Xi'an in 7 days

Ancient capital of 13 dynasties, home to the Terracotta Army and China's best-preserved city walls. Best time to visit: March-May, September-October. Average daily budget: $35 to $90 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Inside the City Walls, The historic core with the Bell and Drum Towers, hotels and easy access to everything.

Morning: See the Terracotta Army. Stand before the thousands of life-sized warriors in their pits.

Afternoon: Explore Inside the City Walls, The historic core with the Bell and Drum Towers, hotels and easy access to everything.

Evening: Cycle the City Wall. Ride the 14km loop atop the world's best-preserved ancient ramparts.

Eat: Roujiamo, China's original 'hamburger' of stewed meat in flatbread

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Muslim Quarter, The atmospheric warren of food stalls, mosques and bazaars near the Drum Tower.

Morning: Graze the Muslim Quarter. Feast on lamb skewers, roujiamo and hand-pulled noodles.

Afternoon: Explore Muslim Quarter, The atmospheric warren of food stalls, mosques and bazaars near the Drum Tower.

Evening: Climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Visit the Tang-dynasty Buddhist pagoda and watch the fountain show.

Eat: Biang biang noodles, wide hand-pulled belt noodles in chilli

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Big Wild Goose Pagoda area, The southern district with the famous pagoda, fountains and temple parks.

Morning: Visit the Bell and Drum Towers. See the illuminated landmarks at the heart of the old city.

Afternoon: Explore Big Wild Goose Pagoda area, The southern district with the famous pagoda, fountains and temple parks.

Evening: Explore the Shaanxi History Museum. Trace China's dynasties through a world-class collection.

Eat: Yangrou paomo, mutton soup with torn flatbread

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Lintong District, The eastern outskirts where the Terracotta Army and Huaqing Palace are located.

Morning: The Great Mosque of Xi'an, a serene blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Lintong District, The eastern outskirts where the Terracotta Army and Huaqing Palace are located.

Evening: Huaqing Palace's hot springs and gardens near the Terracotta site.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Lamb skewers and persimmon cakes from the Muslim Quarter

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Xiaozhai, The youthful shopping and university zone with malls and budget eats.

Morning: Climbing sacred Mount Hua, one of China's five great peaks, on a day trip.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Xiaozhai, The youthful shopping and university zone with malls and budget eats.

Evening: The lesser-visited Han Yang Ling tombs with their delicate miniature figures.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Roujiamo, China's original 'hamburger' of stewed meat in flatbread

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Inside the City Walls, The historic core with the Bell and Drum Towers, hotels and easy access to everything.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Inside the City Walls, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Inside the City Walls, The historic core with the Bell and Drum Towers, hotels and easy access to everything.

Evening: Dinner at Biang biang noodles, wide hand-pulled belt noodles in chilli, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Inside the City Walls.

Eat: Biang biang noodles, wide hand-pulled belt noodles in chilli

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Muslim Quarter, The atmospheric warren of food stalls, mosques and bazaars near the Drum Tower.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Muslim Quarter, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Muslim Quarter, The atmospheric warren of food stalls, mosques and bazaars near the Drum Tower.

Evening: Dinner at Yangrou paomo, mutton soup with torn flatbread, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Muslim Quarter.

Eat: Yangrou paomo, mutton soup with torn flatbread

Hidden gems

The Great Mosque of Xi'an, a serene blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture.
Huaqing Palace's hot springs and gardens near the Terracotta site.
Climbing sacred Mount Hua, one of China's five great peaks, on a day trip.
The lesser-visited Han Yang Ling tombs with their delicate miniature figures.

Getting around

Xi'an has a clean, expanding metro that connects the railway stations, the Bell Tower and most major sights cheaply, pay by QR code through Alipay or WeChat. City buses are extensive but trickier without Chinese. Inside the walls, walking and cycling are ideal. To reach the Terracotta Army, take the metro to a transfer point and then the public tourist bus (line 5/306) from near the train station, far cheaper than tours, or arrange a private transfer. Didi (China's Uber) works well for door-to-door trips.

Safety

Xi'an is very safe, with extremely low violent crime and a strong police presence, solo travellers, including women, are generally fine day and night. The main risks are scams around the Terracotta Army, fake 'official' guides, overpriced tours and being steered to commission-based jade or souvenir shops, so book transport and tickets independently. Watch for pickpockets in the crowded Muslim Quarter and on busy buses. You'll need a VPN for Western apps, cash is nearly obsolete (set up Alipay or WeChat Pay), and always carry your passport for entry to sights.

Xi'an in 3 days | Xi'an in 5 days | Full Xi'an guide