Top Things to Do in Xi'an: Avoid Crowds & Save Money

I've guided dozens of travelers through Xi'an, and every single time, the same thing happens: they arrive with a huge list, then panic. The city is vast, ancient, and deliciously chaotic. But honestly, the top things to do in Xi'an can be conquered without losing your sanity — if you follow the right order, use the right apps, and ignore the touts.

Here is the thing most guides won't tell you: the Terracotta Army is not close to the city. It's a 45-minute drive east. And the Muslim Quarter gets truly alive only after 6 PM. So your entire planning should hinge on those realities.

Ready? Let's parse my favorite route.

Why Visit Xi'an?

Xi'an is where Chinese civilization spent its golden youth. It served as the capital of 13 dynasties, including the mighty Tang Empire. But the city isn't just a museum — it's a living, breathing place where you can watch old men fly kites near the city wall and students queue for bubble tea. For any first-time visitor to China, Xi'an offers the perfect balance of historical depth and modern energy. And unlike Beijing, it's compact enough to explore in a few days without a car.

But here's the catch: most of the city's top attractions require pre-booking with your passport. And the most famous ones sit far apart. So let's dive into my top 7 picks — chosen for their wow factor, cultural weight, and Instagram-ability (yes, I said it).

Top Things to Do in Xi'an: My 7 Must-See Experiences

1. Terracotta Army – How to Beat the Crowds

Let me start with the behemoth. The Terracotta Army is the single greatest archaeological find of the 20th century — and it's utterly packed by mid-morning. No genuine Xi'an experience skips it, but you must go smart.

• Ticket price: 120 RMB (about $17) for adults. Students with valid ID get half off. Audio guides cost an extra 30 RMB — honestly, I skip them and bring a pre-downloaded podcast instead.
• Address: Qinling North Road, Lintong District (临潼区秦岭北路). Show this Chinese address to your taxi driver if you can't say it.
• Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 5 PM (last entry at 4 PM). The pits get dramatically quieter in the final hour.
• How to get there: From Xi'an city center, take Metro Line 9 (green line) to Qinling West Station, then a 10-minute taxi ride (about 15 RMB). Alternatively, bus 306 (游5) from the Xi'an Railway Station drops you right at the entrance. Tip: ignore the drivers saying the bus is 'cancelled' — it's a classic scam.
• Pro Tip: Book your timed-entry ticket on Trip.com or Klook. The official WeChat mini-program requires Chinese and a Chinese ID, but these platforms accept your passport. Show up at 8:30 AM sharp and dash to Pit No. 1 first — the sunrise light makes the statues look golden.

My personal memory: I once took a group there in August. The queue for entry took 90 minutes. I nearly lost a guest to heatstroke. Since then, I always insist on the 8:30 AM slot. It's the difference between a spiritual experience and an endurance test.

2. Ancient City Wall – Bike Ride at Sunset

The city wall is the best way to get a top-down view of Xi'an's ancient grid, and renting a bike costs less than a latte in Starbucks. Built in the Ming era, it wraps around the old town for 13.7 km.

• Ticket price: 54 RMB (about $8). Bike rental: 45 RMB for 3 hours (single) or 90 RMB for a tandem. You also need to leave a 200 RMB deposit or your passport.
• Address: South Gate (Nanmen) Entrance, near Yongningmen Metro Station (永宁门). Show '永宁门' if needed.
• Opening hours: 8:00-22:00 (summer), 8:00-20:00 (winter). The best time is 1 hour before sunset.
• How to get there: Metro Line 2, Yongningmen Station, Exit D. Walk straight for 3 minutes — you'll see the massive gate.
• Pro Tip: Rent a bike directly at the South Gate. Most tourists start there. If you want to avoid the crowd, go up at the East Gate (elevator available) and cycle counter-clockwise. The views from the corners are stunning, and there are fewer vendors.

The catch: The bike gears are a bit stiff and the cobblestones vibrate your teeth. But after 10 minutes you'll adjust. And the feeling of watching the sun dip behind the Drum Tower from the wall is worth every aching muscle.

