Xi'an

Where history whispers through time

Beijing presents a mix of ancient and modern life. The city holds centuries-old palaces, temples and walls alongside busy streets filled with cafes, shops and high-speed trains. Visitors can walk through hutongs to see daily routines or ride public transport to reach the Forbidden City. Public parks provide space for exercise and relaxation in a fast-changing urban environment. From street food stalls to museums showcasing art and history, Beijing shows how tradition stays relevant while new ideas grow quickly around it.

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City in China

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	6

Read details

3/5

In tourist areas, hotel staff and tour guides often speak English, but communication with locals might be challenging. Using translation apps or learning basic Mandarin phrases is helpful.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Xi'an Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Read how our scores work

World-class for ancient Chinese history. Visit the Terracotta Army, walk the historic city walls, explore temples and museums and enjoy lively food streets.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Local cuisine

Street food

Historic sites

Museums

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

💻 8

Digital Nomads

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Xi'an, China

❄️

Jan

☁️

Feb

☁️

Mar

☁️

Apr

🌥️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🌥️

Sep

☁️

Oct

☁️

Nov

🌥️

Dec

High season:	April - May, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, June - Aug., Nov.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Golden Week, 1 to 7 October, and Chinese New Year bring huge crowds and fully booked trains

Terracotta Army is busiest 9am to noon, quietest late afternoon and in winter

Summer school holidays, July and August, bring many domestic tour groups

Don't miss

🏯 Walk atop the ancient Xi’an City Wall and take in historic views
🗿 Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors in the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum
🍜 Stroll through the Muslim Quarter and taste hand-pulled noodles
🕍 Climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and view the skyline
💦 Witness the evening fountain show at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Square
🚴‍♀️ Cycle around the moat and watch locals practice tai chi

You've been here?

Why travel to Xi'an?

Xi'an, once the start of the Silk Road, is one of the oldest cities in China and home to the legendary Terracotta Warriors. The city offers a captivating mix of ancient architecture, rich cultural heritage and delicious street food, particularly in the lively Muslim Quarter. While Xi'an is rich with history, be prepared for large crowds at popular sites and some air pollution. Still, the chance to explore this ancient capital is worth it.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Terracotta Army
Thousands of life‑scale terracotta warriors lie buried beneath Xian’s ancient city walls, revealing a battlefield from Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s reign. The site offers detailed sculptures, underground chambers and guided tours.
2 Bell Tower
3 Shaanxi History Museum
4 Drum Tower
5 Big Wild Goose Pagoda
6 Beiyuanmen
7 Bus 915 to terracotta army
8 Daming Palace

🎡Places for activities

1 Tang Paradise
2 Datang Everbright City

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Huaqing Hot Springs
2 Qujiang Lake
3 Qinglong Temple Ruins Park
4 Xi'an Botanical Garden
5 Mount Hua South Peak

🛍️Shopping

1 Muslim Street Food Market
2 Great Tang West Market

🎈Events

Xi’an City Wall Marathon
Xi'an Lantern Festival
Shaanxi Folk Culture Festival
Silk Road International Tourism Expo
Xi’an International Horticultural Expo
Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations
Chinese New Year festivities
Daming Palace Cultural Festival
Tang Paradise Light Show
Ancient Culture and Art Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Beware fake guides at Terracotta Warriors; book official tours ahead.
Use Didi app for taxis; avoid unofficial drivers at train stations and airports.
Carry passport for attractions; many sites scan IDs for ticket entry.
Visit Muslim Quarter early evening for street food; haggle politely but watch pickpockets.

How to travel to Xi'an

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is the main gateway, with flights connecting to major international and domestic destinations. The city is also accessible by high-speed trains, including routes from Beijing and Shanghai.

Access summary

From Xi’an Xianyang Airport (XIY): Metro, shuttle bus or taxi, about 40–70 minutes.
From Beijing: High-speed trains generally 4–6 hours to Xi’an North.
From Shanghai: High-speed trains usually 5.5–8 hours; flights about 2.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Xi'an

Xi'an offers a wide range of accommodations, from budget hostels in the Muslim Quarter to luxury hotels near the ancient city wall. The Bell Tower area is ideal for first-time visitors.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Ramada by Wyndham Xi'an Bell Tower

8.3

Campanile Hotel Xi'an Bell Tower Huimin Street Metro Station

9.2

Eastern House Hotel

9.3

Xian Grand Soluxe International Hotel

8.5

Bell Tower Hotel

8.0

Xi’an DaJing Castle Hotel

8.6

Hilton Xi'an City Wall

9.0

Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square

8.8

Wyndham Grand Xian South

9.3

Gran Melia Xian Hotel

9.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Xi'an

Getting around Xi'an is convenient with buses, taxis and the metro system. The metro is affordable and covers major attractions. Biking on the City Wall is a unique experience and guided tours are also a good option.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-75 %

Daily expenses in Xi'an are around 75% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£24	£50	£131
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£30	£75
🍝 Food per day	£10	£17	£50
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£6

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£7
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.20
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.80
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.40
☕ Cappuccino	£1.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.42
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£3.60
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.20
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£28
🤧 Cold medication	£2.80
💇 Basic haircut	£2.70

Safety information overview

General safety

Xi'an is generally safe for tourists. As in any busy city, watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas and keep an eye on your belongings.

Health & Medical

Healthcare in Xi'an is decent, with hospitals and clinics available. Bring any required medications and be cautious with street food if you have a sensitive stomach.

Accessibility

Major attractions and hotels offer decent accessibility, but older sites may have uneven paths and limited wheelchair access. Public transportation is gradually improving in this regard.

Tap water

Tap water in Xi'an is not safe for drinking. Stick to bottled or boiled water and avoid ice in drinks unless you're sure of the water quality.