Xi'an
Plan Xi'an with Haqqi Tours: day tours, private airport transfers, attraction tickets and packages, run by our own team and confirmed on WhatsApp in Arabic or English.
Stand on top of the old city wall at dusk and Xi'an spreads out on every side: grey ramparts running straight into the distance, red lanterns swinging from the gate towers, and the Bell Tower glowing gold at the crossroads in the middle of town. Below, traffic hums along the tree-lined moat, the smell of cumin and grilled lamb drifts over from the Muslim Quarter, and the narrow lanes around the old mosque fill with steam and light.
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Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province in north-west China, was the seat of many Chinese dynasties and the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road. Merchants from Central Asia and Persia settled here more than a thousand years ago, and their descendants, the Hui Muslim community, still give the old centre its flavour. Just outside the city, an army of life-size clay warriors has guarded the First Emperor's tomb for more than two thousand years.
Why include Xi'an in your itinerary?
- The warriors museum. The Terracotta Army, thousands of life-size clay soldiers, horses and chariots buried in battle formation near the First Emperor's tomb, is one of the greatest archaeological finds of the twentieth century.
- A complete ancient city wall. Xi'an keeps the best-preserved city wall in China, about fourteen kilometres around, with gate towers, a moat and a broad walkway on top that glows with lanterns at night.
- Silk Road heritage and halal food. The Muslim Quarter around the Great Mosque of Xi'an is famous across China for halal street food, from hand-pulled noodles to lamb skewers and bread soaked in rich mutton broth.
Signature experiences in Xi'an
The Terracotta Army
About forty kilometres east of the city at Lintong, the warriors museum covers three excavated pits. Pit 1, a vast hangar-like hall, holds long rows of infantry standing in formation, each figure with its own face and hairstyle, while the smaller pits show archers, cavalry and a command post. The museum also displays two finely made bronze chariots. Allow at least three hours, and arrive early to beat the crowds.
The City Wall, Bell Tower and Drum Tower
The six-century-old wall encloses the historic centre in an almost perfect rectangle, with the South Gate as its grandest entrance. Climb up for wide views over the rooftops and the moat, best in the late afternoon when the lanterns come on. At the heart of the walled city, the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower face each other across a busy plaza, and drum performances are held inside the Drum Tower during the day.
The Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque
Behind the Drum Tower, the lanes of the Muslim Quarter fill each evening with stalls of halal snacks: lamb and beef skewers, persimmon cakes, sesame breads and steaming bowls of noodles. A few minutes away, the Great Mosque of Xi'an is one of the oldest in China, built in Chinese style with wooden pavilions, carved stone arches and quiet garden courtyards. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times, dressed modestly.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda and a Tang Dynasty Show
In the south of the city, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a brick tower from the Tang dynasty, rises over a temple garden and a large square with musical fountains in the evening. Nearby, the illuminated pedestrian avenue of Datang Everbright City recreates the splendour of the old Tang capital, and theatres stage the Tang dynasty music and dance show, with rich costumes and court melodies.
A Day on Mount Huashan
Mount Huashan, a sacred mountain of granite cliffs and pine-covered ridges, rises about two hours east of Xi'an by road or forty minutes by high-speed train. Cable cars climb to the North and West peaks, from where stone paths and stairways link the summits along dramatic ridges. The famous cliffside plank path is optional and only for strong nerves. Plan a full day, wear good shoes and bring warm layers.
Neighbourhoods and quarters to know in Xi'an
Inside the City Wall
The walled centre around the Bell Tower is the most practical base for first-time visitors, with hotels of every level, shopping streets and metro stations. The Drum Tower, the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque are within easy reach, and the wall itself is a short ride away. Rooms facing the Bell Tower offer a lovely night view, though the area is lively until late.
The Muslim Quarter and Beilin
North-west of the Bell Tower, the Muslim Quarter is a maze of lanes lined with halal restaurants, bakeries and family workshops, the heart of the Hui community for centuries. To the south, the Beilin area holds a museum of ancient carved stone tablets and calligraphy shops. Staying nearby puts you close to halal food and the mosque, with smaller, simpler hotels.
Qujiang and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
South of the wall, the Qujiang district is a modern, spacious part of Xi'an built around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Tang Paradise park and Datang Everbright City. It has wide boulevards, large hotels and the Shaanxi History Museum nearby. It suits families and travellers who prefer calmer evenings, about twenty minutes from the old centre.
