Things to Do in Xian
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Xian, China, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Xian. Ancient capital, thousands of life-sized clay soldiers standing guard underground, an ancient Chinese capital holding one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, and still enclosed by one of the best-preserved city walls in the country. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Xian: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the eerie feeling. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The Terracotta Army
Xian is home to the Terracotta Army, thousands of life-sized statues built to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China's first unifying emperor, buried with an entire army sculpted to protect him in the afterlife, a properly extraordinary archaeological site, each figure was individually crafted with distinct facial features, worth allowing a proper half-day to appreciate the sheer scale, thousands of soldiers, horses, and chariots arranged across several large excavation pits.
The site continues to be actively excavated, worth knowing much of the tomb complex itself remains unopened, worth booking a guide if you want proper context on both the discovery (found accidentally by farmers digging a well in 1974) and the ongoing archaeological work.
Hours Daily, roughly 8.30am–5pm
Getting there About 1 hour from central Xian
The Silk Road's Starting Point
Xian served as the eastern starting point for the Silk Road, one of history's most significant trade routes, caravans set off from here carrying goods that would eventually reach as far as Europe, worth appreciating this history as you explore the city, Xian's position at this starting point made it one of the wealthiest, most cosmopolitan cities in the ancient world for centuries.
The Great Mosque of Xian, reflecting the city's long Muslim community shaped partly by this trade history, is worth a visit, a properly distinctive blend of Chinese and Islamic architectural styles, worth combining with a wander through the surrounding Muslim Quarter, well known for its street food.
Hours Daily, roughly 8am–7pm
Address Great Mosque of Xian, Muslim Quarter
Xian's Ancient City Walls
Xian's old city centre is still enclosed by one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China, thick enough in places that visitors can cycle along the top of the ramparts, worth doing exactly that, cycling the full loop, roughly 14 kilometres, offers a properly unusual way to see the old city from above, bike rental is available directly at the wall.
It's worth allowing a couple of hours for the full loop, or a shorter section if you'd rather not commit to the whole distance, either way, this is a properly rare opportunity to cycle atop centuries-old fortifications.
Hours Daily, roughly 8am–10pm
Address Xian City Wall
Best time to visit Xian
March through May and September through October give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking and cycling this list involves, mild without summer's heat.
Xian's Terracotta Army and city wall work well year-round, worth visiting even outside the shoulder seasons if the weather isn't your priority.
Getting around Xian
Xian's old city is walkable, and cycling the city wall is a properly practical way to get a sense of the layout. Buses and organised tours cover the Terracotta Army, about an hour outside the city.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Xian worth visiting?
- Yes, unquestionably, the Terracotta Army alone is one of the most significant archaeological sites anywhere in the world, and the ancient city walls and Silk Road history add real depth beyond it.
- How many days do you need in Xian?
- Three days covers the Terracotta Army, the city wall, and the Muslim Quarter comfortably.
- Is Xian expensive?
- No, generally affordable, food, local transport, and most attractions remain reasonably priced.
- What is Xian famous for?
- The Terracotta Army, built to guard the tomb of China's first unifying emperor, serving as the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, and its well-preserved ancient city walls.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
