Things to do in Xi'an

Activities, attractions and tours

Drum Tower which includes a city and heritage architecture
Drum Tower which includes a city and heritage architecture
Xi\'an featuring a city
Xi\'an
Terracotta Army which includes interior views and heritage elements
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

What to do in Xi'an

Popular places to visit

Terracotta Army featuring interior views and a statue or sculpture

Terracotta Army

5/5(20 reviews)

Marvel at the thousands of sculpted soldiers, horses and chariots keeping the first Emperor of China company in the afterlife.

Terracotta Army
Bell Tower

Xi'an Bell Tower

4.5/5(17 reviews)

You can browse the exhibits at Xi'an Bell Tower, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Xi'an. Make time for the shops and local tours in this walkable area.

Xi'an Bell Tower
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda which includes a temple or place of worship and a park

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

4.5/5(14 reviews)

Admire engravings and statues as you ascend the twirling staircase of this tower for a panoramic view of the city of Xi’an.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi\'an City Walls which includes a temple or place of worship and religious elements

Xi'an City Walls

4.5/5(16 reviews)

Relish the Chinese style of the elegant moat, towers and historic walls of one of the world’s largest military defence systems.

Xi'an City Walls
Great Mosque of Xi\'an which includes religious aspects and a mosque

Great Mosque of Xi'an

4/5(6 reviews)

See an intriguing blend of Islamic customs with traditional Chinese architecture in this religious complex of gardens and historic buildings.

Great Mosque of Xi'an
Xi'an University has beautiful gardens and small pagodas surrounded by water or grass/flowers. At night, the city lights shine bright to create a hall around this one. #pagodas #china #travel #xian #blackandwhite

Xi'an Jiaotong University

Enjoy the student vibe at Xi'an Jiaotong University during your stay in Xi'an. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Xi'an Jiaotong University

Drum Tower

4.5/5(11 reviews)

After visiting Drum Tower, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Xi'an. Make time for the shops and local tours in this walkable area.

Drum Tower

Tomb of Qin Shi Huang

5/5(3 reviews)

Learn about the local history of Xi'an with a stop at Tomb of Qin Shi Huang. Discover the area's hot springs and spas.

Tomb of Qin Shi Huang

Datang Everbright City

You can do some window-shopping at Datang Everbright City during your stay in Xi'an. While in the area, you can find time to visit its temples.

Datang Everbright City

Areas of Xi'an

Bell Tower

Xi’an City Center

4.5/5(25 area reviews)

Noted for its historical sites and gardens, there's plenty to explore in Xi’an City Center. Top attractions like Xi'an Wall Yongningmen (North Gate) and Xi'an Bell Tower are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Yongningmen Station or Zhonglou Station to see more of the city.

Xi’an City Center
Nice parc around of the pagoda .

Yanta Qu

Yanta Qu is a destination travellers like for its historical sites, and you might hop aboard the metro at Wei 1-jie Station or Xiaozhai Station to explore sights like Shaanxi History Museum.

Yanta Qu
Xi´An Bell Tower, China.

Zhonglou Shangquan

While you're in Zhonglou Shangquan, take in top sights like Xi'an Bell Tower or Xi'an Wall Yongningmen (North Gate), and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Zhonglou Station or Beidajie Station.

Zhonglou Shangquan
Xi´An Bell Tower, China.

Beilin

Beilin is a destination travellers like for its historical sites, and you might hop aboard the metro at Yongningmen Station or Nanshaomen Station to explore sights like Xi'an Wall Yongningmen (North Gate).

Beilin
Xi\'an

Muslim Quarter

Unique features of Muslim Quarter include the historical sites and shopping. Make a stop by Xi'an City Walls or Andingmen while you're exploring the area.

Muslim Quarter
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda which includes a temple or place of worship and a park

Qujiang New District

Discover Qujiang New District, memorable for its gardens. Popular attractions in Qujiang New District include Tang Paradise and Datang Everbright City, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Huizhan Zhongxin Station.

Qujiang New District
Buddhist grottoes in Binzhou, Shaanxi, China

Xianyang

Frequently asked questions

Is Xi'an worth visiting?
From shopping to history and outdoor adventures, there are plenty of great things to do in Xi'an. Be sure to enjoy the area's mix of cool attractions, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Xi'an?
Datang Everbright City and Shaanxi History Museum are two excellent places to start your holiday adventures. Be sure to explore the dining and shopping options in Xi'an while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Xi'an?
The top tourist attraction in Xi'an is Datang Everbright City, so be sure to put it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Xi'an?
You can easily tour top attractions like Datang Everbright City, Shaanxi History Museum and Xi'an Museum with a three-day stay in Xi'an. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so linger longer and check out Yanta Qu.
Is Xi'an a walkable city?
It all depends on what you plan to do and see in Xi'an. Several attractions, including Shaanxi History Museum and Xi'an Museum, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Xi'an's neighbourhoods, Xi'an City Centre is 0.48 kilometres away from downtown, while Zhonglou Shangquan is 0.16 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Xi'an with kids?
Planning what to do in Xi'an with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're taking a trip with toddlers or teenagers, there are lots of family-friendly sights to keep everyone entertained here.

What to do in Xi'an for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or fan of Mother Nature, there are loads of things to do in Xi'an for adults including Andingmen and Xi'an Calligraphy Museum.
Are there free things to do in Xi'an?
From enjoying parks to strolling around hip neighbourhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Xi'an. If you're in need of ideas, ask a local tour guide for recommendations. Datang Everbright City is a must for anyone planning to save on their sightseeing adventures.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia