What is Xi'an most famous for?

Xi'an is most famous for the Terracotta Army, an ancient collection of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, over 2,000 years ago. It is also renowned as the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road and for its well-preserved Ming Dynasty City Wall.

How many days do you need to explore Xi'an?

Most travelers find that 2 to 3 days is sufficient to visit Xi'an's major attractions, including the Terracotta Army, the Ancient City Wall, the Muslim Quarter, and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Adding an extra day allows for a more relaxed pace and exploration of lesser-known sites.

What is the best time of year to visit Xi'an?

The best time to visit Xi'an is during spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), when temperatures are mild and rainfall is low. Summer can be hot and crowded, while winters are cold but offer thinner tourist crowds.

What food is Xi'an known for?

Xi'an is famous for its hearty, flavor-packed street food, most notably Rou Jia Mo (a Chinese-style meat sandwich), Biang Biang noodles (thick, hand-pulled noodles), and lamb skewers found throughout the Muslim Quarter. The Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) is the best place to sample these local specialties.

Is Xi'an easy to get to from other major Chinese cities?

Yes, Xi'an is very well connected — it is reachable from Beijing or Shanghai in just 4 to 6 hours via high-speed train, making it a convenient addition to any China itinerary. Xi'an Xianyang International Airport also offers direct flights from many domestic and international destinations.

Terracotta Army Pit 1 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA

Top 10 Best Things to Do in Xi'an, China

Xi'an, China's ancient capital for 13 dynasties, is a must-visit destination that goes far beyond its most famous attraction. Home to the Terracotta Army—one of the world's most astounding archaeological sites—this UNESCO-protected city along the ancient Silk Road seamlessly blends 2,000 years of imperial heritage with vibrant modern culture. The iconic Ming Dynasty City Wall encircles the historic center, while the bustling Muslim Quarter pulses with street food legends like biangbiang noodles and spiced lamb skewers. From Tang Dynasty temples and pagodas to cutting-edge museums, from sunset hikes along ancient walls to late-night hunts in treasure-filled markets, Xi'an rewards every traveler type. History buffs will spend days in world-class museums and exploring sacred Buddhist sites; food adventurers will chase Shaanxi's bold, complex spices; and quick visitors can hit the highlights in 2-3 days. Whether you have a week or just a weekend, the 10 best things to do in Xi'an reveal why this destination remains essential for understanding ancient China—and why it's become one of China's most compelling modern cities.

268 viewsJun 13, 2026 Updated Sep 7, 2026

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#1
Xi'an City Wall
The most complete ancient city wall in China, stretching 13.7 km around the old town and wide enough to cycle along the top. Built during the Ming Dynasty over 600 years ago, it offers sweeping panoramic views of the city from its battlements. Walking the full circuit takes about 90 minutes and is one of the most memorable ways to appreciate Xi'an's ancient scale.
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#2
Terracotta Warriors Museum
Dubbed the 'Eighth Wonder of the World,' this UNESCO World Heritage Site contains thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots buried to guard China's first emperor Qin Shihuang in the afterlife. Discovered accidentally by farmers in 1974, the three excavation pits are staggering in both scale and craftsmanship. No two warrior faces are alike — the level of individual detail across an army of thousands is genuinely jaw-dropping.
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#3
Datang Evernight City
A 1,500-meter pedestrian boulevard lined with Tang Dynasty-style architecture, glowing lanterns, and theatrical performances that bring the golden age of the Tang era back to life after dark. The nightly light displays, costumed performers, and bustling food stalls create an immersive atmosphere unlike any other in China. Go at dusk when the full effect of the illuminations kicks in.
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#4
Muslim Quarter (Beiyuanmen)
Xi'an's must-do food experience, this centuries-old street market serves the culinary legacy of the city's Hui Muslim community with stalls selling everything from lamb skewers and rou jia mo (Chinese hamburger) to pomegranate juice and yang rou pao mo (bread soaked in mutton soup). The energy peaks in the evenings when the narrow lanes fill with locals and visitors alike. Come hungry and prepared to explore alleyways branching off the main drag.
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#5
Shaanxi History Museum
One of China's most important museums, housing over 170,000 artifacts spanning more than a million years of human history in the Shaanxi region. Highlights include Tang Dynasty gold and silver treasures, Han Dynasty murals, and a superb collection of bronze vessels. Book tickets online well in advance as free admission makes it perpetually popular — queues without pre-booking can be several hours long.
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#6
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
An iconic seven-story Buddhist pagoda built in 652 AD to house sacred sutras brought back from India by the monk and scholar Xuanzang, whose epic journey inspired the classic novel 'Journey to the West.' The tower stands 64 meters tall in a peaceful temple complex that offers a calm contrast to the city's busier attractions. Climb to the upper floors for excellent views of the surrounding Da Ci'en Temple gardens and city skyline.
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#7
Huaqing Palace
A complex of hot spring gardens at the foot of Li Shan mountain, famous for more than 3,000 years of imperial bathing history and the legendary love affair between Tang Emperor Xuanzong and his consort Yang Guifei. The evening light show dramatizing their story is among the most spectacular in China, using the mountain as a natural backdrop with hundreds of costumed performers. The site also preserves buildings from the 1936 Xi'an Incident that changed the course of modern Chinese history.
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#8
Xi'an Bell and Drum Towers
The best-preserved pair of bell and drum towers in China, both dating to the Ming Dynasty over 600 years ago, sitting at the very heart of the ancient city. The Bell Tower marks the geographic center of Xi'an's old town, while the Drum Tower stands just to the northwest next to the entrance to the Muslim Quarter. The evening illumination show transforms both into glowing architectural landmarks and is best viewed from the square between them.
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#9
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Musical Fountain
Located in the vast North Square of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, this is reportedly the largest musical fountain in Asia, with hundreds of jets choreographed to music and synchronized with dramatic color lighting. Evening performances run throughout the week and draw enormous crowds of locals who gather on the surrounding steps to watch the show. The fountain is best combined with a dusk visit to the pagoda itself for a full evening experience.
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#10
Chang'an Township (Chenghuang Miao Bazaar)
A bustling recreation of ancient Chang'an's commercial market centered around the City God Temple, offering an authentic sampling of Shaanxi street food and traditional crafts in a heritage setting. Less touristy than the Muslim Quarter, it's popular with locals and is an excellent spot to try regional specialties like biang biang noodles, cold skin noodles (liang pi), and steamed dumplings (jiaozi). The surrounding temple architecture and traditional market layout make it a genuinely atmospheric stop.
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How to Actually Sequence a Visit

Xi'an's sights split into two clusters that don't fit comfortably into the same block of time. The old town — the city wall, the Bell and Drum Towers, the Muslim Quarter — is compact and walkable, while the Terracotta Warriors sit roughly an hour outside the city center and deserve a half-day of their own, ideally started as early as the site allows before the tour-bus crowds build. The old town's food streets and lantern-lit boulevards are built for after dark, so saving them for evening and using daylight hours for the museums and the trip out to the Warriors gets the most out of both halves of the city without doubling back.

Xi'an's History in One Sentence

Nearly everything on a "best of Xi'an" list traces back to the same fact: under names like Chang'an, this city served as the capital for more Chinese dynasties than any other, and stood as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. That's why an ancient city wall, a pagoda built specifically to house scriptures carried back from India, and a market built around a historic Muslim trading community can all sit within a few kilometers of each other — it's the layered history, not any single site, that makes the detour worth it.