How many days do I need in Xi'an?

Three full days is the minimum I would plan for a first Xi'an stop. One day goes to the Warriors and the City Wall. One day covers Huaqing, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Yongxingfang. One day belongs to Shaanxi History Museum or Beilin. Add a fourth day for Huashan, a slower museum day or a softer arrival.

Is the Terracotta Army worth the trip from Beijing?

Yes, if you do it properly. We request the 08:30 first window, then work through Pit One, Pit Two, Pit Three and the bronze chariots in order. That gives the site time to become more than a famous photograph. Beijing to Xi'an is roughly four and a half hours by the fastest high-speed rail, so a three-night Xi'an stop fits well inside a two-week China trip.

What about visas for Xi'an?

Xi'an follows mainland China entry rules. Ordinary Australian, British, New Zealand and Canadian passports have up to thirty days visa-free, confirmed through 31 December 2026. United States passports still need a tourist visa under current rules. Tell us your nationality before we quote. We check the live entry wording against the embassy and foreign-affairs source for your country.

How do tickets at the Warriors actually work?

Tickets are real-name and timed. The official booking flow accepts passport details, but it is not friendly for many overseas travellers. We book against your passport details under your trip and request the first 08:30 window. There is no real fast-track, no matter what touts at the car park say. The early window and the order of the visit are the difference.

How do I book the Shaanxi History Museum, and when is it closed?

The museum closes on Mondays except Chinese public holidays. Admission is free but timed, and the daily visitor cap means queues build through the morning. The reservation portal requires a Chinese phone number, so many overseas travellers cannot book directly. We handle the reservation against your passport details. Where partner access is confirmed, we use it. Otherwise we time arrival for the quietest workable window.

How do payments work in Xi'an for foreign travellers?

Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly. Both can bind many overseas Visa and Mastercard cards, but in-app limits and small-merchant acceptance still vary. Your guide can help with restaurant and ticket moments on the ground. Keep one bank card and a little cash for older courtyards, small temples and the odd stall that still prefers it.

Will there be any forced shopping or factory visits in the itinerary?

No. No jade factory, no silk demonstration, no tea-house sales pitch. The route you approve is the route we brief. If a driver or guide suggests an unscheduled detour, you have a named specialist to contact. The figure on your quote is what you pay. The trip you read is the trip you take.

What is actually included when you quote a Xi'an trip?

Daily guide and driver, hotels at the category you approve, internal flights or trains if the route spans more than one city, daily breakfast, and every entrance ticket on the agreed route. Planned meals and optional costs are named before you confirm. Priced per person, up front, in the currency you switch the site to.

Destination · China

Xi'an

the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties

Xi'an is where China's story begins. Beneath the yellow-earth plains east of the city, 8,000 Terracotta Warriors stand eternal guard over the First Emperor. Inside the Ming walls, hand-pulled noodles and lamb skewers fill the lanes around the Drum Tower.

Design my trip See the signature moments

Signature moments

Why people
come to Xi'an.

What to see

Ranks of terracotta warriors in Pit One at the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum — Terracotta Army(Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum)
One of the world's most extraordinary archaeological discoveries, the Terracotta Army has guarded the mausoleum of China's First Emperor for over 2,000 years.
Discovered by local farmers in 1974, thousands of life-size warriors, horses and chariots reveal the extraordinary scale of Qin Shi Huang's vision. Each figure is uniquely crafted, reflecting the skill, ambition and military power of China's first imperial dynasty.
For the best experience, we arrange an early morning visit before the largest tour groups arrive. With an expert guide leading the way, you'll enjoy time and space to appreciate the history and wonders of this place.

The Bell Tower lit at dusk from above, ringed by the roundabout at the centre of Xi'an's old city — Bell Tower(the city's centre)
Standing proudly at the heart of Xi'an's old city, the Bell Tower has been a symbol of the city for more than 600 years.
First built in 1384 and moved to its current location in 1582, it once served as Xi'an's official timekeeper. Each morning, its bronze bell announced the opening of the city gates, making it an important part of daily life during imperial China.
The Bell Tower is best experienced in the late afternoon, when the crowds begin to thin and the warm light highlights its traditional architecture. Stay until dusk to watch the tower illuminate against the evening sky, while enjoying panoramic views over Xi'an's old city as it transitions from day to night.

