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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in Xi'an [2025]
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Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
4.7
/5
128410 reviews
10
From PKR 4731.87
Based on 15,044 reviews
Terracotta Army/Hua Qing Palace | 33.8 km from downtown
Phone +8602981399127
Address: Lintong District, Xi'An, Shaanxi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 4-5 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
The highest point of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor overlooking the Weihe
Qin's tomb viewpoint over Wei River
Saved by 7966 users83242 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The First Emperor of Qin, whose grandeur and ambition are fully revealed, lies buried beneath his tomb, where the mighty military prowess and unyielding ambition of the Qin Dynasty are revealed. The enigmatic underground palace and the array of terracotta warriors create a veritable "underground kingdom," representing the pinnacle of Chinese civilization's magnificent imagination and the pinnacle of human mausoleum architecture. Its mystery and grandeur continue to amaze the world to this day.
You can experience the first three pits on your own, but you must hire a guide for the Lishan Garden. There are official guides at the park entrance. They are very helpful and answered many of my questions about pits 1, 2, and 3. It was very rewarding.
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Xi'an City Wall
4.6
/5
56325 reviews
8.9
From PKR 2129.34
Based on 7,876 reviews
The bell tower The drum tower/The Xi’an Circumvallation | 1.8 km from downtown
Phone +8602987272792
Address: The city center of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, is rectangular, with four gates: Dongchanglemen (Xi'an City Wall, Huancheng East Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an), Xi'an Dingmen (West Street and Xijuyuan Lane) Nearby Xi'an City Wall (Huancheng West Road), South Yongning Gate (No. 2 South Street, Beilin District, Xi'an), Bei'an Yuanmen (Intersection of North Street and Huancheng North Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an)
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-4 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Interactive Lantern Festival of Light and Shadow during the Lunar New Year
Interactive light show festival
Saved by 3610 users42031 positive reviews
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Starting from the south gate and climbing the wall, I first stored my overweight laptop and other belongings in my backpack. Then, I walked west and north all the way to the North Gate, a journey of over 10,000 steps, fully experiencing the grandeur of the ancient city wall. I must commend the automatic lockers; they're incredibly cheap, only 5 yuan for up to 5 hours—the lowest and best price.
This was our favorite activity in Xian. We entered via the south gate. Its the perfect place to start if you are interested in hiring a bike to complete the full 14km of the wall. Beautiful views of the city, each area was interesting. After the Wall head to defu lane aka the bar and café street that is close to south gate. A trendy little area to have a drink and relax.
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Song of Everlasting Sorrow
4.5
/5
22254 reviews
8.7
From PKR 9818.62
Based on 59 reviews
Terracotta Army/Hua Qing Palace | 27 km from downtown
Phone +864000299989
Address: No. 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi'an City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-1.5 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Dream Back to the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty love story reenactment
Saved by 3043 users13074 positive reviews
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The large-scale sound, light and electricity outdoor situational performance tells the story of the prosperous Tang Dynasty and the love story of Yang Guifei. The scene layout is full of technology. The night sky and the moon are displayed very realistically against the backdrop of Mount Li. The actors dance perfectly, and the lingering love is full of love. The fighting on the battlefield and the flames rising into the sky are very immersive, and the scene at that time is truly reproduced. It is very worth watching and it is also the best large-scale performance I have ever seen.
Great show.. with a good lighting.. excellent performance with lots of coordination… highly recommended to watch.. take vip seat B which is great view
No.
4
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Xi'an Bell Tower
4.5
/5
20865 reviews
8.4
From PKR 1182.97
Based on 2,339 reviews
The bell tower The drum tower/The Xi’an Circumvallation | 8m from downtown
Phone +8602987276420
Address: Intersection of the East, West, and North Sizhi Streets in Beilin District, Xi'an
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Panoramic view of Xi'an from the top of the Bell Tower
Panoramic view of streets & Drum Tower
Saved by 2211 users15322 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The ticket price is a bit expensive: 30 yuan per person. However, the bell tower is still worth going up, as there are cultural relics to appreciate. The view is even more beautiful at night when the tower is lit up.
Previously, I had only viewed it from a distance, but this time, climbing the tower gave me a more comprehensive understanding of its history, function, facilities, and architectural structure. Looking around from the top, the entire cityscape unfolded before me—a bustling commercial area with beautiful scenery. It was definitely worthwhile!
No.
