Best things to do in Xian
Find out more about those top places in Xian
Xi'an: The Ancient City That’s Been Around Longer Than Your Grandma’s Recipes
Tucked away deep in China’s interior, where the bustling cities of the east give way to the sprawling steppe of Qinghai and the majestic foothills of the Himalayas, lies Xi'an—a city so packed with history, it makes a museum look like an empty cupboard. If you’re a fan of historical sites, mind-blowing ancient relics, and a blend of cultures so diverse it could make your head spin, then Xi'an should be at the top of your travel guide.
As the capital of no fewer than eleven dynasties between 1000 BC and 1000 AD, Xi'an isn’t just old—it’s ancient, like "history in the making" ancient. The city might not be as famous as Beijing or Shanghai, but trust us, its top attractions are enough to make even the most jaded traveler stop and say, “Wow, this is where history lives and breathes.”
Top Attractions in Xi'an: Time Travel Made Easy
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Terracotta Army: The Original 'Stone Cold' Warriors Let’s start with the elephant in the room: the Terracotta Army. If you’ve heard of Xi'an, it’s likely because of this world-famous army of over 8,000 life-sized warriors, horses, and chariots that have been guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb for over 2,000 years. It’s like an ancient military parade frozen in time, only way more epic. Pro tip: Don’t be surprised if you spend hours staring at the sculptures in awe—each one is unique, so you’ll be busy trying to figure out their ancient personalities. Forget the crowd; you’ll be caught up in the wonder of it all!
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Ming Dynasty City Wall: Ride Around History After you’ve taken in the Terracotta Army, hop over to the Ming Dynasty City Wall—a true historical marvel that’s still standing strong today. You can bike or walk along this 14-kilometer wall, which used to defend the ancient city of Xi'an. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not rent a bike and get a whole new perspective of the city? It’s like a fitness challenge meets history lesson—and the views are pretty fantastic.
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Big Goose Pagoda: Reaching New Heights of Zen Ready to see some serious architecture and get your zen on? The Big Goose Pagoda is a must-visit. Standing tall in the Da Ci’en Temple, this ancient structure was built in the Tang Dynasty to house Buddhist scriptures brought back from India. It’s an iconic landmark with peaceful vibes—plus, it’s got views of the Xi'an skyline that will make you feel like you’re floating in history. It’s a great spot to snap that perfect picture for your Instagram while pondering the mysteries of life... or just the best place to grab lunch afterward.
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Great Mosque: Where Cultures Meet One of the coolest places to visit in Xi'an is the Great Mosque, a fascinating blend of Islamic and Chinese architectural styles. With its pagoda-style minaret and beautifully designed courtyards, it’s like two worlds colliding in the most peaceful way. Wander through the complex, take in the tranquil gardens, and marvel at how ancient cultures continue to influence modern-day life. And, for foodies, it’s the perfect spot to get a taste of Xi'an’s diverse culture.
Things to Do in Xi'an: Food, Fun, and More Food
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Explore the Muslim Quarter: A Street Food Lover’s Dream If you really want to immerse yourself in Xi'an, head straight to the Muslim Quarter. This bustling neighborhood is where you’ll find street food that combines the best of Central Asia and China—and trust us, it’s as delicious as it sounds. From lamb skewers to pita bread sandwiches to hand-pulled noodles, your taste buds will be doing the cha-cha with every bite. Plus, the atmosphere is electric—crowds, vendors shouting, and the smell of sizzling food in the air. It’s the perfect place to indulge your inner foodie and grab a tasty souvenir (like a fresh batch of Chinese-style donuts).
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Wander Through the Ancient City Gates Xi'an is one of the few cities in China that still has its ancient city gates intact, and let’s just say, they’re pretty spectacular. As you explore, you’ll get a sense of how the city looked centuries ago—before traffic jams and high-rise buildings. Walking around the gates is like stepping back in time, and each gate has its own story to tell. Sightseeing at its best!
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Xi’an’s Night Markets: After-Dark Adventures Don’t let the fun stop when the sun sets. Xi’an's night markets come alive after dark, offering everything from quirky souvenirs to mouthwatering street snacks. It’s a great place to grab some bargains, people-watch, and take in the lively vibes of this historic city.
Why Xi’an is a Must-Visit
Xi'an might not have the big city bustle of Shanghai or the imperial charm of Beijing, but it more than makes up for it with a unique blend of ancient history, modern energy, and mouthwatering street food. Whether you’re hiking along city walls, getting lost in the Muslim Quarter, or marveling at the Terracotta Army, Xi'an has something to offer every kind of traveler.
So pack your bags, bring your appetite, and get ready to step back in time in Xi'an—where the past is never too far behind.
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Army of the Terracotta Warriors
The Terracotta Army is not just Xian’s most famous attraction – it may even be China’s. Discovered accidentally by villagers drilling a well in 1974, archaeologists eventually dug up thousands of life-sized sculpted warriors and horses that stood guard over the tomb of China’s first unifier, Qin Shi Huang. The attraction is divided into a museum and the three archaeological dig sites, each of which contain hundreds of soldiers. For the best experience take a guided tour, which will help you get to grips with the ancient Chinese world.
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Great Mosque
The booming metropolis of Xian is situated at the cultural crossroads of the Confucian and Islamic worlds and there is no better demonstration of this than the city’s Great Mosque. Constructed in stops and starts over the last millennia, it is a truly jaw-dropping site that blends Islamic calligraphy and minarets with the ideals and traditions of Confucianism. Guided tours of the complex are available but note that the turquoise-roofed Prayer Hall is closed to casual visitors.
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City Walls
One of Xian’s most enthralling experiences is the four-hour walk around it's remarkably intact 12th century city walls. Encircling the city’s historic core, the walls offer a breathtaking vantage point from which to consider Xian’s history and pass by many world-class attractions, including the colorful Guangren Temple.
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Muslim Quarter
Populated by Hui people (non-Uyghur Chinese Muslims), Xian’s Muslim Quarter has a pedigree that stretches back to the times of the Qing Dynasty. Today, the rabbit warren of narrow alleyways is filled with intoxicating smells and unforgettable sites, including many small mosques that date back nearly a millennia. For a taste of traditional Hui cooking, make sure to peruse the stalls of Beiyuanmen.
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Big Goose Pagoda
Formerly at the heart of the Tang Dynasty-era city of Xian, today the Big Goose Pagoda, which was completed in the year 652, sits well south of the historic core amongst the rush of Chinese modernity. Despite this, it remains one of the city’s most impressive landmarks with its gargantuan brick pagoda towering to the same height as surrounding apartment blocks. For the best experience, organized tours from the city center can take you to this jaw-dropping attraction.
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Imperial Tombs
Peppering the plains surrounding Xian are numerous imperial tombs, which can be explored with the help of guided tours from the city itself. The most interesting tomb is undoubtedly that of Wu Zetian, China’s only female emperor who ruled between 625 and 705, although many others are well worth visiting.
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Guangren Temple
The lone Buddhist temple is Shaanxi Province, Guangren Temple was largely built during the 20th century and is replete with the sense of tranquility and mystery usually associated with Buddhist places of worship. The temple’s highlights are undoubtedly the golden figure of Sakyamuni that sits atop a pedestal from the Tang Dynasty and the Hall of the 1000 Hand Guanyin.
