Must see! 4 days and 3 nights in Xi'an: Tips for a relaxing trip to the ancient city
Good news for those who plan to go to Xi'an during the off-season from February to April! The crowds of the Spring Festival have subsided. Going to Xi'an at this time can give you a great travel experience. The major attractions are no longer crowded, allowing you to enjoy the fun of traveling. Today, we have carefully compiled a super detailed four-day tour guide to Xi'an to help you leave beautiful memories in this ancient city!
Trip Planning
Day 1: A fusion of history and modernity
Morning: Go to Shaanxi History Museum, which is known as the "Pearl of the Ancient Capital, Treasure House of China". The collection of cultural relics ranges from simple stone tools used by ancient humans in the initial stage to various utensils in social life before 1840, spanning more than one million years. It will allow you to deeply appreciate the development of Chinese civilization. Remember to book tickets in advance on the official WeChat account of Shaanxi History Museum. It is free but must be booked in advance.
Noon: After leaving Shaanxi History Museum, walk to Joy City, where there are many delicious foods. I highly recommend [Chang'an Dapaidang], which has an antique decoration style and is full of Chang'an charm. The signature dish, gourd chicken, is not to be missed. The chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and paired with special pepper salt. It is crispy and delicious in one bite. There is also their brush pastry, which is lifelike in shape and dipped in special "ink" (chocolate sauce). It is interesting and delicious.
Afternoon: Arrive at Dayan Pagoda. This historic pagoda is solemn and majestic. The surrounding Da Ci'en Temple is also worth a visit. You can listen to the legendary story about Master Xuanzang under the tower and feel the strong Buddhist cultural atmosphere.
Evening: Move to the Chang'an Twelve Hours Theme Block, which perfectly restores the market life of the Tang Dynasty. Stepping into it, it feels like traveling through time and space. NPCs dressed in Tang costumes shuttle around, and various performances and interactive activities with Tang Dynasty characteristics are wonderful. After strolling around the streets, head to the Tang Dynasty City That Never Sleeps. The brightly lit streets, magnificent light shows, and various street performances are so lively that you will immerse yourself in the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.
Day 2: Explore the charm of the ancient city
Morning: Go to Sajin Bridge, an old street full of gourmet food. Here, you can taste authentic Xi'an breakfast, such as Hu La Tang, which has a rich soup and just the right amount of pepper. Paired with fried dough sticks or fried cakes, it's a great way to start a day full of energy.
Noon: Pick a random shop at Sajin Bridge and try the water basin mutton. The tender mutton is paired with vermicelli and crescent-shaped cakes, which is warm and delicious.
Afternoon: Go to Guangren Temple, which is the only Tibetan Buddhist temple in Shaanxi. The temple has a unique architectural style and is full of mysterious religious atmosphere. Afterwards, climb up the Xi'an City Wall, rent a bicycle, and ride along the wall. You can not only overlook the scenery inside and outside the wall, but also feel the rich history of the ancient city.
Evening: When you arrive at the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, the two ancient buildings are particularly spectacular under the lights. You can enjoy the night view in the surrounding squares, or choose to climb the Bell Tower or Drum Tower to experience the charm of ancient architecture up close. There are also many snack stands near the Drum Tower, where you can taste special snacks such as Zenggao, which are soft, sweet and have a rich taste.
Day 3: Cultural and Art Tour
Morning: Go to Shaanxi Archaeological Museum, where a large number of archaeological excavation results are displayed. Through cultural relics, scene restoration and other forms, the museum vividly shows the process and significance of archaeological work, allowing you to have a deeper understanding of ancient civilization.
Noon: Have dinner at a restaurant near the museum and try Ma Shi, a kind of pasta shaped like cat ears, paired with various kinds of臊子, which is delicious.
Afternoon: Visit the Forest of Steles Museum, which houses numerous calligraphy inscriptions by famous calligraphers and is a paradise for calligraphy lovers. From the Qin and Han Dynasties to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, calligraphy works of different styles are dazzling. Then stroll along Shuyuanmen, an ancient cultural street full of cultural atmosphere. There are many calligraphy and painting shops, study supplies shops, etc. on the street, where you can find some favorite souvenirs. On the way, you will pass by Xiangzi Temple. This Taoist temple has a quiet environment and is worth a visit.
Evening: Come to Defu Lane, where there are many bars and cafes, full of literary atmosphere. Find a favorite shop, sit down, order a drink, listen to soothing music, relax your body and mind, and enjoy the night in Xi'an.
