Xi’an · Uncle Panda Travel

The old capital of 13 dynasties: the Terracotta Army, a complete Ming city wall and some of China’s best street food.

Altitude

400 m

Best time

Mar–May, Sep–Nov

Suggested stay

3–4 days

Xi’an Bell Tower at night

Xi’an is compact inside its city wall, and the Bell Tower, Muslim Quarter and South Gate are all close together. The big day is the Terracotta Army, about an hour east of the city.

Best way to see it

Give the Terracotta Army a full morning, and add Huaqing Palace nearby
Ride or walk a stretch of the city wall in the late afternoon
Eat your way through the lanes around the Drum Tower in the evening
See the Big and Small Wild Goose Pagodas, and Datang Everbright City lit up at night
If you have a spare day, Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River is a long but rewarding drive

The Terracotta Army has a lot of walking even with the electric cart, and summer sun is strong. Bring a hat and water.

Sights

Thousands of life-size clay soldiers buried to guard China’s first emperor, in three excavated pits under huge halls. About an hour’s drive east of the city.

Mostly flat but a lot of walking; 3–4 h with a headset guide

Good to know

High-speed trains from Beijing take about 4.5–6 hours, and tickets are booked by passport name.
Xi’an food is hearty and often spicy: biangbiang noodles, roujiamo, lamb paomo. Tell your travel designer if you need it mild.
Singapore passport holders can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days.