You step out of Xi’an North station and take the metro south toward the Bell Tower. The UNESCO has inscribed three Xi’an sites as World Heritage. The city looks modern. Then you turn a corner and an 800-year-old city wall fills your field of view. 12 metres high. 14 kilometres around. Completely intact. And 35 km east, in a climate-controlled hangar the size of an aircraft factory, 8,000 terracotta soldiers stand in formation exactly where they were buried in 210 BC.
Xi’an is where Chinese civilisation comes into focus. For a ready itinerary: How Many Days in Xian.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
| Best months | April to May. Mid-October onwards. Avoid winter air quality and summer heat. |
| Stay near | Bell Tower or Muslim Quarter area. Inside the city walls. |
| Minimum visit | 2 nights: Warriors + wall + Muslim Quarter. |
| Add a night for | Hua Shan overnight hike. Or just slower pace. |
| Must book ahead | Terracotta Warriors during peak season. |
| Getting around | Metro Line 2 from North station to Bell Tower. DiDi for the Warriors. |
The Terracotta Warriors
Three excavation pits. Over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, each with an individually modeled face. Built between 246 and 210 BC to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor. Arrive at 8:30 AM opening. Get the audio guide (¥30). Walk the full perimeter of Pit 1, not just the main corridor. Then visit the Bronze Chariot Museum, which most visitors skip and is extraordinary. Full guide: How to Visit the Terracotta Warriors.
The City Wall
Built in 1370 to 1378 AD. 12 metres high, 15 metres wide at the top. Rent a bicycle at the South Gate (¥45 for 100 minutes). Ride the full 14 km circuit. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Best in late afternoon when the sun angles across the watchtowers. Full cycling guide: City Wall Cycling Guide.
The Muslim Quarter
A neighborhood continuously inhabited since the Tang dynasty, when Silk Road traders from Central Asia settled here. The Great Mosque (清真大寺, founded 742 AD) is built entirely in Chinese architectural style. The food street running south from the mosque is the best street food market in China. Go at lunch and again at 9pm. Full food guide: Muslim Quarter Food Guide.
What to Eat
| Food | What It Is | Price |
| Roujiamo (肉夹馍) | Spiced braised pork in crispy flatbread. Xi’an’s signature street food. | ¥10 to ¥15 |
| Paomo (泡馍) | Lamb broth. You tear the flatbread into pieces yourself, add to broth. | ¥30 to ¥50 |
| Biang biang noodles | Belt-wide hand-pulled noodles. Hot oil poured tableside. {url(‘biang-biang-noodles-xian’,’Guide’)}. | ¥15 to ¥25 |
| Pomegranate juice (石榴汁) | Fresh-pressed. ¥10 to ¥15. Drink immediately. | ¥10 to ¥15 |
Frequently Asked Questions
For Terracotta Warriors: Visit guide. For Muslim Quarter food: Food guide. For day trips: Day Trips from Xian.