Xi'an Travel Guide: Terracotta Army & City Wall (2026)
Xi'an is China's ancient capital and Silk Road start โ the Terracotta Army, a bikeable city wall, Muslim Quarter food, and easy metro, with Alipay payments everywhere.
๐ Northwest China
๐๏ธ Suggested: 2 days
Show this to your driver
้่ฅฟ็่ฅฟๅฎๅธ็ขๆๅบ
Shaanxi Sheng, Xi'an Shi, Beilin Qu
Hotel / city name in Chinese โ show to taxi or DiDi drivers
Why visit
Xiโan was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army โ one of the worldโs great archaeological sights. The city wall is the most complete ancient wall in China; bike on top of it at sunset. For dishes see Shaanxi Food โ.
Getting around
- Xiโan Xianyang (XIY) airport; metro line 14 links to the city โ see Trains & Transport โ.
- Compact and walkable in the center; metro + DiDi cover the rest. Buy a metro card or use the Alipay transit QR.
- Terracotta Army is ~1 hr by bus/tour from the city.
Payment tip
Alipay/WeChat everywhere; set up Mobile Payment โ and carry cash for the night market.
Suggested plan
- Day 1: Terracotta Army + Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
- Day 2: City wall bike + Muslim Quarter + Drum/Bell Tower.
Donโt miss
The Muslim Quarter night food street โ hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, and persimmon cakes.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Xi'an?
Two days covers the Terracotta Army, city wall, Muslim Quarter, and the Bell and Drum Towers.
Is the Terracotta Army worth visiting?
Yes โ it's one of the world's great archaeological sights; go early to beat crowds and tour buses.
What food is Xi'an famous for?
Biรกngbiรกng noodles, roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), and halal lamb skewers in the Muslim Quarter.
Can I use credit cards in Xi'an?
Mostly no for street food and small shops. Use Alipay or WeChat Pay; carry cash for the night market.
When is the best time to visit Xi'an?
Spring (Apr-May) and autumn (Sep-Oct) are most comfortable; winters are cold and dry.
Last updated: 2026-08