W E L C O M E TO TH E
G O O D L I F E
I N
X I ' A N
P L A N N I N G
Xi’an is a city where distances between major sites can be deceiving. While the historic core within the city walls is relatively compact and walkable, key sites like the Terracotta Warriors, the Huaqing Palace, and parts of the Great Mosque district benefit greatly from private transport, particularly given the city's modern sprawl and traffic.
If you only have a short time here, it’s still possible to experience a layered and powerful view of the city. Two days are sufficient for the essential sites and one or two very good meals — though a third day allows time to explore more quietly or take on a longer excursion to the surrounding countryside.
The best times to visit Xi’an are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when skies are clearer, temperatures moderate, and the tourist sites less crowded. Summer can be very hot, and winter bitterly cold, though with far fewer visitors.
Bear in mind that China’s major public holidays — especially Golden Week (early October) and the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) — bring intense domestic travel and long queues at the major attractions.
For accommodations, staying within or just outside the ancient city walls offers the best access to major sites, restaurants, and historic neighbourhoods.
If you’re travelling with children or want a more spacious hotel experience, some excellent international properties are located a little further out, closer to the museum and archaeological zones.
M U S E U M & S I T E B O O K I N G
Terracotta Warriors – Visits to the Terracotta Army site (located roughly 45 minutes outside Xi’an) are best arranged with a private guide and transport. While tickets are available on-site and it’s certainly possibly to get lucky (as the author found out…), advance booking is highly recommended during holidays and weekends.
A good guide makes all the difference here — not just for the logistics, but for understanding the evolving archaeological work and the cultural weight of the site.
Xi’an City Walls – Entry is ticketed and easy to purchase on-site or via your guide. Walking or cycling the walls (bicycles are available for hire) offers panoramic views and a sense of Xi’an’s scale and geometry.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda – Ticketed and open daily. Early morning is the quietest time to visit. Entry includes the pagoda and its surrounding park, and it's often paired with a nearby visit to the Tang Dynasty mural museum or the Music Fountain show in the evening.
Great Mosque of Xi’an – Entry is ticketed at the gate and remains open most days. Note that this is still a functioning place of worship, so modest clothing and respectful behaviour are essential. No need to pre-book, but going early helps avoid the busiest crowds.
Shaanxi History Museum – Free to enter, but timed tickets are required and should be reserved online in advance. One of the best museums in China for understanding the broader imperial and Silk Road context. English signage is minimal, as is language ability in any western language, let alone English, so we recommend a guide or audio tour to get the most out of it.
Calligraphy & Seal Workshops – Best arranged through a guide in advance, especially for those who’d like to try their hand at creating a personalised name seal or explore ink brush painting. Some of the best artisans work in tucked-away studios and appreciate advance notice. That said, if you’d just like to commission or buy a piece outright, you might get away with a walk-in depending on how busy the owner is.
Night Market Tours – Most food stalls do not require bookings, but guided evening tours through the Muslim Quarter can help you navigate regional specialities and avoid tourist traps.
Some workshops also offer hands-on noodle-making or dumpling folding experiences, which are worth pre-arranging if you’re interested.
S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R Y P O I N T S
DAY I
Emperors, Armies & the Afterlife
Morning: Begin your day with the Terracotta Warriors — the earlier the better. With private transport and a guide, you’ll arrive before the major crowds and have time to move between the main excavation pits with at least some clarity and calm. Pit 1 holds the most iconic view: rows upon rows of silent soldiers, their individuality emerging as you look closer. Pit 2 and Pit 3 reveal officers, cavalry, and the command centre — a slow, unfolding glimpse into Qin Shi Huang’s vast afterlife vision.
Don’t skip the museum nearby, where original bronze chariots and rare artefacts help explain the grandeur of the project. It’s a powerful, almost overwhelming site, and one best experienced with time to absorb.
Lunch: Return to the city for a quiet lunch near the South Gate, perhaps trying some Shaanxi-style liangpi (cold noodles with vinegar, garlic, and chili) or something warming and restorative like a lamb and bread stew (yangrou paomo). If you’re curious, some restaurants will let you break the bread yourself into the soup, in the traditional way.
Afternoon: Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the southern district. If your guide brings the story of the monk Xuanzang to life, you’ll feel the threads of India, China, and Buddhist thought knitting together right here in Xi’an. Afterwards, stroll the surrounding gardens, or if you're so inclined, stop by a nearby workshop or gallery — many specialise in Tang-style art and ink scrolls.
