Xi’an Tours, Tickets & Things to Do
Discover the best Xi’an tours, the ancient capital and eastern terminus of the Silk Road: the world-famous Terracotta Army of thousands of life-size warriors, the magnificent city walls you can cycle, the bustling Muslim Quarter and its street food, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, dazzling Tang Dynasty dinner shows, and the dramatic peaks of Mount Hua. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect China trip.
Explore Xian by interest
Whatever brings you to Xian — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Terracotta Army
Thousands of warriors.
ExploreCity Wall
Cycle the ramparts.
ExploreMuslim Quarter
Street food maze.
ExploreTang Dynasty shows
Imperial spectacle.
ExploreWild Goose Pagoda
Tang landmark.
ExploreMount Hua
Sheer sacred peaks.
ExploreShaanxi Museum
Dynasties of treasures.
ExploreDay trips
Famen and beyond.
ExploreTop attractions in Xian
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Terracotta Army
Thousands of warriors.
City Wall
Cycle the ramparts.
Muslim Quarter
Street food maze.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Tang landmark.
Tang Dynasty Show
Imperial spectacle.
Mount Hua
Sheer sacred peaks.
Qin Emperor’s Tomb
First emperor’s legacy.
Bell & Drum Towers
City-centre landmarks.
Xi’an in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Terracotta & wall
- 2Day 2: Pagoda & museum
- 3Tang show
- 4Muslim Quarter
Xi’an in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Terracotta & wall
- 2Day 2: Culture & food
- 3Day 3: Mount Hua
- 4History & nature
Xi’an with kids
- 1Terracotta Army
- 2City Wall bikes
- 3Muslim Quarter snacks
- 4Pagoda fountain
1 hr awayTerracotta Army
Thousands of warriors.
1.5 hrs awayMount Hua
Sheer sacred peaks.
In the city awayCity Wall
Cycle the ramparts.
In the city awayMuslim Quarter
Street food maze.
In the city awayWild Goose Pagoda
Tang landmark.
Evening awayTang Show
Imperial spectacle.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Xian visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) bring mild, pleasant weather ideal for the Terracotta Army, City Wall and Mount Hua, with comfortable temperatures.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and humid, busy with domestic tourists; start early at the Terracotta Army and bring water and sun protection.
Spring & autumn
The prime times — comfortable temperatures, clearer skies and lovely conditions for sightseeing and Mount Hua.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold, sometimes with snow that dusts the warriors and walls beautifully; quieter, but wrap up warm.
Avoid Chinese holidays
National Day (early October) and Chinese New Year bring huge domestic crowds and higher prices — book well ahead or avoid.
Mount Hua seasons
Spring and autumn are best for Mount Hua; summer is busy and winter can be icy on the peaks.
One day
The Terracotta Army, City Wall and Muslim Quarter.
Two days
Add the pagoda, museum and a Tang Dynasty show.
Three days
The sweet spot: warriors, culture and Mount Hua.
Four days
Add Famen Temple and more of Shaanxi.
Stopover
Many visit Xi’an for 1–2 days between Beijing and other cities.
Travelling with kids
Mix warriors, City Wall bikes and street food.
Metro
Xi’an’s modern, cheap metro connects the centre, the Bell Tower, the pagoda and the train stations efficiently.
Tours & transfers
Day trips to the Terracotta Army and Mount Hua include transport, the easiest way to reach the out-of-town sights.
Taxis & apps
Taxis and ride-hailing apps (like DiDi) are inexpensive for getting around the city, especially in the evening.
On foot & by bike
The old town within the City Wall is walkable, and cycling the wall itself is a highlight.
High-speed train
Xi’an’s high-speed rail links to Beijing, Mount Hua and beyond in a few hours — fast and comfortable.
From the airport
Xianyang International Airport is about an hour from the centre by airport bus, metro link or taxi.
Guide the warriors
A guide greatly enriches the Terracotta Army; without one, the pits can be hard to interpret — book a tour or audio guide.
Book the museum ahead
The Shaanxi History Museum has limited free tickets that go fast; book ahead or take a tour to guarantee entry.
Payments & cash
China is largely cashless via mobile apps; set up Alipay or WeChat Pay where possible, and carry some yuan as backup.
Visa & internet
Check China visa rules in advance, and consider a VPN for familiar apps, as many Western sites are blocked.
Start early
Visit the Terracotta Army first thing to beat the tour buses and summer heat.
Eat in the Muslim Quarter
Go hungry and graze the Muslim Quarter’s street food — a highlight in itself.
Terracotta Army tours
Popular guided tours sell out — book ahead.
Shaanxi History Museum
Limited tickets go fast — reserve early or take a tour.
Tang Dynasty shows
Dinner shows fill up — pre-book.
Mount Hua trips
Day trips are busy in peak season — book ahead.
Food tours
Small-group Muslim Quarter tours fill up — reserve early.
Chinese holidays
National Day and New Year are extremely busy — plan well ahead.
Terracotta Army
Around €35–90 for a guided Terracotta Army tour with transport.
City Wall
About €10–25 for City Wall entry and bike rental.
Food tours
Roughly €25–60 for a Muslim Quarter street-food tour.
Tang Dynasty show
Around €40–90 for a show with a dumpling banquet.
Mount Hua
About €70–140 for a Mount Hua day trip with cable cars.
How to save
Join group tours, combine city sights in a day, and travel outside Chinese holidays.
Xian through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Mild sightseeing.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Prime time.
- Best for
- Long days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot; very busy.
- Best for
- Clear skies.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Avoid Oct holiday.
- Best for
- Snowy warriors, quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold; wrap up.