We went to Xi’an expecting the Terracotta Warriors to be the main reason to visit, but the city itself ended up having far more to do than we expected.

Within 2 days, we walked the City Wall, explored the Muslim Quarter, saw the towers, visited the Terracotta Warriors, experienced the Tang-lit area at night, and discovered some lesser-known gems.

Some Xi’an attractions absolutely lived up to the hype. Others we enjoyed but wouldn’t prioritise if we only had two days.

So rather than giving you a giant list of every temple and museum in Xi’an, this guide covers the places we would actually include on a first trip—and explains which ones we would skip if time were limited.

Visited: July/August 2026 | Practical information checked: October 2026

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Best Things to Do in Xi’an at a Glance

If we only had two days: Terracotta Warriors + City Wall + Muslim Quarter + Bell Tower area + Big Wild Goose Pagoda/Datang at night

If You Only Do Five Things in Xi’an

1. Terracotta Warriors

This is iconic and so much better than we expected.

2. Xi’an City Wall

A true slice of history that is bigger than we imagined.

3. Muslim Quarter

This is an eclectic area, great to visit in the afternoon when the snack street is in full swing.

4. Small Wild Goose Pagoda

This is our off the grid hidden gem, we really loved how sweet this place was.

5. Bell Tower / historic centre

An iconic sight in Xi’an, with an interesting history and an incredible view.

1. Terracotta Warriors — The Xi’an Attraction We Wouldn’t Skip

If we’re honest, we really thought the Terracotta Warriors were overhyped. We weren’t even sure we wanted to see them, but that changed completely after our visit.

What We Actually Thought

We were really surprised by how big the first pit was, we didn’t realise that there were multiple pits and they were really big. I was also shocked by how many of the warriors there were. We had seen photos but it didn’t really prepare us for the real-life experience. Although we had heard how busy it could be it wasn’t as busy as we had imagined. Pit 1 was definitely the most crowded and the most impressive. It was worth travelling outside of Xi’an for, we spent about 6 hours there seeing as much as possible.

The Terracotta Warriors are part of the burial complex of the First Qin Emperor and are often described as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World.’ Standing in front of them they look lifelike and are truly an incredible sight. Make sure to book your tickets as early as possible as dates and entry time slots can fill up.

What You Actually See

There are three main pits. Pit 1 is the largest and has the most terracotta warriors. It is where the biggest crowd will form. Pit 2 is the second largest and has some terracotta warriors and chariots. Pit 3 is the smallest and least crowded, but still worth seeing.

There is a museum on site with some really interesting information about the creation and history of the Terracotta Warriors, as well as the wider mausoleum complex. You could really spend all day here.

How Long Do You Need at the Terracotta Warriors?

We spent about 6 hours at the terracotta warriors and honestly could have spent longer. We covered the three pits and museum as well as the wider Lishan Garden area.

DIY or Tour?

You can do the Terracotta Warriors as a DIY trip like we did or you can take a tour. Which is better will depend on your preferences, however a tour here does make sense as it is a bigger area to cover and we wasted time getting lost and trying to find information about what we were seeing.

DIY Terracotta Warriors

Best if:

• your’re comfortable with Didi or public transport;
• prefer moving independently;
• already know the basics;
• want flexibility with your time.

Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour

Best if:

• history matters and you want to gain a deeper understanding of what you are seeing;
• it’s your first trip to China;
• don’t want transport hassle;
• want to save time not getting lost between the areas;
• want a fluent English explanation.

Prefer a private English guide? See this highly reviewed private Terracotta tour on Viator →

Planning this properly? Read our complete Terracotta Warriors guide for transport, tickets, timings and what we’d do differently →

2. Walk or Cycle Xi’an City Wall

Our verdict: we walked the City Wall. It was an overcast day with rain forecast, so we wanted the freedom to move as we needed. Otherwise, we would have cycled—it looked like so much fun.

We entered from the South entrance called Yongning Gate at 10am which was the earliest available time on the only day we had free, we would definitely recommend booking your city wall tickets early as days and time slots do sell out. We decided to walk as the day was overcast and gloomy, we weren’t sure how long we would get before the rain came so walked as far as we could go. The surface of the wall is mostly large pavers and concrete, the wall is really big and long. It is open to the weather so if it is hot and sunny you will be baking and if it is cold or raining you won’t have much cover. Sadly our morning was cloudy and rainy and we forgot our rain jackets. There are a couple of areas you can duck into to get out of the weather but they aren’t very big.

There are lots of gates and entries or exits you can use, we spent about 4 hours walking and looking at all the history and views but eventually as the rain came down we exited at the Guangren Temple. This was actually a great spot to come down as the temple was free to enter and really interesting.