Huashan's granite peaks rising through morning cloud, framed by a wind-shaped pine on the foreground ridge — Huashan(Mount Hua, the West Sacred Mountain)
Huashan is one of China's most spectacular mountains, renowned for its dramatic granite peaks, steep stairways and breathtaking views.
For centuries, emperors, pilgrims and poets have made the journey to its sacred summits, where ancient temples and colourful prayer ribbons cling to the cliffs. Whether you're seeking adventure or natural beauty, the mountain offers an unforgettable experience.
We tailor each visit to your fitness level, the weather and cable car schedules. Confident hikers can explore several peaks, while a more relaxed itinerary focuses on the scenic North Peak, allowing you to enjoy Huashan's remarkable landscapes at a comfortable pace.

A Tang-dynasty gilded silver octagon cup with foreign musicians and dancers, from the Hejia Village hoard at the Shaanxi History Museum — Shaanxi History Museum
The Shaanxi History Museum offers one of the best introductions to China's rich history, showcasing more than 370,000 artefacts spanning thousands of years.
Its renowned Tang Dynasty collection is a highlight, featuring exquisite gold, silver, jade and ceramics, including treasures from the famous Hejia Village hoard. The museum brings the story of Xi'an's past vividly to life.
We arrange your reservation in advance using your passport details and schedule your visit during quieter entry periods. If the museum is closed on Monday, we recommend the Forest of Stelae Museum as an excellent alternative to continue exploring Xi'an's remarkable heritage.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda at sunset, seen from the South Plaza at Da Ci'en Temple — Big Wild Goose Pagoda(Da Ci'en Temple)
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is one of Xi'an's most iconic landmarks and an enduring symbol of the Tang Dynasty.
Completed in 652 CE within the grounds of Da Ci'en Temple, it was built to house the Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang after his remarkable 17-year journey. Today, it stands as a testament to Xi'an's important role along the ancient Silk Road and the spread of Buddhism across Asia.
We recommend visiting in the late afternoon, when the temple grounds are quieter and the pagoda is at its most atmospheric. Your guide will bring Xuanzang's extraordinary journey and the pagoda's history to life.

The Tang-style entrance to Huaqing Palace, the imperial hot-spring complex at the foot of Lishan near Xi'an — Huaqing Palace(Tang hot springs)
Huaqing Palace is a scenic retreat at the foot of Mount Li, renowned for its natural hot springs, beautiful gardens and fascinating history.
Once an imperial residence during the Tang Dynasty, it is best known for the romantic story of Emperor Xuanzong and his beloved consort Yang Guifei. The palace also played a significant role in modern Chinese history as the site of the 1936 Xi'an Incident involving Chiang Kai-shek.
We usually combine Huaqing Palace with the Terracotta Warriors, visiting in the afternoon when the grounds are quieter. For a memorable finish, we can arrange tickets to the spectacular Chang Hen Ge evening performance on Nine Dragon Lake.

Tang-style pavilions on Furong Lake at sunset, lights beginning to show through the wooden eaves and reflected on the water, Tang Paradise, Xi'an — Tang Paradise(Datang Furong Yuan)
Tang Paradise is a beautifully landscaped cultural park inspired by the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty.
Set beside the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, it features elegant pavilions, lakeside gardens and traditional architecture, with cultural performances, music and illuminated displays bringing the era to life. It's an ideal place to experience the atmosphere of Tang China in a relaxed setting.
We recommend visiting in the late afternoon and staying into the evening, when the gardens are beautifully lit and performances begin. We plan your visit around the show schedule, allowing time to explore the quieter areas before or after the main attractions.

A lit Ming-dynasty watchtower on the Xi'an city wall at night, its lanterns reflected in the moat — Xi'an City Wall(Ming Hongwu)
The Xi'an City Wall is one of the world's best-preserved ancient fortifications, encircling the historic heart of the city for 13.74 kilometres.
Built during the Ming Dynasty, its imposing gates, watchtowers, moat and broad ramparts have protected Xi'an for more than 600 years. Walking or cycling the wall offers a unique perspective, where the city's rich history meets its vibrant modern skyline.
We recommend visiting early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when temperatures are cooler and the light is ideal for photography. Bicycles can be arranged from the South Gate, allowing you to explore the ramparts at a relaxed pace. Along the way, we often stop near Wenchang Gate for traditional tea and freshly baked Xi'an pastries, adding a local touch to the experience.

Datang Everbright City after dusk: reproduction Tang pavilions and bronze statuary lit along the pedestrian axis beside the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an — Datang Everbright City(Datang Bu Ye Cheng)
Datang Everbright City is Xi'an's after-dark set piece, a broad pedestrian axis staged as an open-air Tang capital beside the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Bronze statuary of poets and emperors lines the street, and at dusk the whole stretch lights up as performers, calligraphers and buskers take their places. Entry is free, and the scale is a real city street rather than a walled park.
We usually pair Datang Everbright City with an afternoon at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, timing arrival for the North Square musical fountain and then walking into the illuminated street as it fills up. Going in this direction, you meet the crowd as ambient energy rather than a bottleneck, and finish somewhere quieter for supper.

