Things to Do in Xi'an

Things to Do in Xi'an, China - Xi'an Attractions

Things to Do in Xi'an

Check out must-see sights and activities:
The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang), Historic Sites, Theater Shows. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Powered by AI
BETA

Book these experiences for a close-up look at Xi'an.


Top Attractions in Xi'an

These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data—we consider traveler reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.

Historical site displaying an ancient clay army, showcasing impressive restoration and cultural significance. Accessible by metro or taxi, with guides available to enhance the experience.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.

Historic walls with panoramic city views, complete with scenic gardens and the option to cycle along its 14km stretch. Nighttime illuminations add a charming ambiance.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.

Historic Buddhist pagoda, part of the UNESCO Silk Road site, surrounded by tranquil grounds and traditional Chinese boutiques. Displays treasures from ancient travels and local culture.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Historical neighborhood blending Chinese and Muslim heritage, with bustling food streets, traditional naan, and pomegranate juice amid cultural landmarks.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
1



*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travelers are saying

  • August G
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visiting the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses is an unforgettable experience. The sheer scale and historical significance of the site are truly impressive.
    Written February 17, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Aviation Central
    Sydney, Australia262 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tickets to ride a bike or walk on the 13km wall were very expensive, but I still wanted to visit it somehow. We drove around the wall while travelling towards the terracotta soldiers. I could see every brick very clearly. Rich with history. Honestly, if they lowered the price, I would surely climb it.
    Written November 1, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 경내 gyoungnae
    Asan, South Korea550 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    📍EXPLAIN

    The Alternative Tower, a cultural landmark in Xi'an, China

    🔑 TIPS.

    Go to the department store and see it after sunset.

    It's very pretty.

    🗿 REVIEW

    If you have a lot of time in Xi'an, I recommend visiting,

    but if you only have one day, you don't need to come.

    📍EXPLAIN

    중국 시안의 문화 랜드마크 '대안탑'

    🔑 TIPS.

    백화점에서 구경하다가 일몰 후에 구경하자.

    엄청 이쁘다.

    🗿 REVIEW

    시안에 있는 시간이 많으면 오는 것을 추천드리지만,

    딱 하루라면, 굳이 올 필요는 없다.
    Written January 9, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jamie H-D
    Poole, UK2,302 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great place to visit although you don’t need to be there too long, lots and lots of street food and places to buy gifts. Right in the centre of the old city surrounded by the old city wall, it was such a difference compared to the Ever Bright / Eventbright City.
    Written December 22, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • carolinafzs d
    Rio de Janeiro, RJ484 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The palace is beautiful and well preserved. This is an area of hot springs and you can have a bath (RMB295/person) or a feet bath (RMB50/person) while enjoying a cup of tea.
    Please be sure to watch The Everlasting Sorrow show. It worths reading a bit about the Concubine Yang Guifei before the show, then you can understand it better. The show is amazing!!
    Written January 7, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • KM Lee
    Singapore224 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is the "other" terra Cotta site. A bit underrated.
    I'll share a bit about independent travel, because the options for public transport - which were available - are totally off as for now, a victim of the epidemic. Services have not been restored as of writing. A taxi can bring you here from Xi'an city, but coming back will require a ride hailing app. Word of advice: test the app before setting off! The site is off a highway and how to hail a taxi?
    The two main areas of interest are first, Emperor jingdi's tomb. this is where the (currently non-operating) public bus stop is. Here you walk on glass floors to view the ongoing excavation work and the smaller terra cotta figures.
    The second is the archaeological museum where the artifacts can be viewed up close and where the *current* ticket office is. The better preserved artifacts are kept here behind glass.
    Of note is the south que (watchtower) building. This houses two mounds which are the remains of the south wall gate. This building is rather grand and could be used to house other exhibits. It's a bit far from the two main attractions though.
    Aside from these, the rest of the exhibits require a good imagination (little left to see!) and require a good walk.

    Written December 24, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • FengXueSG
    Singapore, Singapore1,629 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    There is no doubt that the collection here is top notch, from the bronzes in Shang and Zhou dynasty to the treasures from Han and Tang dynasty, thanks to these ancient dynasties making capitals around Xi'an. It is claimed and widely accepted that Shaanxi History Museum excels China National Museum in Beijing in terms of collections of artefacts from 1200BC to 900AD.

    However, it is the victim of its own fame - with no entry fee required, domestic tourists flock here thanks the publicity by influencers in social media platform. As a results, it is very difficult to book a slot (more on this later) and it was extremely crowded (partly due to the limited space in exhibition halls) even in low season.

    As there is no entry fee, the museum offers official tour guide service as their main income. One guide normally takes 10 to 15 people and hop around the most precious exhibitions in the all. So you will be consistently blocked by groups of people when you are trying to see something.

    You would also notice a lot of domestic tourists lost interest very quickly, and hordes of them sit in the main hall and other resting places to play with their phones. The museum uses the limited space for souvenir shops - there is no cafe or restaurant on site, only a few vending machine that is not compatible with simple wechat pay/alipay pay function.

    Tips to make your visit a better experience if you are a true museum person. If not, I would advise you to skip this in Xi'an.
    - The Tang mural special exhibition requires 270 RMB entry fee. Book this ticket in oversea platform as early as possible and it would guarantee you would have a successful booking. The booking would only be confirmed one or two days before your visit date.
    - Remember to bring your passport. It is required to use your passport to exchange the ticket at the ticket booth.
    - Due to the 270 RMB entry fee, there is literally no people in the Tang mural special exhibition hall. It is a blessing as you will have all the priceless Tang murals from Tang tombs around Xi'an yourselves.
    - Try to visit the museum in low season, and visit the Tang mural special exhibition first in the morning, then go the Hall 1 to 3 for the main exhibition during lunch time, when most of the domestic tourists left for lunch.
    Written January 18, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PBlyth
    Tampa, FL252 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is smaller than the museums in Shanghai and Beijing but it has a decent collection of statutes, bronze bells, carvings, funerary mausoleums, and a good collection of Terra Cotta warrior clay items including a life sized set of carriages.
    Worth a visit for those interested in Chinese history without being overwhelmed. Set in a beautiful park like area with flowering trees and duck ponds. Very picturesque.
    Written April 6, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LongXM8
    Frankfurt, Germany54 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited the bell tower during daytime, before visiting the city wall, we explored it on our own, and took some cool pictures, but that was also basically it. However, at night, the views are truly astounding: We got a hasp at the lit up masterpiece of architecture as the beautiful lights lightened everything up from the top of a nearby mall.
    Written February 16, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • whileiminchina
    20 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is 3km of walking starting with a very pretty fountain/light/music show in the evening and then a 3km walk of music, lights, food, and shopping. Lots of fun but a bit visually overwhelming.
    Written April 11, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David M
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia264 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This commercially built 'historical site' - themed park has many good angles for photo opportunities. You would expect to see couples taking their wedding photos and many poses. The night sights were worth waiting for.
    Written October 29, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tony C
    Bedford, UK1,393 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a great place to walk at night. It offers lights, entertainment, music and shops and you don’t even need to spend any money. Just walk along the traffic free area and soak up the atmosphere.
    Xi’an at night is great to see with a lot of time and effort taken to light up the centre and make it beautiful to see.
    I would suggest a must see at night if you are fortunate to be Xi’an.
    Written October 2, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information.
Reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
All Xi'an HotelsXi'an Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Xi'an
All things to do in Xi'an
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars