Xian Nightlife Guide: Top Things to Do in Xi’an at Night 2025/2026

Boasting the most brilliant and vibrant “nightlife” in northern China, Xi’an city provides lots of colorful and diverse night activities, which could meet various needs of tourists and expats of all ages. With our ultimate Xian nightlife guide, take time to experience the charm of the ancient city of Xian at night by watching fountain and music performance, joining the bar carnival, exploring the stunning local food culture at the Xian markets, enjoying Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show served with dumpling banquet.

Below we listed top things to do in Xian at night, with amazing ideas to make your Xian tours the most memorable ones.

Musical Fountain Show at North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Covering an area of 20,000 square meters (nearly 5 acres), the Xi’an musical fountain is located at the north square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and enjoys a high reputation of being the largest music fountain in Asia. One of the top things to do in Xian at night, the wonderful combination of 3,300 colorful lights and dancing water columns will surely add a touch of glamour to your nightlife in Xi’an.

Location: North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Duration: 20 minutes

Show Time: 12:00 / 14:00 / 19:00 / 21:00; the performance might be temporarily changed or canceled in case of special circumstances.

Tang Dynasty Shows

When it comes to Xian nightlife, the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, a symbol of the cultural heyday of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), is a must-see. It combines poetry with skilled musical instrument performance, singing, dancing and gorgeous costumes, showcasing the audience the ancient etiquette, music, dance, and other cultures of the Tang Dynasty, as well as the moving and living stories and legends during that glory period. Each show performed by hundreds of artists will be a spectacle scene with fantastic lighting effects.

Xian tours with Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show — Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show

Places to enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show at night:

Tang Dynasty Palace

Location: No. 75 Chang’an North Road, Beilin District, Xi’an City

Duration: 2.5 hours (18:00-19:30 for dinner ; 19:30-20:30 for Tang Dynasty Show)

Ticket price: CNY 220 for Show only; CNY 350 for Show + Dumpling Dinner; CNY 550 for Show + Royal Banquet

Highlights: The Empress of the Great Tang, telling the legendary life of Wu Zetian, dumpling banquet available.

Shaanxi Song and Dance Theatre

Location: No. 161 Wenyi North Road, Beilin District, Xi’an City

Duration: 2.5 hours (18:30-19:50 for dinner ; 19:50-21:00 for Tang Dynasty Show)

Ticket price: CNY 180 for Show only; CNY 260 for Show + Dumpling Banquet

Highlights: Tang-style Instruments Performance, Dance Show about Tang’s Army

Tang Paradise

Location: No. 99 Furong West Road, Yanta District, Xi’an City

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ticket price: CNY 298-518 (Varying according to viewing position)

Highlights: Back Dream to the Tang Dynasty, Dreamscape of the Great Tang Dynasty

Huaqing Hot Spring

Location: No. 38 Huaqing Road, Tonglin District, Xian city

Duration: 1 hour

Ticket price: CNY 268-588 (Varying according to viewing position)

Highlights: The “Song of Eternal Sorrow”, one fo the best performances to expereince Xian nightlife, showing the achingly beautiful love story between Emperor Xuanzong and concubine Yang; performed at an outdoor theater.

√ Recommend Xian Night Tours:

Food Experience in Xi’an’s Famous Night Markets

Exploring the night markets is one also of the best things to do at night in Xian, and one of the best ways to get to konw the ancient city of Xi’an in depth. With the lively atmosphere, local night markets are overflowing with a wide variety of food, from which you’re sure to find something to suit your taste.

Top Xi’an Night Markets to Enjoy Xian Nightlife:

Muslim Quarter

Location: No. 125 Beiyuan Gate, Lianhu District, Xian City

Opening Hours: 08:00-23:00

Highlights: Halal Food, Pepper Soup with Beef Balls, Mutton and Bread Pieces in Soup, Honey Cold Zongzi, Lamb & Beef Kebabs…; it is one of the top recommended places to sample authentic Xi’an food.

Yongxingfang

Location: Intersection of Dongxin Street and Shuncheng East Road, Xincheng District

Opening Hours: 10:00-22:30

Highlights: Hundreds of traditional foods from all over Shaanxi Province; Performances of handicraft and folk customs

Nanshaomen Night Market

Location: Intersection of Dongxin Street and Shuncheng East Road, Xincheng District

Opening Hours: 18:00-24:00

Highlights: Spicy Lobsters, Grilled Fishes, Special cuisines from all over the country

Xian Nightlife for Expats: Indulge Yourself in Xi’an Bars & Clubs

If you want a more energetic evening, bars and clubs are must-go entertainment venues, where you can release your stress by singing and dancing, as well as indulging in local and foreign cocktails, beers, specialty snacks, and more. In Xi’an, there are so many bars to choose from, and there’s even an entire alleyway called Defuxiang Alley, overflowing with clubs and cafes.

Top night bars & clubs in Xi’an

Park Qin Bar

Location: No. 95 Beimadao Lane, Lianhu District, Xi’an City

Opening Hours: 19:30-03:00

Highlights: China’s only Terracotta Warriors/Qin Dynasty themed bar; excellent live music; unique decoration and diversified drinks

Yinyu Lounge Flagship

Location: Xi’an Chuangye coffee block, Yanta District

Opening Hours: 18:00-02:30

Highlights: Retro environment; simple western food; local snacks; band performance

TipsyCeram Ceramics

Location: East Gate of Provincial Stadium, Chang’an North Road

Opening Hours: 18:30-02:00

Highlights: American retro and quiet environment, suitable for dating; a wide variety of drinks; Blues and Jazz music; delicious snacks

√ More classic Xian Tours at Night:

Enjoy Beautiful Night Scenes of Xi‘an

Night falls with colorful lights illuminating, giving Xi’an a unique charm. Looking for more things to do in Xian by night? Take the time to explore the different sights in the city at night and you will be impressed by the old surviving structures.