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How to Visit Xi’an in Two Days (Tips, Photos & Map)

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

Plan your Xi’an tour? Xi’an is one of the most visited cities in China after Shanghai and Beijing in terms of international visitors. No matter you plan to visit Xian following your trip to Beijing, or on your ongoing travel to Shanghai, Xi’an is often lingering in your mind for its enchanting Terracotta Warriors.

So basically how many days do you need to visit Xian? Based on my own experience, a two-day tour in Xian is a sweat spot, allowing you to catch the highlights of Xian while smoothly fitted into your ongoing trip to Beijing or Shanghai.

Day One: Xian City Tour

You are supposed to allocate one full day ( or two half days ) for your classic Xi’an Day Tour, which basically include the attractions such as:

Big Goose Pagoda
Shaanxi Provincial History Museum
Xian City Wall
Xian Bell & Drum Towers
Xi’an Muslim Quarter & Food Street
Xian Tang Dynasty Dinner Show

Big Goose Pagoda
The temple and its surrounding area are full of life, people-watch. Its north square is home to the largest musical fountain in Asia; its south square leading to the Great Tang All Day Mall, a 1500-meter sightseeing avenue where you immersed in Tang Dynasty culture while enjoying shopping, dining, entertaining, sightseeing and business travel.

Check out How to Visit Big Goose Pagoda for more travel information

Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Daci’en Temple

The temple and the pagoda itself takes 1 or 2 hours to visit while the whole area ( squares, gardens ,etc.) takes much longer time, providing people with wonderful free leisure and entertainment.

Shaanxi Provincial History Museum
A 2-3 hour visit to Shaanxi Provincial History Museum is a good starter for your eye-popping glimpse of the Terracotta Army. A free entry ticket allows you to visit the three permanent exhibition halls (No.01 – No.03 ), which display the artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi Province.

Check out How to visit Shaanxi Provincial History Museum for more travel information.

Xian was the ancient capitals for 13 dynasties in Chinese history. Of the 13 dynasties, Tang Dynasty was the Golden Age of China, when Europe was in its Dark Ages after the fall of Rome.

Xian City Wall
Xian is home to the most complete and well-preserved ancient city wall in China and one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world as well.

Check out How to visit Xian City Wall for more travel information.

Xian City Wall was initially built in Tang Dynasty (618 -907), based on which, the existing wall was rebuilt in Ming Dynasty during the period between 1374 and 1378. Now the remaining Xian City Wall is 12 meters tall, 18 meters wide at the base, 12-14 meters wide on the top with a perimeter of 13.74 km in length and a deep moat surrounding it.

Xian Bell & Drum Towers
In Chinese history from Ming Dynasty, each city had a bell tower and a drum tower. The bell was sounded at dawn and the drum at dusk each day in ancient time, a means of telling time.

Check out How to Visit Xian Bell Tower for travel information.

Xian was not exception. The Bell Tower and Drum Tower of Xi’an date back to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The two are located in the center of the Xian city connecting the four roads from east, south, west and north within the city wall. Atop the Bell Tower you will have a panoramic view of the Xian City; atop the Drum Tower you will have a bird’s eye view of the Muslim Quarters.

Xi’an Muslim Quarter & Food Street
The Terracotta Warriors Museum will be definitely a must-to-see on your Xian travel plan. But one equally important thing to do and you cannot afford to miss is to have a taste or glimpse of the exotic food on the streets in the Muslim community in Xian. These back streets are full of life with a rich strong feel of Islamic cultural vibe.

Check out How to visit Muslim Quarter in Xian for more travel information.

The Muslim Community is known as Muslim Quarter in Xian or colloquially called “Huifang (回坊）” in Chinese. It is said there are over 300 Muslim local snacks on the streets in Xian Muslim Quarter that attract a consistent flow of visitors everyday coming here to savor or just have a glimpse.

