How to Plan Xian Tour | 2020 Xian China Travel

How much time should I spend at the Terracotta Warriors site?

The Terracotta Warriors site typically requires around 2 to 3 hours to explore fully. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of your visit:

Pit 1: This is the largest and most impressive pit, housing thousands of life-sized warriors. It will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to walk around and take in all the details.
Pit 2 & Pit 3: These pits are smaller, but they still offer fascinating insights into the warriors’ arrangement and the ongoing excavation process. Plan for around 30 to 45 minutes for both.
Museum Exhibition Halls: The museum houses several exhibits, including pottery, weapons, and detailed information about the history of the Terracotta Army. Expect to spend another 30 to 45 minutes here.
Additional time: Allow for extra time if you want to explore the surrounding areas, take photos, or enjoy a quick break.

Overall, 2.5 to 3 hours will give you a thorough experience, but if you're particularly interested in history, you may want to allocate a little more time.

Do I need a visa to visit Xi'an China?

Most travelers do need a tourist visa to visit Xi’an. However, there are exceptions:

Visa-Free Entry (Up to 15–30 Days)

Citizens of the following countries can enter China visa-free for up to 15 or 30 days for tourism, business, or visiting family:

Asia: Singapore, Japan, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE, Qatar, South Korea
Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, and many others
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Americas: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico

(Policies for some countries are valid until December 31, 2025)

72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit

If you are transiting through China to a third country (with confirmed flight tickets), you may enjoy visa-free transit for 72 or 144 hours.
Applies to passport holders from 54 countries, including:

USA, Canada, UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, etc.

Xi’an Airport is one of the cities that allows 72/144-hour transit visa exemptions.

How to apply visa to Mainland China?

To visit Mainland China, most travelers need to apply for a Tourist (L) Visa. Here’s how:

Complete the Online Visa Application Form
Visit the official China Online Visa Application (COVA) website:
?? https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn
Fill in your personal details, itinerary, and upload a recent photo.
Book an Appointment
After submitting the online form, go to the China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) website for your country to book an appointment for document submission and biometric collection.
?? https://www.visaforchina.cn
Prepare Required Documents

Passport (valid at least 6 months, with blank pages)
Visa application form printout
Passport photo
Round-trip flight ticket
Hotel bookings or invitation letter
Travel itinerary

Attend Your Appointment
Bring all documents to your scheduled visa center appointment. You may need to provide fingerprints.
Collect Your Visa
Standard processing takes about 4–7 working days. Expedited services may be available.

What are the must-see attractions and activities in Xi’an?

Xi'an is one of China’s top holiday destinations, second only to Beijing. The city offers a wealth of attractions and activities that are a must-see for both first-time visitors and frequent travelers. Below are the top ten things to do in Xi'an:

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Shaanxi History Museum
Ancient City Wall
Muslim Quarter
Bell Tower & Drum Tower
Famen Temple
Huashan Mountain
Huangdi Mausoleum
Small Wild Goose Pagoda

These attractions will provide you with a comprehensive view of Xi'an’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty.

Is Xi'an allow 72-hour Transit Visa Transit Visa Exemptions?

Passport holders of the following 51 countries and regions can be granted a visa-free stay up to 72 hours while transiting via Xi'an:
24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
13 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania
6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
2 Oceania Countries:Australia, New Zealand
6 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar

When is the best time to visit Xi'an?

The weather in Xi'an is pleasant all year round. The best time to visit Xi'an is in spring (Mar.-May) and autumn (Sept.-Nov.) with its mild temperature. With warm sunshine and gentle breeze, have a leisure walk or biking on the Ancient City Wall to feel more ancient features of the city and you can enjoy the flower blooms, it is an exercising paradise for all walks of people. In autumn, biking in the old part of the city is also a good choice, it's cool and pleasant. Besides, when various folk festivities, like Mid-Autumn festival, you can have a chance to celebrate an authentic festival in China and try delicious mooncake.

Should I bring some cash for a stopover in Xi'an Airport?

