When people think about what to see in Xi’an, the famous Terracotta Warriors usually come to mind first. But this ancient city — once the eastern starting point of the Silk Road and the imperial capital of more than ten dynasties — has so much more to offer!
In this article, we’ll guide you through what to see in Xi’an in two days, going beyond the classic sights. You’ll find all the practical info you need to plan your independent trip: opening hours and entrance fees for tourist spots, must-try dishes from the local cuisine, transportation tips, and our personal experience with accommodation.
🧭 If you’re planning a longer trip through China, don’t miss our guide on How to travel to China for first timers.
🏯 What to See in Xi’an: Full 2-Day Itinerary
🥙 Muslim Quarter
The Muslim Quarter is one of the most authentic and vibrant areas in Xi’an. Located near the Drum Tower, this maze of narrow streets is packed with street food stalls, souvenir shops, and the unmistakable buzz of a traditional Chinese market. It’s also the cultural center of the Hui Muslim community, which has lived in Xi’an for centuries. Their influence is clearly visible in the architecture, food, and atmosphere of the neighborhood.
🕌 Great Mosque of Xi’an
One of the top tourist attractions in Xi’an is the Great Mosque — one of the oldest and best-preserved in China. Founded in 742 during the Tang Dynasty, the mosque reflects the city’s historical role as a crossroads between China and the Islamic world via the Silk Road.
Its architecture is fascinating: a unique blend of Islamic features and traditional Chinese design. Unlike Arab mosques, it has no domes or minarets. Instead, you’ll find sloping tiled roofs, wooden pavilions, and peaceful interior gardens. The site consists of five courtyards leading to the main prayer hall, which can accommodate over 1,000 worshippers.
The mosque was expanded by successive dynasties (Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing), and today it’s still an active place of worship for the Hui Muslim community. Walking through its courtyards is a serene and beautiful experience, with stone columns, carved calligraphy, and ancient buildings that feel like stepping into a storybook.
🕰 Opening hours: 08:00–19:00
🎫 Tickets: 30 RMB
🏠 Gao Family Mansion
A hidden gem in Xi’an’s historic center, the Gao Family Mansion is still under the radar for most international tourists. Built during the Ming Dynasty, this traditional courtyard house was once home to a prominent family of government officials. Today, it’s a museum where you can explore period furnishings, ancient architecture, and the domestic life of Xi’an’s former elite.
The mansion also hosts a variety of cultural performances and workshops, such as Chinese opera, calligraphy, and puppet theater (tickets for these are usually sold separately via WeChat). It’s a quiet and enriching stop — perfect for taking a break from the busy Muslim Quarter while learning more about traditional life in ancient Xi’an.
🕰 Opening hours: 08:30–18:30
🎫 Tickets: 25 RMB
⛩️ City God Temple of Xi’an
Often overlooked by visitors, the City God Temple is absolutely worth a visit if you’re exploring what to see in Xi’an beyond the tourist crowds.
It was once one of the three major City God Temples in all of China and held authority over similar temples across the northwest. The deity worshiped here is General Ji Xin, a Han Dynasty hero who sacrificed himself to save the future emperor Liu Bang — later deified as the city’s spiritual protector.
The original temple was destroyed by fire in 1723, and the current version was rebuilt using elements from the former residence of the Prince of Qin. Its architecture follows the traditional Taoist style: green-tiled roofs, red walls, zodiac statues, and a beautiful central courtyard.
If you’re visiting in autumn, don’t miss the lively temple fair, a local event with performances of opera, folk art, and cultural shows that transform the temple into a vibrant community hub.
🕰 Opening hours: 08:00–17:30
🎫 Tickets: Free admision
🥁 Drum Tower & 🔔 Bell Tower
These iconic landmarks are central to any list of what to see in Xi’an. Built during the Ming Dynasty in 1384, both towers blend architectural elements from the Tang, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Historically, the Drum Tower signaled nightfall and the Bell Tower marked the start of the day.
The Bell Tower also stands at the geographic heart of Xi’an.
In the second floor of the Drum Tower, you’ll find 24 decorative drums — each representing one of China’s traditional solar terms, which guided ancient agricultural life. These terms marked not only seasonal changes but everyday rhythms like diet, dress, and travel.
Inside, the towers also feature cultural exhibits and live music performances (usually scheduled at 09:30, 10:15, 11:00, 11:45, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, and 17:00).
🕰 Opening hours: 08:30–21:00 (high season)
🎫 Tickets: 30 RMB each or 50 RMB combined
🧱 Xi’an City Wall
One of the absolute must-sees when deciding what to see in Xi’an is its ancient City Wall. Walking along it at sunset offers a stunning panoramic view that captures the contrast between tradition and modernity.
Built in the 14th century during the Ming Dynasty, it’s one of the largest and best-preserved city walls in all of China. The wall forms a perfect square, stretching 14 km around the old town. It’s not just a historic site — it’s an immersive experience and one of the things we loved most about Xi’an.
Strolling along the wall is especially magical at dusk, when the lights come on and the city’s skyline glows. From above, you can spot the ancient city gates, traditional rooftops, and soaring skyscrapers in the distance. It’s the perfect way to appreciate Xi’an’s historical depth and rapid evolution.
If you’re up for it, a popular activity is renting a bike to cycle along the wall. You’ll also find small shops selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. And if you get the chance, don’t miss the spectacular Tang Dynasty-themed show held in one of the inner courtyards of the wall — tickets are available through the WeChat app or platforms like Trip.com.
