Places to know
Eight to ten stops, with the neighborhood and why you would go. Hours and ticket prices change, so check them before you queue.
Museum
Terracotta Army
The pits of the first Qin emperor, east of the city. This is a half day at least.
Landmark
Xi'an City Wall
The Ming wall around the center. Walk or rent a bike on top. One side is enough.
Food
Muslim Quarter
The market streets northwest of the Bell Tower. Come hungry, and step off the main crush.
Temple
Great Mosque
A historic mosque inside the Muslim Quarter, built in Chinese courtyard style.
Landmark
Bell Tower
The tower at the crossing in the middle of the walled city. A useful landmark when you get turned around.
Landmark
Drum Tower
Just west of the Bell Tower, at the edge of the Muslim Quarter.
Landmark
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
A Tang-era pagoda in the south of the city, in a large plaza.
Landmark
Small Wild Goose Pagoda
A quieter pagoda and park south of the wall. A good second pagoda if you liked the first.
Museum
Shaanxi History Museum
The provincial museum near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Tickets are limited. Check before you go.
Museum
Stele Forest
A museum of stone steles in the south of the walled city. Best if you like calligraphy and carving.
Three days
A sample, not a booking. Each day stays in one part of town. Move a stop if you are tired.
Day 1
Lintong
The army is the day. Do not plan a museum after it.
- MorningTerracotta Army
Go out in the morning. The pits are the whole point. Take the time.
- EveningMuslim Quarter
Back inside the wall for grilled meat, bread, and noodles.
Day 2
Inside the wall
Stay in the rectangle. Everything here is walkable or a short ride.
- MorningXi'an City Wall
Pick one stretch. South or west is plenty.
- AfternoonBell Tower
Use it as the center of the map, then walk west.
- AfternoonDrum Tower
The gate into the food streets.
- AfternoonGreat Mosque
A quiet courtyard a few turns off the market.
- EveningMuslim Quarter
Eat again. The nighttime street is the version most people remember.
Day 3
South of the wall
Pagodas and, if you planned ahead, the history museum.
- MorningShaanxi History Museum
Only with a ticket already sorted. Otherwise start at the pagoda.
- AfternoonBig Wild Goose Pagoda
The plaza is the easy part. Climbing is optional.
- AfternoonSmall Wild Goose Pagoda
A smaller, greener stop if you want one more.
- EveningStele Forest
Swap this in if stone carving interests you more than a second pagoda.
Getting around
Xi'an has a metro. Do not assume every sign is fully bilingual. Save station and gate names in Chinese in Amap, and use Alipay or WeChat for the ride code.
The Terracotta Army is in Lintong, east of the walled city. Use a tour, a booked car, or DiDi, and keep the Chinese name of the museum for the driver. It is not a metro hop from the Bell Tower.
Inside the wall, walking is the right speed. The Muslim Quarter is a grid of food streets, not one single lane.
Food to try
Roujiamo (pork or beef in a flatbread), biangbiang noodles, liangpi (cold noodles), and yangrou paomo (lamb stew with torn bread) are the bowls to know.
The Muslim Quarter grills lamb on the street. Eat where you can see the bread and the meat, not only where the signs are in English.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are the comfortable seasons. Summers are hot, which matters in the open pits at Lintong. Winters are cold, and the city wall is windy.
The army is indoors and outdoors. Dress for standing around, not for a quick photo.
Stay connected
A stable, hassle-free connection, where your apps work like they do back home.* Maps, DiDi, and payments all need data the moment you land.
- Alipay. Pay in shops and taxis, and open transit codes. Set it up before you fly.
- WeChat. Messages and pay. Most people in China use it.
- Amap. Transit and walking directions. Save the hotel address in Chinese.
- DiDi. Ride hailing. It also opens inside Alipay and WeChat.
- Trip.com. Trains and hotels, alongside the official 12306 app.
A plan for this trip
Three days is a short trip. China 5GB is the one to start with: 5 GB high-speed, 30 days, $9.90. Valid in mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macau). Launching soon · checkout opens with the store
* How apps work depends on the network route and isn't guaranteed. Your data is routed via Hong Kong, according to our network provider. Services and networks can change.
FAQ
What is the best time to visit Xi'an?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Summers are hot and winters are cold, especially on the city wall.
How do you get around Xi'an?
Walk inside the city wall. Use the metro for longer city hops, and DiDi or a booked car for the Terracotta Army in Lintong. Keep Chinese names handy.
Will a haalaan eSIM work in Xi'an?
Yes. Xi'an is in mainland China. Valid in mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macau). A 3-day trip is a good fit for the China 5GB plan.
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