What to do in Xi'an

Activities, attractions and tours

Drum Tower which includes a city and heritage architecture
Xi\'an showing a city
Xi\'an
Terracota Army showing interior views and heritage elements
Xi\'an showing flowers, a bridge and a square or plaza

Xi'an Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Xi'an has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Xi'an is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Xi'an to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Xi'an Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Xi'an.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Xi'an attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Most fun & popular experiences in Xi'an

Tours & day trips

See all 244 activities
Top Xi'an One Day Tour

Top Xi'an One Day Tour

Activity duration is 8 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 3 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $93 per adult
Top Xi'an One Day TourOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 48 activities
Terra-Cotta Warriorrs & Horses One Day Tour

Terra-Cotta Warriorrs & Horses One Day Tour

Activity duration is 8 hours
7.6 out of 10 with 11 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $108 per adult
Terra-Cotta Warriorrs & Horses One Day TourOpens in new tab

Classes & workshops

See all 16 activities
Xi’an Intangible Cultural Heritage Craft Workshop

Xi’an Intangible Cultural Heritage Craft Workshop

Activity duration is 3 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $232 per adult*
Xi’an Intangible Cultural Heritage Craft WorkshopOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 13 activities
Xian: Hua Mountain Hiking Morning Ticket - Adult

Xian: Hua Mountain Hiking Morning Ticket - Adult

Free cancellation available
Price is CA $50 per adult
Xian: Hua Mountain Hiking Morning Ticket - AdultOpens in new tab

Air, helicopter & balloon tours

See all 12 activities
Xi'an One Day Tour by Air with Terra-Cotta Warriorr & Horses

Xi'an One Day Tour by Air with Terra-Cotta Warriorr & Horses

Activity duration is 18 hours and 29 minutes
Price is CA $1,510 per traveller*
Xi'an One Day Tour by Air with Terra-Cotta Warriorr & HorsesOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Xi'an

Number of things to do
278
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Xi'an: City Wall Moat Smart Boat Tour: CA $24
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Xi'an

Discover the most popular places to visit in Xi'an

Terracota Army featuring interior views and a statue or sculpture

Terracotta Army

4.5/5(18 reviews)

Marvel at the thousands of sculpted soldiers, horses and chariots keeping the first Emperor of China company in the afterlife.

Terracotta Army
Bell Tower

Xi'an Bell Tower

4.5/5(15 reviews)

You can browse the exhibits at Xi'an Bell Tower, a museum with a story of its own, during your trip to Xi'an. Make time for the shops and local tours in this walkable area.

Xi'an Bell Tower
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda featuring a garden and a temple or place of worship

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

4.5/5(10 reviews)

Admire engravings and statues as you ascend the twirling staircase of this tower for a panoramic view of the city of Xi’an.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Great Mosque of Xi\'an which includes a mosque and religious aspects

Great Mosque of Xi'an

3.5/5(3 reviews)

See an intriguing blend of Islamic customs with traditional Chinese architecture in this religious complex of gardens and historic buildings.

Great Mosque of Xi'an
Xi\'an City Walls featuring religious elements and a temple or place of worship

Xi'an City Walls

4.5/5(7 reviews)

Relish the Chinese style of the elegant moat, towers and historic walls of one of the world’s largest military defence systems.

Xi'an City Walls
Xi'an University has beautiful gardens and small pagodas surrounded by water or grass/flowers. At night, the city lights shine bright to create a hall around this one. #pagodas #china #travel #xian #blackandwhite

Xi'an Jiaotong University

Explore the campus of Xi'an Jiaotong University during your visit to Xi'an. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Xi'an Jiaotong University

Datang Everbright City

You can search for that perfect souvenir at Datang Everbright City during your visit to Xi'an. While in the area, you can find time to visit its temples.

Datang Everbright City

Drum Tower

4.5/5(10 reviews)

After visiting Drum Tower, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Xi'an. Make time for the shops and local tours in this walkable area.

Drum Tower

Shaanxi History Museum

5/5(1 review)

You can browse the exhibits at Shaanxi History Museum, a museum with a story of its own, during your trip to Xi'an. Discover the area's shops, or seek out its local tours.

Shaanxi History Museum

Explore areas of Xi'an

Bell Tower

Xi’an City Center

4.5/5(28 area reviews)

Noted for its historic sites and gardens, there's plenty to explore in Xi’an City Center. Top attractions like Xi'an Wall Yongningmen (North Gate) and Xi'an Bell Tower are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Yongningmen Station or Zhonglou Station to see more of the city.

Xi’an City Center
Nice parc around of the pagoda .

Yanta Qu

You might enjoy the historic sites while in Yanta Qu. Shaanxi History Museum is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Wei 1-jie Station or Xiaozhai Station to see more of the city.

Yanta Qu
Xi´An Bell Tower, China.

Zhonglou Shangquan

If you're spending time in Zhonglou Shangquan, check out sights like Xi'an Bell Tower or Yisu Grand Theater and hop on the metro to see more the city at Zhonglou Station or Beidajie Station.

Zhonglou Shangquan
Xi\'an

Muslim Quarter

Unique features of Muslim Quarter include the historic sites and shopping. Make a stop by Xi'an City Walls or Ancient Folk House while you're exploring the area.

Muslim Quarter
Xi´An Bell Tower, China.

Beilin

4/5(3 area reviews)

Beilin is a destination travelers like for its historic sites, and you might hop aboard the metro at Yongningmen Station or Nanshaomen Station to explore sights like Beilin Museum.

Beilin
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda featuring a garden and a temple or place of worship

Qujiang New District

Discover Qujiang New District, memorable for its gardens. Popular attractions in Qujiang New District include Tang Paradise and Datang Everbright City, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Huizhan Zhongxin Station.

Qujiang New District

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Frequently asked questions

Is Xi'an worth visiting?
From shopping to history and outdoor adventures, there are plenty of great things to do in Xi'an. Be sure to enjoy the area's mix of cool attractions, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Xi'an?
Datang Everbright City and Shaanxi History Museum are two excellent places to start your vacation adventures. Be sure to explore the dining and shopping options in Xi'an while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Xi'an?
The top tourist attraction in Xi'an is Datang Everbright City, so be sure to put it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Xi'an?
You can easily tour top attractions like Datang Everbright City, Shaanxi History Museum and Xi'an Museum with a three-day stay in Xi'an. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so linger longer and check out Yanta Qu.
Is Xi'an a walkable city?
It all depends on what you plan to do and see in Xi'an. Several attractions, including Shaanxi History Museum and Xi'an Museum, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Xi'an's neighbourhoods, Xi'an City Centre is 0.48 kilometres away from downtown, while Zhonglou Shangquan is 0.16 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Xi'an with kids?
Planning what to do in Xi'an with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're taking a trip with toddlers or teenagers, there are lots of family-friendly sights to keep everyone entertained here.

What to do in Xi'an for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or fan of Mother Nature, there are loads of things to do in Xi'an for adults including Andingmen and Xi'an Calligraphy Museum.
Are there free things to do in Xi'an?
From enjoying parks to strolling around hip neighbourhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Xi'an. If you're in need of ideas, ask a local tour guide for recommendations. Datang Everbright City is a must for anyone planning to save on their sightseeing adventures.

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