Xi'an First Visit Highlights

The city walls, the Terracotta Army and the Shaanxi History Museum, a short first-visit route arranged by area.

Three days in three areas. Day one covers the city walls, Forest of Stone Steles, the Bell and Drum Towers and the Muslim Quarter, all within the walls. Day two goes east to Lintong for the Terracotta Army and Huaqing Palace, and you can stay on for the Song of Everlasting Sorrow show. Day three visits the Shaanxi History Museum and the Big and Small Wild Goose Pagodas in the south suburbs before you leave. Stay near the Bell Tower area and walk to find food in the evening. Mount Hua is not included, so this suits first-time visitors with limited time.

The Song of Everlasting Sorrow usually runs April–October. In winter, it is suspended or has fewer performances.

Day by day

Day 1 · The Historic Core Inside the City Walls

Xi'an（Xi'an City Wall、Xi'an Beilin Museum (Forest of Steles) & Shuyuanmen、Bell Tower and Drum Tower、Muslim Quarter (Beiyuanmen)、Great Mosque of Xi'an）

Take the airport bus, or Metro Line 14 and transfer to Line 2, to get into the city, about 1 hour. Walk within the city, or rent a bike to ride on the walls.

Climbing the walls in the evening gives you night views. A full loop by bike takes about two hours.

Stay: Bell and Drum Towers · Muslim Quarter

Day 2 · Lintong Terracotta Army and Huaqing Palace

Xi'an（Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Army)、Huaqing Palace、The Everlasting Regret Show）

Take Bus 5 or Metro Line 9 to Lintong, about 1 hour. Take a taxi from the Terracotta Army to Huaqing Palace, about 10 minutes.

The Terracotta Army requires advance booking with real-name registration. Allow about 3 hours to see all three pits.

Stay: Bell and Drum Towers · Muslim Quarter

Day 3 · South Suburb Museums and Pagodas

Xi'an（Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Xi'an Museum、Shaanxi History Museum、Giant Wild Goose Pagoda / Datang Everbright City）

Metro Lines 2 and 4 link the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi History Museum and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening, take the metro to Xi'an North Railway Station.

The Shaanxi History Museum is closed on Mondays, and tickets must be booked several days ahead.

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