Xi'an Nightlife: Snacks, Night Sceneries, Night Markets, Shows, and Night Clubs

How can you spend your nights in Xi'an? After exploring the site of the Terracotta Army or other attractions during the day, the Xi'an nightlife should be a different and relaxing experience. Taste some representative snacks, hang out at the night markets and go shopping for souvenirs, admire the beautiful night views, and then watch a special local show. If you are still full of energy, go to a local bar and enjoy the rest of the evening.

The First Thing to Do Is to Eat Tasty Snacks

If you know a little about Xi'an's food, you can easily list many of its famous snacks: roujiamo (a Xi'an meat burger), biangbiang mian (biangbiang noodles), yangrou paomo (flatbread in mutton soup), jiaozi yian (a dumpling feast), zeng gao (a glutinous rice and date cake), and liangpi (cold noodles). What are the most famous and popular snacks in Xi'an?

• We have listed 10 snacks here for you: Top 10 Foods/Snacks You Can't Miss in Xi'an

Take Photos of Xi'an's Traditional Chinese-Style Night Seceneries

The Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC), the West Han Dynasty (206 BC – 9 AD), and the Tang Dynasty (618–907) were very famous and important dynasties in Chinese history. As their capital, Xi'an's history is glorious and there are many historic architectural sculptures that have been preserved from those eras. Nighttime sceneries in Xi'an reflect the ancient times and are filled with a traditional Chinese historic atmosphere.

• See more on: Xi’an History: Facts, Historic Sites, and Travel Tips

A Fancy Night at Big Wild Goose Pagoda — a Music Fountain and the Tang Dynasty's Golden Tower

• Highlights: a music fountain in a square, which is in front of Big Wild Goose Pagoda; the solemn Big Wild Goose Pagoda is dressed with a golden light
• History: It holds collections of precious Buddhist scriptures that were translated by Xuanzang, who went to India to explore the theory of Buddhism during the Tang Dynasty.
• Where: Yanta West Road, Yanta District

The South Gate of Xi'an City Wall — Colorful Night Views and an Architectural Masterpiece

• Highlights: the landmark of Xi'an, a masterpiece of military defensive projects in Chinese history, awesome night views
• History: As the most important defensive architectural structure in Xi'an, Xi'an City Wall played a key role in protecting this city and providing the citizens with a peaceful life.
• Where: 2 South Street, Beilin District

Xi'an Bell Tower — Majestic, Ancient, and the Most Complete Bell Tower in China

• Highlights: It's the largest and most complete ancient bell tower in China with precious architectural, historic, and artistic values.
• History: Located in northwest China, Xi'an was once a military and political center in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). The Bell Tower is the most famous bell tower in China and is a precious remnant among the remaining ancient architectural structures.
• Where: the intersection of East Street and West Avenue, Lianhu District

Hang Out at Night Markets and Find Symbolic Souvenirs

After dinner, having a nighttime stroll around a local night market is interesting because you can always find unusual objects and snacks. If you are unfamiliar with Xi'an, here are three night markets we recommend you visit:

Nanshaomen Night Market — Large and Full of Various Types of Food from All Corners of China

• Highlights: one of the largest night markets in Xi'an, very lively, a little crowded
• Features: a paradise for food lovers, you can find all kinds of food from all around China
• Opening hours: 6pm to midnight
• Where: the South Gate of Yanta District, near Big Wild Goose Pagoda

The Muslim Quarter — in the City Center, Xi'an Snacks, and Souvenirs

• Highlights: Muslim style, food, and souvenirs
• Features: When you visit the Muslim Quarter, focus on the Xi'an snacks and souvenirs.
• Opening hours: all day, every day
• Where: West of Zhonggulou Square, Beilin District

Barley Market Street — Muslim Foods, Architectural Structures, and Culture

• Highlights: an area with a lot of Muslim influences
• Features: You can taste Muslim foods, admire Muslim architecture, and experience Muslim culture there.
• Opening hours: all day
• Where: South Barley Street, North of Shizi, Qianzikou, Lianhu District

Discover Xi'an's Beauty and Culture via Shows

An excellent show can help you understand a city in an artistic way. You will discover the culture, history, local stories, and beautiful views from it. Here are two different shows you can watch in Xi'an:

Tang Dynasty Show — Historic and Cultural

• Highlights: experience a traditional Chinese Tang Dynasty show, admire the ancient styles of music and dance, watch over 100 artists perform together
• History: The Tang Dynasty is regarded as the most progressive and prosperous time in Chinese history.
• Show times: 6:50pm to 8:10pm (including a dumpling dinner); 8:30pm to 9:40pm (music and dance show)
• Admission tickets: 220 yuan per person for a show excluding the dumpling dinner, 550 yuan per person for a complete show.
• Where: Tang Dynasty Palace, 75 Chang'an Road

Fountain and Music Show — the Biggest and the Most Complex Fountain Show in Asia

• Highlights: the biggest fountain show covering 110,000 square meters, the longest light-belt, and the most complex skills in the world
• Features: a perfect combination of sound, colorful lights, and water
• Show times:

1. Monday to Saturday: 12pm and 8pm
2. Sunday: 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 9pm
3. The show doesn’t run from November to January

• Admission tickets: 220 yuan per person for a show excluding the dumpling dinner
• Where: Big Wild Goose Pagoda's North Square

Drink or Dance — Relax at a Bar

Want to experience the enthusiastic side of Xi'an? Then go to a bar. Local young people, foreigners, and visitors from all over the world mix together there and unwind. There are several popular nightclubs in Xi'an:

Xi'an Tianque Club (西安天阙酒吧)

• Location: East Street
• Price range: average
• Amusement index: 5-star
• Light index: 4-star
• Music index: 4-star

Provence Club (普罗旺斯酒吧)

• Location: West Street, Lianhu District
• Price range: average
• Amusement index: 5-star
• Light index: 4-star
• Music index: 4-star

Xi'an Shasha Club (西安莎莎酒吧)

• Location: the seventh floor of Baisheng Shopping Mall, West Street
• Price range: average
• Amusement index: 5-star
• Light index: 4-star
• Music index: 4-star

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