Xi'an Travel Nanny-Level Guide: Follow It to Avoid Any Pitfalls
Dear family! I've compiled a super comprehensive Xi'an travel guide covering food, accommodation, transportation, and photography📖 From arrival in Xi'an, getting around the city, sightseeing spots, to food recommendations, everything is clearly arranged for a worry-free trip~
🚗 How to Get to Xi'an
- By Plane: Arrive at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. The airport shuttle bus operates from 7:00 to 21:00, running about every 30 minutes and departs when full; you can also take Metro Line 4 to the Administrative Center and transfer to Line 2 to Zhonglou (Bell Tower), which is convenient and fast~
- By Train/High-Speed Rail: Xi'an Railway Station is directly connected to Zhonglou via Metro Line 2; from Xi'an North Station, take Metro Line 1 and transfer to Line 2 to Zhonglou Station, easily starting your city walk 🌆
🌆 Getting Around Xi'an City
- Metro: The first choice! Most attractions are directly accessible. Plan your route well to shuttle conveniently between ancient and modern sites🚇
- Bus: Flat fare of 2 yuan for the whole ride, but traffic jams are common during rush hours, so be cautious if you're in a hurry🚌
- Ride-Hailing: Slightly cheaper than taxis and less likely to be overcharged, suitable for group travel or when time is tight🚗
📍 Attractions Along Xi'an Metro Lines
- Line 1: Guangren Temple, Lianhu Park, Muslim Quarter (a must-visit for food and shopping), Dapiyuan Mosque, Baxian Palace—experience the charm of the old city and religious culture
- Line 2: Bell Tower, Drum Tower (iconic buildings), Xi'an City Wall (great for cycling), Stele Forest Museum (a paradise for calligraphy lovers), Shaanxi History Museum (a treasure trove of cultural relics), SEG Shopping Center (shopping hotspot), Daming Palace National Heritage Park, Daxingshan Temple, Shaanxi Provincial Museum of Natural History, Small Wild Goose Pagoda—so many spots you won’t want to stop exploring
- Line 3: The Longest Day in Chang'an (immersive Tang Dynasty experience), Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Paradise Night Market (stunning night views), Qinglong Temple (cherry blossom hotspot, seasonal romantic vibe)
- Line 4: Yongxingfang (unique experiences like bowl-breaking wine), Tang Paradise (recreating the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty), Xi'an Art Museum, Xi'an Incident Memorial Hall
- Line 5: Happy Valley, Epang Palace Ruins Park, Tang West Market, Juxian Palace
- Line 9: The Song of Everlasting Sorrow performance (a must-see immersive audio-visual feast), Huaqing Palace, Terracotta Warriors (world wonder check-in), Lishan Mountain
🗓️ Three-Day Itinerary
🔸 DAY 1: History and Romance First Experience
- Hotel: Recommended Zhiyin Hotel, very close to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, just a few minutes’ walk from the metro station, convenient for dining and sightseeing, a perfect travel helper🏨
- Shaanxi History Museum: Free but requires advance reservation! Admire the treasures inside, explore millennia-old artifacts, experience the culture of the Three Qin regions, don’t miss the mural gallery to appreciate Tang Dynasty mural art, better to avoid peak hours⏳
- Qujiang Pool: A free public park with excellent facilities, featuring a unique transparent glass wall rest area, perfect for a relaxing stroll🌳
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Ticket 40 yuan, climb the pagoda for a panoramic view of the ancient city, experience the culture of Xuanzang’s pilgrimage, visit Da Ci'en Temple, and enjoy the music fountain and light show at night for a great atmosphere🌙
- Tang Paradise Night Market: Free! Stroll through the vibrant Tang-style street, check out popular sculptures, watch street performances and light shows, and savor authentic Shaanxi cuisine for an immersive Tang culture experience🎭
🔸 DAY 2: Deep Tour of Ancient City Charm
- Xi'an City Wall: Ticket 54 yuan, open 8:00 - 22:00, bike or walk around the ancient city, climb up for a bird’s-eye view of Xi'an, check in at historic city gates, enjoy the night light show and warrior patrols for a majestic ancient city vibe🏰
- Stele Forest Museum: 15-minute walk, ticket 85 yuan, open 8:00 - 18:30, admire calligraphy treasures from various dynasties, explore Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist classics, experience rubbing culture, stroll in the ancient courtyard to feel the millennium cultural heritage and calligraphy charm📜
