Your Xian Arrival Checklist: 10 Must-Do Things to Start Your Trip Right

Landing in Xi’an felt like stepping into a living history book—one minute I was on a plane, the next, I was breathing air thick with the scent of lamb skewers and ancient city walls. As a first-time visitor, I’ll admit I was a little overwhelmed: Where should I go first? How do I get around? What do I actually need to prioritize? After a week of fumbling (and figuring things out the hard way), I’ve put together this checklist—no fluff, just the practical stuff that’ll help you skip the stress and dive straight into the magic of Xi’an.

Sort Your Ride from the Airport/Train Station First

Xi’an’s airport (XIY) and train stations (like Xi’an North Railway Station) are busy, and it’s easy to get swarmed by taxi drivers quoting crazy prices. Skip the chaos: book your transfer in advance. I used a mini-van service through my hotel (they arranged it for ¥120 from XIY to my place near the Bell Tower—way cheaper than the ¥200+ some taxis wanted). If you prefer apps, Didi (China’s Uber) works, but have your hotel’s address in Chinese ready (e.g., “西安市碑林区钟楼XX号” for the Bell Tower area). Pro tip: If you take a taxi, insist on using the meter—some drivers will try to negotiate a flat fee.

Check In, Drop Your Bags, Then Explore Your Neighborhood

Once you’ve checked in, don’t rush to “see everything.” Start small: walk around your hotel’s area. I stayed near the Muslim Quarter (回民街), and within 10 minutes, I’d found a tiny noodle shop selling youmian qiaotou (thin noodles with chili oil) for ¥8, a fruit stand with juicy pomegranates, and a convenience store selling water (stock up—bottled water is ¥1-2 everywhere). This little walk helped me get my bearings, learn the layout of the streets, and feel less like a lost tourist. Bonus: You’ll likely spot local spots you’d miss if you hopped on a bus straight to the Terracotta Army.

Your Xian Arrival Checklist: 10 Must-Do Things to Start Your Trip Right

Get a Local SIM Card or eSIM—Stat

Wi-Fi in hotels is great, but you’ll want data for maps, translations, and booking last-minute tickets. I bought a SIM card at the airport’s China Telecom counter (¥30 for 10GB of data, valid for 30 days—perfect for a week-long trip). You’ll need your passport to register it. If your phone supports eSIM, you can buy one online before you leave (I used Airalo; “China Tourist eSIM” was ¥15 for 5GB). Either way, having data means you can use WeChat (for paying almost everywhere) and Didi (for hailing taxis) without stress.

Stock Up on These 5 “Must-Have” Items

Xi’an is modern, but some basics are harder to find than you’d think. Hit a convenience store (like 7-Eleven or FamilyMart) or a local supermarket for:

• Water bottles: Refillable ones are eco-friendly, but grab a few disposable ones too—some attractions (like the Terracotta Army) have limited water fountains.
• Snacks: Energy bars, dried fruit—great for long days of walking.
• Sunscreen/umbrella: Xi’an summers are HOT (often 35°C/95°F), and winters are cold (below 0°C/32°F). Check the weather, but an umbrella is useful year-round (sudden rain showers are common).
• Hand sanitizer: Essential for street food stalls!
• Power bank: You’ll be taking tons of photos (the Terracotta Army alone deserves 200+), and your phone will die. I bought a cheap 10,000mAh power bank at the airport for ¥80—totally worth it.

Learn 3 Basic Phrases (and a Pro Tip for Menus)

Don’t worry about fluency—most young people in Xi’an speak some English, but a few phrases will go a long way:

• “Nǐ hǎo” (Hello)
• “Duōshao qián?” (How much?)
• “Wǒ bù yào” (I don’t want it—useful for persistent street vendors).

For menus, use a translation app (like Google Translate or Baidu Translate) to take a picture of the Chinese characters. I once pointed to a dish that looked like “spicy chicken” but turned out to be “spicy pig intestines” (not my favorite—oops). Pro tip: Look for dishes with “羊肉” (lamb) or “牛肉” (beef)—Xi’an’s best food is all about the meat!

Book Your “Big Three” Tickets Now

Xi’an’s top attractions require tickets, and some sell out fast—especially the Terracotta Army and Shaanxi History Museum. Book these online before you arrive to save hours in line:

• Terracotta Army: Book on “WeChat Mini Programs” (search “秦始皇陵博物院官方预约”) or Klook/Tripadvisor. ¥120 for the basic ticket (includes Pit 1, 2, 3, and the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum). Go early (8:30 AM) to avoid crowds.
• Shaanxi History Museum: Free, but you must book in advance on their official website (you’ll need to register with your passport). If you miss the free slot, ¥30 gets you into the paid exhibition (worth it—loads of Tang Dynasty treasures).
• City Wall: ¥54 to walk or ¥18 to bike. I biked at sunset—best decision ever. The wall is 14km long, so pick a section (South Gate is easiest) and bike for an hour or so.

Eat Like a Local: Start with These 5 Dishes

Xi’an is a foodie paradise, but don’t just stick to the main tourist streets (like Muslim Street’s “night market”—it’s fun, but pricey). Here’s where to start:

• Roujiamo (肉夹馍): “Chinese hamburger”—crispy bread stuffed with slow-cooked pork. I found a hole-in-the-wall near the Bell Tower selling two for ¥15.
• Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍): “Bread soup”—tear bread into a bowl, add lamb broth, and dig in. Most restaurants will show you how to tear the bread (it’s a ritual!).
• Biangbiang Noodles (biangbiang面): Wide, chewy noodles with chili oil, garlic, and veggies. “Biang” is a crazy Chinese character—ask a local to draw it for you (it’s a fun story).
• Liangpi (凉皮): Cold noodles with sesame paste, chili oil, and cucumber. Perfect for hot days—found it everywhere for ¥6-¥8.
• Pomegranate Juice: Xi’an is famous for pomegranates, and the fresh juice is sweet and refreshing (¥10-¥15 per cup).

Figure Out Your Daily Transport Pass

Xi’an’s metro is clean, cheap, and the best way to get around long distances. Buy a “Yikatong” card (一卡通) at any metro station (¥20 deposit + however much you want to add). You can use it on metro and buses. A single metro ride is ¥2-¥6, depending on distance. If you’re taking more than 3 trips a day, consider a “day pass” (ask at the metro station—some offer them). Taxis are cheap too (start at ¥3), but metro is faster during rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM).

Set a “Chill Time” in Your Schedule

Xi’an has so much to see—Terracotta Army, City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter… it’s easy to overbook. I made the mistake of trying to do 3 attractions on my first day and ended up exhausted. Add a “chill block” to your schedule: maybe a coffee in a courtyard cafe (try “Coffee Home” near the Muslim Quarter—hidden gem), or a nap in your hotel. You’ll enjoy the other attractions more if you’re not running on empty.

Save These Numbers (Just in Case)

Hope you don’t need them, but better safe than sorry:

• Tourist Hotline: 029-8763 0111 (for questions/complaints)
• Police: 110
• Hotel Front Desk: Save your hotel’s number in your phone before you leave—they can help with taxis, translations, or lost items.

Xi’an is a city where the past and present collide—you’ll see a 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warrior one minute, and a teenager filming a TikTok the next. This checklist won’t cover everything (there’s always more to discover!), but it’ll help you start your trip stress-free. Now go—grab a roujiamo, hop on the metro, and let the adventure begin. Xi’an’s waiting, and it’s worth every minute.