A first weekend in Xi’an: city walls and the Terracotta Army

Day one morning: start above the old town

Begin at Yongning Gate, the south gate of the city wall. Choose a manageable out-and-back section on the battlements and look for the contrast between watchtowers, crenellations and the streets beyond. You can enjoy that change of perspective without committing to a full circuit.

Check current gate access and ticket arrangements before setting off. Keep cycling optional: rentals, operating conditions and rider requirements need checking on the day. On a hot or wet morning, shorten the wall visit rather than making a long exposed ride the centre of the plan.

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

Day one afternoon: a meal between the towers

Continue into the old town towards the Bell Tower of Xi’an. Take your time with the exterior view, then head west towards the Drum Tower of Xi’an. The two towers make useful anchors, with the Drum Tower’s wide façade contrasting with the Bell Tower’s more compact silhouette.

We recommend Tongshengxiang around Bell and Drum Tower Square for paomo, a filling bowl of bread in beef or mutton broth. It gives the day a proper seated meal between sightseeing stops. Ask how the bread preparation works when ordering and leave time for the meal rather than treating it as a quick snack.

Afterwards, try a short stroll along Beiyuanmen, turning back when the lanes feel crowded. You are entering a living residential and commercial neighbourhood. Keep doorways clear, ask before photographing people and check ingredients rather than assuming every dish suits a particular diet.

Checked 21 October 2026: the Bell Tower’s indoor exhibition is closed during renovation scheduled for 11 October–15 November 2026. The Drum Tower’s indoor exhibition is scheduled to close 1–30 November. The museum says both second-floor viewing platforms remain open during their respective works. Keep the exterior walk as the alternative. Packtricia will check for reopening; always confirm with the museum before travelling.

Day two: give the warriors their own outing

Reserve the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum for day two. It is in Lintong, outside the old-town walking area. Arrange the return journey before leaving and carry the original passport used for your reservation. Keep the middle of the day free for food and the visit.

Start with the scale of Pit 1, then allow time for the other open pits and displays. Check the museum’s current map before adding Lishan Garden: it is a separate part of the museum complex, linked by a museum shuttle, and needs additional time. Do not squeeze it in ahead of an inflexible train departure.

For an alternative full outing, Compare the Terracotta Army tour with family lunch. Select a guided group or private option for an English-speaking guide, transfers and the local-family lunch. The ticket-only option includes none of those extras. Group hotel pickup is limited to the second ring road; bring your passport and confirm dietary needs. This replaces the independent museum day.

An optional evening in the pagoda district

If you still have energy after returning and resting, choose the public squares around the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda for a separate evening outing. The temple grounds and a pagoda climb have their own admission arrangements; an exterior walk does not require promising either.

Give the optional evening a separate place in the plan

Otherwise, save the district for a longer visit. Warm layers matter in winter, while summer plans need water, shade breaks and rain protection. The weekend works well with fewer stops when weather or crowds slow the pace.