10 Best Things to Do
Xi’an brings several chapters of Chinese history into one trip. Walk along the city wall, explore the courtyards of the Great Mosque and visit the pagodas associated with Buddhist travellers from India. The Terracotta Army lies outside the centre in Lintong, making a separate excursion worthwhile. Between museums, look for Shaanxi noodles, soup-filled buns and warming bowls of paomo around the old city, then head south to Qujiang for modern hotels and lakeside surroundings.
Terracotta Army
Lintong, China
The ranks of life-size warriors at Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum remain Xi’an’s essential archaeological experience. Start with the scale of the main excavation, then look closely at faces, armour and the differences between figures. The smaller pits help explain the army’s composition beyond the familiar massed infantry view. This is a substantial excursion to Lintong, outside the central city. Arrange transport and admission ahead, and consider a specialist guide to put the excavations in context.
Qin archaeology
Xi’an City Wall
Central Xi’an, China
Xi’an’s Ming-period wall gives the old city a clear outline and offers an unusually direct way to understand its layout. Walk a manageable section between gate towers, or enquire about cycling if you want to cover more of the circuit. Battlements, roofs and the moat create a changing view of the city below. Yongning Gate is a practical starting point. Bring water, choose a comfortable time of day and check access arrangements before planning a full circuit.
A walk above the old city
Great Mosque of Xi’an
Lianhu, China
Set within the lanes near the Drum Tower, the Great Mosque rewards a slower visit through courtyards, planted spaces and carved architectural details. Its Chinese forms and Islamic religious purpose tell a different story from the imperial monuments elsewhere in Xi’an. Combine it with a walk through the surrounding Muslim Quarter, leaving time to notice inscriptions and the sequence of gateways. This remains a place of worship, so dress respectfully and follow guidance about areas open to visitors.
Chinese Islamic architecture
Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Daci’en Temple
Yanta, China
The seven-storey Big Wild Goose Pagoda rises above Daci’en Temple in southern Xi’an. Its association with Xuanzang and Buddhist scriptures brought from India connects the building to the city’s role in the movement of ideas along Asian trade routes. Explore the temple grounds as well as the tower’s exterior, allowing time to appreciate its simple brick form. Check the separate access arrangements if you hope to climb, then continue into the surrounding Qujiang cultural district.
Tang Buddhist heritage
Shaanxi History Museum
Yanta, China
Shaanxi History Museum brings the region’s archaeological riches together, from bronze objects to Tang ceramics, gold and silver work. The collections make the connections between Xi’an’s scattered monuments easier to understand, particularly the wealth and international contacts of Tang Chang’an. Concentrate on a few periods or galleries rather than trying to absorb everything in one visit. Secure the required reservation before arranging the rest of your day, and check whether special exhibitions need separate admission.
Understanding China’s ancient capitals
Stele Forest Museum
Beilin, China
The Stele Forest Museum preserves inscriptions, epitaphs and sculpture in a setting associated with Xi’an’s former Confucian temple. Rows of upright stone tablets turn writing into an architectural experience, while the carved characters reveal changes in calligraphic style over many centuries. A knowledgeable guide is especially helpful here, since much of the interest lies in what the inscriptions say and why they were preserved. Allow time for the sculpture galleries as well as the celebrated steles.
Calligraphy carved in stone
Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum
Beilin, China
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda stands among the grounds of Jianfu Temple, beside Xi’an Museum. Its close-set brick eaves and truncated upper profile offer a striking contrast to the city’s larger pagoda. The combination of historic architecture, trees and museum displays makes this a rewarding stop when you want to slow the pace. Treat the grounds and museum as one visit, check reservation arrangements, and confirm access before assuming that the pagoda itself can be climbed.
A quieter cultural visit
Bell and Drum Towers
Central Xi’an, China
The Bell and Drum Towers anchor central Xi’an, their raised platforms and layered roofs marking the city’s historic daily rhythms. See them together to understand how the main streets meet around this central area, then continue towards the lanes of the Muslim Quarter. The illuminated exteriors are particularly rewarding after dark. Check current access notices before buying admission, as renovation can affect indoor exhibitions even when viewing platforms remain open. The Bell Tower entrance is reached through the pedestrian underpass.
The old city’s central landmarks
Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Xincheng, China
Daming Palace was a principal seat of Tang imperial power; today its archaeological park asks visitors to imagine a vanished complex on an immense scale. Palace foundations, museum interpretation and the layout of the grounds are the main reasons to come. This is an exploration of a historic site rather than a surviving furnished royal residence. Choose a route around the areas that interest you, and check which archaeological displays require admission before setting out across the park.
The scale of Tang Chang’an
Huaqing Palace
Lintong, China
Huaqing Palace occupies a landscaped setting at the foot of Mount Li, with historic bathing-pool remains and gardens linked to Tang imperial life. The association with Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei gives the site much of its romantic reputation, while later buildings add a separate chapter of twentieth-century history. It can be combined with the Terracotta Army on a carefully planned Lintong day. If the evening performance interests you, book it separately and arrange your return transport.
Imperial gardens and hot-spring history