Xi'an

Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, is where you go to see the Terracotta Army, walk the intact Ming-era city wall and eat in the Muslim Quarter.

Find a room in Xi'an Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Xi'an

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi province, on the Guanzhong Plain in northwestern China. The city was called Chang'an for much of its history, and dynasties including the Western Han, Sui and Tang made it their capital. The Terracotta Army lies about 40 km east of the city center, in Lintong district. Inside the city, the Ming-era wall is still intact. It runs about 11.9 km around, stands 12 m high and has gates, corner towers and watchtowers.

The Muslim Quarter near the city center is home to the Great Mosque, which dates from the Tang dynasty and mixes Islamic and traditional Chinese architecture. Yangrou paomo, flatbread torn into lamb soup, is the signature dish, and you will also find liangpi cold noodles and roujiamo, pork in a bun. Halal food is common because a sizeable Hui Muslim community lives here. Spring and autumn are the driest seasons. Summers are hot and humid with short thunderstorms, and winters are cold and dry, with frequent smog. Two days is enough for the Terracotta Army, the wall and the Muslim Quarter. A third day suits a slower pace.

Xi'an in five

Book the Terracotta Army aheadTickets are real-name and tied to your passport. Book online before the day, and go at opening to see Pit 1 before the groups.
Cycle the city wallThe Ming-era wall runs about 14 km around the old city. Bikes are rented on top; allow about 2 hours for the loop.
Eat in the Muslim QuarterStreets north of the Drum Tower serve roujiamo, biangbiang noodles and yangrou paomo. Go in the evening.
Check the visa-free list before you bookXi'an has international flights, but many visitors arrive by fast train from Beijing or Chengdu. Confirm your entry rule for your passport first.Visa-free entry to China
Pair Xi'an with Beijing or ChengduFast trains run to both: roughly 4.5 to 6 hours to Beijing and 3 to 4 hours to Chengdu. Book on 12306 with your passport.Beijing

Things to do in Xi'an

See all attractions in Xi'an

a tall white building with a sky background

Museum · Xi'anEmperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site MuseumGo on a weekday afternoon, such as a Tuesday around 3 pm, when the site is quieter.

Park · Xi'anGuangren Temple

a tall tower with a clock on the top of it

Historic site · Xi'anBell Tower of Xi'an

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Xi'anPut the places you like in Xi'an on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Xianyang (XIY), about 1 hour by metro or car
Getting there: High-speed trains from Beijing about 4.5–6 hours, Chengdu about 3–4
Getting around: Metro and taxis; buses from the station to the warriors
Best base: Inside the city wall near the Bell Tower
Time needed: 2 days

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh7°Low-2°Cold, dry
FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh10°Low0°Cold
MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Mild
AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Mild, clear
MayClear7 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Warm
JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Hot
JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh33°Low24°Hot, humid
AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Hot
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Warm
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Clear
NovemberClear6 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Cool
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh8°Low-1°Cold

Average daily high and low in Xi'an, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Xi'an

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 10°
Humidity: 40%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 43%

Xi'an

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today14°6°43%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 43%.
Wed19°9°41%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 41%.
Thu18°7°6%Thursday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 6%.
Fri18°7°4%Friday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sat12°9°88%Saturday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 88%.
Sun17°7°85%Sunday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 85%.
Mon16°4°10%Monday: Clear. High 16°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.

Updated 01:25 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY

Amount

Converted to

CNY · Chinese Yuan

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Terracotta Armyabout 1 hour by bus or carThree pits and the museum. Book tickets ahead.
Huashanabout 30–40 min by high-speed trainSteep granite peaks with cable cars and cliff paths.

Before you go to Xi'an

Terracotta Army guided toursTransfers plus a guide at Pit 1Compare tours

Stays inside the city wallBell Tower and Muslim Quarter basesCheck availability

eSIM for Xi'anMaps for the wall loop and station busesRead the guide

Travel insurance for Xi'anCover if you hike HuashanRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Xi'an, checked

Check visa and visa-free entry rules on the National Immigration Administration website before you fly, as policies change.Source
Carry your passport when you go out.
Smog is common in winter. During heavy pollution alerts, driving may be restricted by licence plate number and schools may close.
Metro and bus fares can be paid by Alipay or UnionPay QR code, and the Chang'an Tong card gives a 10% metro discount.

Plan around Xi'an

All of China

Visa-free entry, payments, trains and cities

Read the guide Beijing

Forbidden City, hutongs and the Great Wall

Read the guide Chengdu

Pandas and Sichuan food, 3 to 4 hours away

Read the guide China visa-free entry

The 30-day list and the 240-hour transit

Read the guide Dunhuang

Mogao Caves at the desert end of the Silk Road

Read the guide Shanxi

Pingyao, Datong and Mount Wutai next door

Read the guide Kashgar

Silk Road city in Xinjiang, with advisory notes

Read the guide

Xi'an FAQ

How do I get to the Terracotta Army from Xi'an?

By tourist bus from the east square of Xi'an railway station, by taxi, or with a tour. It takes about an hour each way.

How many days do I need in Xi'an?

Two. One for the warriors, one for the wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Muslim Quarter.

When is the best time to visit Xi'an?

April, May, September and October. Summers are hot and busy, and the first week of October brings national holiday crowds.

Is the Terracotta Army worth visiting?

Yes. Pit 1 shows the army in formation and is the main reason to come. Go at opening, allow two to three hours, and book a real-name ticket ahead.

Where should I stay in Xi'an?

Inside the city wall near the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, which puts the Muslim Quarter, the wall and the metro within reach. Stay near the station only if you have an early train.