It's handy to have some cash when you arrive, there are 24 hour currency exchange counters at Xian Xianyang airport in terminal as well as ATMs. It's advisable to exchange some cash at the airport counters or ATM as you may need to buy entrance tickets for the sites, food or drink, you can't use credit card everywhere in Xian, people in China mostly use Alipay, WeChat and Cash.

What is the weather in Xian?

Xian features in a warm temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate with distinct four seasons. It is characterized by hot, humid summers, cold, dry winters, and dry springs and autumns.
Spring (From March till May)
Weather in Spring is warm and comfortable. Temperatures climb reaching 20.1°C (68.1°F) generally in the afternoon with overnight lows of 8.6°C (47.5°F), flower blooms. There are occasional dust storms due to the rapid increase of temperatures. A quarter of the area's annual rainfall occurs in spring, however with the pleasant temperature, gentle breezes and warm sunshine. It is one of the best seasons to do your tour in Xian.

Summer (From June to August)
Summer in Xian becomes hot and humid, The average temperature waves between 15 °C and 26 °C. It is cool in the early morning and evening but hot in the daytime. The maximum temperature often above 34? (93°F). There is much rainfall during July and August, half of Xian's annual rainfall occurs during the summer, covering about 37% of the whole year. You'd better prepare sunglasses, sunscreen cream and umbrella.

Autumn (From September to November)
Different from Summer, the weather in Autumn is cool and comfortable. It can be cloudy often, with a fair amount of rain, early autumn is also humid, wet days averagely count 12 days, but in late autumn, it's fine and cool. The monthly average temperatures are respectively 19.6? (67.3 °F), 13.8? (56.8 °F) and 6.8? (44.2 °F), along with obvious and quick decline. It decreases achieving average highs of 18.7°C (65.7°F) during the day and lows of 9.4°C (48.9°F) generally shortly after sunrise.

Winter ( From December to February)
Winter could be cold and dry. There are occasional snowfalls, but they rarely settle for long. Snow covers the palaces, ancient city wall and pagodas, which is very beautiful. In the winter time records indicate temperatures by day reach 6.2°C (43.2°F) on average falling to -3°C (26.7°F) overnight. The lowest monthly average temperature of -o.5? (31.1 °F), despite the might-be -10? (14°F) during the cold spell. There will be a few ski resorts in the city and you can join a skiing tour.

What to pack for Xian?

Spring (from March to May): It is still cold in the early spring. It is recommended to wear windbreakers, jackets, sweaters, trousers, long sleeve, sweater, and other clothes to keep warm.
Summer (from June to August): It is recommended to wear sun block shirt, sunhat, sunglasses, cotton and linen shirts, thin skirts, thin T-shirts and other breathable clothes. It rather rains or pretty sunny, and it is suggested to take some suncream and an umbrella with you.
Autumn (from September to November): It is recommended to wear shirts, long skirts and thin sweaters, windbreakers, casual clothes, jackets, suits, etc.
Winter (from December to February): It is recommended to wear overcoats, sweaters, winter coat, woolen jacket, gloves, down jacket and scarfs to keep warm. The AQI is occasionally over 100 because of the dry weather. It is suggested to wear a mask when you have an outdoor activity.

How many days should I spend in Xian? Is one day enough?

For Xian, one day may be a bit tight to see everything the city has to offer. Given the current itinerary you're working on, with visits to the Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Muslim Great Mosque, one day will likely give a good overview of the key highlights.
However, if you'd like to explore more of Xian, such as the ancient city wall, Shaanxi Museum, or the vibrant Muslim Quarter, it would be better to plan for at least two days. This will give you more time to enjoy the city without feeling rushed. Considering your group's preferences for light history and relaxation, I would recommend a full day for your current plan, but adding another day could provide more flexibility and enjoyment.

2-Day Itinerary:

Day 1:

Visit the Terracotta Army, which is a must-see landmark of Xian, and spend half a day exploring it.
In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and enjoy the fountain show.
In the evening, visit the Muslim Quarter to taste local snacks and experience the vibrant night market atmosphere.

Day 2:

In the morning, visit the Xian Museum to learn more about Xian’s history.
Then, choose to explore the Ancient City Wall or the Great Tang All Day Mall to enjoy the scenery and relax.
In the afternoon, you can visit Great Tang All Day Mall.

3-Day Itinerary:

Day 1:

Visit the Terracotta Army.
In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and enjoy the fountain show.
In the evening, explore the Muslim Quarter.

Day 2:

In the morning, visit the Xian Museum.
In the afternoon, visit the Ancient City Wall, where you can walk or bike along the ancient fortifications to take in the history and views.
In the evening, visit the Bell Tower and stroll around the nearby pedestrian streets.

Day 3:

In the morning, explore the Great Tang All Day Mall or Daming Palace National Heritage Park, which offer beautiful gardens and ancient buildings.
In the afternoon, visit Huaqing Hot Springs or the Stele Forest Museum for more historical insights.
For dinner, try some traditional Xian dishes at a local restaurant.

What are the best tours in Xian?

As the starting point of ancient Silk Road, Xian is also the cradle of Chinese civilization, has brilliant culture, profound history and breath-taking scenery. Xian Private Tour is local tour operator, offers all kinds of theme tour packages that show you different charming of Xian. If you are addicted to Chinese history, you can choose Fully guided Xian Highlights Tour or Xian Tour with Terracotta Warriors Tour with Tang Dynasty Dance Show; If you only want to visit Terracotta Warriors in Xian, then you can choose Private Half Day Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Optional Morning or Afternoon Departure; As for the nature scenery, a day tour from Xian to Huashan by bullet train is highly recommended. For more tours, please refer to Xian Private Tours page or contact us by email for more details.

Should we join day tours once we arrive in Xi'an?

If you're short on time, we recommend booking a tour package with a travel agency for your visit to Xi'an. A well-organized tour, led by a knowledgeable guide and accompanied by an experienced driver, can take the stress out of booking transportation and planning a good itinerary. Not only will this ensure that you visit all the key highlights in one day, but it will also provide you with local insights that enhance your experience.

As a local travel agency, we offer a variety of Xi'an day tours and tour packages tailored to different interests and schedules. Feel free to contact us if you'd like to book a tour with us. We're here to make your visit to Xi'an seamless and memorable!

How do I book Xi'an tour with you?

Send us an inquiry for the tour that you are interested, or click "Enquiry Now" button on our website. Once we received your inquiry, we will send you the tour itinerary and quotation accordingly by email. After everything was confirmed, we require 20%-30% of the total payment to ensure the tour booking, and the balance you can pay the guide in cash. Please let us know your Xian hotel details ahead the tour, so we can manage the pickup time. If you come to Xian from Beijing or other cities by train or flight, please let us know your flight No. or train No. since there are many exits at the airport or train station.

What payment methods do you accept if I book tour with you?

We accept payments via PayPal, Bank Transfer, Alipay, WeChat, and Cash.

To confirm your tour, we typically require a deposit of 20%-30% of the total cost, which can be paid via PayPal, Bank Transfer, Alipay, or WeChat. The remaining balance can be settled in cash (USD is acceptable) directly with the guide, or through PayPal.

For your convenience, we recommend bringing sufficient cash with you in advance. However, if you prefer not to carry too much, our guide can assist you in locating an ATM during the tour to withdraw cash as needed.

Let us know if you have any further questions or require additional assistance!

What are the best things to do at night in Xi'an?

In Xian, the night offers a variety of experiences. Here are some top things to do:

Visit the Muslim Quarter
Enjoy the lively atmosphere, local street food, and shopping.
Explore the Ancient City Wall
Walk or bike along the wall for stunning night views of the city.
Visit the Bell Tower and Drum Tower
These landmarks are beautifully lit and surrounded by shops and restaurants.
Enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show
Watch a traditional performance showcasing Chinese music and dance.
Walk Around the Great Wild Goose Pagoda
Admire the illuminated pagoda or catch the Fountain Show.
Visit Yongxingfang Night Market
A lively market where you can shop for local goods and enjoy traditional snacks.
Visit Tang Paradise
A beautifully lit park that replicates the Tang Dynasty atmosphere.
Xi'an Night Cruise
Enjoy a river cruise with scenic views of illuminated landmarks.
Xi'an Bar Street
Experience the nightlife on this vibrant street lined with bars and clubs near the South Gate.