Xian Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
For most first time visitors, it is a pleasant surprise that you won’t find yourselves lonely when night falls in the ancient city of Xian. The major avenues of Xi’an like Xi Dajie, Nan Dajie and Dong Dajie are brightly and beautifully lit lined with luminous neon signs stores. If you are not interested in the street evening shopping, then the Big Goose Pagoda Square and Nanhu Lake are the favorite night hangouts, where the dazzling lights and beautiful scenery will surely shock you! Is this Xian? Yes, it is!

Check out Xian Tang Dynasty Dinner Show for more information

If you prefer a night performance to kill your night time, Tang Dynasty Show is your best choice, which is on the most Xian visitors’ top 10 attractions list. 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.

Day 2: Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Hot Spring and Banpo Museum

On the second day, you have a full day east excursion to Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Hotspring and Banpo Museum.

Terracotta Warriors & Horses
Huaqing Pool ( or Huaqing Hot Springs)
Banpo Museum

Terracotta Warriors and Horses
To visit Army of Terra Cotta Warriors is the main reason why you are here in Xian. Get up early and have a fast breakfast like the first day, then get to Terracotta Warriors and Horses.

Check out How to Visit Terracotta Warriors for more travel information.

It is 37 kilometers away from the downtown area. The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. It is the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century.

Huaqing Pool
After lunch, you can take Y5 back to Museum Lishan Station, then walk to Huaqing Hot Springs. Huaqing Pool is located at the foot of north Lishan Hill in Lintong, leaning against Wei River in the north. Since ancient times, it has ever been a famous bathing and tourist destination.

Check out How to Visit Huaqing Hot Springs for travel information.

The favorable geographical condition and natural environment make it one of the cradles where ancient people settled and it was also a favorite place for emperors to build their palaces as a resort.

Banpo Museum
After finishing your exploration in Huaqing Pool, you can take Bus No. 307 and go to Banpo Museum. The Banpo Museum is located in a modern building some three miles to the east of Xian. As the first museum at the prehistoric site, it was built at the base of the excavations of the Banpo site.

Check out Xian Banpo Museum for more information.

The museum gives access to the excavated buildings, has a collection of artifacts from the site, and also has several reconstructed houses designed to resemble the Neolithic settlement.

Enjoy your two-day Tour in Xian!

Tip: Hassle-free Xian Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Xian guided tours:

Xian Tour
Xian Day Tour
Xian Tour Packages
Beijing Xian Tour

Further Readings

Beijing Xian High Speed Train Experience
Best Time to Visit Xian
How to Visit Xian in Two Days?
Xian Airport Transportation
Xian Railway Station Transportation
Xian Taxi: Xian Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Xian City Layout
Xian’s Top 7 Iconic Landmarks
Where to Stay in Xian
Top 10 Attractions in Xian
Top Things to Do for Kids in Xian
How Visit Terracotta Army
How to Visit Xian on a Budget
The Starbucks in Xian
Top Markets in Xian
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Xian
Top 10 Best Restaurants in Xian
Top 10 Souvenirs in Xian
Xian Tourist Traps, Xian Tourist Scams

Tips for Visiting Muslim Quarter in Xian
Tips for Visiting Xian City Wall
The Ramparts of Quebec City and Xian City
Tips for Visiting Shaanxi History Museum
Tips for Visiting Xian Bell Tower
How to Visit Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Top 10 Photography Spots in Xian
The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall
Tips for Visiting Hanyang Tombs Xian
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show in Xian
Tips for Visiting Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Yaodong Cave Dwellings in Xian
Tips for Visiting Huaqing Hot Springs in Xian
How to Visit Mount Huashan
Mt.Huashan Snow Scenes Photos
How to visit Xiyue Temple
Top 10 Hostels in Xian
Top 10 Xian Luxury & Boutique Hotels
Xi’an: An Exotic City with an Undeniable Historical Depth

