Xian, China 5 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and City Center Exploration

  • Accommodation: Recommended: Grand Noble Hotel Xian or similar (Centrally located for convenience)
  • Breakfast: Try local breakfast at a street stall, popular items include Roujiamo (Chinese sandwich) and Jianlibing (flatbread with soybean milk)
  • Morning: Visit the Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square, landmarks representing the ancient city.
  • Lunch: Xian Muslim Quarter (Huiminjie), a bustling area filled with delicious Halal street food. Don’t miss the Xian Roujiaomo!
  • Afternoon: Explore the Great Mosque and wander through the adjacent Muslim Quarter.
  • Evening: Stroll along the City Wall, one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China, and enjoy a light show at night (Check the schedule beforehand)
  • Dinner: Enjoy a traditional Tang Dynasty dinner with music performance at places like Tang Dynasty Palace or Li’s Imperial Feast.

Day 2: Terracotta Warriors and Horses

  • Transportation: Rent a bike, take a tour bus, or hire a taxi to visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses.
  • Morning: Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the 20th century.
  • Lunch: Eat at a restaurant near the museum, or pack a lunch to save time.
  • Afternoon: Explore more areas of the Terracotta Warriors site or visit the Terracotta Warrior Copy Factory to see how replicas are made.
  • Evening: Return to Xian and relax. Consider visiting a local tea house for a tranquil experience.
  • Dinner: Try local specialties like PaoCai (pickled vegetables) or Yangrou Paomo (shredded flatbread in mutton soup) at restaurants like De Fa Chang or Hui Guan Jia.

Day 3: Ancient City Wall and Shanxi Museum

  • Morning: Continue exploring the City Wall, this time on a bike rental to cover more ground.
  • Lunch: Head back to the Muslim Quarter for more delicious food.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Shaanxi History Museum to learn about Xian’s rich history.
  • Evening: Stroll along the Bell and Drum Tower Square, enjoy local snacks, and take in the vibrant nightlife.
  • Dinner: Dine at a restaurant offering Xian cuisine with modern twists, such as Noodle Story or Little Gourmet.

Day 4: Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Great Mosque

  • Morning: Take a taxi to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, part of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda complex.
  • Lunch: Eat at a restaurant near the pagoda, or return to the Muslim Quarter for more delicious street food.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Great Mosque and wander through the adjacent Muslim Quarter again if you haven’t already explored it fully.
  • Evening: Take a leisurely walk along the City Wall or explore local markets like the Bell Tower Street Market or East Street.
  • Dinner: Try local Xian dishes at restaurants like Yue Hai Jia or De Fa Chang, which offer both traditional and modern interpretations of local cuisine.

Day 5: Departure

  • Breakfast: Enjoy your last breakfast in Xian before checking out from the hotel.
  • Morning/Afternoon: Spend the remaining time shopping for souvenirs, visiting any remaining sites of interest, or relaxing at a local park.
  • Lunch: Savor one last meal in Xian before heading to the airport or train station for your departure.