What to eat

Xi'an lamb skewers grilling over charcoal, with raw lamb pieces ready at the back and cumin and chilli powder scattered along the rail — Xi'an BBQ Skewers(Cumin, Chilli, Charcoal)
One of Xi'an's most iconic street foods, lamb skewers are the signature flavour of the city after dark.
Hui Muslim cooks slice the meat thin, season it with salt, cumin and ground chilli brought east on the Silk Road, then turn it over charcoal until the edges crisp. The flavour is pure Xi'an: smoky and salty, with a chilli heat that lingers long after the last skewer.
We recommend visiting in the evening, when the lanes around the Drum Tower come alive with charcoal smoke. Your guide will take you to a trusted local favourite where the grilling is still done by hand, with skewers brought to the table in small rounds straight from the fire.

A Xi'an rou jia mo, shredded meat tucked into a wheat bun and served one-handed — Rou jia mo(Xi'an's pulled-pork flatbread)
One of Xi'an's most iconic street foods, rou jia mo is often called China's first hamburger.
Pork is slow-braised for hours in a dark, fragrant master stock until it shreds at the touch of a knife, then chopped into a freshly baked bun straight from the clay oven. The bun crackles, the meat is juicy and rich, the spice quiet but warm.
We recommend visiting at the busy cooking window, when bread is coming out of the oven in batches and the meat pot is at its deepest flavour. Your guide will point out the small differences in stock, seasoning and bake that separate the good stalls from the great.

A bowl of Xi'an yangrou paomo in blue-and-white porcelain: lamb broth ladled over hand-torn flatbread cubes and glass noodles, with chilli paste and pickled garlic on the side — Yangrou paomo(mutton soup with hand-torn bread)
Xi'an's most beloved comfort dish, yangrou paomo is the bowl that asks you to slow down and join in.
You tear a thick flatbread into chickpea-sized pieces, then the kitchen ladles over a mutton broth simmered all morning with warm spices and white pepper, finished with tender lamb and glass noodles. The bread soaks through, the broth deepens: warm, savoury, deeply satisfying.
We bring you to one of Xi'an's most respected paomo houses, where the broth and bread are still made the old way. Your guide will explain the tearing technique so the pieces drink the soup properly, and we plan on an hour at the table to do the bowl justice.

Shows and experiences

Chang Hen Ge at Huaqing, a solo dancer on the floating stage with Lishan Mountain lit blue behind and laser beams across the night sky — Chang Hen Ge at Huaqing(the Song of Everlasting Sorrow musical)
One of Xi'an's most atmospheric evening performances, Chang Hen Ge stages the Tang love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei after dark at Huaqing Palace.
The stage floats on Nine Dragon Lake, with dancers moving across it under lasers and lantern light while Lishan rises lit blue behind. The show runs nightly through the warmer months and is one of China's largest open-air productions.
We recommend the show on a clear evening when the season, weather and your schedule align. Seats are booked ahead with the strongest sightlines first, and your car waits at the venue exit for a calm return.

A soloist in red Tang-court robe at the centre of a circular stage, ringed by dancers in pastel gauze, with banquet tables curving around the audience behind, Xi'an — Tang Dynasty Show and Imperial Banquet(Tang Dynasty Palace, dinner-and-show)
One of Xi'an's longest-running cultural performances, the Tang Dynasty Show pairs a Tang-style imperial banquet with a full orchestra and dance troupe in court costume.
The kitchen draws on Tang palace recipes for a multi-course menu, while the music, robes and ceremonies all reach back to the Tang court. It offers a memorable way to experience the splendour of Tang China over a single evening.
We recommend the Imperial Banquet tier, with seating along the central aisle where the dancers pass closest. Dinner begins around six and finishes well before the curtain, so the meal is unhurried and the show begins at its full pace.

A robed figure at the apex of a central staircase, flanked by symmetrical Qin-style palace walls in orange relief beneath blue stage light, the Great Qin show, Xi'an — The Great Qin(Jiu Jiu Da Qin, immersive Qin-dynasty stage show)
Xi'an's most ambitious historical stage production, the Great Qin tells the rise of China's first empire in an 80-minute moving show.
The audience rides track-mounted platforms through six scenes, following Heifu, a real Qin soldier whose letters home survived in his tomb. It is one of the most technically ambitious immersive productions staged anywhere in China today.
We book the higher rows along the longest sightlines, where the moving platforms cross all six transitions in clean profile. The theatre sits about forty minutes west of the old town, so we pair the evening with a relaxed dinner inside the city wall first.