Best Places to See Autumn Leaves around Xian
Muslim Streets in Muslim Quarter in Xian
Hua Jue Xiang, Huajue Lane at Xian Muslim Quarter
The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall
Xian City Wall Night View
What to do in Xian after dark
Xian’s Best Street Food
Xian Muslim Quarter Exotic Food
Xian Bar Street
Spring Festival Lantern Exhibit in Xian
Xian T e rracotta Army Pictures

How to Visit Maijishan Grottoes from Xian by Train
How to Visit Hukou Waterfall
How to Visit Huangdi Mausoleum
Xian Lhasa Flight Experience (Tips, Photos & Map)
Beijing Xian Flight Experience
Datong Xian High Speed Train
Reviews on Beijing Xian Luoyang Tour

Visit Xian in January (Weather, Wear, & Tips)
Visit Xian in February
How to Visit Xian in March
Visit Xian in October
How to Visit Xian in November
Visit Xian in December

Any questions, just drop a line.

Tags: travel Xian in two days, two day sightseeing in Xian, two days in Xian
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Xian’s Top 7 Iconic Landmarks

Sunday, June 4th, 2023

A city’ name card or image symbol is best manifested in its iconic architectural landmarks. These landmarks are the barometer of the city’s history, economic development and the spiritual hope on it by its residents as well.

As one of the most famous ancient cities in China, Xian has its own unique cultural values and its historical sites.

To understand Xian’s landmarks is your first step to get to know Xian on your short Xian tour. Here are the seven you shouldn’t miss on your Xian tour.

1. Big Goose Pagoda (652) and its North Square (2003)

The Big Goose Pagoda is the most important symbol of the ancient city of Xian. It was originally built in 652 in Tang Dynasty ( 619 – 907 ) for Xuan Zang to put the scriptures and statues he had brought back from India.

It is the earliest and largest remaining brick square tower built in Tang Dynasty in China, an iconic Buddhist landmark combining the Indian Buddhist architectural forms with the Chinese Han vernacular building features. The present pagoda is 64.5 meters high with 7 stories, located inside Da Ci’en Temple south of Xian city centre.

Big Goose Pagoda

Musical Fountain at North Square of Big Goose Pagoda

Completed in 2003, the Big Goose Pagoda North Square mainly comprises Asia’s largest Tang Dynasty themed cultural plaza, Asia’ s largest musical fountain square, and Asia’s largest statue square. The construction of the huge cultural square features the Tang culture elements of Big Goose Pagoda and Da Ci’en Temple, combining the elements of the traditional and the modern. The music fountain starts at 8:00 pm everyday.

2. Xian Ancient City Wall ( 1274 – 1378 )

Xian Ancient City Wall is rectangle in shape with a perimeter of 14 km, 12 meters high, 18 meters wide at its base and 15 meters wide at its top. The wall has four main gates – East Changle Gate, West Anding Gate, South Yongning Gate and North Anyuan Gate.

The Xian city wall was built on the former imperial city walls of Tang Dynasty ( 619 – 907 ) and the current wall was rebuilt in 1374 and completed in 1378 with over 600 years.

South Gate to Xian City Wall

Xian City Wall was constructed in a way centered on a fairly complete defense system with its width longer than its height, standing as firm as a mountain. On the wall top, chariots and horses could be easily moved. It is the one of the most important city walls ever built in the late Middle Ages and the most well preserved ancient city wall in China.

After consistent repair and protection, the Xian City Wall now offers a good combination of the city wall, city moats and forest belt. You can walk, even cycle on the wall. Its south gate is the largest with a suspension bridge. Most of the tourists choose the south gate for sightseeing.

3. Xian Bell Tower (1384)

Xian Bell Tower was originally built in 1384 during Ming Dynasty ( 1368 – 1644 ). It is the largest and most well preserved bell tower among the numerous remaining bell towers in China. It is located in the heart of Xian city, the hub of the four avenues fanning out from the bell tower.

In ancient time, the bell in a bell tower was stricken at dawn and the drum in a drum tower was beat at sunset to indicate the end of the day.

