Top 50 Best Things to Do in Xi'an
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Top 50 Best Things to Do in Xi'an

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  • Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museumtop_1
    󰺂10
    25000
    Xi'an.Terracotta Army/Hua Qing Palace33.8 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoMausoleum of Qin Shi Huang Implements Off-Season Visiting Hours | Nov 16, 2025-Mar 15, 2026
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󰀆The highest point of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor overlooking the Weihe
    󰀆Qin's tomb viewpoint over Wei River
    󱨠Saved by 8605 users󱨠83768 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    M37***97M37***97

    Overall, it was very impressive and the experience was excellent. Special praise to Ms. Li Wenxuan for her explanation 👍 She was very experienced, the communication was smooth, and she answered all my questions very well; her knowledge was truly impressive.

  • Xi'an City Walltop_2
    󰺂8.9
    11250
    Xi'an.The bell tower The drum tower/The Xi’an Circumvallation1.8 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoYou can also see the Xi'an City Wall lantern show on New Year's Eve
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    Interactive Lantern Festival of Light and Shadow during the Lunar New Year
    Interactive light show festival
    󱨠Saved by 3881 users󱨠42307 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    东篱把酒@东篱把酒@

    A 24-hour chat on the Chang'an City Wall 🌅 At dawn, I climbed the city wall from Yongning Gate. The brick pavement gleamed amber in the morning light. I rented a mint-green motorcycle by scanning a QR code, and rode to Hanguang Gate. A newly installed AR screen flashed an image of a Persian camel caravan; the sound of hooves mingled with the car horns on the South Gate roundabout, and for a moment, I lost track of time. ☀️ At midday, I strolled from Zhongshan Gate to Yongxingfang. The Chengcheng mutton soup stall, a traditional intangible cultural heritage spot, had a broth as clear as a mirror. The crescent-shaped pancakes were best eaten by tearing them into pieces and soaking them in the broth. At the Chang'an Stove near the South Gate, the gourd chicken was fried to a crispy exterior and tender interior. Sitting by the window, I could see the upturned eaves of the barbican. For 80 yuan per person, I enjoyed a feast fit for a grand Tang Dynasty banquet. 🌇When returning the car in the dark, I discovered a new monster-themed charging station at the West Gate. A quick scan with WeChat and I could borrow one. The moat's boats, carrying the twilight, crossed the bridge; the lanterns on the bar street lit up in a flash; a young woman sang "Xi'an People's Song" with her guitar; and the evening breeze was filled with the aroma of chili oil. 🏙️A few more words: The AR projection at the southwest corner of the city is amazing; the shadow puppet show at Yongxingfang starts at 7:30, don't forget; the elevator at Hanguang Gate is perfect for families with young children. #ThirteenDynastiesCityWallChat #YongxingfangIsBeautiful #AncientAndModernBikeTravel

  • Song of Everlasting Sorrowtop_3
    󰺂8.7
    49792
    Xi'an.Terracotta Army/Hua Qing Palace27 km from downtown
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󰀆Dream Back to the Tang Dynasty
    󰋄Tang Dynasty love story reenactment
    󱨠Saved by 3280 users󱨠13208 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    EshyEshy

    Worth it🤩🤩. Amazing performance, traditional choreography, wonderful melody . A mix of Modern and classic . A must see show . #memories, #Broadway Chinese version

  • Xi'an Bell Tower
    4
    󰺂8.4
    6250
    Xi'an.The bell tower The drum tower/The Xi’an Circumvallation8m from downtown
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    Panoramic view of Xi'an from the top of the Bell Tower
    󱓊Panoramic view of streets & Drum Tower
    󱨠Saved by 2369 users󱨠15541 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    东篱把酒@东篱把酒@

    Xi'an Citywalk | A Time Machine After a Carb-Filled Walk As dusk settled, I emerged from the Yongningmen subway station and looked up—wow! The golden roof of the Bell Tower was bathed in the glow of the sunset, looking like amber—absolutely stunning! This old building, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, is now gently embraced by glass curtain walls and a sunken plaza, both ancient and modern. In the Line 5 transfer passage, a Ming Dynasty ceremonial guard is "walking" on an AR wall, with vermilion palace lanterns and neon signs lighting up together, surprisingly harmoniously. On the basement level, the food market is filled with the irresistible aroma of biangbiang noodles with chili oil. Next door, at Shaanxi Shisan, young people are queuing up to try the fermented rice flavored ice cream—it's all so novel! On the third-floor observation deck, donning VR glasses, the morning bell and evening drum of the Bell Tower and the drone show at Yongning Gate "fold" before your eyes. A blogger in Hanfu walks past under the eaves, the sounds of wind chimes and helicopters mingling in the wind—it's incredibly captivating! This is the Bell Tower as seen through my eyes—unpretentious and unpretentious, seamlessly blending old traditions with modern life, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the aroma of food and the interplay of light and shadow, experiencing Chang'an firsthand. #AncientTowerNewFashion #CarbsAndCyber ​​#SixHundredYearsInAGlance

  • Tang Paradise
    5
    󰺂8.3
    14167
    Xi'an.Dayan Pagoda/The Grand Tang Mall5.8 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoChang'an Lantern Festival to Open Early on New Year's Day | Jan 2026-Jan 2026
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󰋄Boat tour of the royal garden on Furong Lake
    󱓊Boat show: Tang Dynasty Dream
    󱨠Saved by 2375 users󱨠13407 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Everyone goes through difficult times: financial hardship, job setbacks, academic pressure, and the anxiety of unrequited love. Those who persevere will find life opens up new possibilities; those who don't will learn to make peace with their circumstances over time. What you overcome becomes experience; what you don't, becomes lessons—both are beneficial. What I want is favoritism, not love. This world is cruelly fair, and I only want to be the exception.

