City Guides | Xi’an
Xi’an Travel Guide
For Australians
Traditional, Ancient, Cultural
Welcome to XI’AN
Xi'an (西安, Xī'ān) is one of China's oldest cities and the capital of Shaanxi Province. Known for its ancient city walls and the world-famous Terracotta Army, Xi'an is a must-visit destination for those interested in Chinese culture and history. Let's unpack the top attractions, activities, food, and hotels in Xi'an.
Population
12 million
Location
Center West
Known for
The Terracotta Army
Top Attractions in Xi’an
The Terracotta Army 兵马俑
Described as the ‘Eight Wonder of the World’, the Terracotta Army is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring thousands of life-sized terracotta warriors and horses, buried with China's first emperor (Qin Shi Huang). Covering an area of 56 square kilometres, it is the biggest burial site on earth. There are three pits of over 8,000 unique excavated warrior figures and a museum showcasing bronze chariots and weapons.
Fun fact: The Terracotta Army was discovered by accident in 1974. This vast underground army was created for China's First Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The warriors were originally painted in bright colours and equipped with real bronze weapons. The site also includes terracotta acrobats, musicians, and bronze water birds, a sign of the emperor's desire for a complete afterlife experience. Interestingly, the emperor's actual tomb remains unopened.
Xi’an Ancient City Wall 西安城墙
One of the best-preserved city walls in China, Xi'an's Ancient City Wall stretches for 14 kilometres. Built in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty, it stands as the most intact and largest ancient city wall in China. You can walk or cycle along the top of the wall, enjoying panoramic views of Xi'an's old city and modern skyline.
Muslim Quarter 回民街
The Muslim Quarter is a vibrant neighbourhood situated in the centre of Xi'an with hundreds of food stalls, souvenir shops, and the historic Great Mosque. Best in the evening, take a stroll down Huajue Lane and other streets like Beiyuanmen, North Guangji Street, and Dapiyuan.
The Muslim Quarter is renowned for its incredible variety of street food, boasting nearly 300 different types of local and Islamic dishes. The area is also home to several historic mosques, including the magnificent Great Mosque, which dates back 1,300 years.
ACTIVITIES in Xi’AN
Bike the City Wall
The Xi’an wall is HUGE and quite surreal to bike around. You can rent a bike from a tourist bike stand or a dockless bike using one of the common bike-sharing apps: Meituan Bike (yellow), Hello Bike (blue) or Qingju Bike (green). It’s best to have Alipay set up before you visit China to easily scan and pay for bikes.
Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is an iconic landmark in Xi'an. This 7th-century Buddhist pagoda features Buddhist artefacts and carvings, historical stone steles, and beautiful gardens. For incredible views of Xi’an, climb the pagoda's wooden staircases to the top. The pagoda's simple yet elegant brick design showcases Tang Dynasty architecture and has withstood centuries of earthquakes and renovations.
Explore the Shaanxi History Museum 陕西历史博物馆
This world-class museum is a must-see for anyone interested in the fascinating cultural history of China. Here you’ll learn about the history of Shaanxi Province through an extensive collection of artefacts spanning thousands of years. There are over 370,000 artefacts, spanning from prehistoric times to the end of the Tang Dynasty.
The museum is located at 91 Xiaozhai East Road, Xi'an. Admission is free, but requires advance online reservation.
WHAT TO EAT in Xi’AN
Xi'an's cuisine reflects its position as the starting point of the Silk Road, blending flavours from China and Central Asia.
Don't miss these local specialties:
Roujiamo (肉夹馍) – Flatbread filled with braised pork known as the "Chinese hamburger"
Biang Biang Noodles (油泼扯面) – Wide, hand-pulled noodles served with chilli oil and various toppings.
Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍) – A hearty soup with shredded flatbread and mutton.
Dumplings (饺子, Jiǎozi) – Try the local specialty of persimmon dumplings.
Where to Eat:
Popular eateries for an authentic taste of Xi’an:
Defachang Dumpling Restaurant: Famous for its variety of dumplings.
Lao Sun Jia: Known for its Yangrou Paomo.
Muslim Quarter food stalls: For a variety of local street food.
GETTING AROUND XI’AN
Xi'an Metro
The Xi'an Metro system is modern and efficient, connecting major attractions and areas of the city. Signs and announcements are in both Chinese and English. Instead of buying single tickets, grab a Xi'an Metro Pass for one day (~CNY15) or three days (~CNY 40), allowing you to take all the city's metro lines without limits. Kids ride the metro free!
Buses
Xi'an has an extensive bus network, although it can be challenging to navigate if you don’t speak Mandarin. Major bus stops have electronic displays showing arrival times.
Did & Taxis
Ride-hailing apps like Didi are easy to use and have an English interface. You can hail a Didi from within the Alipay app. Taxis are plentiful in Xi’an, but it's helpful to have your destination written in Chinese.
Cycling
Many attractions within the city walls are easily accessible by bicycle. Bike-sharing programs are available throughout the city.
POPULAR HOTELS IN XI’AN
THE RITZ-CARLTON
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9.6 Rating on Expedia (Wonderful)
Jinmao Hotel Downtown
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9.4 Rating on Expedia (Exceptional)
Gran Melia Xian
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9.4 Rating on Expedia (Exceptional)
Novotel – The Bell Tower
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9.2 Rating on Expedia (Wonderful)
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IMPORTANT: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For the latest travel advice from the DFAT including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information check smarttraveller.gov.au