Xi'an XIAN! Travel Guide for Visiting Xi'an from June to August – Just Follow This Itinerary
Planning a summer trip to Xi'an? 🔥 You're in luck! Check this out! This ancient city is brimming with charm, featuring dense clusters of awe-inspiring attractions. Here, you can not only enjoy the freedom of dressing in beautiful traditional costumes but also indulge in a variety of delicious local foods~
✈【Xi'an Itinerary】
🚗Day 1
Start your journey through this ancient city at the Xi'an City Wall, feeling the weight of history. Next, head to the Forest of Stone Steles Museum to admire ancient calligraphy and stone carvings. Then, visit the Bell Tower, where there are numerous Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) rental shops nearby. Feel free to adjust your schedule to take stunning photos here and experience the sensation of traveling back in time. After exploring the Bell Tower, visit Gao Family Compound to appreciate traditional residential architecture, then savor authentic local delicacies at the Muslim Quarter. Finally, as night falls, enjoy the illuminated view of the Drum Tower.
🚗Day 2
In the morning, visit the Shaanxi History Museum to explore the long river of history. Then, proceed to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Da Ci'en Temple to experience the solemnity of Buddhist culture. In the evening, step into the Tang Paradise (Datang Furong Garden), as if traveling back to the glorious Tang Dynasty. Next, immerse yourself in the Tang Dynasty's urban life at Chang'an Twelve Hours Theme Block. End your day at the Great Tang All Day Mall, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere under dazzling lights.
🚗Day 3
Begin your day by sampling various specialty snacks at Yongxingfang. Then, head to the Daming Palace National Heritage Park to marvel at the grandeur of the former imperial palace. In the afternoon, watch the "Legend of the Silk Road" show at the Xi'an Huaxia Cultural Tourism Grand Theater. Afterward, stroll through the Xi'an Expo Park, and in the evening, enjoy the spectacular performance of "The Eternal Love of Xi'an."
🚗Day 4
Visit Huaqing Palace to relive the love story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Yang Guifei. Next, explore the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Terracotta Warriors), witnessing one of the world's great wonders. In the evening, you can also watch the "Song of Everlasting Sorrow" performance, revisiting that poignant love story through light and shadow.
❗【Xi'an Tips】
🚶🏻♂1. Best Time to Visit
The ideal seasons to visit Xi'an are spring and autumn (March to May and September to November), when the weather is pleasantly cool and sunny days are abundant. However, a summer trip also offers its own unique charm.
✨2. Recommended Duration
A 4-5 day trip is recommended. Attractions in the city center, such as the Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower, and Muslim Quarter, are clustered closely together, allowing you to visit several in a single day. A day trip to Huaqing Pool and the Terracotta Warriors is feasible. If you plan to visit Mount Hua, allocate an extra day.
💰3. Cost of Travel
Xi'an's cost of living is mid-to-high but lower than that of first-tier cities. Among expenses, attraction tickets account for a relatively large portion, and guided tours are highly recommended at most sites. You can opt for independent travel with guided tour groups.
🍱【Xi'an Food Guide】
😋Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup (Paomo)
Xi'an's famous "two soaks" are beef/lamb paomo and hulutou paomo, both rich in flavor—must-tries!
😋Roujiamo (Chinese Hamburger)
A Shaanxi specialty, this crispy bread stuffed with savory meat is incredibly satisfying with every bite.
😋Xi'an Liangpi (Cold Noodles)
Tender, smooth, and nutritious, these cold noodles come in various styles and are perfect for summer.
😋Biangbiang Noodles
A traditional Shaanxi noodle dish, named after the "biang biang" sound made during preparation. These wide, chewy noodles are one of Shaanxi's "Eight Wonders."
😋Spicy Soup (Hulatang)
Every Xi'an local's day starts with a bowl of this hearty soup—devouring it (or "dié" in Shaanxi dialect) completes the morning.
😋Soup Dumplings (Guan Tang Bao)
Typically steamed fresh, these dumplings burst with flavorful broth when bitten into.
😋Ice Peak Soda
A local carbonated drink, a must-have with meals to cut through the richness of the food.
The former residence of Gao Yue Song worth to visit especially the experiences of watching performance “shadow puppetry “
Gao Family Mansion is a beautifully preserved traditional courtyard house located right in the heart of Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter. Once home to a wealthy merchant family during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it showcases elegant architecture, intricate wood carvings, and period furniture that give a glimpse into old Xi’an life. The highlight is often the shadow puppet performance held in one of the courtyards—an atmospheric way to experience local culture. Although not very large, it’s a quiet escape from the busy food street outside and worth a short visit if you enjoy history, architecture, and traditional arts.
• 9:00-9:30: Open the door and enter the courtyard. First, touch the imperial plaque "Bangyan Jidi" and take an empty photo without anyone around. • 9:30-11:30: From the Yingzi Hall (guest reception) and Ningrui Hall (waiting area for female relatives) in the front courtyard, to the central hall (master bedroom + Wenbao Pavilion treasure room) and the study room fire bed (where imperial examination masters study at night) in the middle courtyard, to the private school, ancestral hall, and young lady's boudoir in the backyard, explore the three courtyards of the building. • 11:30-12:00: Go to the Dafeng Tang stage to watch the Huayin Laoqiang performance.
Gao's Courtyard is in the Muslim Street. The Muslim Street is dazzling. Gao's Courtyard is not easy to find because of its relatively simple architecture. I almost missed it. This is the home of a runner-up. It is well preserved and has a great feeling. I recommend you to come here to have a look. As soon as you enter the door, there are geese, ducks and an unknown bird🐦. It's so interesting. The whole circle is all wooden buildings. There is an introduction to each room. You can know what it is used for. You can understand the past. There are red lanterns hanging on the small building in the middle of the residence. It is very suitable for taking pictures. Some houses also have introductions to cultural relics and historical allusions. You can also watch shadow plays and puppet shows here. I didn't watch it, but I heard a sound from behind a door. It should be a performance. The price is 15 per person and 7.5 for students. I had a lot of fun here. I recommend everyone to come and play😊
I have written a very detailed travel photo before. Here is a brief review: You must watch shadow play and Huayin Laoqiang in Gaojiayuan, otherwise the fun will be halved! I learned about the architectural features and patterns of Ming and Qing Dynasties, and watched the national intangible cultural heritage performances brought by old artists. It was great! Don’t just eat and eat when you come to Huimin Street!
Gaojia Grand Courtyard, built in the middle of Qing Dynasty, is situated on Huimin Street in Beiyuan Gate. It has three courtyards and four-way brick and wood courtyard structure. The courtyard layout is clear, dense and compact, and one of the prosperous corners is quiet and solemn. More than 400 years ago, wood and brick carvings were exquisitely sculpted. It's nice [applause] to see a shadow play with a real old tune.
Apart from other things, the shadow play is still worth it, although the story is relatively simple. But at least it is there and it is only 15 yuan. In comparison, isn't this attraction much better than those popular and deceptive attractions in Xi'an, such as Tukengkeng?
Stepping into the Gao Family Courtyard on Huimin Street is like entering the folds of history. The old blue bricks and gray tiles, exquisite wood carvings and brick carvings are all whispering stories of the past. This is a "living specimen" of Ming and Qing architecture, with a square and symmetrical layout that highlights traditional architectural aesthetics and family order. When you are tired of walking around, sit down and watch a Huaxian shadow play, where the characters carved from donkey skin jump flexibly under the lights, interpreting ancient legends. Walking out of the courtyard, the bustle of Huimin Street hits you in the face, and this collision of ancient and modern times is unforgettable.