Xi’an Tour Pass: A First-Timer’s Honest Guide to Saving Time and Money

I’ll never forget my first trip to Xi’an. I’d been dreaming of seeing the Terracotta Warriors since I was a kid, wandering the ancient city walls at sunset, and stuffing my face with roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers) and liangpi (cold skin noodles) in the Muslim Quarter. But when I started planning, I was overwhelmed: How do I get around? Do I need to buy tickets for every single place? Will I end up spending half my time in ticket lines?

My friend, who’d visited Xi’an twice, just laughed and said, “Get the Xi’an Tour Pass. It’ll save you so much hassle—and money.” And she was absolutely right. After using one myself, I’m here to break down exactly what the Tour Pass is, how it works, and whether it’s worth it for travelers like you.

First Things: What Is the Xi’an Tour Pass?

Let’s clear up the confusion: There isn’t just one “Tour Pass.” Xi’an offers two main types, and picking the right one depends on how long you’re staying and what you want to see.

Xi’an Tour Pass: A First-Timer’s Honest Guide to Saving Time and Money

1. Xi’an Tourism Annual Pass (西安旅游年票): This is the big one for travelers planning to stay a few days. For around ¥200 (prices can vary slightly by season), it gives you unlimited access to over 20 major attractions for one year from the date of activation. Yep, you read that right—even if you’re only in Xi’an for 3 days, the pass is valid for a whole year (so you can come back!).

2. Xi’an Transport-Tourism Combo Card (西安交通旅游一卡通): This is better for short trips (1-2 days). It bundles a transport card (for metro and buses) with entry to 3-5 key attractions, usually for around ¥100-¥150. You choose which attractions to include when you buy it.

For most first-timers, the Annual Pass is the winner. I’ll focus on that, but I’ll mention the Combo Card too.

How to Buy the Tour Pass (It’s Easy!)

I bought my Annual Pass online before my trip, but you can also get it in person. Here’s your step-by-step guide:

Online:

• Go to the official “Xi’an Tourism” WeChat account (search “西安旅游” in WeChat).
• Click on “Tour Pass” (旅游年票) and follow the prompts. You’ll need to upload a photo of your ID (passport for foreigners) and pay via Alipay or WeChat Pay.
• Once paid, they’ll send you a digital pass with a QR code. Save this to your phone—you’ll need it to enter attractions!

In Person:

• Head to the ticket office at major attractions like the Terracotta Army, City Wall, or Big Wild Goose Pagoda. They sell passes there too. Just bring your ID and cash/phone for payment.

Pro Tip: If you’re buying online, do it 2-3 days before your trip. That way, you’ll get the QR code in time and avoid any last-minute stress.

What’s Actually Included? (The Good Stuff!)

This is where the Annual Pass shines. For ¥200, you get into dozens of attractions—no extra fees. Here are the big ones I visited:

• Terracotta Army and Huaqing Palace: The #1 reason people come to Xi’an! The pass covers entry to both (separately, so you can visit them on different days). Without the pass, this alone would cost ¥120 (Terracotta) + ¥120 (Huaqing) = ¥240—more than the pass itself!
• Xi’an City Wall: Walking or biking the ancient walls is a must. The pass lets you in for free (normally ¥54). I rented a bike for ¥45 and cycled the entire 14km loop—amazing views of the city!
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda: These iconic Buddhist towers are free with the pass. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda has a cool light show at night (extra fee, but the tower itself is free).
• Shaanxi History Museum: One of China’s best museums, with artifacts from the Silk Road. Important: The museum is free with the pass, but you must book a time slot online 3-7 days in advance (even with the pass!). I booked mine on their WeChat account—super easy.
• Bell Tower and Drum Tower: These stand in the center of Xi’an’s old town. The pass covers entry to both (normally ¥35 each). I went at sunset—the views of the city lit up are breathtaking.

There are smaller spots too, like the Stele Forest (great for calligraphy lovers) and the Xingqing Palace Park. All free with the pass.

How to Use the Pass (No-Brainer, But Here’s the Scoop)

Using the pass is simple:

• At each attraction, just show your digital QR code (from WeChat) or physical pass at the ticket gate.
• For some places (like the Shaanxi History Museum), you’ll still need to scan your ID to match the pass—keep it handy!
• The pass is tied to your name, so you can’t share it. (No letting your friend borrow it—sorry!)

One thing to note: The pass doesn’t cover “extra experiences.” For example, at the Terracotta Army, you can pay extra to see the “Pit 3” (which is smaller) or hire a guide (totally worth it, by the way—paid ¥100 for a 2-hour guide who explained all the history). The pass just gets you into the main pits.

Pros and Cons: Is It Really Worth It?

Let’s be real—no travel product is perfect. Here’s my honest take:

Pros:

• Saves TONS of money: As I calculated earlier, just the Terracotta Army + Huaqing Palace + City Wall cost ¥294 without the pass. The ¥200 pass paid for itself on day 2.
• Skip ticket lines: At busy spots like the Terracotta Army, I walked right past the ticket queue (which was 50 people long!) and scanned my pass. Saved at least 30 minutes each time.
• Convenience: One QR code for everything. No fumbling for cash or trying to remember which ticket goes where.
• Flexibility: Valid for a year, so if you have to cut your trip short, you can come back later.

Cons:

• Popular spots need advance booking: The Shaanxi History Museum requires online booking—even with the pass. If you forget, you might miss out (I almost did!).
• Some small attractions aren’t included: I wanted to visit the “Xi’an City Wall South Gate” specifically, but that’s a separate ticket (¥10). Not a big deal, but worth noting.
• Not ideal for super short trips: If you’re only in Xi’an for 1 day, the Combo Card might be better (cheaper, and you pick 3-5 spots).

My Top Tips for Using the Pass

1. Book popular attractions early: Shaanxi History Museum, Bell Tower, and Drum Tower all fill up—especially on weekends. Book their time slots 3-7 days in advance.
2. Bring a portable charger: You’ll be using your phone for the QR code, maps, and photos all day. Don’t let it die mid-Terracotta Army tour!
3. Pair it with public transport: The pass doesn’t include metro/bus fares, but the Annual Pass lets you buy a discounted “transport add-on” (around ¥50 for 7 days of unlimited metro/buses). I did this and got around the city like a local.
4. Don’t rush: With the pass, you can revisit spots for free. I loved the City Wall so much I went back at sunrise the next day—no extra charge!

Final Verdict: Should You Get It?

If you’re staying in Xi’an for 2+ days and want to see the major attractions (Terracotta Army, City Wall, museums), YES—get the Annual Pass. It’s one of the best travel deals I’ve ever found. I saved over ¥300 and skipped hours of lines.

If you’re only there for 1 day, grab the Combo Card instead. Pick 3 must-sees (like Terracotta Army, City Wall, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda) and bundle them with transport. Still cheaper than buying tickets separately.

Xi’an is a city with 3,000 years of history—don’t waste time stressing about tickets. Get the Tour Pass, focus on exploring, and eat all the roujiamo you can. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.

Happy travels! 🚶‍♀️🏛️🍜