Xi'an at a glance
Xi'an (西安, Xī'ān) is the capital of Shaanxi province (陕西, Shǎnxī) and one of China's oldest cities, known through much of its history as Chang'an (长安, Cháng'ān). Most visitors come for one reason — the Terracotta Army — and stay long enough to see the ancient city wall, the Muslim Quarter and a Tang-dynasty pagoda too.
- Chinese name: 西安 (Xī'ān); historically Chang'an (长安, Cháng'ān)
- Province: Shaanxi (陕西, Shǎnxī)
- Known for: Terracotta Army, the Ming-dynasty city wall, Silk Road history and Muslim Quarter food
- Typical visit length: 2-3 days for the main sights; see the Xi'an itinerary guide for day-by-day plans
- Getting there: High-speed rail from Beijing or Shanghai, or a flight into Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
- Getting around: Metro and taxis cover the city center; the Terracotta Army site is a separate trip east of town
Where to start in Xi'an
If you only have one full day, spend the morning at the Terracotta Warriors and the evening inside the city wall around the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter. With two or three days, add the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and a proper walk or cycle on the city wall itself.
Xi'an's core sights compared
None of these sights need a full day on their own except the Terracotta Warriors, which sits far enough outside the city to need dedicated time. The rest cluster inside or near the city wall and can be combined in a single afternoon or evening.
| Sight | What it is | Time to allow | Best paired with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terracotta Warriors | Qin-dynasty burial army discovered in 1974 | Half a day, including travel | A quiet morning — it's outside the city center |
| City Wall | Ming-dynasty wall you can walk or cycle | 1-3 hours depending on distance covered | Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter, both inside the wall |
| Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque | Historic Hui Muslim neighborhood and mosque | 1-2 hours, longer if you eat your way through | Bell Tower and Drum Tower, a short walk away |
| Giant Wild Goose Pagoda | Tang-dynasty Buddhist pagoda at Da Ci'en Temple | 1-2 hours | An evening fountain show at the North Square |
| Bell Tower & Drum Tower | Ming-dynasty towers marking the old city center | 30-60 minutes for both | City Wall and Muslim Quarter |
How Xi'an's sights are laid out
- Inside the city wall — Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque
- South of the wall — Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Da Ci'en Temple
- East of the city, in Lintong district — Terracotta Warriors and the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang
Plan your days
How many days you need depends on pace and how deep you want to go into the food and history. See the full 1, 2 and 3-day breakdowns, including which sights to cut if you're short on time.
Common Xi'an planning mistakes
Treating the Terracotta Warriors as a quick add-on
The site is well outside the city center, and getting there, walking the pits and seeing the Bronze Chariots hall takes most people a half day. Don't schedule it back-to-back with other sights on the same morning.
Not checking official ticketing and hours before you go
Skipping the city wall because it 'looks like just a wall'
Walking or cycling a section of the wall is one of the few places in China where you can see an intact Ming-dynasty city outline from above street level.
Only visiting the Muslim Quarter for food at night
The Great Mosque itself is best seen during the day; arriving only after dark for street food means missing it.
Underestimating how spread out the city is
Xi'an's sights aren't all walkable from each other. Budget taxi or metro time between the wall area, the pagoda and the Terracotta Army site.
Xi'an travel FAQ
- Yes. Xi'an's history as an imperial capital predates Beijing's, and the Terracotta Army, city wall and Muslim Quarter offer a different kind of sightseeing than the Forbidden City or Great Wall.
- The Terracotta Warriors, discovered in 1974 near the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, are Xi'an's best-known attraction. The city is also known for its intact Ming-dynasty city wall and its Muslim Quarter food street.
- Xi'an Xianyang International Airport sits well outside the city; shuttle buses, taxis and pre-booked transfers all run into town. Confirm current routes and pricing with your hotel or a booking service before you land.
- Not for the city center, where metro and taxis work well. A car or driver is more useful for the Terracotta Army trip and any day trips outside the city.
- Spring and autumn tend to bring milder weather for walking the city wall and standing at outdoor sights; summers can be hot and winters cold, but the main attractions run year-round.
- It's possible but tight. Most travelers find it more comfortable to give the Terracotta Warriors a dedicated morning and save the city wall, Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter for the afternoon, evening or a separate day.
Plan your Xi'an visit
Booking a private tour for the Terracotta Warriors is the easiest way to handle the transfer, entry logistics and pacing in one trip.
For a custom multi-day Xi'an plan, tell us your dates and interests and we'll put together an itinerary.
- Dates and number of travelers
- Whether you want the Terracotta Army as a half day or a full day with Huaqing Palace/Mount Li added
- Any dietary needs for Muslim Quarter food recommendations
See the Terracotta Warriors tourGet a custom Xi'an itinerary
Sources and review
This guide draws on the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, the Xi'an City Wall's official information site and Xi'an municipal government sources for historical and practical background. It is not a ticketing service — always confirm current hours, prices and reservation rules before you travel.
- Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Army) — https://www.bmy.com.cn
- Xi'an City Wall official information — http://www.chinaxiancitywall.com
- Xi'an Municipal People's Government (English) — http://en.xa.gov.cn
- Article last reviewed: August 2026.