🕰 Opening hours: 08:00–22:00
🎫 Tickets: 54 RMB
🚲 Bike rental: 45–60 RMB for 2 hours
🏮 Datang Everbright City (Centro comercial Tang)
Located in southern Xi’an, this vast pedestrian avenue recreates the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty with a vibrant modern twist. Datang Everbright City is an open-air mall filled with giant LED screens, interactive fountains that react to your voice, and night shows that light up the entire area.
Although it’s a reconstruction, it’s full of cultural references to the ancient imperial capital of Chang’an. Along the street, you’ll find food stalls, souvenir shops, performance stages, and public art — all in a setting that’s both futuristic and nostalgic. Free outdoor shows of traditional dance, poetry, and music are held frequently, so make sure to stick around in the evening.
🪿 Wild Goose Pagoda
At the end of Datang Everbright City stands one of the most sacred Buddhist landmarks in China: the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in the 7th century, it was part of a major monastic complex dedicated to translating sacred texts brought from India by the monk Xuanzang — whose statue now stands nearby.
Even today, the site remains an important pilgrimage destination. The pagoda is surrounded by tranquil gardens, ornate pavilions, and dancing fountains. Climbing to the top (a bit of a workout!) rewards you with sweeping views over southern Xi’an.
🕰 Opening hours: 08:00–18:30
🎫 Tickets: 80 RMB (Temple) + 30 RMB (Pagoda climb)
⚔️ Terracotta Warriors
No list of what to see in Xi’an would be complete without the Terracotta Warriors, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century — and an unforgettable experience.
Before visiting, we’d heard all kinds of opinions: some said that if you didn’t go to see the Terracotta Army, Xi’an wasn’t worth the trip; others thought the warriors were overrated in person. After seeing them ourselves, we strongly disagree with both views: Xi’an has much more to offer than just the warriors — and the warriors themselves are absolutely worth it.
Discovered by farmers in 1974, the Terracotta Army was built over 2,200 years ago by order of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to protect him in the afterlife. Each figure is unique — with different facial features, hairstyles, uniforms, and even weapons. The site is divided into three main pits, the most impressive being Pit 1, where rows of life-sized soldiers stand in perfect formation. There’s also an adjacent museum with well-preserved statues, fascinating artifacts, and detailed exhibits.
Beyond the main site, there’s a second complex that includes the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, additional tombs, and the Bronze Chariots Museum, which houses two miniature bronze chariots found near the emperor’s tomb. The mausoleum itself hasn’t been excavated yet, as it’s believed to be protected by traps and pools of liquid mercury.
🚍 A free shuttle bus runs between the two complexes.
There’s also an optional paid mini shuttle that takes you from the main gate to the exhibit halls — though it’s a short 10–15 minute walk through pleasant gardens if you prefer. However, at the mausoleum complex, we highly recommend using the shuttle: the distances are much longer, and if you’re visiting during the summer heat (like we did), you’ll be thankful you spent the 30 yuan.
🕰 Opening hours: Daily, 08:30–17:00
🎫 Entrance fee: 120 RMB
📸 Travel tip: Arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds!
How to Get to Xi’an
✈️ By Plane
Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is located about 40 km from the city center. You can reach downtown Xi’an easily by Metro Line 14 or via airport express buses.
As we mentioned in our China travel guide, if you’re planning to take domestic flights, there’s no need to book them far in advance — in fact, prices often drop closer to the travel date.
🚄 By High-Speed Train
Xi’an is well connected by bullet train to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Chongqing. We arrived in Xi’an by train from Pingyao.
The main high-speed station is Xi’an North Railway Station (Xianbei), which connects to Metro Line 2 and makes getting into the city simple.
🛏️ Where to Stay in Xi’an
We stayed at Tingting Minsu, a cozy guesthouse tucked away in the heart of the Muslim Quarter, just behind Guangji Street Market. The room was spacious, the bed super comfortable, and the host gave us great recommendations for local places to eat.
💰 Price: 13 € per night
🍜 Xi’an Cuisine & Where to Eat
The food scene in Xi’an is as rich as its history. As the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, Xi’an became a melting pot of cultures, flavors, and culinary influences — many of which are still alive today. The local Hui Muslim community has especially shaped the city’s gastronomy with their love of lamb, bold spices, and charcoal-grilling techniques.
In street markets and traditional eateries, you’ll find an explosion of flavors, aromas, and textures, with chili, garlic, and cumin playing lead roles. These are some must-try dishes during your visit:
Biangbiang mian: These hand-pulled belt noodles are flat, wide, and typically served with chili oil, peanuts, garlic, vegetables, and meat. The name “biangbiang” comes from the sound the dough makes when it’s slapped against the table during preparation. If you try only one dish in Xi’an, make it this one. We had it in a small shop inside the Muslim Market, but you can find it almost anywhere in the city.
Roujiamo: Often called the “Chinese burger,” Roujiamo is a flatbread (similar to pita) stuffed with slow-cooked pork. You can choose lean, fatty, or mixed meat, and there’s also a flaky bread version that’s absolutely delicious. We loved the one from Ziwu Road Zhangji Chinese Hamburger, located near our accommodation — and yes, we went back more than once! All for under €2.
Kebabs and Skewers: Grilled over charcoal and sold on nearly every corner of the Muslim Quarter, you’ll find skewers of lamb, beef, seafood, vegetables, or tofu. We especially recommend Guonan Barbecue, conveniently located near our guesthouse.
❤️ Why Xi’an Should Be on Your Itinerary
Xi’an is a city full of surprises. From walking its ancient city wall at sunset, to getting lost in the buzzing Muslim Quarter, or savoring its bold and unique cuisine — this is a place that stays with you long after you’ve left.
If you’re planning a trip to China and wondering what to see in Xi’an, we hope this guide helps you discover not only its major landmarks, but also the culture, flavor, and atmosphere that make this city so unforgettable.
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