Evening: If you’ve still got the energy, head to the Muslim Quarter. The light changes everything — as neon glows, the smell of cumin, grilled meat, and fried pastries fills the air. Try a few street snacks or find a quiet restaurant just off the main drag for biang biang noodles or hand-pulled lamian.
Finish with a walk through the nearby Drum Tower plaza. At night, it’s alive with music, dancing, and that particular kind of urban joy that belongs to old cities still fully alive.
DAY II
City Walls, Markets & Silk Road Stories
Morning: Start your day with a walk or bike ride along Xi’an’s ancient city walls. The North Gate and South Gate are the most accessible for rental, and early morning is best for light and breeze.
The city unfolds below you — temples, courtyards, high-rises, and roofs stretching into the haze.
From there, descend into the heart of the Old City and visit the Great Mosque, a quiet oasis tucked behind food stalls and antique shops. Its architecture is Chinese in structure, but Islamic in design — an enduring fusion of two worlds, where Arabic calligraphy winds along wooden beams and stone walls.
Lunch: Stop near the mosque for a lunch of roujiamo — often dubbed the “Chinese hamburger,” filled with slow-braised beef or lamb in a crisp flatbread — and a glass of sour plum juice. This is Shaanxi comfort food at its most iconic.
Afternoon: Consider spending a bit of time in the Shaanxi History Museum. This is where the bigger picture comes together — Tang Dynasty ceramics, Silk Road artefacts, and everything from delicate bronze mirrors to ancient maps. For those interested in textiles, ask your guide to include the small but beautiful collections of ancient looms and silk fragments.
If time and interest allow, finish with a visit to a seal-carving studio or a calligraphy class. Many of these artisans still work as their families have for generations, and they’re often delighted to share their craft with visitors who show genuine interest.
Evening: Dine at a traditional courtyard restaurant or a more modern take on Shaanxi cuisine, where the dishes are creative without losing their roots.
A final walk near the South Gate or the Bell Tower, lit with a subtle golden glow, makes for a graceful close to your stay.
DAY III PLUS
You might also want to stay longer, and here’s why we think you should:
Mount Hua (Huashan) – One of China’s five sacred Taoist mountains, just a short train ride from Xi’an. Its dramatic cliffs and precarious plank walkways are the stuff of legend, but even without venturing onto the more daring paths, the views are astonishing. The spiritual resonance of the mountain, combined with its raw natural beauty, makes it worth an overnight or very early morning departure. Sunrise from the East Peak is particularly sought after.
The Hanyangling Mausoleum – Often overlooked, this Han dynasty tomb offers a subtler, more archaeological counterpoint to the Terracotta Army. Glass walkways allow you to look down on burial pits filled with miniature figurines — warriors, servants, and livestock — preserved in situ.
There’s a haunting elegance to the scale and detail, and the museum itself is rarely crowded.
Tang Paradise & the Tang Dynasty Show – A modern reimagining of a classical Chinese pleasure garden, Tang Paradise can feel theatrical, but in the best sense. For those travelling with family, or anyone keen to see Tang poetry and dance brought to life, the nearby Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show (especially with dinner) is a surprisingly moving spectacle, particularly if you’ve spent time at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda earlier in your stay.
Famen Temple – Located further afield, this ancient Buddhist site is famous for housing a relic believed to be a finger bone of the Buddha. While its modern protective structure can feel grandiose, the site’s significance and the surrounding museum collections make it a worthwhile pilgrimage for those with spiritual or historical leanings.
Silk Road Extensions – Xi’an was the eastern gateway of the Silk Road. From here, it’s possible to extend westward into Gansu province and the desert outposts of Dunhuang and Jiayuguan. These journeys require more planning, but the payoff is considerable — Buddhist cave temples, windswept forts, and the desert trails of the world’s most legendary trade route.
Calligraphy, Tea & Living Traditions – For travellers with more time and a deep interest in Chinese cultural traditions, we recommend carving out a half-day for a calligraphy or ink painting workshop, or a private tea tasting session in one of Xi’an’s classical teahouses.
These aren’t mere ‘activities’ — they’re entry points into Chinese philosophy, rhythm, and aesthetics. A guide with the right connections can often arrange private sessions with masters still practising their art in the quieter corners of the city.
M E E T Y O U R G U I D E
All of our guides can offer you a spectacular experience. As each person has a slightly different look at the world, due to their own unique interests and specialties, we'd encourage you to read a few profiles.