Trip.com
Hotels in Xi'an on Trip.com
From $22/night hostels to $210+/night luxury — Sofitel Legend, Eastern House Boutique, Bell Tower Youth Hostel and 2,500+ more. Filter by tier on Trip.com.
$22 – $210+/night
西安 · Travel Guide
Xi'an for foreigners
Terracotta Warriors, the 14th-century city wall, and Silk Road food that hits different.
Xi'an is where Chinese history begins. It was the capital of 13 dynasties over 1,100 years and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, which is why the food is heavier on lamb, bread, and cumin than anywhere else in central China. Most travelers need 2-3 days: one day for the Terracotta Warriors (they're 40 km east of the city), one for the wall and downtown, and an optional day for Mount Hua or Famen Temple.\n\nThe city center is compact and walkable. The Ming-dynasty wall encloses the old city in a 13.7 km rectangle; everything inside is flat and bikeable. The Muslim Quarter (Hui Min Jie) sits just west of the Bell Tower and is the densest food neighborhood in central China. Xi'an is also noticeably cheaper than Beijing or Shanghai — a comfortable 3-day trip with hotels runs about ¥2,000-3,500 ($280-490) per person.
Top things to do in Xi'an
The must-see places locals will tell you are unmissable, with photos and a direct link to the in-depth guide for each.
Terracotta Warriors
40 km east of the city in Lintong. ¥120 ticket, open 8:30-18:30 (Mar 16–Nov 15). Arrive by 7:30 AM to beat tour buses. Allow 3 hours; Pit 1 is the iconic shot, Pit 2 has the most variety.
Read full guide →
Xi'an City Wall
The most complete ancient city wall in China — 13.7 km around, Ming dynasty (1370–1378). ¥54 entry. Rent a bike at the South Gate (¥45 single, ¥90 tandem, 2 hours). Sunset rides are the highlight.
Read full guide →
Muslim Quarter (Hui Min Jie)
The most underrated food neighborhood in China. Walk Beiyuanmen, then duck into Dapai Xiang for biang biang noodles. Try rou jia mo (¥10), yangrou paomo (¥40-60), and persimmon cakes. Go at 6 PM when stalls fire up.
Read full guide →
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
A Tang-dynasty brick pagoda from 652 AD, still standing. ¥50 entry to the grounds, extra for the climb. The North Square has a free musical fountain at night (9 PM show).
Read full guide →
Tang Dynasty show
The "Dream Chang'an" performance at Tang Paradise — Tang music, dance, costumes, plus a dumpling banquet. ¥298-580 with dinner, ¥198-298 show only. Daily 8:30 PM, 90 minutes. Touristy but the cultural hook is real.
Read full guide →
Famen Temple (day trip)
110 km west of the city. A Buddhist temple with a finger-bone relic of the Buddha. Worth it for niche interest; the underground palace museum is striking. ¥120 entry, allow a full day.
Read full guide →
Where to stay in Xi'an
We only list hotels that accept foreign guests and accept international credit cards.
Book your Xi'an trip
Plan your Xi'an trip on Trip.com — the only platform we've verified for mainland China. Prices update in real time; no hidden fees.
Trip.com
Hotels, trains & flights
The best platform for mainland-China hotels and high-speed rail tickets. English interface, accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard.
Hotels from $35/night · HSR from $7
Search Xi'an on Trip.com →When to visit Xi'an
April–May and September–October. July–August is hot (35°C+) and crowded with domestic tourists. Winter is cold but quiet.
FAQ
-
How do I get to the Terracotta Warriors from Xi'an?
Tour Bus 5 (游5路) from the east square of Xi'an railway station. 7 ¥, 1 hour, runs every 10 minutes from 7am-7pm. Or DiDi/taxi (200-250 ¥, 50 min) or private car with driver (600-800 ¥/day). -
Is the Tang Dynasty show worth it?
Yes, if you want the cultural hook. It's a tourist show, not a documentary — Tang music, dance, costumes, and a dumpling banquet. Skip it if you're on a tight schedule; it runs 90 minutes. -
Is Xi'an safe for tourists?
Yes. The main risk is the Muslim Quarter pickpocketing in peak hours — use a crossbody bag. Traffic inside the wall is mostly bicycles and pedestrians, so it feels calmer than Beijing.
Need help in China?
12 bilingual phrase cards for emergencies. Show the Chinese to locals, read the English for context.
-
Alipay Payment Failed
My international card payment failed. Can I pay cash or transfer privately to you?
-
Didi Driver Cancelled
Hello, the Didi drivers cancel my ride when they see my passport. Where nearby can I hail a regular taxi?
-
Hospital Emergency
Please help! This is an emergency. I need a doctor. Here are my passport and insurance. Please call an ambulance or get a translator.
Get our Xi'an itinerary
A day-by-day plan, the metro lines you need, and the one restaurant locals love.