Top 10 Things to Do in Xi'an

Visiting the Terracotta Army is no doubt the top thing to do in Xi'an for every tourist coming here. Also known as the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, it was built as the funerary project of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang (259 - 210 BC). Rows and rows of human-sized terracotta soldiers stand in a neat military formation, showcasing the great military force of the Qin Empire. Maybe it was right this powerful “army” that helped Qin Shi Huang conquer other states and become the emperor, no wonder he made a replica for his afterlife. The shape of hair buns, the style of mustache, and the facial expressions of those warriors are just so different and vivid.

To fully explore this site, it’s suggested to arrange your tour early in the morning or before the closure of the museum, when there are relatively fewer tourists.

 Recommended Tour:  Half Day to Terracotta Army Museum from $59

 Book a Terracotta Army ticket.

Taking about fun things to do in Xi’an, cycling on the ancient City Wall is always on the list. Built more than 650 years ago, the 13.7-kilometer-long (8.5 miles) and 12-meter-high (39 feet) City Wall is the most complete and best-preserved of its kind in China. Cycling on the City Wall is also a fun way to appreciate unique cityscapes of Xi’an. Looking at the inner city from the City Wall, you can find the central landmark Bell Tower and dark-grey buildings in ancient styles. On the other side, the moat flows smoothly, green willow branches sway in the gentle wind, and local people do morning exercise in the City Wall Park; further, modern high-rise buildings stand one by one. You will feel the fusion of the past and the present here.

Among the 18 City Gates, only East Gate, West Gate, South Gate, and North Gate can provide bicycle rental services.

 Recommended Tour:  Xi'an Mini Group Full Day Tour with City Wall from $75

 Book a ticket for Xi'an City Wall.

The Bell Tower enjoys a central position in downtown Xi’an and four bustling avenues stretch to north, south, east, and west gates of the City Wall. In ancient times, this tower and the Drum Tower about 200 meters (220 yards) to the northwest jointly told the time for people, and nowadays it is a landmark of the city. Built in 1384, the Bell Tower gathers a grey base, brick-red tower body, dark-green roofs, and a gilded pinnacle, and looks even more fantastic when illuminated at night.

 Recommended Tour:  1 Day Private Tour with Bell Tower from $89

 Xi'an Bell Tower & Drum Tower Tickets Booking

In 652, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was built for storing the Buddhist sutras brought back from India by eminent monk Xuanzang and also for him to translate them. The monk is the prototype of master of Monkey King in the famous legendary “Journey to the West”. As the largest and oldest square brick pagoda in China, it has become a symbol and a must-go attraction of Xi’an. When night falls, a brilliant light show and a dazzling music fountain show can be watched on the north square of the pagoda, and to the south square, the Great Tang All Day Mall modeling after Tang Dynasty (618-907) block provides lively Tang-style performances and short plays.

 Recommended Tour:   3 Days Xi'an Private Culture Tour with Giant Wild Goose Pagoda from $339

 Book a ticket for Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Shaanxi History Museum is the best place to admire precious cultural relics in Xi’an. More than 1,700,000 pieces of cultural relics are collected here, and they showcase a long historical span of more than one million years. Here, you will be amazed by the impressive Tripod (Ding) of Yu, the Celadon Pot with Loop Handle and Bottom In-let, the Agate Cup in the shape of an ox with a gold month and antelope's horn...

In recent years, it is so difficult reserving an admission ticket of this popular museum. If you fail to get a ticket, you may alternatively choose to visit the Qin Han Museum, its branch.

 Recommended Tour with History Museum:   Xi'an 1 Day Historical Tour from $109

 Book a Shaanxi History Museum ticket for the Permanent Exhibition Halls & Treasures of Great Tang Dynasty

A trip to Xi’an is not complete without its tasty delicacies, and the Muslim Quarter near the Drum Tower gathers the most kinds, hence the best place to enjoy a food trip. The quarter includes multiple streets, on which you will see hundreds of restaurants and food stalls. Tasting Crumbled Flatbread in Mutton Stew is worth a try, and you’re welcomed to tear the flatbread into small pieces on your own, joining the cooking process of the dish. You can alternatively try delicious biang biang noodles, which are served in a bowl much larger than a human’s face. Moreover, Shaanxi Hamburger and Cold Skin Noodles are also recommended. This quarter is even more bustling at night.

 Recommended Tour:  6 Days Beijing Xi'an Essentials with Muslim Quarter from $929

 Further Reading: Xi'an Dining & Recommended Restaurants

Hanfu as a kind of traditional Chinese clothes has become more and more popular among people visiting Xi’an, because it matches perfectly with ancient buildings and quaint atmosphere of the city. Wearing these clothes with brilliant colors and elegant designs to walk in the historical blocks, you will have a feeling like traveling back in time.

Enjoying shows surely is one of the best things to do in Xi'an at night. One of the most popular stage plays is the Song of Everlasting Sorrow, which is a tragic love story between the Tang Emperor Xuanzong and his favorite concubine Yang Yuhuan. The stage is constructed outdoor at the foot of the Lishan Mountain, and when the play reaches the most splendid part, the mountain will be illuminated, forming a brilliant background of the show. A total of 300 professional actors are engaged in the show, giving audience a feast of eyes and ears. Many more stage plays such as the Legend of Camel Bell and the Great Qin can be enjoyed in Xi’an.

  Book a ticket for Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show

For any person who prefers a thrilling travel experience in Xi’an, climbing Huashan Mountain is a must. This mountain is famous for its steep cliffs and narrow paths. Some steps in the climbing route are almost at a 90-degree angle to the ground and one needs to use both their feet and hands; at the Plank Walk, challengers even need to use a safety rope to protect them from falling. In addition to the adventurous climbing experience, another highlight of the Huashan Mountain is the stunning sunrise view on its East Peak.

 Recommended Tour:  1 Day Mt. Huashan Tour from $119

About 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Xi’an lies the Han Yang Ling Museum, which buries Emperor Liu Qi of Western Han Dynasty (202BC-8AD) and his empress. This museum features a 14-meter-deep (46 feet) exhibition hall underground, and the burial pits can be seen through a glass floor. All around China, you can hardly find another museum which can provide you with such a unique viewing experience. Walking in this underground museum, it seems that you come to an authentic archaeological site, and all the relics can be viewed in such a short distance. A long corridor with descriptions about development of Western Han Dynasty allows you to learn more about this first flourishing age in China’s history. In addition, the earliest tea leave specimen in the world is exhibited here.

 Recommended Tour:  2 Days Xi'an Tour with Han Yang Ling from $219

 Book a ticket for Han Yang Ling Museum