Xi'an Travel Guide: Terracotta Army, Stay
By China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Checked and updated 2026-09-21 · Research basis: First-hand visit — photographed on location by the site owner
At a glance
Terracotta Army, intact Ming city walls and the Silk Road terminus; the third vertex of the classic Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai triangle.
Suggested stay: 2-3 days · Airports: XIY (Xianyang) · Train hubs: Xi'an North
What is Xi'an known for?
- Terracotta Army
- City Wall
What do you eat in Xi'an?
Shaanxi noodles · roujiamo. Rustic Shaanxi noodles and roujiamo beside the City Wall.
How do you arrive in Xi'an?
XIY (Xianyang) handle the international arrivals; Xi'an North is the high-speed rail entry point.
Tips from our own trips to Xi'an
- The Terracotta Warriors stop admitting at 16:30 with no same-day window — book the day before. Photos with the figures are allowed only at the designated spot, and Pit 1 justifies an official guide.
- The only official way to the warriors is Metro Line 9 to Huaqingchi, then the white state-run 306 bus (¥7). Roadside “warrior buses” are shopping tours.
- Shaanxi History Museum releases tickets three days ahead and closes Mondays.
- Climb only the Bell Tower (¥30 each, near-identical views). The best photo of both towers is from the Kaiyuan Mall railing across the road.
- Skip the Big Wild Goose Pagoda climb (¥25) — the terrace on floor 4 of the Da Yue City mall frames it better, and the north-square fountain runs 12:00, 16:00, 19:00 and 21:00; go after dark.
- Stay around Yongningmen or Nanshaomen, not the Bell Tower — newer rooms, local prices, metro on hand.
- The food hierarchy locals use: Sajinqiao first, then Dapiyuan and Xiyangshi behind the Muslim Quarter main drag. On menus, “premium” (优质) just means more lean meat for slightly more money.
From the site owner's own runs through Xi'an — photographed on location, updated 2026-09-21.
Where should you stay in Xi'an?
Bell Tower / Muslim Quarter is the default first-timer base — first-timers — Line 2 under your feet, food streets at the door. Before paying, check the property's guest policy and, for smaller hotels, confirm the front desk can register a foreign passport — licensing rules still exclude some budget properties. Hotel-by-hotel picks: where to stay in Xi'an →
| Area | Best for | The honest note |
|---|---|---|
| Bell Tower / Muslim Quarter | first-timers — Line 2 under your feet, food streets at the door | the quarter runs loud late; ask for a courtyard-facing room |
| South Gate (Yongningmen) | wall views and quieter boutique stays | 10 min walk to the quarter |
| Gaoxin (Hi-tech zone) | business trips and big modern hotels | far from the sights; skip on a short stay |
Area picks are editor research, verified 2026-09-21 — not sponsored placements. Book through the links below to support this site.
How do you get in from the airport?
XIY: Metro Line 14 (the old airport intercity, now merged in) runs from the terminal stations to North Railway Station, about 30 min, then Line 2/4 downtown - budget 60-70 min. Taxis flat-rate from about ¥150 (about $22); 40-60 min off-peak.
Plan your trip around these questions
- 🔍 Terracotta Army booking
- 🔍 Cycling the City Wall
- 🔍 The museum morning
- 🔍 Which food street
- 🔍 The 3-day Xi'an itinerary
Explore the Xi'an guides below, organised around the questions travelers ask before booking.
Which cities pair with Xi'an?
Frequently asked questions about Xi'an
- Can foreigners book the Terracotta Army?
Yes — book with your passport on the official channels the day before. Admissions stop at 16:30 and there is no same-day window. - How do I get to the Terracotta Army without a shopping tour?
Metro Line 9 to Huaqingchi, then the white state-run 306 bus (¥7, about $1). The roadside "warrior buses" are shopping tours. - Muslim Quarter or Sajinqiao for food?
Both: the Muslim Quarter main drag to stroll, Sajinqiao to actually eat — then Dapiyuan and Xiyangshi behind it. Same food, half the tourist markup. - Is the city-wall bike ride worth it?
Yes — roughly ¥54 (about $8) entry plus the bike hire, and the sunset slot is the classic. - Should I climb both the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower?
Just the Bell Tower (¥30, about $4.50) — the views are near-identical. The best photo of both towers is from the Kaiyuan Mall railing across the road. - Can I see the Longmen Grottoes from Xi’an?
Yes — high-speed rail to Luoyang Longmen takes 36–44 minutes, and the grottoes need their own advance booking.