How to Spend 3 Days in Xian: 3-Day Itinerary with Pro Tips

Want to see the best of Xian in 3 days? You’re in the right place.

Many tourists include Xian in their China tours for the world-famous Terracotta Army. However, as the former capital of 13 dynasties in Chinese history, and the eastern departure point of the Silk Road, the city offers far more historical and cultural attractions and diverse delicacies to unveil.

In this article, we will show you how to spend the perfect 3 days in Xian. We have options for you to spend all three days in Xian, or include a day trip to Mt. Huashan – one of China’s most beautiful mountains that is often referred to as the “most dangerous mountain in the world”.

We also covered some essential travel tips in Xian at the end of the article.

How Many Days Do You Need in Xian?

You don’t need to worry about overstaying or finding yourself bored while traveling in Xi’an. This ancient capital offers plenty of things to see and experience. Deciding how many days to stay in Xi’an shapes your travel experience. For first-timers, we recommend planning for 3 to 5 days for your Xi’an trip.

Three days in Xi’an are sufficient to cover the most highlights of the city if you arrive early on day one and leave late on the third day.

With 4-5 days, you can have a deeper dive into Xi’an at a more relaxed pace, and enjoy some local activities like a family visit or cooking class.

For people who are tight on time, we recommend spending at least 2 days in Xi’an to cover its “must-see” attractions.

How to Get to Xi’an?

By Plane

If you travel to Xian from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc., flying directly to the city is faster than a high-speed train. From Xian Xianyang International Airport, there are multiple shuttle bus lines to take you to Xian city center. Also, you can take Metro Line 14 or a taxi to get to attractions in downtown areas.

By High-speed Train

The well-developed high-speed rail network makes it also convenient to travel to Xian by high-speed train. If you are traveling from Beijing, Chengdu, Luoyang, or other nearby cities, high-speed trains are recommended for their convenience (no need to commute to the airport in suburban areas) and scenic scenery along the way. From Beijing to Xian, a high-speed train ride takes around 4.5-6 hours, and around 3-4 hours from Chengdu to Xian.

The Xian Railway Station is just located in the city center, and Xian Norther Railway Station is connected to the city center by Metro Line 2 and 4 and various bus lines. >> How to Travel around Xian?

What to See and Do During Your 3 Days in Xian?

Terracotta Army – About 47 km from Xian Downtown

Often referred to as “the Eighth Wonder in the World,” the Terracotta Warriors is a must-see on any Xian tour. The museum is part of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, which features three burial pits housing over 8,000 life-sized warriors, horses, and chariots.

It is about 45 minutes’ drive from the Xian city center. When it opens at 8:30 AM and around 12:00 PM, when many visitors take a break to have lunch, the museum typically sees fewer crowds.

The visit here will take about 3 hours, with both the three pits of the Terracotta Army and the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and a shuttle bus service between them included in the entrance ticket.

Iconic Attractions in Xian Downtown

Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda: The famous Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang once translated Buddhist scriptures in this 7-storey pagoda. Visitors can ascend the pagoda (with an additional fee) to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the city. The music fountain show and cultural performances around the squares of the pagoda are highlights of Xi’an nightlife.
City Wall: An impressive military structure dating from the Ming Dynasty, the Xi’an City Wall boasts the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Here, visitors can glimpse into the ancient warfare of China firsthand and enjoy a leisurely walk or bike ride while admiring the historic charm of old Xi’an.
Bell & Drum Towers: Located in the heart of Xian, these two Ming Dynasty towers are 5 minutes’ walk from each other. They once served as the timekeeping centers of ancient Xi’an, featuring intricate carvings, wooden structures, flying eaves, and traditional Chinese architectural aesthetics. The area is particularly enchanting at night when the lights are illuminated. Visitors can either ascend the towers to enjoy panoramic views of the city center or just take some pictures from the surrounding square.
Muslim Quarter: The most famous food street in Xi’an, the Muslim Quarter is where you can find a variety of delicious snacks and local specialties. Our top recommended food here includes yangrou paomo, sour soup dumplings, roujiamo, cold noodles, etc. It is a gathering place of the Hui people, also featuring a distinct ethnic charm besides food. The Great Mosque in the quarter is a highlight of its Islamic culture.
Shaanxi History Museum: The museum is China’s first large-scale modern museum, housing an extensive collection of relics ranging from prehistoric times to the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Xian City Wall bike ride — Ride a bicycle on the City Wall

Mt. Huashan – About 120 km from Xian

About 120 kilometers from Xi’an, Mount Hua is one of the Five Great Mountains in China. It is known for its steep and perilous terrain, hence earning the title “The Most Dangerous Mountain in the World.” Some outdoor enthusiasts like to include the mountain in their Xi’an tours to challenge its steep cliffs, narrow paths, and thrilling climbing routes, as well as to visit the numerous ancient temples and shrines on the mountain.

You can take a cable car to make the trip easier and just hike some essential parts.

The trip to Mount Huashan will take one full day and need an early getting up.

Xian in 3 Days Itinerary

Itinerary A – Xian 3-day Itinerary with Terracotta Army, Mt. Hua, and City Center Highlights

These is a three-full-day trip in Xian. You’ll need to arrive at Xian one day in advance or in the early morning, as the tour will start in the morning on day 1.

Day 1: Terracotta Warriors + City Wall + Muslim Quarter

We recommended showing up at the Terracotta Warriors before 8:30 AM when it opens to escape the large crowds. Hiring a professional guide and join in a local tour with guide will ensure you a better understanding of the stories and history behind this spectacular underground army.

After the visit, enjoy you lunch either outside Terracotta Army or when you back to the city center. If you travel with us, we can also arrange you a short lesson on how terracotta figures are made, and to make your own terracotta warriors with the help of a local master.

Move on the the City Wall after getting back to downtown area. It is recommended to ascend the wall from the South Gate where most of the main attractions within the wall are located. Bike or walk the entire loop of the wall or just half of it. You can enter or exit at several gates along the way.

After that, head to the Muslim Quarter to seek local food and experience vibrant street atomophere.

If you are still energetic at night, enjoy the charming night view at the Bell & Drum Tower Square or enjoy the musical fountain show at the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Day 2: Mt. Huashan Full Day Trip

You’ll need to get up early at around 7:00 AM today. The journey from Xian city center to Mt. Huashan will take about 2 hours. Or, you can take a high-speed train from Xian North Railway Station, which will take about 0.5 hours.

The hiking will take about 7 hours. Get back to Xian in the late afternoon.

Day 3: Shaanxi History Museum (or Xian Museum) + Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Still, we recommend hiring a professional guide when visiting the museums in Xian.

Shaanxi History Museum usually closes on Mondays, and its tickets are often tricky to book.

As an alternative, you can visit the Xian Museum, which also houses rich relics from important dynasties in Chinese history, such as the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties. The Xian Museum usually closes on Tuesdays and sees far fewer visitors.

Both of these two museums are free to visit.

After the history exploration at the museum, head to the iconic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the Daci’en Temple. The ticket price for the temple is CNY 30 per adult. If you like, you can also pay an extra CNY 25 to ascend the pagoda and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the city.

The many Tang Dynasty-styled architecture around the pagoda offers a great chance to rent a Tang Dynasty costume for a photo shoot.

The rest of the day is for you to catch your departure flight or train.

√ Recommended tour: 3 Days Xian City Tour with Mt.Huashan

Itinerary B – Xi’an 3-day Itinerary to Terracotta Army & Attractions in City Center

This less intense itinerary is for people who arrive in Xi’an in the afternoon or evening on day 1. The following two days mainly focus on Terracotta Army and attractions in the city center.

Day 1: Xian Arrival + City Center Exploration

You can take your time to arrive in Xi’an on the first day and enjoy some leisure time around your hotel or in the city center based on your energy.

Day 2: Terracotta Warriors + City Wall + Muslim Quarter + Bell & Drum Towers + Night activities based on your energy

The arrangement for today is similar to Day 1 on itinerary A.

Day 3: Shaanxi History Museum + Giant Wild Goose Pagoda + Xian departure

Visit Shaanxi History Museum and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the morning. The afternoon is flexible for you to catch your departure flight or train.

If you leave at the evening, considering adding Yangling Mausoleum of the Han Dynasty in this afternoon.

More 3-Day Xian Tours for Your Inspiration

Where to Stay in Xian

Hotels around the Bell and Drum Towers: with beautiful nightscapes and excellent transportation and food options.
Near the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda: Rich in historical landmarks. This area is close to the bustling Datang Everbright City and the largest musical fountain show in Asia.
Near the Ancient City Wall: This area is quieter and more peaceful, also close to other major attractions.
Xiaozhai Area: The bustling commercial hub of Xian, Xiaozhai area offers plenty of shopping, dining, entertainment, and transportation options. It is also near to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Shaanxi History Museum.

Xian Travel Tips

Book tickets for popular sites in advance as many attractions, such as the Terracotta Army and Shaanxi History Museum, implent visitor caps during peak tourist seasons.
If you arrive in Xian by train, it is advised to choose either Xian Railway Station in the city center or Xian North Railway Station, which is directly connected to the city center via Metro Lines 2 and 4. Xi’an South Railway Station is not a good choice since it is far from the city center.
The subway is the preferred mode of transportation, especially during rush hours. Buses, taxis, and ride-hailing services are also reliable, except during heavy traffic in peak hours.

How Many Days Do You Need in Xian?