







Plan your Xian tour? The city center of Xian is a very compact and walkable, and most of the places of interests are just a breeze from where you stay in the walled city.
As an ancient capital in China, Xian now still keeps the fortifications built in Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls. You may stay within the city wall or outside the city wall. But most traveler prefer to stay inside the old city wall. The wall measures 14 km in circumference, 12m in height, and 15–18m in width at the base.
The city layout within Xian City Wall is based on a grid pattern centrally denoted by the grand Bell Tower (钟楼), which levels out four main avenues clockwise: East avenue (Dong Dajie 东大街), South Avenue ( Nan Dajie 南大街), West Avenue (Xi Dajie 西大街) and North Aevenue (Bei Dajie 北大街). Xian Railway Station is just located on the northeast corner of Xian city wall while Xian Airport is located 40km northwest of Xian.
Best for Romance and City Core: Bell Tower Area
Bell Tower Area is the most central part of Xian with four main streets merged here. Under the Bell Tower, a newly completed Subway line 02 takes you to Xian North Railway Station ( 10 km north of the city center) or the exhibition center in the south.
To the northwest of Bell Tower, there is a Starbucks (Bell Tower Shop). Walk westward from the Starbucks, you will see some local famous restaurants providing Xian dumplings and Yangrou Paomo (Bread and Mutton Soup).
Further west, you come across Drum Tower. North of Drum Tower is the famous Muslim Quarter.
Suggested hotels around Bell Tower:
Melody Hotel Xian,
Citadines Xi’an Central
Xi’an Century Landscape Hotel
Ramada Bells Tower
Skytel Xi’an Best for Mixing with the Common People in Xian: East Avenue Area
The East Avenue used to the most commercial street in Xian. Now its popularity is fading with its position having graduated taken by South Avenue and West Avenue. Outside the east gate of Xian City Wall is Shaanxi Song & Dance Theatre which puts on Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show every day.
Suggested hotels around East Avenue:
Super 8 Hotel Xi’an He Ping GateS
Best for Designer Shopping: South Avenue Area.
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.Its city wall south gate is often used as a tourist spot where people start to work. Forest of Stone Tablets is also located to the east of the south gate.
Union Alliance Atravis Executive Hotel
Skytel Xi’an (Formerly Prince International Hotel)
Best for Renovated Charming Streets: West Avenue Area
The West Street is rebuilt in a Tang Dynasty architecture style. This is the most beautiful street, especially sparkling in the evening.
Suggested hotels around West Avenue:
Meihua-Goldentang International Hotel Best for Business Travel: North Avenue Area
The North Avenue is the least commercial street of the four streets where Xian’s office buildings and government buildings are dotted here and there around the North Avenue.
Suggested hotels around north avenue:
Xian Railway Station Area
Xian Railway Station is located on the northeast corner of the city wall. It is a very bustling and commecial area. On the east square of the train station, there are directly buses going to Terra-cotta Army and Huaqing Hotspring.
Jinjiang Inn (Xi’an Jiefang Road) South of Xian City Wall Area
Suggested hotels: Tangcheng Hotel Xian and Shangri-la Hotel Xian
Useful Xian Hotel Links
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 City Day Tour from US$69
Xian Terracotta Warriors Day Tour A from US$85
Terracotta Army and Song of Everlasting Performance from US$135
Xian 2 Day Tour Package from US$170 p/p
Xian 3 Day Tour Package from US$235 p/p
Terracotta Army Join-in Escorted Bus Tour RMB 480 p/p
Terracotta Army Escorted Private Tour US$ $125 P/P
Further Readings
Beijing Xian High Speed Train Experience
Top 10 Attractions in Xian
Tips for Visiting Muslim Quarter in Xian
Tips for Visiting Xian City Wall
Tips for Visiting Shaanxi History Museum
Tips for Visiting Xian Bell Tower
How Visit Terracotta Army
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
Tips for Visiting Huaqing Hot Springs in Xian
How to Visit Mount Huashan
Top 10 Hostels in Xian
Best Time to Visit Xian
Any questions, just drop a line.