The Xian Bell Tower was built on a square base, a wood and stone structure with two stories, three eaves and 4 upturned roof corners; it is 8.6 meters high at its base and 36 meters high above the base with a perimeter of 35.5 meters with an area of 1377.4 square meters. Today, the Bell Tower can only be accessed from the entrance on North Avenue. There is a staircase leading to the top of the Bell Tower.

4. Drum Tower (1380)

To the northwest of the Xian Bell Tower is the Xian Drum Tower. The Drum Tower is located in a busy street which is full of street traders and hawkers. The Drum Tower got its name from the huge drum located within the building. In ancient time, the bell in a bell tower was stricken at dawn and the drum in a drum tower was beat at sunset to indicate the end of the day.

The Drum Tower is 4 years older than Bell Tower and built in 1380 in Ming Dynasty ( 1368 – 1644 ). It went through two large-scale revamps in Qing Dynasty ( 1644 – 1911 ).

Today the Drum tower marks the southern entrance to the city’s Muslim Quarter which is an interesting area to walk around and have a look. You will feel as if you are in a “city within a city” in the Muslim Quarter. Atop the Drum Tower you will have a bird’s eye view of the Muslim Quarters.

5. Xian People’s Hotel (1953)

My selection of Xian People’s Hotel on the top list is to some extent due to the emotion and nostalgia the local Xian people have over the building. It used to the best hotel in 1950s where the experts from former Soviet Union stayed with a kind of mystery looming in people’s hearts.

The hotel was built in 1953 and revamped in 1985. It is one of the famous large courtyard hotels in China with an construction area of 63800 square meters. The hotel is composed of a group of buildings which feature the combination of Chinese architecture’s simplicity and elegance with the Western delicacy and splendor.

It is scattered with Chinese pavilion-topped buildings surrounded by classical Chinese gardens in a spacious compound. Today, part of the hotel complex has been turned to Sofitel Xian.

6. Xian People’s Theatre ( 1954 )

Xian People’s Theatre was originally built in 1954 in order to house the Northwest Art Work Troupe ( Today’s Shaanxi Singing and Dancing Troupe) that had been relocated from Yan’an to Xian.

The building features the mixed Chinese and Western architectural styles, and later it was encluded together with other 36 buildings completed in mainly in Beijing 1950s in the book named ” World Architecture History” published in UK.

Xian People’s Theater is known as the first modern theater in northwest China, hold more than 1000 persons. It is the venue for plenty of dramatic performances. Today, the theater is also converted into a dinner theater with integrated dining and entertainment. Add: No. 41, Beida Jie, Xincheng District, Xi’an.

7. Tang Paradise (2005)

Completed in 2005, Tang Paradise （大唐芙蓉园) is the largest culture theme park in the Northwest Region of China. Built and expanded on the former site of Tang Paradise in Tang Dynasty ( 618-907), now it is a model imperial garden to fully demonstrate the Tang Dynasty’s charm and grandeur.

The setting, a landscaped 165-acre site surrounding a willow-lined lake, captures something of the look and feel of classical Chinese landscape painting.

Throughout the Tang Paradise, there are twelve scenic regions including the attraction of Ziyun Tower Block, Elegant Lady Area, Imperial Banquet Hall, Fanglin Fragrant Garden, Phoenix Theater, Apricot Garden, Lu Yu Teahouse, Tang Marketplace and the Floating-drink at Qujiang Lake.

The Water Film is the main attraction in Tang Paradise. The screen of the water is a film of water, which makes you a wonderful and illusory feeling that you were on the scene in person. When the figures in the movie appear on the screen, it seems that they are flying to the sky or coming down from the heaven. It is indeed a splendid ocular enjoyment.

