China
Xi'an
Ancient Silk Road capital with intact city walls and the Terracotta Army. Stay 2–3 days. This guide pulls together 5 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot from our curated routes.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Apr – May, Sep – Oct
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- September
5 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai
from our route notes
35°C / 95°F avg high
6°C / 43°F avg high
about 125 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Xi'an
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Xi'an across Lintong, Yanta and Beilin.
Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0SeeTerracotta Army
Thousands of life-size clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China's first emperor.
Tip See Pit 1 last; Pits 2 and 3 make more sense first.
Photo: Alex Kwok · CC BY-SA 3.0SeeBig Wild Goose Pagoda
Tang dynasty pagoda built to hold scriptures brought back from India.
Tip The fountain show on the north plaza runs in the evening.
Photo: Wang Zhongyin · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeShaanxi History Museum
Top-tier collection from Zhou to Tang dynasties, including Tang murals.
Tip Free tickets are limited; reserve online days ahead.
Photo: Zuzana Szaloova · GoogleSeeBell Tower and Drum Tower
Two Ming towers at the heart of the walled city, lit at night.
Tip Drum performances run several times a day.
Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0SeeGreat Mosque of Xi'an
Chinese-style mosque with courtyards and pavilions, founded in the Tang era.
Tip Dress modestly; closed to visitors during prayers.
Do
Hands-on ways to spend time in Xi'an in Beilin.
Photo: Jeffery Huang · GoogleDoXi'an City Wall
Fully intact Ming wall, 14 km around, best ridden by rented bike.
Tip Start at South Gate (Yongningmen) and ride before sunset.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Xi'an.
Photo: Justin · GoogleOutdoorsHuaqing Palace
Hot spring palace grounds below Mount Li, near the Terracotta Army.
Tip Combine with the Terracotta Army on the same day.
Eat
2 places to eat across Muslim Quarter and Beilin, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Tan Sean · GoogleEatMuslim Quarter (Huimin Jie)
Hui food streets with lamb skewers, roujiamo and persimmon cakes.
Tip Explore side streets like Sajinqiao for better local food.
Photo: Shaohan Hu · GoogleEatLao Sun Jia
Restaurant dating back over a century, known for yangrou paomo lamb soup with bread.
Tip Tear the bread into tiny pieces before it goes in the soup.
Drink
1 bar or café in Beilin for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
How to fit Xi'an into a trip
Xi'an is stop 2 of 3 on our Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai route. Follow it as-is or lift Xi'an into your own plan.
Stop 2 of 3
Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai
Great Wall, Terracotta Army and the Bund
- Trip length
- 10 days
- Best season
- Apr – May, Sep – Oct
- Pace
- moderate
Getting here and onward
- Beijing to Xi'anBeijing is about 905 km / 563 mi away in a straight line
- Xi'an to ShanghaiShanghai is about 1,221 km / 759 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Xi'an month by month
Average daily highs run from 6°C / 43°F in January to 35°C / 95°F in July. September is the wettest month, with about 125 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan6° / 43°F average high
- Feb11° / 51°F average high
- Mar18° / 64°F average high
- Apr25° / 77°F average high, in our recommended season
- May30° / 85°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun34° / 93°F average high
- Jul35° / 95°F average high
- Aug33° / 92°F average high
- Sep27° / 81°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct21° / 70°F average high, in our recommended season
- Nov14° / 58°F average high
- Dec7° / 45°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Xi'an weather and the best time to visit →
Xi'an questions, answered
How many days do you need in Xi'an?
Our route notes suggest 2–3 days in Xi'an. On our Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 10-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 18 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Xi'an best known for?
Ancient Silk Road capital with intact city walls and the Terracotta Army. Stay 2–3 days. Standouts on our list: Terracotta Army (Thousands of life-size clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China's first emperor); Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Tang dynasty pagoda built to hold scriptures brought back from India); Shaanxi History Museum (Top-tier collection from Zhou to Tang dynasties, including Tang murals).
When is the best time to visit Xi'an?
Our Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai route is best Apr – May, Sep – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (35°C / 95°F), the coolest in January (6°C / 43°F) and the most rain in September (about 125 mm).
What are the best things to do in Xi'an?
Start with Terracotta Army, Xi'an City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum and Bell Tower and Drum Tower. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 5 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Xi'an?
Our picks: Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie); Lao Sun Jia (Beilin). Explore side streets like Sajinqiao for better local food (Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie)).
Plan Xi'an with your crew
Open the Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.