Day 4: Exploring Lintong Historic Sites
Morning: Head to the Terracotta Army, a world-renowned archaeological wonder. Follow professional tour guides in the scenic area and listen to them tell the excavation process of the Terracotta Warriors and the historical stories behind them. You will be shocked by the wisdom and skills of the ancients. Remember to purchase tickets in advance from the Terracotta Warriors official WeChat account.
Noon: Taste local farm dishes in restaurants near the scenic area, such as Lintong's stone steamed buns, which are crispy and have a unique flavor.
Afternoon: Visit Lishan Park, which is part of the Mausoleum of Qin Shihuang. Take the sightseeing bus in the scenic area to visit the Qin Shihuang Mausoleum Mound, the Terracotta Warriors Pit and other attractions. Afterwards, head to Huaqing Palace to admire the ruins of the Tang Imperial Baths and the site of the Xi'an Incident.
Evening: Watch the large-scale live performance "Song of Everlasting Sorrow", which uses Mount Li of Huaqing Palace as the background. Through wonderful dance, lighting and music, it interprets the love story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Yang Guifei. The scene is grand and very shocking. Tickets for the performance need to be purchased in advance through official channels. It is recommended to choose a seat in the middle row for better viewing experience.
Accommodation Recommendations
Near the Bell Tower: Located in the city center, transportation is extremely convenient, there are many delicious foods around, and it is very close to the Bell Tower, Drum Tower and other attractions. You can also enjoy the beautiful night view at night. For example, the Four Seasons Hotel (Xi'an Bell Tower Branch) has clean and tidy rooms, thoughtful service and high cost performance.
Near Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Beautiful environment, close to popular attractions such as Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Tang Dynasty City That Never Sleeps, and convenient transportation. For example, the Westin Xi'an has luxurious interior decoration, complete facilities, and is adjacent to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, with an excellent location.
Near a subway station: Xi'an's subway network is well developed. Living near a subway station allows you to quickly reach various tourist attractions. For example, the Hanting Hotel, located near Yongningmen Station on Metro Line 2, offers convenient transportation and relatively affordable prices.
Transportation
Subway: Xi'an's subway lines cover most of the popular attractions. Subway is the first choice for travel, which is convenient, fast and affordable. You can buy one-way tickets at the subway station, or you can download the "Xi'an Metro" APP and scan the code to ride the train more conveniently.
Online car-hailing/taxi: If you are traveling with a large group of people or have a lot of luggage, it is also a good choice to call an online car-hailing on a regular platform or take a metered taxi. Before traveling, you can refer to the map software to estimate the price to avoid being ripped off.
Shared bicycles: When traveling short distances in the city, shared bicycles are a good choice. You can freely enjoy the scenery along the way and flexibly deal with traffic jams. There are a large number of shared bicycles on the streets of Xi'an, and they are easy to use.
Food Guide
Roujiamo:
- Ziwu Road Zhangji Roujiamo (Cuihua Road Branch): The steamed bun is crispy and the meat is fragrant. The meat is tender and juicy. You will feel full of happiness when you take a bite.
- Qinyu Roujiamo (Dongmutou City Main Branch): A time-honored Roujiamo restaurant, the steamed bun is crispy and crumbly, the meat is fat and lean, and the taste is very authentic.
- Lao Tongguan Roujiamo: The steamed bun is characterized by its multiple layers of crispness and a crunchy texture. Paired with chopped braised meat, it has a unique flavor.
Beef and mutton soup with steamed buns: I recommend Lao Sun’s Restaurant, which is a century-old brand. You have to break the steamed bun into small pieces by yourself and then hand it over to the chef to cook. The cooked steamed bun has a rich soup, tender beef and mutton, and is paired with pickled garlic and chili sauce, giving it a mellow flavor.
Old-style hotpot (Yuxiang store): authentic Xi'an hotpot with a rich soup base and fresh dishes. The special shabu-shabu beef tripe, paired with a special sesame sauce, has a smooth taste and a strong sesame sauce flavor.
Belt noodles: The noodles are as thick and wide as a belt and very chewy. At [Ma Hu Noodle House], you can taste authentic Kua Dai Noodles, served with a variety of臊子. The first bite you take, the noodles are smooth and chewy, and the臊子 is full of aroma.
I hope this guide can help you enjoy your trip to Ku and fully experience the charm of this ancient city!