Things to Do in Xi’an, China: Terracotta Warriors, the City Wall and the Muslim Quarter (2026)

Xi’an was the starting point of the Silk Road and the capital of thirteen dynasties, and it still feels like the cradle of Chinese civilization. It is home to the Terracotta Army, one of the great archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century, and also to a medieval city wall you can cycle around, a lively Muslim Quarter and some of China’s best noodles. It deserves two to three days in any China itinerary.

1. The Terracotta Warriors

Thousands of life-size clay soldiers, each with a different face, were buried to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, around 210 BC. They lie in three pits at the Mausoleum Museum, about 40 km east of Xi’an.

• Tickets: about 120 yuan per person in 2026, covering Pits 1, 2 and 3 and the shuttle between the museum and Lishan Garden. A short electric cart from the gate to the museum is extra.
• Booking: reserve in advance, since daily numbers are limited. Foreign visitors book with their passport, and a guide can handle this for you.
• Hours: roughly 8:30am to 6:30pm from mid-March to mid-November, and slightly shorter in winter; the last entry is earlier than closing time.
• How long: allow three to four hours, including walking to and from the pits. Pit 1 is the largest and most impressive.
• Getting there: bus 5 from Xi’an station or the north railway station, or a private car, which is far easier.

2. Cycle the Xi’an City Wall

The Ming-dynasty wall surrounding the old city is about 13.7 km long and 12 meters high, wide enough for bicycles. A full lap takes two to three hours. Rent a single bike (around 45 yuan for three hours) or a tandem at any gate.

• Ticket: around 54 yuan for adults in 2026, with discounts for students and free entry for children and seniors with ID. Some listings show combined tickets at a higher price, so check before you pay.
• Best entry: the South Gate (Yongning Gate), beside a metro station on Line 2.
• When: late afternoon, when the lanterns come on along the battlements.

3. Eat in the Muslim Quarter

The lanes behind the Drum Tower are home to Xi’an’s Hui Muslim community, and to its best street food. Look for:

• Roujiamo: shredded pork or lamb in a crisp flatbread, the “Chinese hamburger”, about 10 to 15 yuan.
• Biang biang noodles: thick, hand-pulled noodles with chili oil and vinegar.
• Yangrou paomo: lamb stew with torn bread, eaten in a bowl.

The main street is crowded and tourist-priced. Walk two blocks north toward Beiyuanmen Street for cheaper, quieter stalls, and visit the Great Mosque, a Chinese-style mosque with garden courtyards dating from the eighth century.

4. Bell Tower and Drum Tower

Two Ming-dynasty towers in the city center. The Drum Tower hosts daily drum performances, and the Bell Tower sits on a roundabout that is spectacular when lit at night.

5. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

A seventh-century pagoda built to hold Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang. Come in the evening for the music fountain show in the square in front.

6. Shaanxi History Museum

A superb museum of Tang-dynasty gold, silk-road treasures and bronzes. Admission has been free with a timed reservation, so check the current rules and book ahead.

7. Huaqing Palace and the Qinling Mountains

Huaqing Hot Springs was the Tang emperors’ winter retreat, and Mount Hua, about two hours east, has some of China’s most dramatic cliff-side hikes.

A two-day Xi’an itinerary

1. Day 1 morning: Terracotta Warriors with a private guide.
2. Day 1 afternoon: cycle the City Wall at sunset.
3. Day 1 evening: dinner in the Muslim Quarter.
4. Day 2: Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell and Drum Towers.

When to visit Xi’an

April, May, September and October are the best months: mild temperatures and clear skies. Summer is hot, winter is cold and dry. See our guide to the best time to visit China.

Xi’an on a private China tour

Xi’an sits on the classic route between Beijing and Shanghai, reached by a fast train. A private guide secures timed tickets, explains the tomb’s story, and leads you to the best noodles in town. Explore our China tours, places to visit in China, and our guide to things to do in Beijing.

Things to do in Xi’an: FAQ

How long should you spend in Xi’an?

Two days covers the Terracotta Army, the City Wall and the Muslim Quarter; add a third for Mount Hua or the museum.

Do you need to book Terracotta Warriors tickets?

Yes. Daily numbers are limited, so book ahead, especially in spring, summer and autumn.

How much are Terracotta Army tickets?

About 120 yuan per person in 2026, with shuttle to Lishan Garden included and the electric cart from the gate extra.

What is the best food in Xi’an?

Roujiamo, biang biang noodles and yangrou paomo, found in the Muslim Quarter.

Can you cycle the Xi’an City Wall?

Yes. A full lap is about 13.7 km and takes two to three hours; bikes are rented at the gates.