5
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Tang Paradise
4.3
/5
25815 reviews
8.3
From PKR 2681.39
Based on 489 reviews
Dayan Pagoda/The Grand Tang Mall | 5.8 km from downtown
Phone +8602985511888
Address: No. 99, Furong West Road, Qujiang New District, Xi'an
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Boat tour of the royal garden on Furong Lake
Boat show: Tang Dynasty Dream
Saved by 2225 users13418 positive reviews
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Beautiful area, not crowded on a Friday. We went to have our pictures taken for our Hanfu experience around sunset and walked around afterwards to enjoy the night scenery. Lots of people taking pictures around the northeast gate.
I originally hadn’t planed to visit this place but I’m really glad that I did. It was so magical with all the lights and installments. I haven’t visited the show, but saw a part of it from the other side. I will definitely come back again to see the show.
No.
6
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Shaanxi History Museum
4.7
/5
30797 reviews
8.1
Based on 1,630 reviews
Xiaozhai/Shaanxi History Museum | 4 km from downtown
Phone +8602985253806
Address: No. 91 Xiaozhai East Road, Yanta District, Xi'an (Northwest Side of Big Wild Goose Pagoda)
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
A million years of treasures
Interactive ancient life experience
Saved by 2136 users14038 positive reviews
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The Shaanxi History Museum in Xi'an is like a living history book. Spanning over 70,000 square meters, its Tang Dynasty-style architecture exudes a majestic grandeur. Upon entering, I was captivated by the bronze Fei Lian statue overhead. Warm yellow light shone on the slate-gray brick walls, casting a gentle veil over history.
The glass cabinets in the exhibition hall resemble time capsules, housing over 370,000 artifacts. When the instructor explained that 18 national treasures were hidden here, my eyes were immediately drawn to the rusted bronze artifacts. A large tripod with Taotie patterns from the Shang and Zhou dynasties stood quietly, as if guarding a secret from thousands of years ago.
The ancient human exhibits astonished me most. Clinging to the glass, I strained to identify the skull fossil of the Lantian Man—this Shaanxi native, 1.15 million years ago, could actually scrape animal skins with stone flakes! A nearby interactive model demonstrated how to make fire by drilling wood together, and the dancing flames reflected on the delighted faces of the children.
As an important cultural landmark at the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, the Shaanxi History Museum uses cultural relics to build a corridor of time and space, allowing visitors to touch the pulse of civilization of the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties among the blue bricks and gray tiles, and feel the profound accumulation of Chinese culture.
No.
7
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The Longest Day in Chang'an Theme Block
4.1
/5
4667 reviews
8.1
From PKR 2681.39
Dayan Pagoda/The Grand Tang Mall | 5.5 km from downtown
Phone +864001806888
Address: East side of Mandi Square, Grand Tang Mall, Xi'an City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Immersive Tang Dynasty street experience
Tang Dynasty immersive city life
Saved by 1074 users3487 positive reviews
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Designed by Yang Zhijia, the art director of the TV series "The Twelve Hours in Chang'an," and the original art team, The Twelve Hours in Chang'an encompasses three floors and a total of 24,000 square meters of three-dimensional commercial space. The project features a diverse range of "authentic Tang Dynasty" offerings, including Chang'an snacks, themed cultural and creative products, special performances, immersive games, cultural private rooms, and immersive experiences. Infused with the IP of the TV series "The Twelve Hours in Chang'an" and the cultural essence of Tang Dynasty life, The Twelve Hours in Chang'an incorporates themes from the original series, including "Enjoying Chang'an with the Stars and the Moon," "The Beauty of Harmony and Elegance in Chang'an," and "Glorious Flower Petals and Night Banquets in Chang'an." The project creates an authentic Tang Dynasty street life experience space, a Tang-themed interactive entertainment and leisure space for both the elite and the masses, and a cultural banquet experience space themed on feasting and singing. The project also features six immersive experiences, including "Tang Cuisine, Costume-Based Stories, Tang-Style Gatherings, Miniature Chang'an, Scenographic Performances, and a Cultural Feast," allowing citizens and tourists to instantly immerse themselves in the Tang Dynasty through The Twelve Hours in Chang'an and fully experience its charm and style.
Young people will love it, but older people might not be suitable. Even though it was off-season when I went, it was still crowded. You need to arrive half an hour early for the show. Can you get a good seat? I left half an hour later.
