Ancient City Xi'an Autumn Viewing Travel Guide

Three-Day Autumn Viewing Travel Guide in Xi'an (Budget Under 5000 RMB) —Travel Through the Millennia-Old Capital and Encounter the Golden Autumn of Chang'an As a famous historical and cultural city in China, Xi'an not only boasts profound historical heritage but also displays a unique poetic charm in autumn. Golden ginkgo leaves and fiery red maples complement the ancient city walls and Bell and Drum Towers, creating a stunning "fusion of ancient and modern" scene. As a travel blogger, I have carefully planned a three-day, three-night autumn viewing trip in Xi'an for you, covering classic attractions, hidden gems, authentic cuisine, and comfortable accommodations, all within a total budget of 5000 RMB, helping you deeply experience the autumn charm of this thirteen-dynasty ancient capital. Itinerary Overview Duration: 3 days 2 nights - Season: Late October to mid-November (best autumn viewing period) - Budget: About 4800 RMB (including transportation, accommodation, tickets, meals) Theme: Culture + Nature + Food, slow-paced in-depth travel Day 1: First Encounter with the Ancient City · Autumn Colors of the City Wall and Huifang Nightlife Morning: Arrive in Xi'an, check into hotel It is recommended to arrive at Xi'an North Railway Station or Xi'an Xianyang International Airport by high-speed train or plane. Recommended accommodation areas: near Bell Tower or South Gate, convenient transportation, walking distance to multiple attractions. Recommended hotels: Novotel Xi'an Bell Tower (mid-to-high end), Ji Hotel (cost-effective) Reference price: 600 RMB/night × 2 nights = 1200 RMB After check-in and a short rest, start the first day’s itinerary. Noon: Lunch at Yongxingfang + Experience Folk Culture Unlike the tourist-packed Muslim Quarter, Yongxingfang is a non-heritage food street favored by locals. In autumn, Yongxingfang is full of autumn atmosphere, with golden ginkgo trees in the courtyards, blending ancient architecture and bustling street life perfectly. Must-try: Zichang Pancakes, Tongguan Roujiamo (meat sandwich), Persimmon Wine, Osmanthus Jelly - Lunch budget: 80 RMB Afternoon: Cycling on Xi'an City Wall · Autumn View of Chang'an from Above Autumn is the best season to cycle on the Xi'an City Wall. In the soft afternoon sunlight and gentle breeze, ride a bike slowly along the Ming City Wall, with a distant view of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and close-up views of the colorful trees by the moat. Recommended route: Enter from South Gate → Southwest Corner Tower → Northwest Corner Tower → Return to South Gate (about 40 minutes) Bike rental fee: Single bike 45 RMB/3 hours, tandem bike 90 RMB Entrance fee: 54 RMB/person Total: about 100 RMB Evening: Guangren Temple · Hidden Autumn Secret Spot Located on the west side of the city wall, Guangren Temple is the only Tibetan Buddhist temple in Shaanxi and one of Xi'an’s most underrated autumn viewing spots. The century-old ginkgo trees inside the temple shine golden, especially at sunset when the light and shadow create a serene Zen atmosphere. - Free admission, recommended to visit after 5:00 PM to avoid crowds and capture the best light and shadow Photo tips: Wear a plain-colored long dress paired with the ancient temple background for highly photogenic shots Night: Muslim Quarter Night Tour + Night Market Food Hunt Return to the Muslim Quarter for dinner, the heart of Xi'an cuisine. The autumn night is brightly lit and fragrant. - Must-eat list: - Jia San Soup Dumplings (30 RMB) - Dingjia Crispy Pork (25 RMB) - Wang’s Persimmon Paste Pancake (10 RMB) - Sour Plum Soup (8 RMB) - Dinner budget: 100 RMB You can also check out the Bell and Drum Towers night view nearby. The ancient buildings illuminated by lights look dreamlike. It is recommended to shoot panoramic views from the top floors of Beidajie or Kaiyuan Shopping Mall. Day 2: Historical Depth · Autumn Charm of Museums and Royal Gardens Morning: Shaanxi History Museum (must-visit) Known as the "Pearl of the Ancient Capital," the Shaanxi History Museum is one of China’s top provincial museums. In autumn, ginkgo leaves fall outside the museum, and inside are dazzling treasures spanning five thousand years. Book free tickets three days in advance via the official WeChat account (closed on Mondays) Strongly recommend renting an audio guide (30 RMB) or hiring a guide (about 200 RMB) to deeply understand the stories behind the artifacts - Visit duration: 2.5 hours Noon: Shuyuanmen Cultural Street + Lunch A 10-minute walk from the Shaanxi History Museum leads to Shuyuanmen, an ancient cultural street filled with the scent of ink and autumn. Shops on both sides sell traditional stationery, shadow puppets, and paper cuttings, with fallen leaves covering the ground like gold, perfect for a slow stroll and photos. - Lunch recommendations: - Lao Wuzi Signature