  • Shaanxi History Museum
    6
    󰺂8.1
    Xi'an.Xiaozhai/Shaanxi History Museum4 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoFollow "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty 3" to See National Treasures
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 Asia 100 - Family-friendly Attractions
    Highlights:
    󱨜A million years of treasures
    Interactive ancient life experience
    󱨠Saved by 2260 users󱨠13827 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    _TI***v1_TI***v1

    Our guide June is very good and professional. She is humorous and shared many interesting stories about the history of china and Shaanxi. Highly recommend to visit Shaanxi History museum. I would love to visit again when I come to Xi'an next time.

  • The Longest Day in Chang'an Theme Block
    7
    󰺂8.0
    14167
    Xi'an.Dayan Pagoda/The Grand Tang Mall5.5 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoThe Longest Day in Chang'an Theme Block reopens | Aug 2, 2023
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Xi'an
    Highlights:
    󱓊Immersive Tang Dynasty street experience
    󱓊Tang Dynasty immersive city life
    󱨠Saved by 1212 users󱨠3560 positive reviews
    4.1/5
    生如夏花fy生如夏花fy

    "The Longest Day in Chang'an" is a dreamlike journey through the Tang Dynasty! The friendly staff at the ticket counter enthusiastically answered all my questions, and stepping into the streets felt like stepping into a history book. The NPCs were vividly portrayed; I even encountered the poet Li Bai at the Taibai Tavern, and Cui Qi, the guardian of Chang'an, reappeared at the Jing'an Bureau. Interacting with them felt like meeting old friends. A series of wonderful performances followed, including folk acrobatics, Hu Ji dances, and ancient music. The local delicacies were dazzling—my favorite was the milk-filled fried dough stick! Every building and every detail perfectly showcased the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, captivating me and making the trip truly worthwhile. 👍 Thumbs up to the staff!

  • Grand Tang Mall
    8
    󰺂7.9
    Xi'an.Dayan Pagoda/The Grand Tang Mall5.3 km from downtown
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󰀆9 themed sculptures on avenue
    󱓊Iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda
    󱨠Saved by 2719 users󱨠1462 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    ❤️洋洋❤️洋洋

    The Tang Dynasty Never Sleeping City is not only a tourist attraction but also a carrier of cultural heritage. It regularly hosts cultural activities such as Tang poetry recitals and traditional musical instrument performances, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the literary and artistic achievements of the Tang Dynasty while enjoying their visit.

  • Big Wild Goose Pagoda
    9
    󰺂7.9
    2084
    Xi'an.Dayan Pagoda/The Grand Tang Mall4.8 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 6 of Night Attractions in Xi'an
    Highlights:
    󱨜Asia's largest musical fountain square
    󰋄Spectacular Xi'an views (Top of tower)
    󱨠Saved by 1569 users󱨠4728 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    悠悠春妮悠悠春妮

    You need to buy a ticket to Da Ci'en Temple to get close to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Climbing the pagoda requires a separate ticket, which is separate from the entrance ticket. Looking up at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda amidst the red walls and green tiles, with the wind chimes on the eaves gently ringing, it feels like traveling back a thousand years. Touching the scriptures in the Xuanzang Sanzang Courtyard, you can feel the warmth of the wisdom of the ancients.

  • Daming Palace National Heritage Park
    10
    󰺂7.8
    12500
    Xi'an.Daming Palace/Xi'an Railway Station4 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in Xi'an
    Highlights:
    󰋄Cherry blossoms around Taiye Lake
    󱨜Political center & national symbol (Tang Dynasty)
    󱨠Saved by 676 users󱨠4925 positive reviews
    4.1/5
    南方小🐟崽南方小🐟崽

    The overall architectural style is well preserved, and the lantern festival is also very beautiful. However, the scenic area is very large, and there are relatively few cable cars, making it inconvenient to visit with elderly people.

Best things to do in Xi'an (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Xi'an? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Xi'an offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Xi'an

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Xi'an experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

• Xi'an.Terracotta Army/Hua Qing Palace | 33.8 km from downtown

• : The highest point of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor overlooking the Weihe,Qin's tomb viewpoint over Wei River

Xi'an City Wall

• Xi'an.The bell tower The drum tower/The Xi’an Circumvallation | 1.8 km from downtown

• : Interactive Lantern Festival of Light and Shadow during the Lunar New Year,Interactive light show festival

Song of Everlasting Sorrow

• Xi'an.Terracotta Army/Hua Qing Palace | 27 km from downtown

• : Dream Back to the Tang Dynasty,Tang Dynasty love story reenactment

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Xi'an

If you want to explore attractions just outside Xi'an, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Xi'an, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Xi'an special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Xi'an

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Xi'an

Ready to explore the best of Xi'an? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Xi'an?
These are all Best Things to Do in Xi'an:Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, Xi'an City Wall, Song of Everlasting Sorrow, Xi'an Bell Tower, Tang Paradise
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Xi'an?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Xi'an include:Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum:4.7, Xi'an City Wall:4.6, Song of Everlasting Sorrow:4.5, Xi'an Bell Tower:4.5, Tang Paradise:4.3
At what locations in Xi'an can Best Things to Do in Xi'an be found?
The Best Things to Do in Xi'an are mainly located in:Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum:Xi'an, Xi'an City Wall:Xi'an, Song of Everlasting Sorrow:Xi'an, Xi'an Bell Tower:Xi'an, Tang Paradise:Xi'an
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