How long to stay

Recommended
5 to 7 days.

Old city
Day 1: Xi'an City Highlights
Begin where the old city wakes: the morning market under the wall at Xiaonanmen, where breakfast comes straight off the griddle. Spend the afternoon among the brush shops and seal carvers of Shuyuanmen. As evening falls, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower light up, and the Muslim Quarter fills with charcoal smoke and the sizzle of lamb skewers.
Morning
1. Explore the Xiaonanmen morning market
Afternoon
1. Stroll Shuyuanmen, the old calligraphy street
Evening
1. Visit the Bell Tower
2. See the Drum Tower
3. Eat your way along the Muslim Quarter
Lintong
Day 2: Terracotta Warriors and Lintong
Private car, about an hour east
An early start beats the tour groups to the Terracotta Army, with time for the quieter side pits once Pit One is done. After lunch, ride the cable car up Mount Li, then look through the small Lintong Museum below. As night falls at Huaqing Palace, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow is staged on the lake, with the mountain itself as the backdrop.
Morning
1. Meet the Terracotta Army at first entry
Afternoon
1. Ride the cable car up Mount Li
2. Look through the Lintong Museum
Evening
1. Stroll Lintong's old streets
2. Watch The Song of Everlasting Sorrow at Huaqing Palace
Yanta
Day 3: History and Tang Dynasty Culture
Begin among the Zhou bronzes and Tang gold of the Shaanxi History Museum. The afternoon slows down in the Daci'en Temple Ruins Park, with the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda always in view. As evening falls, Datang Everbright City lights up, and the fountain show on the pagoda's north square closes the day.
Morning
1. Spend the morning in the Shaanxi History Museum
Afternoon
1. Walk the Daci'en Temple Ruins Park
Evening
1. Join the lantern-lit crowds at Datang Everbright City
2. Catch the fountain show at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Huashan
Day 4: Mount Huashan
High-speed rail east, about forty minutes
Huashan asks for an early start and repays it all day. Ride the cable car to the North Peak, then follow the ridge paths toward the higher summits at your own pace. Your guide sets the route by fitness, weather and the day's queues. Back in Xi'an, a massage is the right way to end a mountain day.
Morning
1. Take the cable car to the North Peak
Afternoon
1. Walk the ridge toward South Peak
Evening
1. Wind down with a booked massage back in Xi'an
Guanzhong
Day 5: Local Markets and Yuanjia Village
Private car northwest, into the Guanzhong countryside
Begin in the old city, from the Bell Tower to the Drum Tower and along the Muslim Quarter for a proper Xi'an breakfast. Then drive out through the Guanzhong countryside to Yuanjia Village, where the lanes run on noodle steam and vinegar barrels. Stay into the evening: the village is at its warmest once the day-trippers leave.
Morning
1. Visit the Bell Tower
2. See the Drum Tower
3. Eat your way along the Muslim Quarter
Afternoon
1. Graze the snack lanes of Yuanjia Village
Evening
1. Stay for the village's lantern-lit evening
Qinling
Day 6: Qinling
Private car south, into the Qinling foothills
Trade the city for the Qinling range. The morning is fireside tea at a foothill farm-stay, kettle over charcoal, mountains out the window. Cross the watershed pass on the old mountain road, then meet the giant pandas, crested ibis, golden monkeys and takin at the Four Treasures park. Ease back into the city with dinner and shopping at MixC.
Morning
1. Take fireside tea at a foothill farm-stay
Afternoon
1. Cross the Qinling watershed pass
2. Meet the pandas at the Four Treasures Science Park
Evening
1. Finish with dinner and shopping at Xi'an MixC
City north and walls
Day 7: Imperial Heritage and Local Culture
Spend the morning walking the Daming Palace grounds, where the Tang court governed from halls the size of city blocks. The Xi'an Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda fill the afternoon at a gentler scale. For the last evening, take drinks on the west moat at Tianpin West Bank, then a farewell round of Shaanxi snacks at Yongxingfang.
Morning
1. Walk the Daming Palace grounds
Afternoon
1. Visit the Xi'an Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Evening
1. Take dusk drinks at Tianpin West Bank
2. Say goodbye over Shaanxi snacks at Yongxingfang

Day 1: Xi'an City HighlightsOld city

When to go

When to visit,
and how it feels.


