10 Best Things to Do in Xi’an

Looking for what to do in Xi’an? Once the capital of multiple Chinese dynasties and the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, Xi’an is a city where ancient history is never far from view. From buried armies of terracotta warriors to towering city walls, pagodas and bustling food streets filled with aromas of cumin, chilli and grilled lamb, Xi’an offers a rich blend of archaeology, religion and everyday life.

Today, modern avenues and a growing skyline sit comfortably alongside temples, mosques and old neighbourhoods, while day trips reveal hot spring resorts and dramatic mountains just beyond the city limits. Whether you’re drawn by the Terracotta Army, Shaanxi cuisine or the chance to walk along one of China’s best-preserved city walls, Xi’an rewards visitors who take time to explore its different layers. Here are the 10 best things to do in Xi’an, crafted to help you experience the city in depth.

1. Visit the Terracotta Army at Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum

The Terracotta Army is one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of the 20th century and Xi’an’s most famous attraction. Discovered by farmers in 1974, the vast underground army was created over 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Thousands of life-sized warriors, horses and chariots stand in long battle formations, each figure uniquely detailed with different facial expressions, hairstyles and armour.

The museum complex is divided into several pits, with Pit 1 being the most impressive — a vast hangar-like hall where rows of soldiers stretch into the distance. Exhibits explain how the army was built, painted and arranged, as well as the broader story of the Qin dynasty. Visiting in the morning helps you avoid the largest crowds and gives you more time to absorb the scale and artistry of this ancient masterpiece.

2. Walk or Cycle Along Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall

Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall is one of the best-preserved and most complete city walls in China, encircling the old urban core in a rectangular loop. Built during the Ming dynasty on earlier foundations, the wall stands around 12–14 metres high and is wide enough for both pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy panoramic circuits above the city streets.

You can access the wall via several gate towers, rent a bicycle at the top and ride the full circuit or just walk a shorter section. Along the way, you’ll pass corner ramparts, watchtowers and views over both the old urban fabric and the modern districts beyond. Sunset and evening visits are particularly atmospheric, with lanterns and city lights twinkling below.

3. Explore the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque

Just northwest of the Drum Tower lies Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter, a lively maze of streets reflecting the city’s long history as a Silk Road crossroads. Here, Hui Muslim culture mixes with Han Chinese traditions in a vibrant street-food and market scene. Stalls sell everything from grilled lamb skewers and roujiamo (Chinese-style “burgers”) to hand-pulled noodles, pomegranate juice and sweets dusted with sesame and nuts.

Tucked within the quarter is the Great Mosque of Xi’an, one of the oldest and most beautiful mosques in China. Its courtyards and halls blend Islamic and traditional Chinese architectural elements — wooden pavilions, courtyards, calligraphy and carved stone tablets. Visiting both the streets and the mosque gives you a deeper sense of how trade, religion and culture have intertwined here for over a millennium.

4. Visit the Drum Tower and Bell Tower in the City Centre

The Drum Tower and Bell Tower stand near the heart of Xi’an, marking the historic centre of the old city. The Bell Tower sits at the main intersection of avenues leading to the four gates, while the Drum Tower sits just to the west, guarding the entrance to the Muslim Quarter. Both towers date back to the Ming dynasty and have been restored to showcase their traditional wooden architecture and sweeping tiled roofs.

Climb their upper levels for views over surrounding streets, squares and rooftops. Inside, exhibits explain how drums and bells were once used to mark time and signal daily routines. In the evenings, the towers are beautifully illuminated, forming photogenic landmarks surrounded by lively streets and plazas.

5. Discover the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Da Ci’en Temple

South of the city walls, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda rises above the Da Ci’en Temple complex, a key site in the history of Buddhism in China. Originally built in the 7th century to store Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang, the pagoda stands as a symbol of religious devotion and cultural exchange along the Silk Road.

Visitors can wander through temple courtyards, view statues and murals, and climb the pagoda for views over the southern districts of Xi’an. The surrounding plaza features fountains and wide promenades, which come alive at night with music and light shows. The combination of ancient pagoda and modern cityscape makes this area particularly striking.

6. Explore Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi History Museum is one of China’s premier regional museums, offering a comprehensive overview of the province’s long and influential past. Galleries trace the history of early cultures, the Qin and Han dynasties, the Tang Golden Age and later periods through carefully curated artefacts.

Highlights include elegant Tang dynasty figurines, glazed ceramics, bronze vessels, murals, coins and everyday items that bring centuries of life in this region into focus. A visit here deepens your understanding of how Xi’an evolved from imperial capital to modern city and why Shaanxi is considered the cradle of much of Chinese civilization.

7. Stroll or Sip Tea at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda Area

Less crowded than its “Big” counterpart, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda sits within a peaceful park that also houses the Xi’an Museum. The pagoda itself, slightly shorter and more understated, survived multiple earthquakes and leans slightly, adding to its character and charm.

The surrounding gardens, ponds and tree-lined paths make this an ideal place for a quieter stroll or a rest on a bench away from traffic. Nearby teahouses and museum exhibits complement the visit, offering insight into local history, traditional architecture and Xi’an’s cultural development over time.

8. Take a Day Trip to Huaqing Palace and the Hot Springs

Located at the foot of Mount Li, Huaqing Palace has been a hot spring retreat for emperors since ancient times. The site is famous for its elegant pools, gardens and pavilions, as well as for its association with the romance between Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his beloved consort Yang Guifei.

Walking through the grounds, you’ll see reconstructed baths, scenic ponds, stone terraces and courtyards that evoke the luxury of imperial leisure. The setting, with mountains rising behind and hot spring steam curling into the air, makes Huaqing an evocative day trip, often combined with a visit to the Terracotta Army just a short drive away.

9. Hike or Cable Car Up Mount Hua (Huashan)

Mount Hua, one of China’s Five Great Mountains, lies a train ride away from Xi’an and offers dramatic granite peaks, narrow stairways chiseled into cliffs and sweeping views over valleys and plains. Trails range from relatively straightforward paths to more daring routes with steep staircases and cliffside walkways.

Cable cars provide access to higher sections for those who prefer less strenuous climbs, while serious hikers can tackle routes linking multiple peaks. Whether you visit for a half-day or a full day, Huashan’s ridges, temples and dramatic drops offer one of the most memorable outdoor experiences in the region.

10. Taste Xi’an’s Local Flavours: Biangbiang Noodles, Roujiamo and More

Xi’an’s food scene reflects its Silk Road heritage, blending flavours from northern China, Central Asia and beyond. Thick, hand-pulled biangbiang noodles tossed with chilli, vinegar, vegetables and sometimes meat are a city speciality, famous for their chewy texture and bold flavours. Roujiamo — often described as a Chinese hamburger — features spiced, slow-cooked meat stuffed into a crispy flatbread.

Other must-try dishes include lamb skewers grilled over charcoal, liangpi cold noodles, paomo (bread soaked in rich lamb or beef broth) and an array of breads, dumplings and sweets sold in markets and food streets. Seeking out small local restaurants and street stalls is one of the most enjoyable ways to connect with daily life in Xi’an and taste the legacy of its trading past.