3. Muslim Quarter – Street Food Crawl

The Muslim Quarter (回民街) isn't one single tourist trap — it's a labyrinth of alleys where locals actually shop. You'll find sizzling lamb skewers, pomegranate juice, and the famous biang biang noodles. But the real secret is to dive deeper than the main street.

• Price: Free entry. Budget 50-100 RMB for a full food crawl.
• Address: Beiyuanmen, west of the Drum Tower. Show the taxi driver '鼓楼回民街'.
• Opening hours: Stalls open around 10 AM, but the best street food comes out between 6-10 PM.
• What to try: Steamed lamb dumplings (xiaolongbao) at the end of the main strip; the spicy sliced potato noodles (liangpi); and the seasonal pomegranate juice — watch them crush it fresh.
• My go-to spot: After the main alley, turn left at the Gao Family Courtyard. There's a tiny stall with a blue sign selling 'Hulatang' (pepper soup). It's the perfect hangover cure, spicy and sour.
• Pro Tip: Use your Alipay to scan the QR code at each stall. Most don't accept cash or foreign cards. And never eat at stalls with a person out front loudly shouting — the locals know the quiet ones are better.

Your first step: Start at the Drum Tower entrance, walk 200 meters, then duck into the first small lane on your right. Within three minutes, you'll hear the sizzle of a flat iron and smell cumin. Trust that.

4. Big Wild Goose Pagoda – Evening Fountain Show

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔) area is best visited in the early evening, when the music fountain starts dancing. During the day, the pagoda itself is a serene Buddhist relic. At night, the plaza turns into a massive light-and-sound show that feels like a mini Beijing Olympics opening.

• Ticket price: 50 RMB for the Ci'en Temple grounds, plus an extra 25 RMB to climb the pagoda. But the square and fountain are free.
• Address: Yanta South Road, Yanta District. Show '大雁塔南广场'.
• Opening hours: Temple 8:00-17:30 (last entry 17:00). Fountain show runs at 12:00, 16:00, 19:00, and 21:00 — but times change seasonally. I always check with the hotel front desk first.
• How to get there: Metro Line 3 or Line 4 to Dayanta Station (大雁塔站), Exit C.
• Pro Tip: Ditch the pagoda if you've seen one Buddhist tower in China. Focus on the North Square for the fountain, then walk 10 minutes to the Tang Paradise Lake for a free reflection photo. The best spot is at the southern bridge, where the pagoda mirrors in the water — and it's dark enough after 8 PM that you can shoot without any tourists.

My honest take: The fountain show is cheesy but spectacular — a mix of pop music, colored lasers, and mist. If you're traveling with kids, they'll love it. If you're a photography nerd, the long-exposure shots are worth the trip.

5. Shaanxi History Museum – Free Booking Required

The Shaanxi History Museum has some of the best ancient Tang artifacts in China — and it's completely free (with a mandatory booking). This is a tricky one because walk-ins aren't allowed, and the English ticket page often 'sells out' even when you see people entering.

• Ticket price: Free, but you must reserve a time slot. Special exhibits cost extra (e.g., the Tang Tomb Murals, 300 RMB).
• Address: 91 Xiaozhai East Road, Yanta District. Show '小寨东路91号'.
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:30 (last entry at 16:30). Closed on Mondays (except public holidays).
• How to get there: Metro Line 2 to Xiaozhai Station (小寨站), Exit F, walk east for 5 minutes.
• How to book: You can try the official WeChat account, but the English interface is minimal. Easier: use Trip.com's 'Shaanxi History Museum' booking — you might pay a small fee but it saves hours of frustration.
• Pro Tip: If you can't get a booking, go to the ticket desk at 1 PM when people with 'expired' slots cancel — there's usually a small release. And bring a pair of earplugs; the audio guides echo loudly.

My note from last visit: The queue for the free entrance can wrap around the block, but the paid special exhibition queue is much shorter. If you want the museum experience without the wait, buy the Tang Tomb Murals ticket — you also get to skip the main line.

6. The Bell Tower and Drum Tower – Save Time with Combo Ticket

The Bell Tower (钟楼) and Drum Tower (鼓楼) sit at the crossroads of Xi'an's old city, and you should visit both in one go. They're block apart, and a combo ticket saves you money.

