Xi’an Travel in Spring – Weather，Things to Do & More

Planning to travel to Xi’an in spring but aren’t sure what to expect? This article will give you answers. Here, we’ve outlined everything you need to know to plan a perfect spring visit to Xi’an. From weather and temperatures in spring, top places to go, best things to do, to what to pack, and more, you’ll find our top travel tips for an enjoyable spring trip to Xian.

Xian is one of the most popular destinations in China. And the spring months, bringing warmer and longer days to this ancient capital, are rightly so, one of the best times to visit Xi’an.

Weather in Xi’an in Spring – March, April, and May

As the chilly winter in Xian fades away, you can expect warm and sunny weather in spring, which marks one of the best times to visit this ancient capital. Spring in Xi’an usually lasts from March to May, with the weather at this time of year being mild and slightly dry. Generally, the city’ temperatures average around 8-13°C in March, and 9-21°C in April. While May sees higher temperatures which rise to around 16-26°C.

Temperature fluctuations between day and night are large in this season, accompanied by frequent winds in early spring. Though sandstorms may occur sometimes, they generally won’t last for days. Days are longer and are generally marked by sunny weather, with very little rainfall, making it an ideal time for many outdoor activities.

What to Wear When Traveling to Xian in Spring

Suddenly strong cooling weather may still occur in March and early and mid-April. Overcoats, windbreakers, heavier coats, and thin-down jackets are good ideas for cooler weather in this period. When the temperature quickly rises in late April and May, light jackets, thin T-shirts, or even short sleeves will be suitable for the day. A wide-brimmed hat not only gives you some shade but is also a perfect photo prop. Dressing in layers is important as mornings and evenings in the spring months in Xian can still be cool, but midday and afternoons are often warm.

Top Places to Go & Best Things to Do in Xian in Spring

More than mild weather, visiting Xi’an in spring will also delight you and your families with blooming flowers, lush greenery, and exciting outdoor activities. Top things to do in this season include a biking tour on the Xi’an City Wall, enjoying the blooming flowers, climbing Mount Huashan, visiting the majestic Terracotta Army, having fun at Huaqing Palace, and exploring iconic historical sites in the city center.

Biking atop the Ancient City Wall

• Location: In the Xi ‘an city center. There are many city gates, Yongning Gate is the main gate for tourists to visit (No. 2 Beilin South Street)
• Ticket: CNY54 per adult
• Cost for Bike Rental: CNY 45-90 (3 hours)

Used as a military defense in ancient times, Xi’an City Wall is the largest-scaled, and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. It is in a closed rectangle, with a height of 12 meters (39.4 feet), a top width of 12-14 meters (13-15.3 yards), and a circumference of 13.74 kilometers (8.54 miles). On the wall are a series of ancient military installations, including the moat, drawbridges, gate towers, arrow towers, turrets, parapets, and crenels.

A popular and relaxing way to explore all these military installations is biking around the top of the wall. Cityscapes outside and inside the city wall will also unfold before your eyes. A special reward of the spring cycle tour will be the comfortable weather, vibrant scenery in Huancheng Park (a large-scale public park surrounding the City Wall), and locals’ various recreational activities in the park.

Appreciating the Spring Flowers

As spring springs in Xi’an, you can expect a colorful bloom of flowers. From late March to late April, various flowers such as cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, apricots, and magnolias bloom in full splendor, transforming the ancient city into a picturesque landscape. You can find these various colored beauties at Qinglong Temple, Tang Paradise, Daming Palace National Heritage Park, Temple of the Eight Immortals, Xi’an Botanical Garden, and many other neighborhood places. These blooming flowers not only inspire people to go out but also offer many opportunities to take beautiful photos.

