Ancient Capital
Xi'an
Xi'an was the capital of China for over a thousand years and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. The Terracotta Warriors alone justify the trip, but the city has much more — a perfectly preserved city wall you can cycle around, one of China's best street food scenes in the Muslim Quarter, and a growing craft beer and coffee culture.
Best Time to Visit
April to May or September to October. Winters are cold and dry (-5°C). Summers hit 38°C+. Spring and autumn are perfect for cycling the city wall.
Daily Budget
Mid-range: $50–80/day. Xi'an is good value. The Terracotta Warriors are the priciest attraction at $18. Street food in the Muslim Quarter is $2–5 per dish.
Getting There
Xi'an Xianyang Airport (XIY) is 40km from the city — airport bus or metro. High-speed rail from Beijing takes 4 hours, from Chengdu 3 hours. The train station is right by the city wall.
Xi'an was the capital of China for over a thousand years and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. The Terracotta Warriors alone justify the trip, but the city has much more — a perfectly preserved city wall you can cycle around, one of China's best street food scenes in the Muslim Quarter, and a growing craft beer and coffee culture. It's a manageable city that's easy to navigate on foot and by metro.
Top Highlights
City Wall Cycling
Xi'an's city wall is one of the best-preserved in the world — 14km around, 12 metres wide at the top. Rent a bike ($5 for 2 hours) and cycle the full loop. Late afternoon light is best for photos. The south gate (Yongning Gate) is the main access point.
Muslim Quarter
A labyrinth of narrow streets packed with food stalls, spice shops, and the Great Mosque. This is China's best street food district. Try roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), yangrou paomo (lamb soup with bread), and persimmon cakes. Go at night when the atmosphere peaks.
Local Tips
The Terracotta Warriors are 40 minutes by bus from the city centre. Take public bus 914 or 915 from Xi'an Train Station for $1 — ignore the touts offering "direct" minibuses.
Pit 1 at the Terracotta Warriors is the most impressive. Arrive when gates open at 8:30am to see it before tour groups flood in.
Roujiamo from Zi Wu Lu (子午路) street vendors is better than the tourist-priced versions in the Muslim Quarter.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda fountain show happens nightly — it's free and worth seeing.
Xi'an is a great base for day trips to Mount Hua (Huashan), one of China's most spectacular — and terrifying — mountain hikes.