- Shuyuanmen Street: 5-minute walk, free all day, shops on both sides sell brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, fans, antiques, and calligraphy paintings, the whole street is full of scholarly atmosphere, a paradise for art lovers🎐
- Drum Tower: 10-minute walk, ticket 30 yuan, open 8:00 - 18:00, climb the tower for a view of ancient Xi'an, admire Ming Dynasty architecture, listen to the deep drum sounds, experience bell and drum culture, and enjoy the night lights; nearby you can taste the special foods of the Muslim Quarter🥢
- Bell Tower: 7-minute walk, ticket 30 yuan, open 8:00 - 22:00, climb up for a panoramic view of old and new Xi'an, appreciate Ming and Qing architecture, hear the bell chimes, enjoy the dazzling night lights, and feel the historical and cultural charm of the ancient city center🕰️
🔸 DAY 3: Qin Dynasty and Tang Dynasty Glory
- Terracotta Warriors: Ticket 120 yuan, open 8:30 - 18:00, 5-minute shuttle ride, get up close to the millennia-old underground army, see the spectacular formation of Pit 1, learn about Qin military culture, visit precious relic exhibition halls, and feel the grandeur of the Qin Empire🏺
- Lishan Garden: 10-minute taxi ride, ticket included with Terracotta Warriors, open 8:30 - 18:00, explore the core area of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum, admire burial mounds, visit the Bronze Chariot and Horse Museum and burial pits, experience the magnificence and historical charm of the Qin emperor’s tomb🖼️
- Huaqing Palace: 30-minute walk, ticket 120 yuan, open 7:00 - 19:00, tour the royal hot spring palace, visit the bathing site of Yang Guifei, admire the imperial hot spring remains, visit the Xi'an Incident site, and feel the millennium history and romantic legend♨️
- Lishan Mountain: 30-minute walk, ticket included with Huaqing Palace, open 8:00 - 18:00, part of the Qinling range, at sunset the mountain reflects golden evening glow, one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Guanzhong" called "Lishan Evening Glow" is stunning, perfect for hiking and sightseeing⛰️
- The Song of Everlasting Sorrow: Tickets from 238 yuan, show starts at 19:40, watch the live performance at Huaqing Palace, immerse yourself in the eternal love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, enjoy the spectacular light and water show, and experience the grandeur and poetic romance of the Tang court culture🎬
🎫 Xi'an Attraction Reservations
- Huaqing Palace: Reserve via WeChat Official Account "Huaqing Palace Scenic Area," ticket 120 yuan
- The Song of Everlasting Sorrow: Reserve via WeChat Official Account "Huaqing Palace Scenic Area," tickets from 238 yuan
- Xi'an City Wall: Reserve via WeChat Official Account "Xi'an City Wall," ticket 54 yuan
- Gao Family Courtyard: Reserve via WeChat Official Account "Xi'an Gao Family Courtyard," ticket 15 yuan
- Xi'an Bell and Drum Towers: Reserve via WeChat Official Account "Xi'an Bendi Bao," combined ticket 50 yuan
- Tang Paradise: Reserve via WeChat Official Account "Tang Paradise," ticket 120 yuan
- Shaanxi History Museum: Reserve via WeChat Official Account "Shaanxi History Museum," closed on Mondays
- Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors: Reserve via WeChat Official Account "Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum," ticket 120 yuan
- Shaanxi Archaeology Museum: Reserve via WeChat Official Account "Shaanxi Archaeology Museum," free admission
🍜 Xi'an Food Recommendations
- Run Ba Shaanxi Cuisine: A favorite among locals, authentic Shaanxi dishes that never disappoint! Highly recommend Gourd Chicken (crispy outside, tender inside), Oil-Splashed Fish (spicy and flavorful), and Guifei Cold Cake (sweet and sticky, perfect to cleanse the palate)🥢
- Roujiamo: The "ancient hamburger ancestor," with a crispy crust and soft inside white flatbread stuffed with tender, flavorful braised pork, topped with a spoonful of meat broth, rich in taste and aroma, one bite and you’re hooked🌮
- Yangrou Paomo: The soul food of Xi'an! Selected premium lamb slow-cooked until meat falls off the bone, you tear the bread into pieces yourself, add hot meat broth, sprinkle with scallions and coriander, delicious and comforting, warming both stomach and heart, leaving you feeling great after eating🍲
Follow this guide for a smooth and fun trip in Xi'an covering food, accommodation, transportation, and photography~ Quickly save it and go experience the unique charm of the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties💖 Have fun~ If you have any questions, see you in the comments section!