites are blocked. Install a VPN (I use ExpressVPN or Astrill) on your phone and laptop before you leave. Test it before you arrive. Also, buy a Chinese SIM card at the airport (China Mobile or China Unicom, about $15 for 10 GB).

5. Can I use my credit card in Xi’an?
No. China is a cashless society. You need WeChat Pay or Alipay. Set up Alipay (it’s easier for foreigners) with your foreign credit card before you travel. Link it to your passport. Most shops, restaurants, and even street vendors accept it. Carry some cash (¥200-500) for emergencies.

6. Is the air quality bad in Xi’an?
It varies. Winter (November-February) has the worst smog. Spring and autumn are usually clear. Check the air quality index (AQI) on the AirVisual app before you go. If it’s over 150, wear an N95 mask. I bring one just in case.

7. What’s the best way to get from Xi’an airport to the city?
Take the airport express train (Line 14) to Xi’an North Station, then transfer to Metro Line 2 to the city center. Total time: 1 hour, cost: $4 (¥25). Taxis are $15-20 but take 50 minutes in light traffic.

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The Honest Wrap-up

This list is for the traveler who wants to see the big stuff but also eat a bowl of noodles in a back alley while a cat watches. It’s not for someone who wants a curated, luxury experience—Xi’an is dusty, loud, and occasionally frustrating. The toilets are squat, the traffic is chaos, and you will almost certainly get lost in the Muslim Quarter at least once.

But if you’re willing to be a little uncomfortable, Xi’an will give you something most Chinese cities can’t: the feeling of standing inside history. Not in a museum, but on a wall built in 1370, or in a pagoda from 652 AD, or at a noodle shop that’s been open since before your great-grandparents were born.

My final piece of advice: skip one thing on this list. Don’t try to see everything. Sit in a tea house for an hour. Walk the wall without a destination. Eat something you can’t pronounce. That’s where Xi’an lives.