Lintong
Lintong, about forty kilometres east of the city, is where the Terracotta Army, the First Emperor's tomb area and the Huaqing Palace hot springs at the foot of Mount Li lie close together. Hot-spring resorts here make a peaceful overnight stop for an early start at the warriors museum, though most visitors prefer to stay in Xi'an and visit by private car.
How long to stay in Xi'an and how to pair it
Recommended stay
We recommend three nights in Xi'an. Spend one day at the Terracotta Army and the Huaqing Palace, one inside the city wall with the Bell and Drum Towers, the Great Mosque and the Muslim Quarter, and one for the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi History Museum and an evening show. A fourth night allows a full day on Mount Huashan.
How to pair it
Xi'an pairs naturally with Beijing, about four and a half to six hours away by high-speed train, and with Chengdu, about three and a half hours by train. A seven-day trip combines Beijing and Xi'an. In ten days, add Shanghai. A fourteen-day journey can link Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin and Shanghai, using fast trains and short flights.
Best time to visit Xi'an and the rhythm of the day
Best months
The best months for Xi'an are April to May and September to October, with mild days and clear skies. Summer is hot, often above thirty-five degrees, with sudden thunderstorms, so plan outdoor visits for the morning. Winter, from December to February, is cold and dry with frosty nights and fewer crowds. Chinese national holidays in early May and early October bring very large crowds.
The daily rhythm
Days in Xi'an start early, as the Terracotta Army is calmer in the first hours after opening. Afternoons suit museums and indoor halls, or a rest at the hotel in summer. The city comes alive in the evening, when the wall, the Bell Tower and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda are lit up and the Muslim Quarter is at its busiest, from sunset until late at night.
On-the-ground logistics in Xi'an
Arrival
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) lies about forty kilometres north-west of the centre, around an hour by car, with direct flights from across China and from several Asian cities. Many visitors from Beijing arrive by high-speed train at Xi'an North station in about four and a half to six hours. We issue flight and train tickets and arrange private transfers to your hotel. Check the visa rules for your own passport before you fly.
Getting around
Xi'an has a clean, easy metro linking the airport, Xi'an North station, the Bell Tower and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to find, but drivers rarely speak English, so keep hotel names written in Chinese. For the Terracotta Army, the Huaqing Palace and Mount Huashan, a private car with driver arranged by our team saves time and queues.
Local etiquette tip
Dress modestly in temples and especially in the Great Mosque, where women should cover their hair and shoulders and everyone removes shoes before the prayer hall. Ask before photographing people, and never touch exhibits or climb on barriers in museums. Queues can be lively, so stay patient and hold your place. Tipping is not expected in China, though guides and drivers appreciate it.
Must-do things in Xi'an
- See the Terracotta Army at the warriors museum
- Walk along the top of the ancient city wall
- Taste halal street food in the Muslim Quarter
- Visit the Great Mosque of Xi'an
- See the Bell Tower and Drum Tower lit up at night
- Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its fountain square
- Watch a Tang dynasty music and dance show
- Explore the Shaanxi History Museum
- Relax at the Huaqing Palace below Mount Li
- Ride the cable car up Mount Huashan
Do’s and don’ts in Xi'an
Do
- Do book the Terracotta Army for an early start
- Do carry your passport for every ticket and train
- Do set up a mobile payment app before arrival
- Do dress modestly for the Great Mosque
- Do keep hotel names written in Chinese
Don’t
- Don't touch the exhibits in the warriors museum
- Don't plan Xi'an during national holidays if you can avoid them
- Don't rely only on Western apps and maps
- Don't climb Mount Huashan in poor weather
- Don't rush Xi'an as a single day trip
Xi'an at a glance
Plan Xi'an with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Xi'an.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Xi'an?
First-time visitors usually stay inside the city wall near the Bell Tower, close to the Drum Tower, the Muslim Quarter, the Great Mosque and metro lines. For calmer evenings and larger hotels, the Qujiang district near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a good choice. Our team can suggest a hotel in any area and arrange your private transfer from the airport or Xi'an North station.
Can Xi'an be done as a day trip from Beijing, or does it need an overnight stay?
