A Rain of Ten Thousand Balloons Under the Bell Tower + City Wall Light Show Collide with the Splendid Tang Dynasty Lights into 2026

Who understands! Xi'an's New Year's Eve is engraved in its DNA with the romance of the Tang Dynasty and modern celebration! The stunning sight of ten thousand balloons soaring under the Bell Tower, the dazzling city wall light show, the warm yellow lanterns and lively atmosphere of Shuncheng Alley—from the depths of history to the modern streets, every corner holds the ritual feeling a New Year's Eve should have. Here’s a detailed guide with routes and tips to avoid pitfalls—quickly save it and go for it～😆 👉 Core Highlights of New Year's Eve (Must-Visit Checklist) 🎈 Bell Tower Balloon Feast - The highlight of New Year's Eve! Starting at 7 PM on December 31, the area under the Bell Tower fills with eager crowds, with traffic controlled early by police to ensure safety. At the stroke of midnight, ten thousand colorful balloons fly into the sky, like filling the night of Chang'an with stars, more healing than fireworks. Strangers smile and wish each other a Happy New Year, creating an amazing atmosphere; - Best viewing spot: 5th-floor rooftop of Kaiyuan Mall, offering a panoramic view of the balloon rain and shots of the Bell and Drum Towers with balloons. It’s recommended to secure your spot an hour early. 🏮 Xi'an City Wall Light Show - New Year's Eve exclusive romance! The ancient city wall is wrapped in a sea of brilliant lights, with light strips outlining the majestic wall, contrasting beautifully with the vermilion walls. Walking on the wall feels like traveling back to the Lantern Festival of the Tang Dynasty. The lights reflect on the moat, shimmering like waves—every photo looks like a classical masterpiece; - Tips for visiting: Enter from Andingmen or Yongningmen to avoid peak crowds; wearing Hanfu for photos makes for even better shots. There are many affordable Hanfu rental shops around the wall. 📜 Four Themed Night Tours (Unlock Different Romances) - Tang Dynasty Elegance Tour: Qujiangchi Ruins Park → Tang Paradise → Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City → South Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Young men and women dressed in Hanfu wander through, with the melody of "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Coat" drifting in the air. The light show recreates the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, immersing you in a dreamlike return to Chang'an; - Leisure Stroll Tour: Bell Tower → Muslim Quarter → Drum Tower → Shuncheng Alley → Defu Alley. After the balloon rain, you can walk here. The cobblestone streets glow under warm yellow lanterns, and the evening breeze carries the aroma of roujiamo and steamed cakes, letting you feel the lively spirit of old Xi'an; - Waterside Starlight Tour: Guangyuntan Park → East Bahe Road → Yuanshuo Bridge. Perfect for those who prefer tranquility, with starlight and lights reflecting on the water, creating a gentle and healing New Year's atmosphere; - Historical Dialogue Tour: Daming Palace Ruins Park → Tang City Wall Ruins Park → Tang West Market. Count down beside millennia-old ruins and feel the unique romance of ancient and modern times intertwined. 👉 5-Day Exclusive New Year's Itinerary (Balanced Pace) - Day 1: First Exploration of the Ancient City · Fireworks Opening: Xi'an City Wall (visit during the day to get familiar with the ancient city layout) → Muslim Quarter (try roujiamo, paomo, and other local specialties) → Bell and Drum Towers (watch the sunset and stake out a spot for the balloon rain at night); - Day 2: Historical Traces · Tang Dynasty Memories: Shaanxi History Museum (book in advance to unlock millennia-old artifacts) → Big Wild Goose Pagoda (climb the pagoda to pray and capture the tower’s light) → Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City (night light show to experience Tang Dynasty prosperity); - Day 3: Ancient Site Exploration · Cultural Feast: Terracotta Warriors (explore one of the world’s eight wonders) → Huaqing Pool (visit the royal garden) → The Song of Everlasting Sorrow (watch the live show at night for an immersive historical experience); - Day 4: City Stroll · Slow Enjoyment of Chang'an: The Longest Day in Chang'an (immersive Tang Dynasty experience) → Shuncheng Alley (afternoon coffee and slow life vibes) → Tang Paradise (night electronic music party to celebrate New Year's Eve); - Day 5: Blessings and Farewell · Full of Memories: Guangren Temple (ring the bell for blessings and offer oil lamps) → Last-minute souvenir shopping (steamed cakes, vacuum-packed cured beef). 👉 Practical Tips to Avoid Pitfalls - Transportation: Popular spots get crowded, prioritize the subway (Bell Tower is near Lines 2 and 6) to avoid taxi traffic jams; renting an electric scooter to roam around the city wall area is very convenient, flexible, and time-saving; - Tickets & Reservations: Shaanxi History Museum and Terracotta Warriors require booking 7 days in advance; it’s recommended to buy city wall light show tickets online early to skip queues; - Clothing: Xi'an’s New Year’s Eve has big temperature differences between day and night. Remember to wear a thick coat and thermal underwear. If wearing Hanfu, add a warm inner layer to stay warm and look great in photos; - Group Tours: For spontaneous trips, local small groups are a good choice to avoid forced spending traps. Local guides know the routes well and can save you a lot of time and effort; - Food Tips: Snacks in the core area of the Muslim Quarter are relatively expensive. Walk into the alleys to find small shops frequented by locals. For roujiamo, make sure the bread is freshly baked; for paomo, tear the bread yourself for the authentic taste. Xi'an’s New Year's Eve is the stunning balloon rain under the Bell Tower, the dazzling city wall light show, the shimmering Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, and the lively human warmth in Shuncheng Alley. Celebrating here lets you feel the weight of history and embrace modern revelry. Quickly invite your loved ones to count down in the lights of Chang'an and step into a hopeful new year～