¥500 to Explore Xi'an! A Super Detailed 3-Day, 2-Night Money-Saving Guide

Hey guys! I'd be so sad if anyone still doesn't know that Xi'an is the ultimate budget travel destination😭! I'll take you on a 3-day immersive experience of this ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, where you can eat and drink well while saving big bucks. Students and workers, just go for it! Day 1: City Wall Cycling + Delicious Food I arrived at Xi'an Railway Station 🚉 at 6 am, and the square in front of the station was already bustling! A 10-minute walk took me to a hostel near the city wall. The 6-person dorm bed at ¥50/night was simple, but the location right next to the city wall was amazing! At 7:30 am, I flashed my student ID at the South Gate of the city wall 🎫 and got in for half price, only ¥27! There were very few people at this time, so I rented a bicycle 🚲 for ¥45 and leisurely cycled the entire 13 km loop. When I reached the northeast corner, the morning sun shone on the old city, and it was so beautiful that I couldn't stop taking pictures! Remember to bring your own water, as the water on the city wall is ridiculously expensive! At noon, I came down from the West Gate and headed straight to Sajinqiao! I highly recommend Lao Mi Jia Da Yu Pao Mo. For ¥28 a bowl, you can break your own bread, which is super de-stressing. The owner teaches you how to "break it into the size of soybeans for the best flavor." One bite and you'll be hooked～ In the afternoon, I took the subway (¥3) to the Bell Tower. First, I checked in at the popular "Starbucks Xi'an Wall" 📸, and then ducked into Gao's Courtyard in the alley behind it! The ¥15 entrance fee gets you access to this Qing Dynasty residence, and at 3 pm, there's a super impressive Hua Yin Lao Qiang performance, totally worth the price! In the evening, I went to West Yangshi Street, a foodie paradise hidden by locals! The ¥5 honey cold cake is chewy and delicious, the ¥8 meatball and hot pepper soup is super filling, and the ¥10 red willow barbecue is sizzling with oil! Finally, I bought a cup of sour plum soup for ¥3 and sat in Huajue Lane, watching the sunset gild the mosque. The atmosphere was amazing～ Day 2: A Journey Through Thousands of Years I woke up early to catch the first bus on Route 5! A ¥7 cash fare took me directly to the Terracotta Army. I rushed in at 8 am when it opened, and there were the fewest people! The entrance fee is ¥120, and I recommend getting a tour guide (¥20 per person), otherwise, you really won't understand it! Bring your own snacks, as the biangbiang noodles in the scenic area cost ¥38 a bowl, which is a bit much... At noon, I took the free shuttle bus to Lishan Garden and was speechless at the sight of the Bronze Chariots and Horses exhibition hall! I returned before 2 pm and took bus 914 (¥5) to Huaqing Pool. For those not interested in bathhouses, the Bingjian Pavilion on the back hill offers a superb view of Lintong! At 7 pm, I went to the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to watch the free musical fountain ⛲. After that, I headed straight to the Datang Everbright City! Although it's a bit commercialized, the free song and dance performances are fantastic! Finally, I bought a portion of zeng cake for ¥6 as a late-night snack. It was soft, glutinous, sweet, and made me feel so happy～ Super Practical Money-Saving Tips 1️⃣ Transportation: Search for "Chang'an Tong Electronic Card" on Alipay and use it directly for the subway and bus! 2️⃣ Tickets: The Shaanxi History Museum is free, but you need to book 3 days in advance. Student IDs are your best friend! 3️⃣ Luggage Storage: Hostels offer free luggage storage, making it super convenient to travel light! 4️⃣ Clothing: There's a big temperature difference between day and night, so bring a light jacket to avoid catching a cold! 5️⃣ Food: Sajinqiao, Dapiyuan, Miaohou Street - you can't go wrong with these! Follow this guide, and ¥500 is all you need to have a great time in Xi'an! Grab this guide and set off to experience the romance and charm of this ancient city～💃