Things to do in Xi'an, Shaanxi: The Best Sights & Landmarks

November 24, 2021 Augustus Redeker

Today the walls of the Ming dynasty and the Tang palace walls hint at the Xi’an’s glorious past. Stare in awe at the Terracotta Army, 7,000 terracotta statues of Qin Bingmayong Bowuguan warriors and soldiers. Dating from 210 BCE, they were discovered in 1974 and are still being excavated. Don't miss the Shaanxi History Museum or a chance to heat up at former imperial bathing spot, Huaqing Hot Springs.
Restaurants in Xi'an

1. Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang)

Zhongxin District, Xi'an 710001 China +29 8727 2792 http://www.xacitywall.com/
Excellent
54%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,847 reviews

Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang)

Xi'an city wall has a history of 600 years. It is the Ming dynasty city wall. The city wall was built to protect the city. It is 12-14 meters across the top, 15-18 meters thick at bottom and 13.7 kilometers in length. There is rampart every 120 meters. The ramparts are towers extending out from the main wall. There are 98 ramparts along the city wall.

Reviewed By CSItraveller - Raleigh, United States

You can walk, push-bike, or ride a golf cart along the top of the wall. It's as wide as a six lane highway between the gates, and even wider at the gates and courtyards. It's an engineering masterpiece, and has to be seen to fully appreciate ancient building skills.

2. Tomb of Emperor Jingdi (Hanyangling)

Zhanjiawan Village, Xi'an China +86 29 8603 1470 http://www.hylae.com/
Excellent
54%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 703 reviews

Tomb of Emperor Jingdi (Hanyangling)

The joint mausoleum of Emperor Jingdi and Empress Wang, his consort.

Reviewed By M1692FZmarting - Washington DC, United States

After seeing the terra cotta warriors the army that accompanied this Emperor to the after life is not that impressive. Our guide told us the figures originally had wooden heads and arms and wore clothing, none of which has survived the centuries. The figures are not life sized and today lack arms and heads and clothing. Thus, the name our guide told us- headless naked barbies. However, the museum, which is underground is a masterpiece of architecture to enable large numbers of people to view this underground tomb, in some places through glass floors over the chambers. This Emperor also needed a lot of food to accompany him and the herds of terra cotta sheep, pigs and cows are remarkable.

3. Dayan Pagoda Northern Square

Yata Road, Yanta District, Xi'an 710061 China +86 29 8552 7958
Excellent
47%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 978 reviews

Dayan Pagoda Northern Square

Reviewed By dubaiblogger - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

One of the most beautiful and decorated place I have ever been and at night, it was lit up everywhere. It has a mixture of foreign architecture and Chinese. Very beautiful and crowded since it’s a nice place to hang out with family and friends. A must go place for me every time i am in Xi’an.

4. Muslim Quarter

West of Bell Drum Towers Square , Beilin District, Xi'an 710000 China +86 173 6014 1905 http://artofadventuring.com/the-foods-of-xian-muslim-quarter
Excellent
52%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,119 reviews

Muslim Quarter

Reviewed By 5192DS - San Francisco, United States

A night market over a long block in Muslim Quarter of Xi’an (plus side streets and narrow alleyways). Recommend start from the north end of Xihuamen Street, proceed south along Beiyuanmen Street (take offshoots east/west to explore side streets), towards Drum Tower and go east to end at plaza NW of Bell Tower. Sight: wall-to-wall people, vendors everywhere Sound: many languages heard, plus humdrum of activity, including the sound of jets (not actual jets - you must find and see what I’m referring to) Touch: did I mention all the people? Smell: grilled goodies galore Taste: delicious to exotic foods and drinks, sweet to spicy and everything in between Foodies: Grilled lamb, beef, cuttlefish skewers Muslim beef burger Steamed rice cake, black sesame candy for dessert Wash down with fresh squeezed juices (recommend sugarcane) Much much more including fresh custom fruit salad 1-2 hours walking, have dinner along the way (literally).

5. Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City

No. 6, East Section of Huanta South Road, Yanta District Big Wild Goose Pagoda South Square, Xi'an 710065 China
Excellent
35%
Good
56%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34 reviews

Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City

Reviewed By Dennis0002 - Herriman, United States

As part of our tour through china we had the opportunity to visit this place and we are glad we did. After seeing so many streets in china where is felt like a tourist trap I felt like I was part of the Chinese culture. The street is extremely busy but not with tourists, but locals. All age groups were there. We arrived just before dark and the lights were just being turned on. The vendors were out in force with food, souvenirs, entertainers. For as busy as this place was it was relatively clean compared to other places we visited in china. We spent over an hour walking this street, but we ran out of time. We could not find any western toilets so if that is an issue find one before you visit here. We did try a couple of sticks of local food, some very tasty, some not but was worth trying. There were a few restaurants along the way but we did not try them. I felt very safe here but would still say to keep your guard up with your valuables.

