What to do in Xi'An: two days of history, food, and lights to discover the coolness of this place
Let’s be honest: Xi’An isn’t the first place that comes to mind when planning a trip to China. And if you do add it to your itinerary, chances are you think this city is all about the Terracotta Army. ⚔️
Nothing could be more wrong!
Here’s a mini guide to spending a couple of days in this city that will totally change your mind about how cool it is (here you can find our travel essentials for exploring China stress-free).
The Terracotta Army: mind-blowing
Imagine an entire army of life-sized terracotta soldiers, perfectly preserved for over 2,000 years, standing guard to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. I mean — this emperor literally had an entire army built just to be buried with him, ensuring his soul was defended in the next world.
The level of detail in each statue is insane: you can even see wrinkles on the soldiers' foreheads. And their expressions? I can't even! 🔥
💡Pro tip: book a guide for this visit. It’ll make the experience so much more enriching, and you’ll also get some peace of mind about what happened to the farmers who first discovered these warriors (spoiler: their village was built right on top of the site!).
🫶🏻 Good to know:
the museum is about an hour from Xi’An — you can take a DiDi (China’s Uber) to save time. It’s easy to get one for the return trip too!
we heard that in summer, it gets packed with tourists, and the lines for photos are endless!
you can book a guided tour directly on Trip.com.
💗 What we loved: the story behind this army’s creation and the insane level of detail in each statue.
Xi'An City Walls: a walk through the city from a different perspective
Xi’An’s city walls were built over 600 years ago and are among the best-preserved ancient fortifications in history. They completely surround the old city, and no, walking on them is not your typical boring tourist stroll!
The vibe is super chill, especially at sunset when you get to enjoy breathtaking views. From up here, you can see everything: wide streets lined with skyscrapers, stylish residential areas, lush parks. Walking the walls gives you a whole new perspective on the city! 🌇
You can even rent a bike directly on the walls and ride around!
It’s such a cool contrast — being surrounded by history while watching the modern city thrive all around you.
🫶🏻 Good to know:
the walls cover a long distance, and there are multiple entrances, so you can choose different points to go up or down.
Yes, you’ll need a ticket, but you can buy it right at the entrance.
💗 What we loved: the peaceful atmosphere and the stunning city views!
The Muslim Quarter: totally unexpected
Xi’An has a neighborhood where Chinese and Muslim cultures blend, creating mind-blowing flavors. The Muslim Quarter is basically a huge open-air market: narrow streets packed with food stalls, mosques, vendors grilling over open flames, and crowds everywhere — a chaotic but thrilling energy.
When the sun sets, the atmosphere gets even more magical, with colorful lights illuminating the streets.
And the food? Wow! Try as much as you can because the flavors here are totally different from what you’ll find in other parts of the city. Some of our absolute favorites: Roujiamo, crispy bread stuffed with slow-cooked lamb or beef, fried mushrooms, Biang Biang noodles, spicy lamb skewers 🍡
🫶🏻 Good to know:
you can pay with AliPay or WeChat here
watch out for scooters zipping through the crowd!
trust the queue: if you see a long line at a stall, it’s probably worth the wait!
💗 What we loved: unexpected and incredible flavors!
Datang Everbright City: the thousand lights of Xi'An
If you thought Xi’An was just history, culture, and tradition… plot twist: Datang Everbright City is nothing like you’d expect. It’s a giant avenue lit up like daylight, with live performances everywhere, people dressed in traditional imperial costumes, golden statues, classic architecture adorned with red lanterns, and a full-on festival energy 24/7.
This is the beating heart of modern Xi’An — a super cool commercial district where fashion, food, and tech collide. At night, it turns into an adult playground with neon lights, events, and nightlife.
🫶🏻 Good to know:
go at night — the lights make this place absolutely unreal!
besides street food, you’ll find some really nice restaurants specializing in ancient cuisine — delicious but very spicy! 🌶️
💗 What we loved: the surreal lights and atmosphere! That perfect kind of over-the-top kitsch!
How to get from Beijing to Xi'An?
Let’s be real — you’re probably not traveling all the way to China just for Xi’An. This city will likely be one stop on your journey. We got there from Beijing by high-speed train, which was super convenient, punctual, and fast (it took us 4 hours and 10 minutes). You can also fly if you prefer!
🫶🏻 Good to know:
you can buy train tickets on Trip.com
taking a train in China is like taking a flight — expect security checks and document screening before you can access the platform, so arrive early!
no loud talking on trains!
Where to Stay
Definitely inside the City Walls — this is the best location for visiting all the main attractions!
We stayed at Grand Mercure Xian Renmin Square, which had huge rooms, a pretty solid breakfast selection, and a fantastic location. And despite being a 5-star hotel, the prices were super reasonable — we paid less than €30 per night per person!
Which of these experiences sounds like your vibe? Or have you been to Xi’An and have more spots to recommend? Spill the tea in the comments! ✨
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