2 Days in Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors & Ancient Walls

Day 1 begins with a trip east to the Terracotta Warriors Museum — Qin Shi Huang's 2,200-year-old army of 6,000 life-sized figures, unearthed in 1974. Allow 2-3 hours to explore Pits 1, 2, and 3, then grab a local lunch before heading back to the city.

Cycle or stroll atop Xi'an's well-preserved Ming Dynasty city wall — at 14 km it is the most complete ancient city wall in China. Rent a bike to cover the full circuit in 1.5-2 hours. The South Gate area has lovely parks and the moat views below.

Evenings and Day 2 explore the heart of Xi'an — the Muslim Quarter's sizzling street food stalls, the historic Bell and Drum Towers, the Shaanxi History Museum's ancient treasures, and the iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The quarter buzzes with vendors grilling lamb skewers and hand-pulling biangbiang noodles.

Catch Bus 306 (you5) from Xi'an Railway Station's East Square — the direct shuttle to the Terracotta Warriors. The journey takes about 1 hour and costs ¥7. Buses run every 5-10 minutes from 7:00. Avoid touts offering private taxis at the station.

One of China's most awe-inspiring archaeological sites. Pit 1 holds the main infantry formation of over 6,000 warriors in battle array. Pits 2 and 3 reveal cavalry, archers, and command officers. Book tickets online via the official WeChat mini-program — QR code entry skips the ticket queue. Allow at least 2.5 hours.

Several local farmhouse-style restaurants near the museum serve Shaanxi classics. Try biangbiang noodles with spicy oil and minced pork, yangrou paomo (lamb soup with shredded flatbread), and cold noodles (liangpi). Prices are reasonable at about ¥30-50 per person.

The 14 km Ming Dynasty city wall is best explored by bike. Rentals cost ¥45 for a single bike or ¥90 for a tandem, available at the South Gate ramp. The ride is flat and takes about 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace. Stop at the East and North gates for photos of the corner watchtowers. The wall closes at 22:00 in summer.

Dive into the sizzling lanes of the Muslim Quarter as the sun sets. Must-try street eats include lamb skewers (yangrou chuan, ¥3-5 each), pita bread soaked in lamb soup (yangrou paomo), steamed dumplings (jiaozi), and persimmon cakes (shizibing). The Great Mosque of Xi'an, hidden off a side alley, offers a peaceful retreat with its Ming dynasty architecture and serene gardens.

One of China's greatest museums, housing over 370,000 artifacts from the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties. Must-see treasures include Western Han gold coins, Tang dynasty mural paintings, and exquisite Tang tri-colored glazed pottery (sancai). Basic tickets are free but limited — reserve on the official WeChat account weeks in advance. The paid VIP ticket (¥270) skips the queue and includes the Hejia Village Treasure exhibit.

Built in 652 AD during the Tang dynasty, this 64-meter pagoda housed Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang (Journey to the West). Climb the internal staircase for views over the city and the North Square fountain show. The surrounding Daci'en Temple grounds are lovely for a morning stroll. Pagoda entry ¥25, temple ¥40.

The Datang Everbright City pedestrian area is lined with restaurants serving Shaanxi cuisine. Try the famous guan tang bao (soup dumplings) at Defachang, or sample cold noodles and roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) at a local eatery. The area's Tang dynasty-themed architecture makes for a scenic lunch break.

Xi'an's iconic Bell Tower sits at the exact center of the ancient city. Built in 1384, it once marked the start of the Silk Road. Climb to the top for a view of the four main avenues radiating outward. A combined ticket with the nearby Drum Tower costs ¥50. Time your visit to see the drum performances at the Drum Tower (hourly from 9:00-17:00).

Spend the afternoon wandering the labyrinthine alleys of the Muslim Quarter beyond the main tourist strip. Explore Xiyangshi and Dapiyuan side streets for better prices and fewer crowds. Shop for souvenirs like shadow puppets (piying), calligraphy scrolls, Chinese tea, and dried persimmons. Visit the tranquil Great Mosque of Xi'an — a fusion of Chinese and Islamic architecture dating to 742 AD.

End the trip with a memorable dinner in the Muslim Quarter's Dapiyuan area. Lao Sun Jia specializes in yangrou paomo — the classic Shaanxi lamb and bread soup that you shred yourself. For a sit-down meal, try Fan Ji or Jia San restaurants for traditional Guan Zhong cuisine. Don't leave without trying the sweet fermented glutinous rice (jingao) for dessert.