5 Days Xi'an Itinerary, Plan a 5-Day Trip in Xi'an

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Xi’an is home to rich historical landmarks, culturally significant attractions, and well-preserved heritage sites. Attracts numerous domestic and international tourists each year. It is on the must-see list for first-time or even second-time visitors to Xi'an.

Five days are enough to explore Xi’an, and you can also visit some surrounding areas. If you are unsure how to plan your Xi’an trip, refer to the following four perfect Xi’an itineraries we have prepared for you: one for families with children, one for seniors, one for adventure-loving young people, and one for Culture tour. Below are some recommended 5-day itineraries for exploring Xi’an.

Actually, all the itineraries are flexible. If none of these suits your needs, please feel free to contact us. We would be honored to customize a perfect, personalized itinerary specifically for you.

5 Days Xi'an Itinerary for the Family with Kids

Day 1: Xi’an Arrival and explore the city

Arrival in Xi'an, settle into your hotel and have a break. Head to Shaanxi History Museum, explore Chinese history through fascinating artifacts. The museum is educational and visually engaging, great for curious young minds. And then, visit Ancient City Wall, rent a bicycle to cycle around and overlook the cityscape.

In the evening, visit Muslim Street and watch a shadow puppet show in Gao Family Courtyard.

Day 2: Terracotta Army and Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City

Start your day by immersing yourself in the rich history of this city. After breakfast, take a one-hour drive to visit the legendary Terracotta Warriors, figures you’ve likely seen in books, on TV, or in the news. With your guide’s introduction, uncover the story behind their creation and preservation. Kids will gain a deeper understanding of the First Emperor’s ambition for immortality through this fascinating encounter.

After visiting the Terracotta Army, head to a nearby village to craft your own miniature clay warrior inside a traditional cave dwelling. This hands-on experience helps kids gain a deeper understanding of the Terracotta Warriors and their historical significance.

In the evening, explore the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, a lively pedestrian street filled with colorful lights, street performances, Tang-style architecture, and local snacks.

Day 3: History Comes Alive and Hands-on Experience

In the morning, visit the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, once served as timekeeping centers during the Ming Dynasty. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top.

For a fun and essence experience, you will move to a local family, who will teach you how to make Chinese dumplings and tell you some interesting stories about their life. Enjoy a lunch in the local family with the host and get to know something about Chinese eating culture. In the afternoon, visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Ci’en Temple, and enjoy the spectacular musical fountain show in the nearby square.

Day 4: Adventurous Mount Huashan

Adventure Mount Huashan (about a 2-hour drive from Xi’an), which is one of China’s Five Great Mountains, renowned for its breathtaking cliffs and thrilling plank walks. Enjoy a fun and safe family adventure. Ride the cable car for stunning mountain views and explore the scenic, well-paved paths together.

Day 5: A Tang-Inspired Day

In the morning, head to Tang Paradise, a cultural theme park that brings the Tang Dynasty to life with beautiful architecture, gardens, and performances.

In the afternoon, dress up in Hanfu as a family, complete with traditional makeup, and snap photos together. Feel the soft silk and the graceful flow of wide sleeves as you walk. This immersive experience turns history into a vivid and unforgettable memory.

End your 5-day Xi'an journey with wonderful memories.

5 Days Xi'an Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Travel Pace

Day 1: Xi’an Arrival, Ancient Wall & Leisurely Stroll

Check in at your hotel and take time to rest before your exploration. Head to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, two iconic landmarks that stand facing each other in the heart of Xi’an’s ancient city. These historic towers once served as timekeeping centers during the Ming Dynasty.

Take a leisurely stroll through Muslim Street, a historic area featuring fascinating architecture, small shops, and a wide array of local snacks.

Day 2: Sweep the top highlights and a Hands-On Culture

In the morning, start your day by immersing yourself in the rich history of this city. After breakfast, take a one-hour drive to visit the legendary Terracotta Warriors, figures you’ve likely seen in books, on TV, or in the news. With your guide’s introduction, uncover the story behind their creation and preservation.

In the afternoon, visit Huaqing Palace, not far from the Terracotta Warriors, it is a historic royal complex famed for its natural hot springs, elegant architecture, and romantic legends.

In the evening, watch the live performance “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow”. This open-air show tells the romantic and tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei through music, dance, and dazzling visual effects.

Day 3: Immersive Heritage Activities

In the morning, visit Tang Paradise and immerse yourself in the elegance of ancient China with a Hanfu dress-up experience. Stroll through the scenic park dressed in traditional attire and feel like you’ve stepped back into the Tang Dynasty.

In the afternoon, join a slow-paced, you will move to a local family, who will teach you how to make Chinese dumplings and tell you some interesting stories about their life. Enjoy a lunch in the local family with the host and get to know something about Chinese eating culture.

Day 4: Scenic Nature and Mountain Views

Round trip to Mountain Huashan (about 2hours drive from Xi’an), one of China’s most scenic sacred mountains, known for its stunning cliffs and ancient Taoist temples. Take a comfortable cable car ride to enjoy panoramic views without the strenuous hike. Peaceful walking paths near the peaks offer a relaxing way to experience the mountain’s beauty and cultural heritage.

