Xian Travel Itinerary, Plan a Trip in Xian From 1 Day to 7 Days

Xi’an is located in the heart of the Guanzhong Plain, surrounded by mountains to the south and the Wei River to the north. As the ancient capital of 13 dynasties, Xi ‘an served as the starting point of the Silk Road and was once the most important political and cultural center of China.

With its flat terrain, orderly city layout, and deep historical roots, Xi’an is often referred to as the “City of Eternal Peace.” As one of the four great ancient capitals of China, it boasts world-renowned archaeological wonders like the Terracotta Warriors, grand city walls, and a rich blend of Han and Tang culture. It is also a vibrant modern city that continues to bridge ancient civilization with contemporary life.

While every journey can be personalized, we’ve prepared a suggested itinerary to inspire your Xi’an adventure. If you’d like a custom-made travel plan, please feel free to get in touch with us.

1-Day Xi'an Travel Itineraries

If you only have one day, you can still explore Xi’an, but you’ll need to focus on the very essence of this ancient capital and skip farther-flung attractions like Mount Hua or sites along the extended Silk Road. Fortunately, many of Xi’an’s most iconic landmarks are located within or near the city center. With smart planning, you can experience the highlights of Xi’an in a single, fulfilling day—from the world-famous Terracotta Warriors to the Ancient City Wall, the bustling Muslim Quarter, and the historic Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

• 1-Day: Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Hot Spring, and Muslim Street Quarter where you can try local snacks and watch shadow and puppet shows.
• 1-Day: Ancient City Wall, Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Muslim Quarter
• 1-Day: A full-day tour of Mountain Hua
• 1-Day: Mausoleum of the Han Dynasty emperor, Qianling Mausoleum, and Famen Temple
• 1-Day: Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Museum, and Cave Home visit
• 1-Day: Foodie and life discovery tour to the Old Xicang Alley, and Muslim Street Quarter (immerse yourself in the local life and watch shadow or puppet play)
• 1-Day: Art and culture tour to Xi'an Academy Gate, Yu Youren Calligraphy Art Museum, Forest of Stone Steles Museum, and Private Painting Studio (where you can learn calligraphy and painting)

• More 1 Days Xi'an Itinerary >> 

Unique Night Tour

Xi'an night tour from 3.5 to 4 hours to Muslim Quarter, Nanmen/South Gate Square, music fountain on Big Goose Pagoda North Square, and Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City

2 Days Xi'an Itineraries

Planning a 2-day Xi’an itinerary is possible by focusing on key attractions such as the world-renowned Terracotta Warriors, the ancient City Wall, the bustling Muslim Quarter, and iconic landmarks like the Big Wild Goose Pagoda

• Day 1: Arrival in Xi'an, Shaanxi History Museum, and Ancient City Wall, visit Muslim Street at night or watch a show.
• Day 2: Terracotta Warriors, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Street, and the Great Mosque, and departure

• Day 1: The Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, City Wall, Bell Tower & Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter at night
• Day 2: Round trip to Mountain Huashan and departure

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3 Days Xi'an Itineraries

If you have three days, you can choose to spend two days in Xian’s main urban area, and use the remaining day to visit surrounding attractions such as the Hua Mountain, Hanyang Tomb.

• Day 1: arrive at Xi'an, Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower & Drum Tower, and Muslim Quarter at night
• Day 2: The Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, City wall, and Dumpling-making activity at a local's house.
• Day 3: Grand Wild Goose Pagoda plus Ci'en Temple, Shaanxi History Museum, and Forest of Stone Steles Museum, and departure

• Day 1: arrive at Xi’an, Hanyang Tomb, Muslim Street
• Day 2: Round trip to Mountain Huashan, and night tour to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City or choose to watch a show such as Qin Opera or Tang Dynasty Show
• Day 3: Terracotta Warriors, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, departure

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4 Days Xi'an Itineraries

As an internet-famous historical city, Xi’an boasts incredibly rich tourism resources—four days there would only scratch the surface. To explore Xi’an thoroughly without regrets, places like Muslim Street, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Area, Terracotta Army, and the Shaanxi History Museum are excellent spots to experience the city in depth.

• Day 1: arrive at Xi'an, Xi'an Academy Gate, Xihuamen Avenue, and Muslim Street
• Day 2: the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the music fountain or Tang Dynasty Show
• Day 3: Mountain Huashan, night tour to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City
• Day 4: Shaanxi History Museum, Forest of Stone Steles Museum where you can learn calligraphy, and departure

• Day 1: arrive at the airport, Hangyangling Mausoleum, and Muslim Street where you can enjoy the local food, and watch shadow and puppet play.
• Day 2: Terracotta Warriors, Bike on the City Wall, and explore the Bell & Drum Tower Square, enjoy a night show such as Qin Opera or Tang Dynasty Show at night.
• Day 3: Shaanxi History Museum, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Forest of Stone Steles Museum where you can learn traditional Chinese calligraphy
• Day 4: Dumpling making at a local, departure

• More 4 Days Xi'an Itinerary >> 

5 Days Xi'an Itineraries

If you have ample time, you'll have more opportunities to immerse yourself in Xi’an’s deep historical roots and vibrant local culture. Most travelers set aside at least a full day—or more—to visit the Terracotta Warriors and explore the ancient City Wall. This classic route can also be extended to include Mount Hua for breathtaking hikes, Famen Temple for its sacred relics, and the Huaqing Palace with its romantic legends. For those interested in local life, a stroll through the Muslim Quarter, a dumpling-making class, or a night walk in the Tang Paradise park will reveal the living charm of this thousand-year-old capital.