Walk or Cycle?

You can walk or bicycle around the city wall, it is actually one of the few historic city walls you can cycle around. The wall is huge so it makes a great place to take in the whole city from. While we walked, I would have loved the chance to cycle even just a section or two, it looked like a lot of fun.

Walking is a great choice for:

• a slower pace;
• stopping to take photos;
• easy to do a shorter or partial route.

Cycling factors are:

• great if you want to cover more distance;
• it would be fun and a unique bike ride;
• it is weather dependent, it wouldn’t be pleasant in the rain.

Best Time to Visit

We visited in the morning, the earliest ticket we could book was at 10 am, I wish we had booked earlier and secured the 8:30 am entry tickets, but I would potentially consider this ticket next time that states repeated access on the same day so we could have gone back for sunset.

3. Eat Your Way Through the Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque

We went to the Muslim Quarter to check out the area, there were lots of street stalls serving different foods and the whole area had a traditional vibe to it. We walked down lots of alleyways and found the Mosque. The streets were filled with movement, smells and noise that comes with a snack street. There was activity everywhere, and the prices were really affordable. Unfortunately Mike had already eaten and I couldn’t find any safe gluten free options so we didn’t indulge. I would recommend you come here hungry and snack your way around it. The street didn’t feel hugely touristy, it was busy with locals and tourists, the quieter side streets were much more local and had a calmer vibe.

Is the Muslim Quarter Too Tourist-y?

While there is a degree of touristy energy to the Muslim Quarter, we saw plenty of local visitors and tour groups moving through.. We felt like the streets with food were the main place for this and as you spread out to other alleys we found quieter and calmer side streets. The area has a different atmosphere to other parts of Xi’an so we think it is worth visiting.

Great Mosque of Xi’an

We went to the Great Mosque of Xi’an but again decided not to go in. We loved that it was hidden away inside the Muslim Quarter and it did feel like we wandered through twisting and turning alleys to find it which was also really interesting. The architecture is more Chinese style than the stereotypical mosque appearance, there are courtyards. When I enquired, I was told I could enter in the clothing I was wearing, as long as I paid the entry fee. We were short on time, though, so we decided to see it from the outside. Dress and entry rules can change, so check current requirements before visiting.

Is the Great Mosque Worth It?

For us it wasn’t worth it, we were interesting to see it from the outside but didn’t have time to go inside. It looked peaceful and calm and the people running it were nice, if we had a little extra time we would have popped in.

🍜 Want a local guide to explain the food? Compare Xi’an food tours on Klook →

4. See Xi’an’s Bell Tower

The Bell Tower is iconic, it was built in 1384 and at 36m tall it is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient bell tower in China. My favourite part? It sits right in the centre of a traffic circle inside the city walls which is really unique. In daytime you can wander through and see the history and views from the top floors, while in the evening the whole tower is illuminated and creates a beautiful scene.

We did both, spending time inside and looking at the museum and views then came back later to see it lit up. Inside you will find a small museum with history of the tower and the area and the views from the top floors over the city as it moves around you is pretty cool. There are stairs so if mobility is an issue I would not try to see the top floors, but there is enough room and a handrail if you need to go more slowly. We stayed here about a half hour and then came back in the evening for about 15 minutes taking photos. You will find lots of photographers set up to take professional pictures of people with the tower, we headed there and grabbed some pictures nearby.

Is It Worth Going Inside the Bell Tower?

If you are really interested in history then seeing the tower from the inside is worth it, the entry fee is really cheap so it isn’t much to outlay. But if you aren’t into history then I would honestly just see if from the outside in the evening at its most spectacular.

5. Visit the Drum Tower

The Drum Tower was built in 1380, from wood and brick. We didn’t go inside we just viewed from the outside, it is really interesting as it is not lit up at night so to see it you have to look during the day. After visiting the Bell Tower we decided not to visit both as the inside while interesting was not worth using more of our limited time. What we did love learning was that the towers worked together, that the Bell Tower would ring at sunrise to open the city walls and the drums would beat at sunset to signal the closing of the city walls in ancient times.

Bell Tower or Drum Tower — Which Would We Choose?

If you only have time/money for one, we’d choose the Bell Tower because of the views through the street and the driving circle all around creates some interesting photo opportunities. The Bell Tower is the oldest and best preserved tower in China, which makes it pretty unique.

6. Guangren Temple

We really loved this hidden gem located right in the middle of old Xi’an. Tucked away in the corner of the city wall you will uncover a little local Buddhist Temple full of colourful details, beautiful architecture, local atmosphere and charm. Free to enter it really does have a lot to see and absorb. We really loved taking it all in and were so happy we stumbled upon it.

7. Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Walk Datang Everbright City After Dark

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda (also called Giant Wild Goose Pagoda) is interesting and combining a visit with the Datang Everbright City makes it a more worthwhile trip. We liked our visit, the Pagoda is really big but it did feel more touristy and it was combining it with a walk through Datang Everbright City that made the experience more worthwhile. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was the first that was built of brick and is an interesting piece of Silk Road history as it was built to house the Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by monk Xuanzang after his pilgrimage on the Silk Road. You do need a ticket to go to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, I would book it for an afternoon slot so you can stay for the evening in the area.

Do You Need to Go Inside and Climb?

In our honest opinion, not really. It is huge, and climbing it is interesting but it isn’t necessary to go inside as you can see it better from the outside. The stairs are stuffy and the experience isn’t worth it in my opinion. There are courtyards and gardens to wander and the history is interesting, I actually think it would be best to use a guide or a tour as they can really enrich the experience with information to bring what you see to life.

Stay Until Dark

During our August visit, the pagoda closed at around 5:30pm, so we stayed outside for the evening fountain show. Check the current fountain schedule before you go. Stay to watch the fountain show, although it isn’t as amazing as it sounded from the description of others it is something to do to fill the time, people will be swarming the area so either hang around or just stand on some thing a little higher to see. They play music and there are loads of fountains that keep time.

After this walk the pedestrian street down to Datang Everbright City and take in the lights, we really loved this.

🪿Check current Big Wild Goose Pagoda tickets and guided options on Klook →

Datang Everbright City

After the fountain show which was so-so we walked the pedestrian street that led to the Datang Everbright City. We arrived as night started to fall and the sky became dark. The area was completely lit up with lights, lanterns and shop signs. It was pretty dazzling. The whole area is a huge pedestrian street filled with statues, restaurants and souvenir stores. Walking the street you will see lots of people dressed up in Hanfu outfits getting photos, there are Tang performances you can watch or simply get some food or coffee and watch the passing crowds. It does get busy but you can also find quieter areas to walk and enjoy.

Is Datang Everbright City Worth It?

The area is free to walk and while it did feel touristic it was also quite a fun place to experience.

Best Time to Arrive

We arrived around 8pm as the sun was going down which was perfect timing to see the transition from evening to night.

8. Xi’an Museum

We stumbled on the Xi’an Museum and decided to go in on a whim and are really glad we did. When we visited in August 2026, we were able to enter without a reservation. Current entry rules require a real-name reservation, so check the museum’s booking system before you visit.

There is another museum in Xi’an which is called the Shaanxi History Museum, we have heard that getting a reservation can be hard as it is always heavily booked so definitely book it early. However if you can’t get in there then try this museum, we loved it.

How Long We Spent

We spent a couple of hours here, there are some great exhibits and a nice outdoor area with statues a lake, bridge and gardens.

9. See Xi’an at Night

There is a lot to do in Xi’an at night, including walking through Datang Everbright City, seeing the Bell Tower, eating in the Muslim Quarter and watching a Tang performance. If your itinerary is tight, don’t waste Xi’an evenings in the hotel.

I would start at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, then to Datang Everbright and see the Bell Tower before returning to your hotel in the centre. This was the exact route we took in the evening which worked really well.

Another Option: See a Tang Dynasty Show

While we didn’t do this a show in China is always way better than you expect it to be, there are loads of Tang Dynasty shows in Xi’an to check out and it is another thing you can do in the evening especially around the Datang Everbright City.

🎭 Want to add a Tang Dynasty show? Compare current Xi’an show options on Klook →

10. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda

We really loved our time at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, we went on a whim as we had a gap of time to fill and didn’t want to go too far from the centre. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda was free to enter and had a more local, sweeter atmosphere to it when compared to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. There was no line and our passports were scanned in quickly to enter a lovely courtyard area with surrounding gardens. We started following the signs and were approached by a young boy who asked if he could be our tour guide so he could practise his English. We said yes and he showed us around the area, accompanied by his tutor who helped when the young boy became shy or forgot the words. It was great, they were only trying to practise their English, they were not looking for a tip or anything other than to talk and get a photo at the end. We were also asked for our thoughts on his language skills by the tutor. It was a really genuine interaction and perfect for us to learn the history and meaning behind what we were seeing.

The Small Wild Goose Pagoda consists of many gardens and courtyards and of course the pagoda itself, this space is uncrowded and we enjoyed learning the history of each part from our new friends and taking in the gardens surrounding it. I would absolutely recommend a visit here if you have time, it really is a gem hidden in plain sight, especially when combined with the Xi’an Museum.

