Xi'an

2026 Travel Guide: Where Ancient Meets Awesome

Hang out with 8,000 clay warriors, bike on a 600-year-old wall, and eat the best street food in China. 2026 brings new high-speed rail and upgraded experiences!

Start Exploring 2026 New Updates

Essential 2026 Information

Terracotta Warriors

¥120

Mar-Nov | ¥120+ Dec-Feb

8:30-18:00 (Last entry 17:00)

City Wall

¥54

Bike: ¥45 (2hrs) / ¥90 (2hrs双人)

8:00-22:00 (2026 Extended)

Average Meal

¥15-40

Street food: ¥10-20

Muslim Quarter: Best value

Accommodation

¥150-500

Per night (double room)

Peak season (Apr-May/Oct) +20%

Top Attractions in Xi'an

From world-famous archaeological sites to ancient temples and vibrant markets, Xi'an offers a wealth of attractions that span thousands of years of Chinese history.

Terracotta Warriors

Terracotta Warriors

UNESCO
4.8 (12,345 reviews)

One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, this vast army of life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots was buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 210 BCE.

Historical UNESCO Must-See
40km east of Xi'an
3-4 hours
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Xi'an City Wall

Xi'an City Wall

Historical
4.9 (10,876 reviews)

One of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved city walls in China, Xi'an's 14th-century fortification forms a rectangle around the old city with a perimeter of 14km.

Historical Must-See Cycling
City Center
2-4 hours
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Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Religious
4.6 (8,721 reviews)

Built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty, this Buddhist pagoda was originally constructed to house sutras and figurines brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang.

Religious Historical Architecture
South of City Center
1-2 hours
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Bell Tower

Bell Tower

Historical
4.5 (7,654 reviews)

Built in 1384 during the Ming Dynasty, this iconic tower stands at the geographical center of Xi'an's ancient city. The bell was rung at dawn to signal the start of each new day.

Historical Architecture City Center
City Center
1 hour
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Drum Tower

Drum Tower

Historical
4.4 (6,987 reviews)

Located just west of the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower was built in 1380 during the Ming Dynasty. The drums were beaten at sunset to mark the end of the day.

Historical Architecture City Center
City Center
1 hour
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Small Wild Goose Pagoda

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

Religious
4.3 (5,432 reviews)

Built between 707-709 during the Tang Dynasty, this pagoda is smaller and older than its more famous counterpart. It's located within the Xi'an Museum complex.

Religious Historical Museum
South of City Center
1-2 hours
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Huaqing Palace

Huaqing Palace

Historical
4.4 (6,123 reviews)

Famous for its hot springs and the romantic story of Tang Emperor Xuanzong and his consort Yang Guifei. Located at the foot of Mount Li, near the Terracotta Warriors.

Historical Hot Springs Gardens
30km East of City
2-3 hours
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Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi History Museum

Museum
4.7 (8,234 reviews)

One of China's premier museums, housing over 370,000 artifacts that span the province's rich history from prehistoric times to the Qing Dynasty.

Museum Cultural Indoor
South of City Center
2-3 hours
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Mouth-Watering Xi'an Food

Your taste buds are in for a treat! Xi'an's food scene is legendary—2026 brings new spots and classic favorites.

Roujiamo

Roujiamo

"Chinese Hamburger"

Juicy, spiced meat stuffed in a freshly baked bun. Xi'an was making these 2,000 years before McDonald's was even a thought!

¥10-15 Muslim Quarter
Learn more
Biang Biang Noodles

Biang Biang Noodles

Belt-Wide Hand-Pulled Noodles

Thick, chewy noodles that make a "biang biang" sound when slapped on the counter. Topped with chili oil that'll wake up your taste buds!

¥15-25 Xiyang Shi Alley
Learn more
Yang Rou Pao Mo

Yang Rou Pao Mo

Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup

You tear up the bread yourself, then they cook it in rich lamb broth. It's like a DIY soup experience that's been around for centuries!

¥25-40 Laoshunjia Restaurant
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2026 Food Guide: Where to Eat & What to Try

Core Food Areas (2026 Updated)

  • Muslim Quarter (回民街): Beiyuanmen (tourist-friendly) & Xiyang Shi (local favorite)
  • Transport: Metro Line 2, Zhonglou Station (Exit A) → 5-min walk
  • Best Time: 18:00-22:00 (2026 extended opening hours)
  • Top Spots: Laoshunjia (Yang Rou Pao Mo), Tongshengxiang (Roujiamo)

2026 New Eats & Tips

  • ✅ Silk Road Food Alley (new in 2026): Central Asian & Chinese fusion dishes
  • ✅ Spicy Level Tip: "Bu la" = Less spicy (vendors adjust for foreigners)
  • ✅ Payment: WeChat Pay > Cash (all stalls accept both)
  • ✅ Food Tour Recommendation: Join a local guide for hidden gems (3hrs, ¥150/person)
Full Food Guide

2026 Quick Tips

Insider advice to make your 2026 Xi'an trip awesome and stress-free.

When to Visit (2026)

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are perfect (15-25°C). Summer (June-August) gets hot (30-38°C) but has longer daylight.

Winter (Dec-Feb) is cold (0-10°C) but less crowded. Avoid National Day (Oct 1-7) and Chinese New Year (Feb 10-17, 2026) for massive crowds!

Getting Around (2026)

Metro Line 2: Connects Bell Tower, City Wall (Yongning Gate), North Railway Station
¥2-4 per ride | 6:00-23:00
Warriors High-Speed Rail: Xi'an North Station → Terracotta Warriors (25 mins)
¥35 one-way | 6:30-20:00 (every 30 mins)
Taxi/Didi: Starting fare ¥9 + ¥2/km
Insist on meter or use Didi app (English available)

Food Adventures (2026)

Street food is the best food in Xi'an! Follow the locals—long lines usually mean great food (especially in the new Silk Road Alley).

Learn basic phrases: "Bu la" (not spicy), "Duo shao qian?" (how much?), "Xie xie" (thank you). Most vendors speak basic English or use pictures.

Pro Tip: Try 3-4 small dishes instead of one big meal to sample more flavors!

2026 Quick Itineraries

If you have 2 days:

  • Day 1: Terracotta Warriors (9-12am via new high-speed rail), City Wall cycling (3-5pm, sunset), Muslim Quarter dinner (7-9pm)
  • Day 2: Big Wild Goose Pagoda (9-11am), Bell & Drum Towers (1-3pm), Tang Paradise Park (5-8pm, evening water show)

If you have 4+ days (2026 Enhanced):

  • Day 3: Mount Huashan day trip (7am-7pm) – new cable car upgrades reduce wait times by 50%
  • Day 4: Hanyangling Museum (9-11am) + Silk Road Food Alley lunch (12-2pm)
  • Day 5: Food tour (10am-1pm) + Shaanxi History Museum (2-5pm) – book museum tickets 3 days in advance online

2026 Xi'an Updates

High-Speed Rail to Warriors

New dedicated line from Xi'an North Station to Terracotta Warriors launching Q2 2026. Only 25 minutes one-way, with trains every 30 minutes.

City Wall Night Experience

Renovated lighting system and extended hours (until 22:00) starting March 2026. Sunset cycling + night views combo is a must-try!

Muslim Quarter Expansion

New Silk Road Food Alley opening May 2026, featuring Central Asian and Chinese fusion dishes. Less crowded than the main street!