• Day 1: Arrive at Xi'an, visit Bell and Drum Towers, and City Wall by biking
• Day 2: Terracotta Warriors, Giant Goose Pagoda, and Dumpling Making, Grand Tang Ever Bright City
• Day 3: Shaanxi History Museum, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Forest of Stone Steles Museum where you can learn calligraphy, Night show
• Day 4: Xicang Valley, Muslim Street, and Yongxing Street
• Day 5: Round trip to Mountain Huashan

• Day 1: arrive at Xi'an, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Muslim Street
• Day 2: Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Hot Spring, dumpling making
• Day3: City Wall with biking or Tai Chi learning, Forest of Stone Steles Museum where you can learn calligraphy
• Day4: roundtrip of Mountain Huashan, night show
• Day5: Traditional Chinese Han Costume activity, departure

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6 Days Xi'an Itineraries

A good tour of Xi’an will including top things to do, such as visiting the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, walking or cycling along the ancient City Wall, exploring the bustling Muslim Quarter, and admiring the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. You can also take day trips to Mount Hua for a thrilling hike, or to Hanyang Tomb and Huaqing Palace to delve deeper into the region’s imperial past. In the evenings, enjoy dumpling banquets, shadow puppet shows, and strolls through the dazzling Great Tang All Day Mall.

• Day 1: arrive at Xi'an
• Day 2: Terracotta Warriors, Xicang Valley, and dumpling-making
• Day 3: Ancient City Wall by biking for about 1-2 hours, Bell & Drum Towers, Grand Wild Goose Pagoda and Ci'en Temple, Grand Tang Ever Bright City at night
• Day 4: Qianling Mausoleum, Maoling Mausoleum, and Famen Temple
• Day 5: Round trip to Huashan Mountain, Muslim Street
• Day 6: Hanyang Tomb, Shaanxi History Museum, departure

• Day 1: Arrive in Xi'an
• Day 2: Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Street (Snacks, shadow and puppet show, paper cutting), Grand Mosque
• Day 3: Forest of Stele Museum (calligraphy learning), Ancient City Wall (biking or Taichi learning), Shaanxi History Museum.
• Day 4: Peasant painting village and cave visit
• Day 5: Qianling Mausoleum, Maoling Mausoleum, and Famen Temple
• Day 6: round trip to Huashan Mountain, cable car up and down

• More 6 Days Xi'an Itinerary >> 

7 Days Xi'an Itineraries

With a full week in Xi’an, even the most seasoned traveler will find endless wonders to explore. Beyond the iconic Terracotta Warriors and ancient city wall, you can journey out to Mount Hua for a thrilling hike along one of China’s most legendary peaks, or visit the tranquil Famen Temple and the historic site of Huaqing Palace. Within the city, there’s no shortage of hidden gems—whether it’s cycling along the city wall at sunset, diving into bustling local markets, joining a hands-on dumpling-making class, or exploring vibrant museums and Tang-style cultural parks, Xi’an offers a rich blend of history, adventure, and local flavor.

• Day 1: Arrive at Xi'an, Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque
• Day 2: Terracotta Warriors (clay of terracotta warrior making), paper cutting plus foodie discovery trip
• Day 3: Mt. Huashan, show at night
• Day 4: Shaanxi History Museum, Forest of Stone Steles Museum (calligraphy learning), City Wall (biking or Taichi learning), and Grand Wild Goose Pagoda
• Day 5: Half day of traditional Han Costume, Muslim Street, and dumpling-making
• Day 6: Qianling Mausoleum, Maoling Mausoleum, and Famen Temple
• Day 7: Hanyang Tomb, and Departure

• Day 1: arrive at Xi'an, Hanyang Tomb, and Muslim Street
• Day 2: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, History Museum, Bell Tower, Great Mosque, and Forest of Stone Steles Museum
• Day 3: Maoling Mausoleum, Qianling Mausoleum, Famen Temple, and South Gate
• Day 4: Terracotta Warriors, Mountain Li, City Wall
• Day 5: Round trip to Mountain Hua
• Day 6: Peasant painting village, and cave visit
• Day 7: Hanyang Tomb, departure

• More 7 Days Xi'an Itinerary >> 

Xi'an Side trips

• Side trip to Luoyang: Day Trip to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes by fast train and back

Side trip to Pingyao Ancient Town for a night:

• Day 1: Xi'an to Pingyao by train D2502(07:43-10:50), Ancient Town, stay overnight in Pingyao
• Day 2: Pingyao to Xi'an by train D2529(18:26-21:27), a full day to visit the Zhangbi Ancient Castle, Shuanglin Temple, and Wang's Family Compound, train back to Xi'an

Where to stay in Xi'an

With the City Wall: Grand Noble Hotel Xi'an - 4*, Wyndham Grand Xi'an South - 5*, Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xian - Luxury and Boutique 5*

Other areas: Shangri La Hotel, Westin, Sheraton, Hilton, Hyatt, more luxury hotels in Xi'an >>

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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