• Combo ticket: 50 RMB (each individually is 30 RMB). Kids under 1.4m free.
• Address: West Street, intersection with South Street. Show '钟楼' and '鼓楼'.
• Opening hours: 8:30-18:00 (last entry at 17:30). The viewing deck on the Bell Tower closes at 17:30, but the rooftop views of the square are better from the Drum Tower.
• How to get there: Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower Station (钟楼站), Exit D.
• Pro Tip: Don't climb both to the top — they're similar. Climb the Drum Tower and look west over the Muslim Quarter at golden hour. The Drum Tower has a three-story set of drums, and there's a demonstration at 9:00 and 15:00, which is nice but not essential.
• My advice: If you're on a tight schedule, just admire them from the outside at night when they're lit up. Many travelers miss the beautiful night view — from the pedestrian bridge northwest of the Bell Tower, you get a perfect symmetrical shot.

A scrappy detail: Between the two towers, there's a people's park where you can watch old folks performing opera in the morning. Free, weird, and addictive.

7. Mount Huashan – For Thrill Seekers

Mount Huashan is the ultimate day trip from Xi'an if you're comfortable with heights (or want to confront that fear). It's famous for the plank walk — a narrow wooden board attached to a cliff with a mere waistline safety rope.

• Ticket price: 160 RMB entrance + 80 RMB (bus) + 130-140 RMB (cable car one way). All-in, budget 400-500 RMB.
• Address: Huayin City, Weinan. Show '华山风景区' to your driver.
• How to get there: High-speed train from Xi'an North Station to Huashan North (30 minutes, 55 RMB). Once out, hop on the free shuttle to the visitor center, then buy the bus+cable package.
• Opening hours: Mount access 24/7, but cable cars run 7:00-19:00 (summer) and 7:30-18:00 (winter). If you get motion sickness, skip the cable car and take the walkway up from Huashan Yu — but it's 6 hours of stairs, so honestly, take the cable car.
• Pro Tip: Go on a weekday and catch the first cable car (7:30 AM) to have the plank walk to yourself. Also, the west peak cable car is longer and more dramatic than the north peak one — take the west up and the north down for a loop.
• Serious warning: The plank walk is scary, but the safety gear is solid. Don't be goaded by others; it's fine to walk the section with the metal railing.

My experience: I took a group of 20-somethings in summer. Half of them were white as sheets at the plank, but one girl cried happy tears at the top. It's not for everyone, but it's one of those 'I climbed a Chinese mountain' moments you'll brag about for years.

How to Plan Your Xi'an Itinerary

You can see the major top things to do in Xi'an in 2 full days, but 3 days are more realistic. Below is exactly how I'd split it, with realistic travel times.

Here's a sample 3-day plan:

Day 1: Wake up early for the Terracotta Army. Leave city by 7:30 AM, arrive at 8:30. Spend until noon. Take a late lunch in the Lintong district — local lamb soup. Back to city, rest. At 4 PM, head to the City Wall for a bike ride until sunset. Have dinner in the Muslim Quarter.

Day 2: Morning at Shaanxi History Museum (book 9:00 slot). After noon, walk to Xiaozhai shopping area for lunch. Take a metro to Big Wild Goose Pagoda for the afternoon fountain show. Evening: Tang Paradise light show.

Day 3: If you're fit, take on Huashan. If not, explore the city more: visit the Bell Tower area, shop in the 'Golden Interior' mall, or search for ancient street art in the Beilin district. Then head to the airport/hotel.

Adjust based on your energy level. The beauty of Xi'an is that the Metro Lines 2 and 3 connect almost everything, and taxi rides between these spots are never more than 30 RMB (except Terracotta).

What Are the Must-Know Tips for First-Timers in Xi'an?

You need to prepare for the digital divide before stepping into Xi'an. Here's a quick checklist that will save you from the disasters I've seen.

