Xi’an, once called Chang’an, was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and the capital for 13 imperial dynasties. Today, it’s where deep history meets street-food sizzle—Ming-era walls ring a modern city, and mosque courtyards hide steps from sizzling skewers and soup-dumpling steamers.

Beyond the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an dazzles with graceful pagodas, palace museums, and a city wall you can actually bike atop. The night scene glows: light shows around Big Wild Goose Pagoda, musicians along Grand Tang Mall, and intimate cocktail dens tucked in Defu Alley.

Practical notes: bring your passport for real-name ticketing and museum entry, and reserve popular sites like Shaanxi History Museum in advance when possible. Mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat) are ubiquitous; cash and cards work at larger venues. Winters are crisp, summers hot; spring can bring dust—pack layers and a light mask if sensitive.

Xi’an

Xi’an is a feast of relics and flavors: the bronze bells of its towers, the crenellations of its City Wall, and the cumin-and-chili perfume of the Muslim Quarter. It’s compact enough for quick transfers by metro or DiDi, yet sprawling with stories from Silk Road traders to Tang poets.

• Top sights: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Bell & Drum Towers, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum, Great Mosque, Yongxingfang folk street, Small Wild Goose Pagoda.
• Signature eats: Roujiamo (Shaanxi “burger”), liangpi (cool skin noodles), biangbiang noodles, yangrou paomo (crumbled flatbread in mutton broth), guantang bao (soup buns), persimmon cakes.
• Fun facts: The City Wall is among China’s best-preserved and rideable; the Terracotta Army’s Pit 1 alone holds over 6,000 life-sized soldiers; the character for “biang” has so many strokes it defies most keyboards.

Getting to Xi’an: Fly into Xi’an Xianyang International Airport or ride China’s high-speed rail. For flights and domestic trains, compare times and prices on Trip.com Flights and Trip.com Trains. Typical times and ballpark fares:

• From Beijing: Flight ~2 hrs (US$60–150); high-speed train 4.5–6 hrs, second class ~US$70–90.
• From Shanghai: Flight ~2.5 hrs (US$70–160); high-speed train 6–7 hrs, second class ~US$85–110.
• From Chengdu: Flight ~1.5 hrs (US$50–120); high-speed train ~3.5–4 hrs, second class ~US$45–70.

Where to stay: For easy sightseeing and food, pick the Bell/Drum Tower area or near South Gate (for the City Wall). For evening shows and family-friendly promenades, stay by Big Wild Goose Pagoda/Grand Tang Mall. Browse stays on VRBO Xi’an or compare hotels on Hotels.com Xi’an.

Day 1: City Walls, Towers, and a Muslim Quarter Food Crawl (Arrival in the Afternoon)

Morning: Travel to Xi’an. If you arrive early, grab a light bite near the Bell Tower. Good coffee stops include Manner Coffee (smooth, nutty house blend; fast service) or Seesaw Coffee (seasonal single origins and light pastries). For a quick local breakfast, try a roujiamo at a “Tongguan Roujiamo” stall or a warming bowl of hulatang (peppery soup) from a neighborhood shop.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel and head to the South Gate of the Ancient City Wall. Rent a bike (about 45–60 CNY for 2 hours; deposit required) and ride the 14-km loop or do a shorter segment—sunset light over the ramparts is magical. Entry is roughly 54–80 CNY depending on season. Continue to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower for a quick look and city vistas.

Evening: Dive into the Muslim Quarter (Hui Min Jie) for a curated snack tour. Start with Jia San Guan Tang Bao (贾三灌汤包) for soup-filled buns; then order roujiamo at Liu Ji (刘记腊汁肉夹馍), cold liangpi noodles dressed with chili and vinegar, and charcoal-grilled lamb skewers. Don’t miss pomegranate juice and hot persimmon cakes. Step into the serene Great Mosque (check closing times; modest entry fee) to appreciate its fusion of Chinese architecture with Islamic prayer halls. For a nightcap, stroll Defu Alley—try Park Qin, a terracotta-warrior-themed bar with mellow live music and inventive China-inspired cocktails.

Day 2: Terracotta Warriors, Pagodas, and Tang-Era Nights (Depart in the Afternoon)

Morning: Set out early for the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Warriors). Getting there: DiDi/taxi 60–90 min (about 120–200 CNY); Tourist Bus 306 from the Railway Station 60–75 min; or Metro Line 9 plus a short shuttle. Tickets are typically 120–150 CNY; consider an English guide (~150–200 CNY) or an audio guide (~30 CNY). Visit sequence tip: Pit 2 and Pit 3 first for context, then end at the vast Pit 1 to maximize the “wow.” Plan 3–4 hours onsite including the Bronze Chariots gallery.

Afternoon: Return to the city. If it’s not Monday, visit the Shaanxi History Museum (free with advance reservation; paid Treasures Hall ~30 CNY) to trace Silk Road art and Tang ceramics. If Monday, swap in the tranquil Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Xi’an Museum park. For lunch nearby, try Xi’an Fan Zhuang (西安饭庄) for a tasting spread—youpo mian (chili-oil noodles), qishan saozi noodles, and crisp-skinned gourd chicken—or head to Lao Sun Jia (老孙家) for a classic yangrou paomo experience (tear the flatbread yourself; the richer the broth, the better).

Evening: Wander the Big Wild Goose Pagoda precinct. The North Plaza fountain show (free; evening times vary seasonally) pairs music with jets and lights beneath the pagoda silhouette. Along Grand Tang Mall (大唐不夜城), street performances, lit statues, and snack stalls create a festive promenade. For dinner, book the famed dumpling banquet at De Fa Chang (德发长) near the Bell Tower—dumplings shaped like goldfish, walnuts, and lotus with fillings from black pepper beef to shrimp—fun, theatrical, and delicious. Dessert or tea? Try a tangy osmanthus rice wine soup or a simple jasmine tea at a nearby teahouse before you depart.

Insider Tips & Extras

• Yongxingfang (永兴坊): A folk-food street east of the wall known for regional Shaanxi snacks, hand-pulled noodles, and folk performances. Great for a daytime bite and souvenirs like black sesame candy.
• Gao’s Grand Courtyard (高家大院): A preserved mansion in the Muslim Quarter with occasional shadow-puppet shows; a calm cultural detour amid the food stalls.
• Shuyuanmen Culture Street: Near the South Gate; browse calligraphy brushes, paper, seals, and local art prints—packable keepsakes.
• Transit basics: Xi’an Metro is clean and efficient; Bell Tower to Big Wild Goose Pagoda is ~20 minutes by metro. DiDi is plentiful and affordable for cross-town hops.
• Shows: The outdoor “Song of Everlasting Sorrow” at Huaqing Palace typically runs seasonally (spring–autumn). If in season and you have extra time after the Warriors, it’s an atmospheric add-on.

Accommodation Picks (Areas & Search)

For first-timers, the Bell/Drum Tower area balances food, metro access, and sightseeing. Near South Gate puts you by the City Wall bike rentals and Defu Alley bars; Big Wild Goose Pagoda is ideal for families and evening strolls at Grand Tang Mall.

• Browse apartments and unique stays on VRBO Xi’an.
• Compare hotels by neighborhood and rating on Hotels.com Xi’an.

Getting In & Out

Book flights (domestic or international) via Trip.com Flights. For high-speed trains to/from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and more, check schedules and seats on Trip.com Trains. Aim for morning arrivals and mid-to-late afternoon departures to match this 2-day plan.

Summary: In two days, you’ll stand eye-to-eye with an army buried for millennia, pedal a wall that guarded an imperial capital, and taste the Silk Road in every bowl and skewer. Xi’an rewards curiosity—with layers of history and a street-food scene that lingers long after your flight.