Xi’an, a city steeped in history, transforms from a modern metropolis during the day into the enchanting ancient city of Chang’an at night. If you’re lucky enough to catch a snowfall in the urban area, the charm is even more captivating.
Join us as we embark on a journey through the thousand-year-old ancient capital of Chang’an, strolling along the Ming Dynasty City Wall and immersing ourselves in the ambiance of this historic city.
Bell Tower
Located in the heart of Xi’an, at the intersection of the four main streets within the Ming Dynasty City Wall, the Bell Tower is the largest and best-preserved of its kind in China. It is a must-visit spot for capturing the nightscape of Xi’an.
While climbing the tower requires an entrance fee, it is recommended to simply admire and photograph the illuminated tower from the outside unless you have a deep fascination for ancient architecture.
Opening Hours: 08:30-22:30
Ticket Price: 30 yuan/person
Photography Spots: Century Ginwa Underground Plaza at No. 1 West Street, Lianhu District
5th Floor Li Ning Observation Deck at Kaiyuan Square Entrance
Tang Dynasty Palace
The Tang Dynasty Palace is a lively area with stages almost every ten steps, featuring singing performances, traditional dance performances by ladies in Tang-style clothing, and the Shengshi Mihe experience. Walking among the Tang-style buildings feels like stepping through a door into the prosperous Tang Dynasty era.
In the dazzling night of the Shengshi Tiangjie, you may encounter Li Bai, the famous poet, gracefully appearing from the lanterns with a folding fan in hand, as if the Poet Immortal has descended to the mortal world.
Opening Hours: Open all day
Roly-Poly Toy Performer (available at both North and South Squares): 19:30-19:50; 20:30-20:50; 21:30-21:50
Ticket Price: Free
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, also known as the “Ci’en Temple Pagoda,” is located in the Jinchang Fang of the Tang Dynasty’s Chang’an City, within the present-day Daci’en Temple in Xi’an. It was built to preserve the scriptures and Buddha statues brought back to Chang’an by the great monk Xuanzang via the Silk Road from India.
Historically, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was the place where newly-appointed Tang Dynasty scholars would inscribe their names, giving rise to one of the “Eight Scenes of Guanzhong” – “Inscribing Names at the Goose Pagoda.”
The most famous scholar was Bai Juyi, who, at the age of 27, passed the imperial examination and wrote the verse, “The place for inscribing names under the Ci’en Pagoda, I am the youngest among the seventeen.”
Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Musical Fountain at North Square: 19:00-19:15; 21:00-21:15
Ticket Price: Daci’en Temple: 50 yuan/person; Climbing the Pagoda: 30 yuan/person
Tang Paradise
Tang Paradise is a royal garden cultural theme park showcasing the grandeur of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. With attractions such as the Ziyun Building, Ladies’ Pavilion, Imperial Banquet Palace, Apricot Garden, Fanglin Garden, Fengming Jiutian Theater, and Tang Market, visitors feel as if they have traveled back in time to the Tang Dynasty. (Due to the vast size of the park, comfortable shoes are recommended to avoid straining your feet!)
For those who enjoy stage plays and wish to immerse themselves in the atmosphere, the performances “Thousand Years of Love” and “Dream Back to the Tang Dynasty” are not to be missed. Advance reservations are recommended.
At the Ziyun Building, listen to the enchanting music and the resounding drum beats accompanied by silk and bamboo instruments, playing the historical scores and bringing a timeless sense of awe to today’s audience.
Opening Hours: 09:00-21:00
Ticket Price: Free tickets can be reserved on weekdays.
During the Spring Festival, designated lantern festival tickets need to be purchased at 100 yuan/adult.
Shaanxi History Museum
The Shaanxi History Museum is China’s first large-scale modern national museum, hailed as the “Pearl of the Ancient Capital and Treasure of China.” It houses over 1.7 million cultural relics, including 762 first-grade cultural relics and 18 national treasures, two of which are among the first batch of relics prohibited from being exhibited abroad.
It is said that “visiting the Shaanxi History Museum is equivalent to viewing China’s 5,000-year history.”
Due to the extensive and high-quality collection, the museum’s popularity exceeds expectations. Without prior reservation, it is impossible to enter! Reservations must be made three days in advance, and the process is extremely challenging, especially on weekends.
Opening Hours: Closed on Mondays; 9:00-17:30 on other days
Ticket Price: Free (special exhibitions are charged separately); advance reservation required
Terracotta Warriors
When visiting Xi’an, how can you miss the Terracotta Warriors? At the Emperor Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum, you can witness one of the eight wonders of the world, the Terracotta Warriors, and experience the grandeur of the ancient army.
As the national treasure says, “Though the Terracotta Warriors are nameless, each of them has a distinct face. They sacrificed their lives to protect the country and its people.”
Opening Hours: 8:30-17:00
Ticket Price: 120 yuan per person
Xi’an City Wall
Xi’an City Wall, also known as Xi’an Ming City Wall, is one of the largest and most well-preserved ancient city walls in China. It’s not only a valuable heritage of Chinese ancient city planning, architecture, and history but also an excellent place to experience the ancient city’s atmosphere and the unique lifestyle of Xi’an locals.
We recommend entering from Yongning Gate (South Gate), one of the main gates of Xi’an City Wall, which has witnessed the city’s historical changes and evolution. As you walk east from the South Gate, you’ll pass through Hanguang Gate, the most well-preserved section of the city wall, which is a great spot for photography enthusiasts!
Opening Hours: 8:00-22:00
Ticket Price: 45 yuan per person
Forest of Stone Steles Museum
The Forest of Stone Steles Museum is a paradise for calligraphy enthusiasts, where you can see various types of Chinese characters, including oracle bone script, seal script, clerical script, and regular script. The museum also houses the precious “Six Steeds of Zhao Mausoleum”, which is a rare treasure.
⚠️ Note: Due to the museum’s expansion and renovation, the area north of the Forest of Stone Steles Square (including the Forest of Stone Steles Square, Exhibition Halls 1-7, and the Stone Carving Art Museum) will be closed for construction from January 2024 to December 2024.
From January 10, the museum will operate in low-ticket mode, with a ticket price of 10 yuan per person. Only the Confucian Temple ancient architecture group will be open to the public from January 14.
Opening Hours: 9:00-17:30
Ticket Price: 10 yuan per person
Gao Family Mansion
Gao Family Mansion is one of the most well-preserved ancient buildings in Xi’an, known as the “Seven-Generation Official Residence”. The plaque at the entrance was granted by the emperor in the 10th year of the Tongzhi reign.
Take a seat and enjoy a performance of Shaanxi opera or shadow puppetry, and feel the power of cultural heritage.
Opening Hours: 9:00-22:00
Ticket Price: 15 yuan per person; additional fees for performances
Shuyuanmen Street
People say that you haven’t truly experienced Xi’an’s snacks if you haven’t been to Shuyuanmen Street. However, we remind you that Shuyuanmen Street is not just about eating at the street stalls, but about exploring the surrounding alleys, where you can find many delicious restaurants.
For example, Beiguan Street and Xiying Street are local favorites, with fewer tourists and more affordable prices.
Address: 60 meters north of the intersection of Shuyuanmen Street and Xiangmiyuan Alley, Lianhu District