6. Tianshuijing Catholic Church

Wuxing Street, Xi'an China
Excellent
48%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 50 reviews

Tianshuijing Catholic Church

Reviewed By charlescH5960TN

The church is 300 years old and incorporates Chinese style into both its exterior and interior. The service on Sunday afternoon is in English and many ex-patriots from all over the world attend in addition to local nationals.

7. Yongxing Fang

Xinjie, Xincheng, Xi'an China http://www.yongxingfang.com.cn
Excellent
52%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
7%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 44 reviews

Yongxing Fang

Reviewed By KodoDrummer - Yekaterinburg, Russia

We had a fun and interesting time shopping and tasting some of the Shaanxi street foods in this ancient China type market area. It is helpful to have WeChat Pay. I was originally hesitant to use it, but now find it to be a very convenient and safe way of paying.

8. Kaiyuan Square

Yanta S Rd, Xi'an 710061 China
Excellent
31%
Good
69%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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4.5 based on 13 reviews

Kaiyuan Square

Reviewed By AZCasualTraveler - Mesa, United States

Kaiyuan Square is a lovely square and walkway that is an excellent place to visit during the evening hours where the lighting of this area is in full glow - very beautiful high-tech lighting all along the walkway. I can say lighting in this area is comparable (or even more stunning) than Las Vegas. The laser lighting from this area fills the sky during the night which can be easily be seen from blocks away because they are so bright. There are sections of the walkway that are also lighted from below and are pressure sensitive - the steps changes colors as you step on the sidewalk squares - impressive. There are water fountains, statues and replicas of terra-cotta statues scattered along the walkway which is well lighted and interesting to see so many different things along the way. There are many "fast food" stands, restaurant, shops and a mall along the way to keep things interesting. There is also a very nice bandstand along the walkway where local musicians come and play. I would definitely come back again to this area when I return to Xian, because the one evening that we had available on our tight schedule was not enough to see everything in this area. Very enjoyable area to walk and see the sights here.

9. Huaqing Palace

No.38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi'an 710699 China +86 183 0297 6580 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/huaqinggong
Excellent
35%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 718 reviews

Huaqing Palace

Huaqing Palace, also known as the Huaqing Hot spring or Huaqing Pool, is located in Lintong District, Xi'an city. It takes only 10 minutes from terra cotta warriors to Huaqing Palace by tourist bus 306. The mystery and scarce hot spring, which can cure diseases, attracted many emperors to build palaces here, Huaqing Palace is one the greatest among them. The design of kinds of hot spring pools represented the simple and original world view of ancient people. Now travelers can not only visit the museum of imperial hot spring pool, the historical site of Xi'an Incident but also can climb Moutain Li and furthermore explore the Chinese earliest military observation tower. Suggestion: Before visiting Huaqing Palace, please email to [email protected], we will send the tour package, which includes: the map, recommended routes and the book about the social organism. Access our official website and homepage on Facebook, you can find more information.

Reviewed By 728ayeza - Xi'an, China

Huaqing Palace Is absolutely amazing. It is a hidden fortress in Xi'an, Shaanxi province protecting and preserving the history of the Tang Dynasty. The history of the place is impeccable and the story still live on as it is beautiful told by the place. The hot springs are definitely a sight to see and the Mountain is absolutely breathtaking. Definitely worth the visit.

10. Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta)

Enci Temple The southern part of Yata Road, Yanta District, Xi'an 710061 China
Excellent
37%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3,437 reviews

Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta)

Located on the grounds of the Jianfu Temple, this pagoda (circa 652 A.D.) is considered on of the most famous in China due to its antiquity and historical relevance in connection with Buddha.

Reviewed By Californiamama145 - Riverside, United States

Know that there is an entrance fee for the complex of buildings and then another entrance fee for the actual pagoda. You are allowed to walk up all seven stories in the pagota and there are amazing views on each floor where you can take pictures. This is an old historic building so you might have to wait if there is a crowd. The grounds have Buddhist temple and gardens. The surrounding area has lots of shops decorations a light show at night.

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