Xi’an is one of China’s most legendary cities where dynasty history, silk road stories, and modern street life meet in the most fascinating way. For many travellers the Terracotta Warriors are the bucket-list highlight, but what surprised us was how much the city offers beyond that — glowing towers at night, buzzing food streets and easy connections with Didi.
What makes Xi’an so special?
Xi’an feels like a living history book that never stops adding chapters. You can spend the morning staring at thousands of clay warriors buried for over 2,000 years, then be slurping hand-pulled noodles in the Muslim Quarter by evening. The Bell Tower lights up like a lantern at night, food stalls fill the lanes and every area feels packed with stories. It’s a city that is deeply historic and wonderfully alive at the same time.
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Our Experience in Xi’an
We based ourselves in the Muslim Quarter, which was absolutely buzzing at night. Yes it felt a bit repetitive at times but the atmosphere was addictive and the food was genuinely delicious. We tried hand-pulled noodles with all the trimmings, the famous bread-breaking soup, wonton soup, purple-and-yellow rice cake, persimmon juice and cake and of course the fruit candy stick (if you like toffee apples, you’ll love it). One big lesson we learnt was the ear-cleaning scam – prices on the board mean nothing once you’re inside, and they use pain and pressure to upsell “treatments”. After being overcharged once and having a second place tell us our ears were “really bad” too, we realised it was a common scam. Our advice: avoid ear-cleaning shops completely.
⭐ Best Things to Do in Xi’an
Visit the Terracotta Warriors
- This was the only reason we came to Xi’an and it was absolutely worth it. Just imagining that farmers discovered this site only about 50 years ago while digging a well is mind-blowing. There are three main halls, each showing a different stage of excavation, plus a garden area connected by a shuttle.
- Muslim Quarter → Terracotta Warriors: 122 yuan by Didi (about 1 hour)
- Terracotta Warriors → Muslim Quarter: 66 yuan by Didi
- Terracotta Warriors → Train Station: about 45–50 minutes by Didi
Expect a wall of guides at the entrance and again inside the gate. If you want deeper history, a guide can be great, but you can also say a firm no and follow the excellent signs instead. Some guides will try to steer you into shops for commission, so just smile and decline if you’re not interested.
Wander the Muslim Quarter at Night
- Staying right in the Muslim Street area meant we were in the heart of it all. At night, the streets fill with:
- Skewers, dumplings, noodles, breads and soups
- Sweet treats like rice cakes and fruit candy sticks
- Endless snack and souvenir stalls
It’s busy, bright and full of energy. Even though some stalls repeat, we still found little one-off gems tucked between the more touristy spots.
See the Bell and Drum Towers Lit Up
- We didn’t go inside, but just seeing the Bell Tower and Drum Tower from the outside at night was impressive. Both are beautifully lit and make a great focal point for an evening walk around the edges of the Muslim Quarter. They give you a real sense of Xi’an’s historic heart sitting right inside a modern city.
Just Walk and Soak Up the City
- Xi’an is huge, and each district has a slightly different feel. If you have time, wander beyond the main tourist lane:
- Explore side streets and quieter neighbourhoods
- Look for small noodle shops and bakeries
- Watch locals playing games, exercising, or just going about their day
It’s a nice way to balance the big-ticket sights with everyday life.
🛏️ Where to Stay in Xi’an
The best place to base yourself is the Muslim Quarter. It’s central, full of life and gives you easy access to the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, the Xi’an Wall and endless food options. Everything you need is walkable and Didi pickups are simple from the main road.
Why stay here:
- You’re in the heart of the night markets
- Walking distance to major attractions
- Easy transport connections
- Lively, safe and full of atmosphere
If you prefer somewhere quieter, choose a hotel just outside the main streets but still within the district. You’ll get the benefits of close access without the late-night noise.
When it comes to finding the right place to stay, we usually start with Trip.com— it’s easy to use and covers everything from budget motels to boutique stays and self-contained options. We also like to check Tripadvisor for reviews and side-by-side comparisons and Booking.com is a handy tool for comparing prices across multiple platforms. Between them, you’ll get a clear picture of what’s available and what might suit your travel style best.