No.
8
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Grand Tang Mall
4.5
/5
1902 reviews
7.9
Based on 48 reviews
Dayan Pagoda/The Grand Tang Mall | 5.3 km from downtown
Phone +8602985228412
Address: Big Wild Goose Pagoda South Square, No. 6, East Section of Huanta South Road, Yanta District, Xi'an
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
9 themed sculptures on avenue
Iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Saved by 2562 users1453 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Tang Dynasty Never Sleeping City is truly vast, especially beautiful at night. With all the lights on, it feels like stepping back into the Tang Dynasty. Both sides are lined with antique-style buildings, and the streets are filled with young women dressed in period costumes—perfect for taking photos. There are also many delicious foods to enjoy.
Xi'an 3 Days 2 Nights Citywalk | Weaving the Tang Dynasty into Your Journey ✨
Who understands! Stepping onto Xi'an's cobblestone streets, even breathing feels like a conversation with a thousand years of history 🌿 The romance of this ancient capital of thirteen dynasties is hidden in the illuminated Bell Tower, the silhouette of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the shimmering lights of the Tang Paradise. Save this comprehensive guide!
📍First Stop: Bell Tower
The Bell Tower, favored by the night view of Chang'an, is absolutely stunning! 🌃 At night, it's resplendent with gold, creating a beautiful contrast with the surrounding traffic lights—perfect for taking amazing photos! Tickets to climb the tower are 30 yuan, but students get a half-price discount with their student ID—super affordable! It's open until 9:30 PM, giving you plenty of time to explore at your own pace. Pssst... you can get a free panoramic view of the Bell Tower from the observation deck on the 5th floor of Kaiyuan Mall—no crowds, and still great photos!
📍Second Stop: Big Wild Goose Pagoda
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda has a tranquil filter in the early morning.📸 Tickets to the Da Ci'en Temple are 40 yuan; an additional 25 yuan is needed to climb to the top for a panoramic view of Xi'an. Go early when it opens at 8 am, and there will be very few people. Sunlight filters through the leaves onto the pagoda, creating an atmosphere full of ancient charm. Standing under the pagoda, listening to the wind chimes tinkling from the eaves, you can almost hear the echoes of the Tang Dynasty.
📍Third Stop: Tang Paradise
The Tang Paradise at night is the true way to experience Chang'an! 🎉 It's free to enter and offers immersive performances. The highest frequency of performances is from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM, so remember to check the schedule on the official WeChat account beforehand to avoid disappointment. Be sure to wear Hanfu! There are many rental shops in the area; walking in a flowing skirt under the lights, you'll feel like a traveler who has traveled from the Tang Dynasty.
No.
9
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Big Wild Goose Pagoda
4.6
/5
10027 reviews
7.9
From PKR 394.33
Based on 3,467 reviews
Dayan Pagoda/The Grand Tang Mall | 4.7 km from downtown
Phone +8617792398839
Address: Yanta Road, Yanta District, Xi'an City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Asia's largest musical fountain square
Spectacular Xi'an views (Top of tower)
Saved by 1433 users4729 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This scenic area is steeped in history and stories. It includes the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, but climbing the pagoda requires an additional fee. It offers great value for money and is a top choice for tourists visiting Xi'an. However, the scenic area only has one entrance and exit, which is not very convenient, and the traffic around the scenic area is somewhat chaotic.
I went to the famous Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is located at the end of the Tang Dynasty City That Never Sleeps. It is not large in scale, but has a long-standing reputation. It was drizzling and there were not many people. I wandered around alone and felt the Buddhist culture of the Tang Dynasty.
No.
10
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Daming Palace National Heritage Park
4.1
/5
8659 reviews
7.9
From PKR 2365.94
Based on 103 reviews
Daming Palace/Xi'an Railway Station | 4 km from downtown
Phone +864000096635
Address: Taihua South Road, Weiyang District, Xi'an City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Cherry blossoms around Taiye Lake
Political center & national symbol (Tang Dynasty)
Saved by 633 users4887 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Stepping into the Daming Palace Ruins Park, a restored Danfeng Gate stands in the spacious square, and the imperial road paved with blue bricks stretches into the distance. The ruins display areas on both sides use modern technology to recreate the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.
It's quite large, but there are electric carts available inside, making it worth a visit for those interested in history. It's a pity that only ruins remain; it would have been quite impressive if they had been preserved.
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