Daily max (°F)	41°	49°	60°	72°	80°	89°	91°	87°	78°	67°	55°	44°
Rainfall (mm)	9	13	28	50	68	86	104	97	117	67	28	7
Crowds	Quiet	Crowded	Quiet	Steady	Busy	Steady	Busy	Busy	Steady	Crowded	Quiet	Quiet

April

Warm · Showery · Steady

Warm, green and comfortable. The Qingming holiday in early April brings one short peak.

Temperature and rainfall are China Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991 to 2020. Crowd levels follow the Chinese public-holiday calendar and daily booking caps at the major sites.

Everonia

the ancient capital of thirteen dynastiesXi'an

A seven-day itinerary, with practical notes for every day.

Download free
Xi'an travel guide

Best time

April to May; September to November

Days needed

5 to 7 days

Where it sits

Central China, at the head of the Silk Road

Before you enquire

Questions worth
answering early.

Three full days is the minimum I would plan for a first Xi'an stop. One day goes to the Warriors and the City Wall. One day covers Huaqing, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Yongxingfang. One day belongs to Shaanxi History Museum or Beilin. Add a fourth day for Huashan, a slower museum day or a softer arrival.
The museum closes on Mondays except Chinese public holidays. Admission is free but timed, and the daily visitor cap means queues build through the morning. The reservation portal requires a Chinese phone number, so many overseas travellers cannot book directly. We handle the reservation against your passport details. Where partner access is confirmed, we use it. Otherwise we time arrival for the quietest workable window.

Designed around you and your companions

You enjoy the trip,
we do the rest.

From your first enquiry to your last airport pickup, our specialists design your trip and stay in contact every step of the way. The guides, drivers and hotels you'll meet are part of our trusted network we've worked with for years, briefed to the same standards.

Dedicated specialists, start to finish
Guides briefed to our standards
Fully transparent, no hidden costs
No deposit until you confirm

How we look after your trip

Often combined with

Stretch the trip. Stitch in another.

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Useful before
you enquire.

Jack Guo

Your travel specialist

Jack has spent ten years working with the guides, drivers and hoteliers across China. He'll be your contact from first enquiry to final airport pickup.

Design your Xi'an trip

Tell us your preferences and we'll plan a private itinerary in Xi'an that fits how you like to travel.

Xi'an

Why peoplecome to Xi'an.

What to see

Terracotta Army(Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum)

Bell Tower(the city's centre)

Huashan(Mount Hua, the West Sacred Mountain)

Shaanxi History Museum

Big Wild Goose Pagoda(Da Ci'en Temple)

Huaqing Palace(Tang hot springs)

Tang Paradise(Datang Furong Yuan)

Xi'an City Wall(Ming Hongwu)

Datang Everbright City(Datang Bu Ye Cheng)

What to eat

Xi'an BBQ Skewers(Cumin, Chilli, Charcoal)

Rou jia mo(Xi'an's pulled-pork flatbread)

Yangrou paomo(mutton soup with hand-torn bread)

Shows and experiences

Chang Hen Ge at Huaqing(the Song of Everlasting Sorrow musical)

Tang Dynasty Show and Imperial Banquet(Tang Dynasty Palace, dinner-and-show)

The Great Qin(Jiu Jiu Da Qin, immersive Qin-dynasty stage show)

Recommended5 to 7 days.

Day 1: Xi'an City Highlights

Day 2: Terracotta Warriors and Lintong

Day 3: History and Tang Dynasty Culture

Day 4: Mount Huashan

Day 5: Local Markets and Yuanjia Village

Day 6: Qinling

Day 7: Imperial Heritage and Local Culture

When to visit,and how it feels.

Download freeXi'an travel guide

Questions worthanswering early.

How many days do I need in Xi'an?

Is the Terracotta Army worth the trip from Beijing?

What about visas for Xi'an?

How do tickets at the Warriors actually work?

How do I book the Shaanxi History Museum, and when is it closed?

How do payments work in Xi'an for foreign travellers?

Will there be any forced shopping or factory visits in the itinerary?

What is actually included when you quote a Xi'an trip?

You enjoy the trip,we do the rest.

Stretch the trip. Stitch in another.

Beijing

Chengdu

Useful beforeyou enquire.

How many days in Xi'an

How many days do you need in China

Terracotta Army tickets and early access

China tourist visa for US travellers

Payments and connectivity in China

Jack Guo

Design your Xi'an trip

Xi'an

Where in China do you want to go?

Why people
come to Xi'an.

Recommended
5 to 7 days.

When to visit,
and how it feels.

Download free
Xi'an travel guide

Questions worth
answering early.

You enjoy the trip,
we do the rest.

Useful before
you enquire.