Best 10 Things to Do in Xi’an – Discover What to See & Do
There is an abundance of culture to be found in Xi’an, China. Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi province and the historic site of China’s first unification under the Qin dynasty. Here, you can gaze at incredible Terracotta Warriors, visit culturally rich museums, learn historic Chinese calligraphy, eat traditional Shaanxi foods, and bike around the city’s amazing ancient walls… The truth is that you will never lack things to do in Xi’an. If you’re not sure what to do during your Xi’an tour in China, the following listed activities would be an inspiration.
Terracotta Warriors
Xi’an’s world-renowned collection of Terracotta Warriors is located officially at Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site Museum in the city’s Lintong district. Built to depict the armies of China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang, the mausoleum houses over 7,000 terracotta generals, soldiers, chariots, horses, and actual bronze weapons.
It contains four visible pits, displaying the detailed statues at various stages of restoration. This, however, is only a small part of the archaeological site — over 600 pits have been discovered, dating back from 246 to 209 BC.
As the very top things to do in Xian, the Terracotta Warriors is one most visitor’s Xian and China bucket list. The museum is open daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm. Terracotta Warriors tours are available starting at around 100 USD.>> Learn how to book the Terracotta Army tickets.
Explore Xi’an Local Food at the Muslim Quarter
Visiting the Muslim Quarter should be one of the must-do things in Xian for those foodies and who are interested in culinary culture of different regions. Dating back to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC – 9 AD), the Muslim Quarter is Xi’an’s traditional home of the Muslim Hui people.
Huimin Jie is a long street consisting of food stalls and vendors selling traditional Muslim foods including cakes, breads, barbecued meats, and candy. Try Roujiamo (beef buns) or some yangrou paomo (flatbread lamb soup) for truly authentic examples of Xi’an’s Hui cuisine. For those planning ahead, there are Xi’an food tours available starting from 40 USD.
Cycling on the Ancient City Wall
Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall was built early in China’s Ming Dynasty, from 1370 to 1378 AD. Zhu Yuan-zhang, the dynasty’s first emperor, built the wall as a defensive outpost for Xi’an. Now, the Ancient City Wall is one of the largest and oldest Chinese city walls, and is very well-preserved.
You could always walk along the wall, but bicycle rentals are available starting at a 100 CNY deposit, with single bikes at 45 CNY for three hours, and tandem bikes at 90 CNY for three hours (prices may vary). At a moderate pace, you can round the wall in about 1.5 to 2 hours.
I am sure you will love it. Whether Xian private tours or group tours, do remember to add it on your list.
Nightlife: North & South Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Yongxingfang Food Street, Tang Dynasty Show
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda (or Dayanta) is a seven-story pagoda located in Xi’an’s southern Yanta district. The pagoda was originally built during the Tang dynasty in 652 AD as a Buddhist shrine. It is now home to some of the best Xi’an night life.
The North Square of the Pagoda is home to Asia’s largest musical fountain, with an area of over 17,000 square yards. Free shows are available to watch at 12 pm and 9 pm for most Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights from June to early October, and a 9 pm-only show on Tuesdays. From February to early June (and in late October), the shows are 12 pm and 8:30 pm for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. with an 8:30 pm-only show on Tuesdays.
The South Square of the Pagoda features a statue of Master Xuanzang, the Tang-era Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to Buddhist temples in what is now modern-day Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. At night, the statue, Pagoda, and the South Square light up to make a beautiful and relaxing setting.
At night, the gates and lanterns at Yongxingfang Food Street light up as well. Home to a prepared-food market specializing in traditional Shaanxi cuisine, be sure to try some steamed rice noodles, meat buns, pork soups, and vegetable dishes.
The Tang Dynasty Show is a dinner theater venue that located on Xi’an’s North Chang’an Road. It features a show based on Tang Dynasty-era culture and arts. Show-only and dinner packages are available, starting at 45 USD.
The above top things to do in Xi’an at night are for your guide to nightlife in Xi’an. See more of our Xi’an night tours for inspiration.
Top Classic Xian Tours:
Traditional Chinese Calligraphy Class at the Tangbo Art Museum
The Tangbo Art Museum in Xi’an is located at 26 S. Gong Road. It features Shaanxi provincial folk and contemporary art. The museum also teaches Chinese calligraphy in classes that are about 1.5 hours long. Here you can learn about Chinese art history, and the development of Chinese characters from ancient times to today.
With an ink-stone, brush, rice paper, and ink (the “Four Treasures of the Study”), you will learn the techniques of brush and ink painting. Finally, you learn the cultural significance of character formation, as well as their classifications. Classes for adults start at 12 USD.