🍜 Where to Eat in Xi’an
Xi’an’s food scene is legendary – it’s rich, hearty and absolutely delicious. The Muslim Quarter is the perfect place to sample everything.
Here are some must-try dishes:
- Hand-Pulled Noodles
- Thick, chewy noodles cooked right in front of you with meat, chilli oil and greens. Big bowls, bold flavours, very Xi’an.
- Bread-Breaking Soup (Yangrou Paomo)
- You tear the bread yourself and soak it in rich lamb broth. Traditional, filling and very popular.
- Wonton Soup
- Surprisingly delicate and flavourful – we loved it.
- Persimmon Treats
- Persimmon juice, persimmon cakes and fresh persimmons are everywhere.
- Purple & Yellow Rice Cake
- Pretty to look at, mildly sweet and fun to try even if it’s not a standout.
- Fruit Candy Stick (Tanghulu)
- If you like toffee apples, this is your street-food dream. Sticky, crunchy and everywhere you turn.
You really can’t go wrong — most stalls serve tasty, affordable food and half the fun is choosing whatever catches your eye.
💡 Travel Tips for Xi’an
Avoid Ear-Cleaning Shops
- I mention this in all my China blogs because it’s important. While there are genuine clinics that specialise in ear health, you won’t find them in the busy tourist streets. After trying a few places in different towns and being told every time that our ears were “really bad”, we realised it was a widespread scam. The price on the board means nothing once you’re inside, and they often use discomfort to upsell expensive treatments. The best advice is simple — just walk away.
Use Didi for Everything
- Didi is cheap, fast, and easy to use.
Our actual costs:- Xi’an North Station → Muslim Quarter: 54 yuan
- Muslim Quarter → Terracotta Army: 122 yuan
- Return → Muslim Quarter: 66 yuan (not sure why it was faster and cheaper)
Expect Heavy Crowds at Terracotta Warriors
- It’s one of China’s biggest and busiest attractions, so expect tour groups, school groups, and steady crowds throughout the day. The main hall fills up quickly, especially around mid-morning when the buses arrive. If you want space to breathe and the chance to really take in the scale of the warriors, go as early as possible. The first hour after opening is noticeably calmer and makes the whole experience feel more special.
Guides Will Approach You Repeatedly
- You’ll be approached by guides at the entrance, inside the gate, and even in the museums, and the prices can start around 300 yuan but drop to 200 yuan the moment you walk away. They stay with you for about two hours and are very informative, but they will almost always lead you into certain shops where I’m sure they get a commission, usually paired with a “special 50% discount just for you.” The good news is that there are signs everywhere explaining the history in clear detail, so you can explore confidently on your own. If you’re not interested in a guide, simply say “No thank you” and keep walking.
Prepare for Long Walks at Lishan Garden
- If you buy a ticket that includes Lishan Garden and choose to walk, be aware that the paths are long and there’s not much to see along the way. The shuttle from the entrance saves you an incredibly long and boring walk, and at 15 yuan it’s absolutely worth it.
Food Streets Get Very Busy at Night
- If you get overwhelmed easily, try visiting around 5pm, when the food stalls are just opening and the streets are still calm. You’ll get all the colour and atmosphere without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds that build up a little later in the evening.
🏺 5 Interesting Things About Xi’an
- The Terracotta Army was discovered by accident.
- In 1974, local farmers digging a well struck something “hard” — they had uncovered one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds.
- Each Terracotta Warrior is unique.
- Different faces, hairstyles, clothing, ranks — no two are the same. It once took hundreds of skilled workers to produce just one soldier.
- Xi’an was the starting point of the Silk Road.
- For centuries it was China’s gateway to the world, connecting traders across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
- The city once had a massive protective wall.
- Xi’an’s ancient city wall stretches over 13km and is one of the best-preserved in China. Many travellers bike the top of it.
- The Bell Tower was built to “calm the dragons underground.”
- Legend says ancient builders believed a dragon lived beneath the city and caused earthquakes. The Bell Tower was built to suppress it — and it’s still one of Xi’an’s most iconic landmarks today.
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🌍 Travel Planning Resources
These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.
- ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
- 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
- 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
- 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
- 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
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- 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
- 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
- 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
- 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.
🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.
“Every step we take is a step through someone else’s history.”