1 Day in Xi’an: Everything You Should Know
When the Terracotta Army was discovered in Xi’an, this ancient city that’s over 3,000 years old suddenly came into the world’s spotlight. Uncover the culture and history of Xi’an — you’ll be astonished by its glorious past and impressive highlights, such as Xi’an City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi. As the capital of 13 dynasties and the terminus of the Silk Road, Xi’an offers so many experiences for you to take in. Is it enough to visit Xi’an in 1 day? It’s a little difficult for first-time travelers. However, as we have detailed an itinerary for 1 day in Xi’an, you can join us and enjoy a significant trip within just 24 hours.
Top Things to Do in Xi’an in 1 Day
- Must-do: Visiting the well-known Terracotta Army is the main purpose to visit Xi’an for most travelers.
- Ride a bicycle on the ancient Xi’an City Wall. This allows you to explore Chinese architecture in a special way.
- Wolf-down various delicious Xi’an floury foods.
- Learn more about Chinese history and culture in Xi’an.
- Have a gentle stroll around the Muslim Quarter and choose some souvenirs if you are interested in them.
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Xi'an Bell TowerItinerary for Your 1-Day Trip in Xi’an
This is a whole-day itinerary from morning to night, which includes activities such as exploring the large-scale Terracotta Army to rambling through the minority Muslim Quarter.
7am to 8am: Have a Xi’an-Style Breakfast
Xi’an is a paradise for food lovers. Trying various local breakfasts can be one of the reasons you wake up in the morning. As the third-largest country in the world, you can imagine the big gap between the culture and lifestyles in the different Chinese cities. The locals adore floury food, and this includes eating it for breakfast. Here are some common breakfasts you can search for everywhere in Xi’an: marinated meat in baked buns, pickled buns, mutton with steamed bread, uncongealed tofu, and steamed stuffed buns.
8am to 12pm: Explore the Site of the Amazing Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army had been buried in the ground for about 2,000 years until a farmer found it by accident. This farmer was scared by the human-like statues at first. Hundreds of thousands of terracotta statues were unearthed and shocked archaeologists around the world. Maybe you are curious about the mysterious Terracotta Army. Why did Emperor Qin Shi Huang order such a huge project to be built for his tomb? What are the differences between these stone statues? Find out the answers from a professional local guide.
The Terracotta Army- Address: southeast of the intersection between Qinling North Road and Qinyongguan Road, Lintong District
- Admission ticket: 120 yuan
- Opening hours:
- 8:30am to 5pm (from March 16th to November 15th)
- 8:30am to 4:30pm (from November 16th to March 15th)
- Bus: 5, 306, 914, and 915
12pm to 1:30pm: Have Lunch at a Local Restaurant
Before transferring to downtown Xi’an, select a local restaurant near the Terracotta Army to have lunch. Being filled with so much knowledge about the Terracotta Army and Chinese history can be slightly tiring after visiting this unusual museum. Relax as you taste some local dishes and enjoy the food. Which dishes should you taste in Xi’an? Here is a list of the most popular foods in Xi’an.
1:30pm to 5pm: Drive Back and Ride on the Ancient Xi’an City Wall
Xi’an City Wall is another popular historic site in Xi’an, which was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). As the best-preserved and most complete ancient city wall in China, several different ways for you to explore this site are offered so you don’t just have to make do with a quick glance at it. During the cold winter, cool autumn, or warm spring, having a stroll or riding a bike on the city wall are comfortable and interesting experiences. It’s about 3.5 kilometers from the east gate to the south gate, so it is suitable for hiking or riding. When you climb onto the city wall, you’ll see many sites for tourists to rent bikes. It costs about 45 yuan to rent a bike for 2 hours or 90 yuan for a tandem bicycle. However, during the hot summer, it’s hard to tolerate the strong sunshine without any shade. Taking an eco-car to travel on Xi’an City Wall is a much better option so you don’t expose your skin to the sun’s rays. It costs about 120 yuan for a round trip of the city wall.
The City Wall5pm to 8pm: Have Dinner and Enjoy Xi’an’s Bustling Nightlife
Xi’an City Wall is located in downtown Xi’an. It’s quite easy to find a popular restaurant to have dinner in after you have visited the wall. It’s also close to the Muslim Quarter, which is a popular street where you can find local snacks, souvenirs, and Muslim people. How can you spend the evening in Xi’an? Seeing the views at night and hanging out at local markets are interesting activities in every tourist city in China. When the lights are turned on, Xi’an City Wall, the Drum Tower, and the Bell Tower are golden, charming, and full of a historic atmosphere. Visiting a bustling night market, enjoying nice snacks, and seeing the harmonious lifestyles between the Muslim and Han people will be the highlights of your trip to Xi’an.
The Muslim QuarterTravel Tips
Where to Stay in Xi’an
Near the Bell Tower, such as North Avenue, West Avenue, or East Avenue. This area is in the city center of Xi’an, meaning it’s more convenient for going out or having meals.
How to Get Around in Xi’an
- Subway: For getting around in downtown Xi’an, taking the subway is the most convenient way to travel. For example, it’s easy to reach Xi’an City Wall, the Muslim Quarter, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Bell Tower, and the Drum Tower.
- Bus: The Terracotta Army and the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi are easier to get to by bus. Bus 306 can transfer you from Xi’an Railway Station to the Terracotta Army.
The Most Popular Attractions in Xi’an
The top five hot spots are: the Terracotta Army, Xi’an City Wall, Shaanxi History Museum, Huaqing Palace, and Tang Paradise.
Xi'an famous snacksThe Most Popular Local Foods
The top 10 most popular Xi’an foods are: marinated meat in baked buns, soup dumplings, cool noodles, hot pepper soup, fried rice with sauerkraut, Bingfeng soda, steamed rice cakes with stuffing, instant boiled tripe, small hard flour pancakes, and biangbiang noodles.
The Best Times to Visit Xi’an
April, May, October, and November are comfortable times for travel. However, most of the sites in Xi’an are historic sites or museums so these attractions are less influenced by the weather.
See more on: Xi’an Weather: The Best Time to Visit Xi’an
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