Visit Museums in Xi’an (Shaanxi History Museum, Hangyangling Museum, Xi’an Museum)
The Shaanxi History Museum is located in the Yanta District of Xi’an. It features over 370,000 artifacts and items including coins, pottery, paintings, murals, and tomb figures from the Tang, Shang, Qin, and Han Dynasties. Be sure to see the Empress’ Seal, the jade seal of Han Empress Lyu Zhi, an artifact at least 2,200 years old. The museum is open from 8 am to 6 pm and is closed on Mondays.
The Hangyangling Museum, or the Yang Mausoleum of Han, is in the Weichang district of Xianyang, about 12 miles north of Xi’an. Its two main burial mounds contain Emperor Jing, the sixth ruler of the Western Han Dynasty, and his wife Empress Wang. There are 21 pits accessible to the public with over 50,000 terracotta figures depicting royal life at the time. The park is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, with the last entrance at 4:30 pm.
The Xi’an Museum is in the southwest part of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda (different from Dayanta) located in Xi’an’s Beilin district. It features a wide array of artifacts from Xi’an’s early dynastic, Han, and Buddhist periods. Of note are the Tang-era Bodhisattva statues made of stone, copper, and bronze. The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm and is closed Tuesdays.
Have a Hanfu Costume Experience When Visiting Historical Landmarks
Boasting a history of over 3,100 years, Xi’an’s rich historical buildings, City Wall, and ancient street corners provide a deep cultural foundation for the Hanfu experience. Wearing Hanfu while visiting its iconic attractions, like the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi’an City Wall, and Bell and Drum Towers, and capturing many amazing photos has become one of the most popular things to do in Xi’an. Beyond a cultural and visual feast, it is a more unique and immersive experience, feeling like you step back in time thousands of years ago.
Recommended Tang Costume Experience Tour:
3 Days Xian Private Trip: History Exploration & Tang Costume Experience
Visit Drum & Bell Towers
The Bell and Drum Towers are located at the heart of Xi’an, standing as the iconic landmark of the ancient capital for over 600 years. Both of these two towers are constructed during the Ming Dynasty, serving as timekeeping structures in ancient times. Among the many surviving bell and drum towers in China, Xi’an Bell and Drum Towers are the oldest and best-preserved ones. With their main structures primarily constructed of wood, these two architectural marvels feature distinctive eaves, steeply sloping roofs, and intricate carvings, which contrast dramatically with the surrounding modern cityscape.
Visitors can climb the staircases inside the towers to reach their top and enjoy stunning panoramic city views. Or just marvel at the architecture from the outside and take some great photos from the surrounding pedestrian pathways. The night views here are especially captivating, when the tower’s lights illuminate, creating a stunning interplay of shadows and light with the surrounding vehicle headlights and streetlights.
Popular Xi’an Tours including Bell and Drum Towers:
Climb Mount Hua
The most famous and picturesque mountain peak near Xian, Mount Huashan is one of the Five Great Mountains in China, featuring perilous terrain, stunning natural beauty in each season, rich historical and cultural sites, and most importantly, thrilling hiking experiences. Each of the five peaks of Mt. Huashan offers its own unique charm and is connected by treacherous mountain paths, providing climbers with a thrilling experience.
Not only a beautiful peak and a hiking paradise, Huashan Mountain is also a legendary place frequently depicted in many martial arts novels and films. Thus, those interested in Chinese martial arts culture and rich cultural heritage also consider it a must-visit in Xi’an.
Best Xi’an Tours including Mount Hua:
- 3 Days Xian City Tour with Mt.Huashan
- 4 Days Xian Classic Tour with Mt. Huashan
- 7 Days Xian In-depth Culture Tour
Enjoy a Dumpling Banquet
More than many historical and cultural heritages, Xi’an also boasts rich culinary treasures. The Dumpling Banquet is just one of the most iconic gastronomic experiences in Xi’an. Dumpling is one of the most representative foods of the Chinese diet. In Xi’an, the Dumpling Banquet stands out for its over 100 varieties of fillings and a variety of shapes.
Generally, depending on the number of guests, each plate serves 7-12 dumplings at a time, ensuring that each guest can get one. After finishing a plate, a new plate with a different filling will be served. This will continue until all guests are satisfied. During the banquet, each dumpling you enjoy offers different fillings and shapes, making the meal a delightful journey through diverse flavors and textures.
Famous restaurants and places serving dumping banquet include: Defachang Dumpling House (Bell Tower), Xi’an Hotel (East Street), Daqinghua Dumpling House (South 2nd Ring Road), Shaanxi Grand Opera House, Tang Dynasty Palace. Feel free to contact us to customize a Xian tour with Dumpling Banquet experience if you like.
