Trip highlights
- 1Terracotta Army
- 2Ancient city wall cycling
- 3Muslim Quarter street food
- 4Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- 5Shaanxi history museum
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Muslim Quarter
Wednesday, October 6
Est. spend
$90
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
The airport shuttle bus or a taxi connects to central Xi'an in about 50-60 minutes given the airport's distance from downtown.
Download a translation app before arrival — English is limited outside major hotels, and it will help significantly with taxis and ordering food.
☀️ Afternoon
Bell Tower and Drum Tower
Bell Tower, Xi'an
Two towering Ming Dynasty landmarks at the heart of old Xi'an, traditionally used to mark time for the city, with the Muslim Quarter beginning just behind the Drum Tower.
Climb the Bell Tower in late afternoon for views over the old city as the surrounding streets begin to light up.
🌙 Evening
Muslim Quarter street food crawl
Muslim Quarter, Xi'an
Xi'an's Hui Muslim community has shaped one of China's best street food districts, with skewered lamb, hand-pulled biang biang noodles, and persimmon cakes filling the lively alleys.
Try yang rou paomo (lamb soup with crumbled flatbread) and roujiamo, often called China's original hamburger — both are Muslim Quarter specialties.
🍽️ Meals
Airport shuttle snack
Chinese · $5
Bell Tower area lunch
Chinese (Shaanxi) · $8
Muslim Quarter street food dinner
Hui Muslim Chinese · $15
Terracotta Army
Thursday, October 7
Est. spend
$120
per person
🌅 Morning
Terracotta Army Museum
Terracotta Army Museum, Lintong District
One of the 20th century's greatest archaeological discoveries — thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots buried over 2,200 years ago to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb.
Pit 1 is the most famous and largest, but Pit 2 and the bronze artifact exhibition hall hold equally fascinating, less crowded details.
☀️ Afternoon
Huaqing Palace hot springs gardens
Huaqing Palace, Lintong District
A historic imperial garden complex near the Terracotta Army site, famous as the romantic retreat of Emperor Xuanzong and his consort Yang Guifei.
This site pairs well as a half-day combination with the Terracotta Army given their proximity.
🌙 Evening
Dinner back in Xi'an city centre
Central Xi'an
A relaxed dinner of Shaanxi specialties back in central Xi'an after the day trip to Lintong District.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Chinese · $6
Terracotta Army visitor centre lunch
Chinese · $10
City centre dinner
Chinese (Shaanxi) · $18
City Wall Cycling & Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Friday, October 8
Est. spend
$95
per person
🌅 Morning
Cycling the Ancient City Wall
Xi'an City Wall, South Gate
Xi'an's remarkably intact 14th-century Ming Dynasty wall forms a complete 13.7km loop around the old city, rentable by bike for a unique perspective above the rooftops.
You don't need to complete the full loop — riding a quarter or half of the wall still offers a great sense of the old city's scale.
☀️ Afternoon
Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Da Ci'en Temple
Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an
A 7th-century Buddhist pagoda built to house sutras and relics brought from India by the monk Xuanzang, set within a peaceful temple complex.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square hosts a free evening fountain and light show — worth timing a return visit for after dinner.
🌙 Evening
North Square fountain show and dinner
Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square
One of Asia's largest musical fountain shows lights up in front of the pagoda each evening, followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Chinese · $6
City Wall area lunch
Chinese (Shaanxi) · $10
North Square dinner
Chinese · $20
Shaanxi History Museum & Departure
Saturday, October 9
Est. spend
$75
per person
🌅 Morning
Shaanxi History Museum
Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an
One of China's finest provincial museums, housing bronze artifacts, Tang Dynasty murals, and gold and silver treasures from over a million years of regional history.
Entry is free but requires a same-day timed ticket reserved online or in person early in the day — arrive close to opening to secure a slot.
☀️ Afternoon
Final souvenir shopping near the Muslim Quarter
Muslim Quarter, Xi'an
A last stop for Tang Dynasty-style replicas, shadow puppets, and Xi'an specialty snacks like persimmon cakes before departure.
🌙 Evening
Transfer to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
Allow about 2 hours for the airport transfer plus check-in time given the distance from downtown Xi'an.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Chinese · $6
Muslim Quarter lunch
Hui Muslim Chinese · $10
Airport food
Chinese/International · $12
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
March–May and September–November offer mild, dry weather (15-24°C), ideal for visiting outdoor sites like the Terracotta Army and city wall. Summer is hot and humid; winter is cold and dry.
🛂 Visas
Many nationalities can use China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy if arriving/departing via certain ports, but most travelers visiting Xi'an specifically will need a standard Chinese tourist visa arranged in advance — apply at least several weeks before travel.
💱 Currency
Chinese Yuan/Renminbi (CNY). Mobile payment apps (Alipay, WeChat Pay) dominate daily transactions — set up a tourist version with an international card before arrival, as cash and foreign cards are accepted less widely than expected.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 110
ambulance: 120
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay's tourist payment feature before the trip — many small vendors, especially in the Muslim Quarter, don't accept cash or foreign cards easily.
- A VPN may be necessary for accessing certain foreign apps and websites — research and install one before arrival, as it's harder to do once in China.
- The Terracotta Army site is enormous and involves a lot of walking — arrive early to avoid the largest tour group crowds, especially at Pit 1.
- Xi'an's Muslim Quarter reflects a centuries-old Hui Muslim community — food here is typically halal and distinct from broader Chinese cuisine.
- The free Shaanxi History Museum ticket allocation can run out by midday — reserve online in advance if possible or arrive right at opening.
One thing worth not skipping
A 4-day trip to Xi'an, China without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
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