• Payments: Top things to do in Xi'an almost all require Alipay or WeChat Pay. Starbucks, McDonald's, and high-end hotels take foreign credit cards, but the museum ticket office, city wall bike rental, and local food stalls do not. Bring a backup mobile wallet with you and the Alipay app, a VPN to avoid connectivity issues? Actually, Alipay works without VPN, but booking apps might not.
• VPN: Some English platforms like Google, TripAdvisor, and Facebook are blocked. You'll need a reliable VPN installed before you land. My guests have had good luck with Express VPN or Nord VPN.
• Navigation: Google Maps gives you reliable walking routes but the public transport info is often wrong. Use Apple Maps for turn-by-turn driving, or AMap (高德地图) which now has an English interface called 'AMap Global'. Or just show printed Chinese addresses to taxi drivers.
• Translation: Download Apple Translate app (offline pack for Simplified Chinese). It works surprisingly well for menu scanning.
• Museum bookings: Most major museums require passport numbers and a Chinese phone number for bookings. If you don't have one, use a travel booking platform like Trip.com. A cheaper alternative is to book through your hotel's concierge — they can often reserve slots with your passport.
• Weather: Xi'an has extreme temperatures. In summer, it's baking hot and dry; in winter, it can drop to -5°C. Always carry a moisture-wicking scarf to protect yourself from dust storms in spring.

One final pro-tip: Download the 'Xi'an Metro' app or use the new 'AMap' for metro directions. You can also reach out to the official Xi'an Metro English hotline — but don't count on them being fluent. Better: ask your hotel to write down your destination in Chinese characters, then hand it to a taxi driver. This works 100% of the time.

Where to Stay in Xi'an for Easy Access to Top Attractions?

The three best areas to stay in Xi'an are the Bell Tower (for first-timers), Nanshan Road (for photography and nightlife), and Qujiang (for modern comfort near the Wild Goose Pagoda). Below is a comparison of the options.

My pick for budget travelers: find a hostel near the Bell Tower — the 7 South Street Hostel has a rooftop terrace that looks directly at the Bell Tower. For a splurge, the Grand Soluxe is a classic luxury hotel near the City Wall. Just note: in peak seasons (Chinese New Year, May holidays), prices can double. Always book 2-3 months ahead.

A practical note: Not all hotels have good Wi-Fi for foreign sites. Look for the 'commercial internet' label, or simply ask the front desk if you can access Google — some have dual lines. For apartment stays, ensure there's a lift (elevator); my guest once stayed at a second-floor walk-up with heavy luggage.

What to Eat in Xi'an: Beyond Biang Biang Noodles

As a local guide, I always tell visitors to look for three flavors: sour, spicy, and salty — and here's what you must not miss.

• Rou Jia Mo (肉夹馍): The Chinese burger, chopped pork stuffed in a crispy flatbread. Look for a stall with a huge clay oven; the staff should be beating the meat with a cleaver. Skip the ones with the pre-made buns. I like the one at Fanji (樊记), near Zhuque Gate.
• Yangrou Pao Mo (羊肉泡馍): Go at 11 AM. You'll get a bowl of flatbread and told to break it into tiny pieces. Take your time — it's meditative. Then they add lamb soup over it. The lamb is rich and gamy; leave room for a bowl of broth. The best I've had is at Tongguan Lanqi (同盛祥), but honestly, any restaurant near the Muslim Quarter that is full of locals is safe.
• Liangpi (凉皮): Cold skinny noodles with vinegar, crushed garlic, and chili oil. The sourness is addictive. Try it with a side of mung bean sprouts.
• Biang Biang Noodles: These are wide belts of noodles, usually topped with chopped chili and sizzling oil. Read the menu: some are spicy, some are 'sour' (suan). Get the 'dry' version, not the soup one.

For vegetarian and halal travelers: The Muslim Quarter is a goldmine for halal options. Many stalls label their food as 'halal' in Chinese. For vegans, look for 'sí cai' (vegetarian) — but double-check that the oil isn't lard-based. The pomegranate juice is a must-have — it's a natural palate cleanser.

But here's my insider rule: Eat where the locals seem to be in a hurry. If a place has a line of people staring at their phones, it's probably good. If a stall has a menu with pictures in 5 languages, it might be a trap. The true gems are those with only a Chinese menu and a wooden board.

Frequently Asked Questions: Top Things to Do in Xi'an

This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision. Prices and opening hours can change; always confirm on official platforms before visiting.