What to do in Xian after dark

I’m much impressed by the beautifully illuminated night views in Xian during my short Xian Tour. My pleasant surprise comes from my stereotyped impression that Xian is bare and grey after dark, a seeming match for its position as an ancient capital city.

Now Xian after dark feels like a paradise on earth with everything looking surreal, neon lit shops and streets, bright Bell Tower, fairy tale City Wall and music fountain square etc.

If you are planning a Xian Tour right now, please do add a night tour to your Xian travel list. Well, follow me to touch the fairyland Xian after dark.

The lit Bell Tower

Don’t give a miss to the brightly lit Bell Tower after dark. Unlike a solemn landmark in daytime, it resembles a Tang dynasty beauty after dark.

The City Wall and its South Gate

I ambled along the neon lit South Street and looked at the surreal South Gate and the city wall. The beautifully lit South Gate

People are dancing by the South Gate

People are dancing inside the South Gate

Outside the lit South Gate

The bright city wall and the city moat

North Square of Big Goose Pagoda

I went to the north square of the Big Goose Pagoda. It was said that the north square has the world’s largest music fountain in the world which starts at 8:00pm everyday. It was a shame that I had missed the music fountain performance since I arrived there at 8:30pm.

But I still got some feeling of the huge music fountain with the Big Goose Pagoda as the backdrop. It is really worth going there for a look. The just finished music fountain on the north square of Big Goose Pagoda.

The just finished music fountain on the north square of Big Goose Pagoda.

Beautifully lit Big Goose Pagoda

South Square of Big Goose Pagoda

The south square of the Big Goose pagoda has a large sculpture park depicting the 5000-year Chinese history. The entrance to the sculpture park to the south of Big Goose Pagoda.

The entrance to the sculpture park to the south of Big Goose Pagoda

More sculptures in the park

The sculpture park is to the south of Big Goose Pagoda

Still some people gathered before the statue Xuanzhuang for phot taking.

Still some people gathered before the statue Xuanzhuang for photo taking

Defu Xiang Cafe and Bar Street

If you like pubs, cafes, charming young ladies, go to Defu Xiang (Defu Lane). The old impassioned lane boasts the great attractions. To seek love, to make new friends, to relax themselves.., people flood in the Defu Lane when nights fall on. Defu Xiang Bar Street

Defu Lou Coffee Shop

Xian Tang Dynasty Dinner Show

If you prefer a night performance to kill your night time, Tang Dynasty Show is your best choice. Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show is an outstanding element of this ancient rich and prosperous society, giving an insight into the peaceful life style of the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907).

There are two major venues to put on the performance – Shaanxi Song & Dance Theatre and Tang Dynasty Palace, which both offer two choices – performance including dinner or excluding dinner.

Where and When to See: 1. Shaanxi Song & Dance Theatre
Showing Hours 20:00 – 21:00
No. 165, Wenyi Road, Xi’an (outside the east gate )
2. Tang Dynasty Palace
20:30 – 21:40
No. 75, Chang’an Road, Xi’an (outside the south gate )