Xi'an travel guide
The Perfect Xi'an Itinerary: 2–3 Days
Two days in Xi’an: day one for the Terracotta Army and the Muslim Quarter at night; day two for the Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and a sunset cycle on the city wall. A third day adds Mount Hua or the Hanyangling tomb.
Before you start
Reserve the Shaanxi History Museum (free) and Terracotta Army (¥120) online ahead — both cap daily entries and use your passport. Stay inside the wall near the Bell Tower. Budget ¥250–450 per person per day including sights and food (lodging excluded).
Day 1 — The Terracotta Army
7.30am: tourist shuttle or Didi to the Terracotta Army (~1 hour east). Do Pit 1 first while it is quiet, then Pits 2–3 and the museum halls; the shuttle to the emperor’s mausoleum mound is included. Early afternoon: back to town, rest or tea. Evening: the Drum Tower square at dusk, then graze the Muslim Quarter’s lanes — roujiamo, skewers, pomegranate juice — ending at the Great Mosque’s quiet courtyards if time allows (closes early evening).
Day 2 — Museum, pagoda, wall
Morning: Shaanxi History Museum at opening (booked slot) — the Tang-dynasty treasures explain why Xi’an was the world’s biggest city. Midday: lunch nearby, then the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (around ¥40 to climb). Late afternoon: up onto the City Wall at Yongningmen (¥54) — rent a bike (~¥45) and ride the 14km loop as the light goes golden and the lanterns come on. Evening: the pagoda plaza’s free fountain show after dark.
Day 3 (optional) — Mount Hua or Hanyangling
Mount Hua: 30–40 minutes by high-speed train to Huashan North, then cable car up one of China’s five sacred mountains — granite peaks, temple perches and (for the bold) the plank-walk ledges. A full, exhilarating day. Hanyangling: the calmer option near the airport — a Han-dynasty tomb with its own smaller terracotta army in a superb underground gallery; pair with a flight day.
Itinerary tips
Museums close Mondays — if day 2 lands on a Monday, swap with day 3. In summer, wall and pagoda go early/late and museums take the midday heat. The warriors are indoors, so keep them as your bad-weather day. Leaving by sleeper train to Lanzhou or Dunhuang? The station area has luggage storage, so sightsee first.
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Xi’an itinerary — FAQs
Is 2 days enough for Xi’an?
Yes for the essentials: one day for the Terracotta Army plus the Muslim Quarter, one for the history museum, pagoda and a sunset wall cycle. A third day adds Mount Hua or Hanyangling — worth it if you can.
How do I get to the Terracotta Army from Xi’an?
Tourist shuttle buses run from the railway area, or take a Didi/hired car — about an hour. Entry is ¥120 including the pits, museum and mausoleum shuttle. Go at opening to beat the tour groups.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.