Climbing Mount Huashan

• Location: Huayin City, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, China. About 120 km (74.5 miles) east of Xi’an.
• Entrance Fee: CNY 160 from Mar to Nov; CNY 100 from Dec. to Feb., valid for 2 days (exclude cable car services)

Known as “the most dangerous mountain in the world”, Huashan Mountain is famed for its breathtaking natural vista of precipitous cliffs, narrow and steep paths, and towering peaks. Spring, especially April to May, is a great time to extend your Xi’an trip to the mountain for a thrilling hiking experience and stunning natural beauty. Spring is the blooming season for Mount Huashan, with vibrant blossoms of peach, apricot, and pear trees decorating the mountain, offering a visual feast for hikers. The mild temperatures in this period offer a pleasant environment for visitors to enjoy their hiking, magnificent sunrise, sunset, and sea of clouds.

Top Xian Huashan Tours:

• 2 Days Xian Mt. Huashan Trekking Tour
• 4 Days Xian Classic Tour with Mt. Huashan
• 3 Days Xian City Tour with Mt.Huashan

Visiting the Majestic Terracotta Army

• Location: in Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province; about 40 kilometers (24.9 miles) northeast of Xi’an downtown
• Ticket: RMB 120 per person in low season (Dec. 1 – Feb. 28), CNY150 per person in high season (March 1 – Nov. 30)

A can’t miss on any Xian tour and China tour, Terracotta Army is praised to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. It covers over 20, 000 square meters (5 acres), and houses nearly 8,000 pieces of life-sized terracotta statues of soldiers, chariots, and horses. It is believed that the warriors and horses show the real military formation of the Qin Dynasty and were constructed to guard Qinshihuang (the first emperor in Chinese history) in his afterlife. Most visitors like to follow a professional guide to appreciate the different expressions of each warrior and listen to the story of Emperor Qinshihuang and the discovery of this underground army.

Recommended Xian Terracotta Warriors Tours:

• Terra-cotta Army and Hanyangling Museum Tour
• Half-Day Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Transfer

Enjoying Time at Huaqing Palace

• Location: 38 North Huqing Road, Lintong District, Xi’an City
• Ticket price: CNY 120 per person

Once a royal garden and hot spring resort during the Tang Dynasty, Huaqing Palace is a witness to many important historical events. It is best known for the arguably beautiful love story of Tang Emperor Xuanzong and his consort Yang Yuhuan. And the famous Xi’an Incident also took place here. Since it is adjacent to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, many visitors choose to visit Huaqing Palace after exploring the underground army. Its rich cultural heritage and the live performance of The Song of Everlasting Regret are certainly worth your visit but don’t miss the stunning natural landscapes.

The palace is located at the foot of Mount Lishan. In spring, the mountain and the palace transform into a vibrant floral paradise, with apricot blossoms, Chinese plum, peach blossoms, and pear blossoms bloom in succession. The “Li Mountain Evening Glow” at sunset is even more captivating in spring.

Exploring the Many Historical Sites in Xian City Center

As one of the four great ancient capitals in China, Xi’an especially stands out from other popular travel destinations for its rich historical and cultural sites. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Tang Paradise, Forest of Steles and Bell and Drum Towers all define the city’s historical and cultural identity. These iconic historical landmarks are scattered around the city center, and can be easily accessed by public transportation or walking. The mild and pleasant weather in spring makes it ideal to enjoy a Xi’an day trip in the city center.

Recommended Xian City Center Tours:

• Old Xian City Day Tour: City Wall, Xian Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Xian Essence Day Tour with Terracotta Army

Xian Spring Travel Tips

• The Qingming Festival (between April 4th and 6th) and the May Day holiday are the peak travel periods in Xi’an in spring, with overcrowded attractions, heavy traffic, and increased prices on accommodations and flights. If possible, try to avoid these two holidays to ensure a better travel experience.
• Spring weather in Xi’an can be unpredictable, with large temperature differences between day and night. It’s possible to experience sudden temperature drops occasionally. So wearing layers is still the key to staying warm and comfortable in this season. And you’d better pack lightweight but warm clothing.
• Spring often brings strong UV rays and dry air, so it is important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and apply sunscreen.
• For those with allergies, it’s best to avoid areas with dense flower blooms. Wear a mask and carry allergy medications if you are predisposed to allergies.