🇨🇳Xi'an
Ancient capital of a dozen dynasties and the eastern anchor of the Silk Road, best known today as home to the buried Terracotta Army.
In photos
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Quick facts
Money & what things cost
Like the rest of China, Xi'an runs on mobile payment — Alipay and WeChat Pay, both set up for foreign cards in tourist mode, cover taxis, street stalls, and the Terracotta Army ticket counter alike. Cash still works but change can be scarce, so set up Alipay before you land. Bring or arrange a VPN too, since Google, WhatsApp, and most Western apps are blocked (see Connectivity below).
What locals earn
| Average monthly salary (Xi'an, urban) | ≈ ¥6,800 ($945) | well below Beijing or Shanghai, but the cost of living is lower too |
| Typical entry-level salary | ≈ ¥4,000–5,500 ($555–765) | |
| Minimum wage (Shaanxi province) | ¥2,000/month (≈ $278) |
Food & drink
| Item | Local price | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|
| Roujiamo (Chinese 'burger') or skewers | ¥6–12 | $0.85–1.65 |
| Biang biang noodles or yangrou paomo | ¥15–25 | $2.10–3.50 |
| Muslim Quarter street food crawl | ¥40–70 | $5.50–9.70 |
| Sit-down restaurant, per person | ¥40–90 | $5.50–13 |
| Bubble tea / coffee | ¥15–28 | $2.10–3.90 |
| Local beer at a bar | ¥10–25 | $1.40–3.50 |
Transport
| Item | Local price | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|
| Metro ride (distance-based) | ¥2–6 | $0.30–0.85 |
| Bus ride | ¥1–2 | $0.15–0.30 |
| Didi (ride-hail) across town | ¥15–30 | $2.10–4.20 |
| Taxi flag fare | ¥9 | $1.25 |
| Terracotta Army tour bus (Bus 306) round trip | ¥14 | $1.95 |
| Didi from Xianyang Airport to city | ¥90–140 | $13–20 |
Where to sleep & what it costs
| Tier | Per night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | ¥45–90 ($6.00–13) | Several courtyard hostels sit right against the City Wall |
| Budget hotel | ¥180–320 ($25–44) | Chains like Home Inn and Jinjiang Inn are common and reliable |
| Mid-range hotel | ¥320–600 ($44–83) | Often walking distance to the Bell Tower or Muslim Quarter |
| Luxury | ¥900+ ($125+) | International five-star chains cluster near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda |
Getting around
- From the airport
- Xianyang International (XIY) sits ~45 minutes northwest of the city. The airport shuttle bus runs to several downtown drop-off points for ¥25–30; Didi runs ¥90–140 and is far more convenient with luggage. The metro's airport line also connects directly to the city center.
- To the Terracotta Army
- The site is in Lintong District, about an hour east of downtown. Bus 306 (also signed as Tour Bus 5) leaves from Xi'an Railway Station and is the cheapest, easiest option (~¥14 round trip). Didi or a hired driver for the half-day runs ¥150–250 and lets you add the Huaqing Palace hot springs on the way.
- Metro
- Clean, cheap, and expanding — several lines now reach the airport, the Terracotta Army area, and most central sights. Signage is in English and pinyin; bag screening happens at every station.
- Bike around the City Wall
- Renting a bike atop the 13.7 km Ming-dynasty wall is one of the best things to do in the city — full loop takes about 2 hours. Rental booths sit at each of the main gates.
- On foot
- The old city inside the wall is compact and very walkable, especially the Bell Tower–Drum Tower–Muslim Quarter cluster.
Neighborhoods to stay in
- Bell Tower / Drum Tower area
- Dead center of the old city, walkable to the Muslim Quarter and most sights — the classic first-timer base.
- Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie)
- Staying inside the food-stall action itself; noisy at night but unbeatable for convenience and atmosphere.
- South Gate
- Quieter, still inside the wall, close to the Shaanxi History Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
- Near the High-Speed Rail Station
- Useful if you're connecting onward by train, but further from the old city sights.
Tipping & etiquette
- The Muslim Quarter is a Hui Muslim neighborhood — dress a little more modestly there and expect no pork or alcohol at its restaurants.
- Haggling is expected at souvenir stalls near the Terracotta Army and in the Muslim Quarter markets, but not in shops with posted prices.
- Loud, direct conversation is normal, not rude — don't read it as hostility.
- Avoid the topics of Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang politics with new acquaintances — it puts your host in an awkward spot rather than being dangerous to you.
- Photography inside the Terracotta Army pits is allowed without flash; tripods and drones are not.
Safety & common scams
Xi'an is very safe for violent crime, including walking alone at night around the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter. The real friction points for visitors are the language barrier, crowd crush at the Terracotta Army during peak season, and the Great Firewall rather than any personal danger.
Scams to know
- Unofficial 'tour guides' and drivers outside the Terracotta Army offering a 'shortcut' or 'better ticket' — buy tickets only at the official counter or online through the site's official channel.
- Fake terracotta figurine 'antiques' sold as ancient at souvenir stalls — treat every one as a modern replica, because it is.
- Unlicensed black cabs outside the train station quoting inflated flat fares — use Didi or the metered taxi queue instead.
- Overpriced 'tea ceremony' invitations near tourist sights, similar to Beijing — politely decline unsolicited invitations from strangers.
Emergency numbers: 110 (police) · 120 (ambulance) · 119 (fire) — English-language support is limited; your hotel can help translate if needed
Phone & internet
Get an eSIM (China Unicom/China Mobile via Airalo, or a physical tourist SIM at Xianyang Airport) — you'll want data constantly for translation and maps. As everywhere in China, Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western apps are blocked by the Great Firewall, so set up a reputable VPN before you leave home rather than trying to install one after landing. Alipay and WeChat both work without a VPN and double as payment and translation tools.
First-timer FAQs
How much time do I need for the Terracotta Army?
Budget half a day including travel. The site has three excavation pits under one roof complex — Pit 1 is the largest and most photographed, Pit 2 and Pit 3 are smaller but show individual figures and the command structure up close. Entry is ¥120 in peak season (Mar–Nov), ¥100 off-season; go early or via a guided tour to beat tour-bus crowds that peak mid-morning.
Do I need a visa?
Most Western passport holders need a visa arranged in advance through a Chinese embassy/consulate or an approved agent. Xi'an's Xianyang Airport is not typically a transit-visa-free entry point for China's 144-hour visa-free transit program — check current rules carefully if connecting through, as the eligible airports and routes change.
Is the Muslim Quarter food safe to eat?
Yes — go where the queue of locals is longest, and stick to stalls cooking food fresh in front of you. Biang biang noodles, yangrou paomo (lamb soup with bread), and skewered lamb are the signature dishes; most stalls have zero English, so pointing works fine.
Can I walk or bike the whole City Wall?
Yes — it's one continuous 13.7 km loop, fully intact, and rentable bikes make the full circuit doable in about 2 hours. Walking sections near the main gates is popular in the early evening when it's cooler and lit up.
How many days do I need?
Two full days covers the Terracotta Army, the City Wall, the Muslim Quarter, and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Three lets you add the Shaanxi History Museum and a slower pace through the old city; Xi'an also pairs well as a high-speed rail stop between Beijing and Chengdu or Chongqing.