Day 5: Tombs, Pagodas, and Buddhist legacy

In the morning, start your day at Han Yangling Mausoleum, where a glass walkway offers views of miniature terracotta figures from 2,000 years ago. It’s both impressive and unique.

In the afternoon, visit iconic Buddhist site, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Stroll through the Ci’en temple grounds and admire ancient murals, statues, and peaceful courtyards.

End your cultural journey with a hands-on experience, try your hand at making shadow puppets, that bring traditional culture to life.

5 Days Xi'an Itinerary for Young Travelers

Day 1: Xi'an Arrival and City center Exploration

Arrive in Xi'an and check in to your hotel, start your day with a visit Han Yangling Mausoleum, it’s an underground museum. Head to the iconic Xi’an Ancient City Wall, you can rent a bicycle and enjoy a ride along the 14-kilometer loop, where panoramic views reveal a captivating contrast between the city’s ancient heritage and its modern skyline.

In the evening, experience Xi'an's dazzling nightlife, explore the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, a lively pedestrian street filled with colorful lights, street performances, Tang-style architecture, and local snacks.

Day 2: Experience Xi'an's Top Highlights and Hands-On Culture

In the morning, visit Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, ailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” and one of Xi’an’s most iconic attractions. After visiting the Terracotta Army, head to a nearby village where you can experience making your own miniature clay warrior in a traditional cave dwelling.

In the afternoon, visit Huaqing Palace, a historic royal complex famed for its natural hot springs, elegant architecture, and romantic legends.

In the evening, watch the live performance “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow”. This open-air show tells the romantic and tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei through music, dance, and dazzling visual effects.

Day 3: Adventurous Hiking

Go on a Reddit-worthy adventure to Mount Huashan, one of China’s Five Great Mountains, famous for its dramatic cliffs and thrilling plank walks. It is rewards you with dramatic scenery, Taoist temples, and unforgettable sunrises. You will find both challenge and spiritual serenity at the summit.

Day 4: Museums, and Living History

In the morning, visit Shaanxi History Museum, explore exquisite relics from the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties. Visit Forest of Stone Steles Museum, dive into China’s scholarly heritage through ancient Confucian texts and stunning calligraphy carved into stone.

In the afternoon, visit the Gian wild Goose Pagoda and Ci’en Temple, a historic Buddhist site from the Tang Dynasty. End your day by enjoying the dazzling musical fountain show at the North Square of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

Day 5: Iconic landmarks in the city center

In the morning, head to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, two historic landmarks that once served as timekeeping centers during the Ming Dynasty. Explore both towers and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top.

Then take a short five-minute walk to the Muslim Quarter. Sample local delicacies, explore the hidden gem of Gao’s Grand Courtyard, in addition to admiring the exquisite ancient architecture, you can also enjoy a traditional shadow puppet performance, a recognized form of intangible cultural heritage in Xi’an.

5 Days Culture Tour in Xi'an

Day 1: Ancient Walls, Museums, and Living History

In the morning, begin your cultural journey at Shaanxi History Museum, explore exquisite relics from the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties. Visit Forest of Stone Steles Museum, dive into China’s scholarly heritage through ancient Confucian texts and stunning calligraphy carved into stone.

In the afternoon, walk or cycle along the top of Xi’an ‘s centuries-old city wall, a massive structure that once defended the city. Wander the lively alleys of the Muslim Quarter, rich with street food and traditional shops.

Day 2: Ancient Wonders and Historic

In the morning, visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Discover one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds: thousands of life-sized clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. After visiting the Terracotta Army, head to a nearby village where you can experience making your own miniature clay warrior in a traditional cave dwelling.

In the afternoon, visit Tang Paradise, features many Tang-style reconstructed buildings, forming one of the largest royal architectural complexes modeled after the Tang Dynasty in China. Don’t miss the world’s largest outdoor fragrance project and the world’s largest water screen movie show.

Day 3: Tombs, Pagodas, and Buddhist legacy

In the morning, visit Han Yangling Mausoleum, an underground museum showcasing the tomb of a Han Dynasty emperor with lifelike figurines and daily life artifacts. It’s both impressive and unique. In the afternoon, climb Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, it was built to house scriptures brought back by monk Xuanzang from India. Stroll through the Ci’en temple grounds and admire ancient murals, statues, and peaceful courtyards.

Day 4: Scenic Nature and Mountain Views

Mountain Huashan (about 2hours drive from Xi’an), is one of China’s Five Great Mountains and famed for its breathtaking cliffs and thrilling plank walks. It is rewards you with dramatic scenery, Taoist temples, and unforgettable sunrises.

Day 5: Historic Iconic and Culture

In the morning, visit the Drum Tower and Bell Tower, these historic towers once served as timekeeping centers during the Ming Dynasty. Then take a short walk to the Muslim Quarter. Sample local delicacies, explore the hidden gem of Gao’s Grand Courtyard, in addition to admiring the exquisite ancient architecture, you can also enjoy a traditional shadow puppet performance, a recognized form of intangible cultural heritage in Xi’an.

A Chinese Calligraphy Learning in Small Wild Goose Pagoda Temple closes the day. With the guidance of the teacher, you will feel the charm of Chinese calligraphy and even the Chinese culture.

Customize Your Unique Xi'an Tour

If you are interested in one of the Xi'an itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Xi'an Tour, please visit our Xi'an Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

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