Things in Xi’an We Would Skip If Time Was Limited

These are the attractions that I would skip if your time is limited, or you want to see less and spend longer at the attractions you do see.

Great Mosque

The Great Mosque is interesting but if you are short on time it is not essential to see. You can always take a look from the outside and come back if there is time later.

I would do either the Xi’an Museum or the Shaanxi History Museum but not both

Both would be great, but only if you have 3+ days as each does require a lot of time to really soak up the information.

The Drum Tower

We’d see the exterior rather than pay to enter, it would be nice to see but it is very similar to the Bell Tower.

Best Things to Do in Xi’an by Interest

How Many Days Do You Need in Xi’an?

1 day in Xi’an

One day in Xi’an is possible, but the itinerary is extremely compressed. I would prioritise the Terracotta Warriors and perhaps the evening at Datang Everbright or the Bell Tower if you don’t want to leave the central city area.

2 days in Xi’an

We did two days in Xi’an and while we couldn’t see everything we were really happy with what we managed to do. We felt like we got a great overall experience of the city and left some things to return to see if we are nearby again.

3 days in Xi’an

Three days are better if museum and extra attractions matter to you. If you want a better understanding or a slower travel experience then three days would be perfect. It would also give you a little more time to do the full city wall loop.

4+ days in Xi’an

Four days in Xi’an allows you to visit Mount Hua or deeper exploration and getting to see all the main sights. I would definitely do both museums, towers and the smaller more local temples.

See our complete 2-day Xi’an itinerary →

Our Ideal 2 Days in Xi’an

Day 1: City Wall → historic centre → Muslim Quarter → Small Wild Goose Pagoda/Xi’an Museum → evening

Day 2: Terracotta Warriors → Big Wild Goose Pagoda → Datang Everbright City

For exact timings, transport and how we’d structure the two days, see our complete Xi’an 2-Day Itinerary →

DIY Xi’an or Book Tours?

Xi’an is a big city with a lot of sights so a tour can absolutely make sense here, especially if you are trying to fit it all in. We did a DIY trip but you could make the case it would have been smoother with a guide. These are the attractions I think would have been improved with a guide.

DIY for:

• City Wall;
• Muslim Quarter;
• towers;
• mosque;
• Datang;

Consider a tour for:

• Terracotta Warriors;
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda;
• deeper historical interpretation;
• limited time, trying to see the city in a day;
• travellers nervous about China logistics.

The city is huge, so if you are trying to maximise your time and see as much as possible quickly a guide will get you around faster and more efficiently while explaining what you are seeing. I also think a guide at the terracotta warriors would have been great to deepen the experience and add extra explanations that create a more memorable understanding.

Prefer a private English-speaking guide? See the highly reviewed private options on Viator →

Where to Stay for Xi’an Sightseeing

We stayed right in the centre of the city, walkable distance to the Bell and Drum Towers. It was perfect for us as a first time visitor as it was easy to get around the old city area and get Didi rides to places a little further away such as the pagodas and Datang Everbright City. Our hotel was UrCove by Hyatt Xi’an Bell Tower Huimin Street Hotel, it was perfectly located and really comfortable. Everything from the staff, the room and breakfast felt like it was a high standard and incredibly well done and elevated. Our room was spacious and with high end finishes, the bathroom was really calming and tranquil with separate toilet, shower and basin. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would book it again, in fact we did book with the URCove brand in other cities in China because of how much we loved our stay here.

Prefer Booking.com? Compare URCove By Xi’an Bell Tower Huimin Street Hotel, here →

There was a great little restaurant that was always filled with locals nearby, Mike loved the noodles here and the sandwiches, walk out front and turn right, you will find them.

Current Xi’an Attraction Prices

Best Time to Visit Xi’an Attractions

I would always try to visit the biggest attractions first thing in the morning as they will usually be the busiest and therefore have more of a crowd throughout the day. In particular the city walls and the Terracotta Warriors are the two I would try to see as early as possible, even though there is likely to always be a crowd, particularly during school or public holidays. We visited in school holidays and it was busy but not outrageously so.

Going early can also avoid the peak heat in summer but the one thing I would save for the afternoon evening is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which can then flow into seeing Datang Everbright City illuminated in the evening. Generally, spring and autumn offer the most comfortable sightseeing weather in Xi’an. March to May and September to October are particularly good choices, although conditions can vary.

What Xi’an Was Like When We Visited in August

We visited in August, it was during school holidays and it was a little busy but not more than we expected. There were overcast skies and periods of rain while we were there, but the cooler weather made sightseeing easier.