Biangbiang Noodles (40 RMB) or try the alley’s Gourd Head Paomo (50 RMB) Afternoon: Big Wild Goose Pagoda + Qujiangchi Ruins Park The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is one of Xi'an’s symbols. In autumn, the ginkgo avenue in the south square of the pagoda is especially spectacular, with golden leaves falling like rain, known as "Chang'an’s best autumn scenery." - Tower admission optional (25 RMB), but outdoor photos are recommended - Walk 10 minutes to Qujiangchi Ruins Park, the site of a Tang Dynasty royal garden, now a popular spot for locals to relax and enjoy autumn. The lake reflects weeping willows and maple trees. You can rent an electric boat for a ride (60 RMB/30 minutes) Evening: Tang Paradise Night City · Millennium Prosperity Revisited As night falls, head to Tang Paradise Night City, where free performances are held every evening: - "Return to Chang'an" drama - Tang Dynasty costume parade - Music, dance, and poetry show "Dream Back to Tang" Recommended to enter at 6:30 PM and secure front-row seats Free admission, no tickets required You can have dinner here, recommended: - Chang'an Da Pai Dang (average 80 RMB per person): Gourd Chicken, Brush Pen Pastry, Drunken Concubine Candy Total: 100 RMB Day 3: Mountain and Field Autumn Colors · Quiet Time at the Foot of Zhongnan Mountain Morning: Daci'en Temple + Light Hiking Before Departure If time permits, visit Daci'en Temple (where the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is located) early in the morning. The morning bell and evening drum, quiet autumn leaves, and few tourists make it ideal for meditation and photography. - Admission: 30 RMB Then check out, store luggage, and start the last stop: Qinglong Temple. Directly accessible by Metro Line 3, with autumn-exclusive scenery! - Qinglong Temple is famous for cherry blossoms, but few know its autumn scenery is even better: deep inside the ancient temple are several thousand-year-old ginkgo and red maple trees intertwined, especially the east courtyard, a sea of golden leaves like an oil painting - The "Ginkgo Culture Festival" is held every early November, creating a great atmosphere - Admission: 25 RMB - Recommended visit time: 1.5 hours Noon: Last Meal Before Departure · Xiaozhai SEG Shopping Center Walk from Xiaozhai Metro Station to SEG International Shopping Center, which has Asia’s longest indoor escalator leading to the top floor, offering a city autumn view. Recommended restaurant: Yuanjia Village Guanzhong Impression Experience Store (average 60 RMB per person) Try cold noodles, minced meat noodles, and spicy baked flatbread all at once After the meal, you can buy souvenirs: - Gaoben Persimmon Cakes, Jingyang Fu Tea, Terracotta Warriors cultural products (50-100 RMB) Afternoon: Departure Leave for the station or airport 2 hours in advance according to flight/train schedule. Budget Details (per person) Item Cost (RMB) -------------------- ----------- Accommodation (2 nights, mid-range hotel) 1200 Meals (6 main meals + snacks) 600 Attraction tickets 288 City wall cycling 100 Local transportation (metro + taxi) 150 Guides/boat rental and other experiences 100 Souvenirs 100 Round-trip major transport (second-class high-speed train, example from Zhengzhou) 600 Total 3238 RMB Note: If departing from farther cities (e.g., Shanghai, Guangzhou), airfare is about 1500-2000 RMB. The total budget can still be controlled within 5000 RMB, and it is recommended to book tickets early for discounts. Travel Tips (Blogger’s Private Collection) 1. Clothing advice: In October-November, Xi'an has a large temperature difference between day and night, 15-20°C during the day and about 8°C at night. It is recommended to wear a thin down jacket + sweater + scarf, and comfortable sports shoes are a must. Photography guide: Best shooting times: Early morning 7:00-8:30, evening 5:00-6:30 PM - Must-shoot spots: Under the ginkgo tree at Guangren Temple, East Courtyard of Qinglong Temple, reed marsh at Qujiangchi Avoid crowds: - Book Shaanxi History Museum tickets early and try to visit on weekday mornings - Tang Paradise Night City is crowded on weekends; Wednesday to Friday visits are recommended Health tips: Autumn is dry; bring lip balm and moisturizing spray; food tends to be oily and spicy, so carry digestive tablets. Conclusion: Autumn Chang'an, a Glimpse of a Thousand Years Three days are not enough to fully explore Xi'an’s depth, but enough to make you fall in love with the city’s autumn. Listen to the wind under the city wall, pick up leaves in ancient temples, and savor the warmth of life in a bowl of steaming lamb paomo. This city, with millennia of accumulation, brews a season of golden hues. As a travel blogger, I hope you not only see the scenery but also feel the warmth of history. This autumn, come to Xi'an and attend a golden rendezvous with Chang'an. (About 1980 words in total)