Open Time: 9:00 am-21:00 pm
Entrance fee: RMB 120 (high season): RMB90 (Low season)
Add: 99 Furong West Road, Qujiang New District, Xian ( to the southeast of Big Goose Pagoda)
How to there
Take Bus 609 from Bell Tower area and get off at the 12th stop of Tang Paradise （大唐芙蓉园）

Tip: Hassle-free Xian Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Xian guided tours:

Xian Tour
Xian Day Tour
Xian Tour Packages
Beijing Xian Tour

Bell Tower ( the Heart of Xi’an)

In Ming Dynasty (1368 – 16440), each city had a bell tower and drum tower. Xian was no exception. This 36-meter high Bell Tower in Xian is the largest and best preserved in China.

Xian Bell Tower stands in the centre of Xian city proper from which, four main avenues are laid out – East, West, South and North. The four main avenues meets four main gates of Xian’s Ming City Wall accordingly.

The Bell Tower is located in the centre of Xian linked to four main avenues.

The Bell Tower is located in the center of Xian linked to four main avenues.

Ascending the Bell Tower

The Big Bell

The tower has three layers of eaves but only two stories. In the hall of the second floor, a Ming music performance is held at a fixed hour everyday.

South Avenue ( South Street)

Standing on the second floor of Xian Bell Tower, I’m looking at the South Avenue to the south of the Bell Tower.

The South Avenue is the shortest avenues of the four with its southern tip meets the South Gate of Xian City Wall. The South Avenue is lined with high end and upstart shopping malls.

The South Gate of Xian City Wall （the southern tip of Xian South Avenue）

The South Avenue, the shortest avenues of the four

The trendy South Avenue

The South Avenue

West Avenue (West Street)

The West Avenue is a renovated Tang Dynasty style street. The West Avenue is brightly illuminated after dark with stunning views. To the north of the West Avenue is located Drum Tower in Xian. To the north of the drum tower is Xi’an Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque.

To the west of the Bell Tower and north of the West Avenue is a city center park.

North of the park is located some time-honoured restaurants such as De Fa Zhang famous for Jiaozi. To the west of the park and the Bell Tower is the Drum Tower in Xian.

North of the Drum Tower is the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque.

North of the Drum Tower is the Muslim Quarters and the Great Mosque.

The West Street in a Tang Dynasty architecture style.

The West Avenue

The West Avenue 1

East Avenue (East Street)

The East Avenue is a faded commercial street which once used to the most visited shopping street in Xian. Now its position has been taken place by the South Avenue and West Avenue. The outed East Avenue The East Avenue with a bit shabby and run-down

North Avenue (North Street)

The North Avenue is the least commercial street of the four streets.

To the northwest of the Bell Tower, there is Starbucks Coffee

Most of the attractions can be found close to the Bell Tower like Drum Tower, Great Mosque.

However, some of the city sights, such as the Army of Terracotta Warriors, Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, and Big Goose Pagoda are located south of the city wall. The Terracotta Warriors is located about 30km east of Xian downtown.

In the hall of the second floor, a Ming music performance is held at a fixed time everyday

Tip: Hassle-free Xi’an Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Xian guided tours:

Xian Tour
Xian Day Tour
Xian Tour Packages
Beijing Xian Tour

Archive for the ‘Shaanxi Travel’ Category

How to Visit Xi’an in Two Days (Tips, Photos & Map)

Day One: Xian City Tour

Day 2: Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Hot Spring and Banpo Museum

Tip: Hassle-free Xian Guided Tours

Further Readings

Xian’s Top 7 Iconic Landmarks

1. Big Goose Pagoda (652) and its North Square (2003)

2. Xian Ancient City Wall ( 1274 – 1378 )

3. Xian Bell Tower (1384)

4. Drum Tower (1380)

5. Xian People’s Hotel (1953)

6. Xian People’s Theatre ( 1954 )

7. Tang Paradise (2005)

Tip: Hassle-free Xian Guided Tours

Further Readings

Xi’an City Layout (Tips, Photos & Map)

The Layout of Xi’an City

Bell Tower ( the Heart of Xi’an)

South Avenue ( South Street)

West Avenue (West Street)

East Avenue (East Street)

North Avenue (North Street)

Tip: Hassle-free Xi’an Guided Tours

Further Readings

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