A day trip from Beijing is possible with an early high-speed train, about four and a half hours each way, covering the Terracotta Army and the city wall at a fast pace. To enjoy the Muslim Quarter at night, the Great Mosque and the museums, we recommend at least two nights. We arrange train tickets, private transfers and full day trips from Beijing.
What is the dress code and etiquette in Xi'an?
Comfortable, modest clothing works everywhere in Xi'an. In the Great Mosque, women should cover hair and shoulders and everyone removes shoes before the prayer hall; in temples, keep shoulders and knees covered. Do not touch the exhibits at the warriors museum, ask before photographing people, and keep your voice low in places of worship.
Is Xi'an tourist friendly, and is halal food available?
Yes. Xi'an is one of the most welcoming cities in China for Muslim travellers. The Hui Muslim community has lived here for more than a thousand years, and the Muslim Quarter is full of halal restaurants and stalls marked qingzhen, often with Arabic script on the sign. The Great Mosque of Xi'an and smaller mosques hold daily prayers. English is limited, so a guide helps.
Is it safe to travel to Xi'an now?
Xi'an is generally very safe, with a strong police presence and low crime. Watch your belongings in the crowded Muslim Quarter and at busy stations, and use official taxis or ride-hailing apps. Summer heat and holiday crowds are the main challenges. Before departure, check your own government's official travel advice and keep our WhatsApp line handy on roaming data, as many Western apps are blocked on local networks.
What are the must-do things in Xi'an?
The must-do things in Xi'an include the Terracotta Army, the city wall, the Bell and Drum Towers, the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda with its evening fountains, the Shaanxi History Museum and a Tang dynasty show. With an extra day, Mount Huashan is unforgettable. Our private tours combine these at a comfortable pace.
How many days do you need in Xi'an?
Three days is ideal for Xi'an: one for the Terracotta Army and the Huaqing Palace, one for the walled city, the Great Mosque and the Muslim Quarter, and one for the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the history museum. Two days cover the highlights at a quicker rhythm, while four days allow a full day on Mount Huashan.
What can I book in Xi'an with Haqqi Tours?
Day tours, attraction tickets, private airport transfers, flight tickets and train tickets, including Qinling Giant Panda Research Centre Day Trip from Xi'an, Mount Huashan Day Trip with Cable Car from Xi'an and Terracotta Army & Huaqing Palace Tour with Lunch Xi'an. Each has its own page, and the WhatsApp desk combines any of them into one plan with one written price.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Xi'an?
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) lies near Xianyang, about 40 km north-west of Xi'an's walled city centre, 50 minutes to an hour and a quarter by car on the airport expressway; the Terracotta Army at Lintong is about 75 km away, Xi'an North station about 25 km and Mount Huashan about 150 km. Our private transfer meets you at arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight and takes you door to door at a fixed price for the whole vehicle; the transfer pages list every route.
Is there public transport from the airport to Xi'an?
High-speed trains link Xi'an North with Beijing in about four and a half to six hours, with Chengdu in about three and a half hours and with many other cities, and flights connect the airport with all of China. The metro reaches the airport, the station and the centre, but the Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace and Mount Huashan are easiest by private car. With luggage, a family or a late flight, the private car is the simpler choice.
Which tours are available in Xi'an?
Among them: Qinling Giant Panda Research Centre Day Trip from Xi'an, Mount Huashan Day Trip with Cable Car from Xi'an, Terracotta Army & Huaqing Palace Tour with Lunch Xi'an, Terracotta Army Small-Group Tour Xi'an and Terracotta Army Tour with Family Lunch Xi'an. Each page says whether the day is private or small-group, what it includes and how long it lasts.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and each tour page says which. A private tour has a vehicle and guide for your party alone; the desk can make most group tours private on request.
How do I book?
Fill in the form on any page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and the hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.
Are the prices fixed?
Yes - every price is agreed in writing on WhatsApp before you travel and does not change on the day.
Do the drivers and guides speak Arabic or English?
It depends on the city and the day, so we do not promise a particular language; tell us your preference and we do our best. The WhatsApp desk always works in Arabic and English.
Can I change or cancel a booking in Xi'an?
Yes, in the same WhatsApp conversation. The terms depend on the product and on how close to the date the change comes; the desk states them before you pay.