These activities will give you a perfect mix of history, culture, and entertainment at night in Xian!

What are the best things to do in Xi’an for families with kids?

While the Terracotta Warriors are the main reason many visit Xian, the city—once the capital of 13 dynasties—is full of exciting activities that both adults and kids will love. Here are the top things to do in Xian with kids:

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum
Step back in time and marvel at the thousands of life-sized warriors that once protected the first emperor's tomb. It’s a fascinating adventure for young explorers and history buffs!
Take a Chinese Calligraphy Lesson
Unleash your inner artist! Kids can learn the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy, creating their own beautiful characters and getting a taste of traditional Chinese culture.
Ancient City Wall
Walking the ancient city wall is impressive, but why not make it more fun by cycling around it? It’s an exciting way for kids to experience Xian’s history while enjoying panoramic views of the city.
Xian Zoo
A great spot for animal lovers! From playful pandas to exotic creatures, the Xian Zoo offers a fun, family-friendly experience that kids will absolutely enjoy.
Stroll Down the Muslim Quarter
Immerse yourselves in the lively atmosphere of the Muslim Quarter. With vibrant stalls, delicious street food, and unique souvenirs, it's the perfect place for kids to sample local treats and enjoy the buzz of Xian.
Xian Qinling Wild Animal Park
Explore the beauty of nature and get up close to wildlife at the Qinling Wild Animal Park. It’s an exciting day out for the whole family, with animals roaming in natural habitats.
Qujiang Polar Ocean Park
Dive into an aquatic adventure at the Qujiang Polar Ocean Park, where kids can marvel at sea creatures, watch dolphin shows, and explore the underwater world in a fun and interactive environment.
Huaqing Palace
Take a walk through history at Huaqing Palace, a stunning spot with beautiful gardens and a fascinating story. Kids can enjoy the scenic beauty while learning about ancient Chinese emperors and their palaces.

Xian isn’t just about history—it’s also about fun and discovery for the whole family. These activities will surely make your visit an unforgettable adventure.

Are there any museums worth visiting in Xi’an besides the Terracotta Army?

What are the must-try local foods in Xi’an?

When visiting Xian, there are several must-try local foods that offer a true taste of the city's rich culinary heritage. Here are some of the top dishes to sample:

Biang Biang Noodles
Thick, hand-pulled noodles served with a variety of toppings, including chili oil, garlic, and vegetables. The name "biang" is famously complicated, reflecting the complexity and deliciousness of the dish.
Rou Jia Mo
Often referred to as a Chinese hamburger, this dish consists of slow-braised pork or beef stuffed into a soft, fluffy flatbread. It's a popular street food in Xian.
Yangrou Paomo
A traditional Xian dish made with lamb soup and crumbled flatbread. The bread is dipped into the hot soup, making for a hearty and flavorful meal.
Xian-style Dumplings
Xian is known for its dumplings, particularly those filled with various meats, vegetables, and even soups. They are often served with dipping sauces and are a staple of the city's cuisine.
Cold Noodles
A refreshing dish perfect for warm weather, these noodles are served cold with a spicy, sour sauce and garnished with vegetables and chili oil.
Shui Jiao
A variation of dumplings that are typically filled with pork, beef, or vegetables, and served in a light broth or with dipping sauce.
Chinese Hamburger
Another version of the Rou Jia Mo, this one uses marinated and braised meat, often lamb or beef, making it especially flavorful and savory.
Pomegranate Juice
Xian is known for its delicious pomegranates, and the fresh pomegranate juice is a refreshing drink that pairs wonderfully with local dishes.
Spicy Lamb Skewers
These skewers of grilled lamb are often seasoned with a variety of spices and grilled to perfection, making them a popular snack throughout the city.
Qinling Wild Mushrooms
If you're looking for something unique, try dishes that feature wild mushrooms from the Qinling Mountains, often prepared in stews or stir-fries.