China · Region
Xi'an
Xi'an is one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals, ringed by an intact Ming-dynasty City Wall and famous worldwide as the site of the Terracotta Army. Once the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, it blends layers of imperial history with a lively modern Muslim Quarter and street-food scene.
Top attractions
attraction Bell Tower of Xi'an: Travel Guide (4.5★)
The Bell Tower of Xi'an sits at the dead center of the old city walls, where Beiyuanmen, Xi Dajie, Dong Dajie and Nan Dajie meet, and you reach it via a pedestrian underpass with exits timed to traffic lights. 4.5★ (744 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Tang Paradise: Xi'an Travel Guide
Tang Paradise (大唐芙蓉园) is a large recreated Tang Dynasty imperial garden in southeastern Xi'an, best visited in late afternoon so you can wander the pavilions in daylight and stay for the evening water-and-light show around Purple Cloud Tower.
attraction Xi'an Museum: Travel Guide (4.6★)
Xi'an Museum, on Youyi Xi Lu in the Beilin District near the South Gate of the old city wall, is a free, well-run museum covering 3,000+ years of Xi'an's history, anchored by the Tang-dynasty Jianfu Temple and its Little Wild Goose Pagoda in the same park. 4.6★ (193 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Xingqinggong Park: Xi'an Travel Guide (4.6★)
Xingqinggong Park sits on the eastern edge of Xi'an's Beilin District, on the site of Tang emperor Xuanzong's former palace grounds, and it stays well below the crowds you'll find at the Terracotta Warriors or the Bell Tower. 4.6★ (101 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Ancient City Wall: Xian Travel Guide
Xi'an's Ming-dynasty City Wall is the most complete ancient city wall in China, forming a rectangular loop of roughly 13.7 km around the old city center.
attraction Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum: Xian Travel Guide
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum — better known as the Terracotta Army — is in Lintong District, about 1.5 hours (40km) east of downtown Xi'an.
Hidden gems
hidden gem Beiyuanmen: Xi'an Travel Guide
Beiyuanmen is the stone-paved food and heritage street in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, running north from the Drum Tower, 10 minutes' walk from Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Station on Metro Lines 2 and 6.
hidden gem Fortifications of Xi'an: Travel Guide
The Xi'an City Wall is the most complete ancient city fortification surviving in China — a 13.7km rectangular loop of Ming-dynasty ramparts, moat, and watchtowers you can walk, cycle, or golf-cart around.
hidden gem Xi'an Daxuexi Alley Mosque: Travel Guide
Xi'an Daxuexi Alley Mosque sits at 94 Daxuexi Xiang in the Muslim Quarter, a short walk west of the Drum Tower off West Street (Xi Dajie).
Top-rated things to do in Xi'an
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Where to stay in Xi'an
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Plan your trip to Xi'an
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Frequently asked questions about Xi'an
How do I get to Xi'an?
Most travelers arrive via Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY), roughly 40km northwest of downtown, with the airport metro line connecting to Xi'an North Railway Station for onward transfers into the city center (~1-1.5 hours total). Xi'an is also a major high-speed rail hub, with direct trains linking it to cities like Beijing in around 4.5-6 hours.
How many days should I spend in Xi'an?
Plan for ~3-4 days to comfortably see the Terracotta Army, City Wall, and the historic center's temples and markets.
What is Xi'an known for?
Xi'an is one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals, ringed by an intact Ming-dynasty City Wall and famous worldwide as the site of the Terracotta Army. Once the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, it blends layers of imperial history with a lively modern Muslim Quarter and street-food scene.