Xi’an Tourist Pass: My Honest Guide to Saving Time and Money

I’m not a travel blogger—just a regular 28-year-old who loves exploring cities but hates overpaying and wasting time. Last month, I spent 6 days in Xi’an, determined to see all the must-sees without breaking the bank. By day two, I’d stumbled upon the Xi’an Tourist Pass, and honestly? It saved my trip. Here’s exactly what it is, how to use it, and whether it’s worth it for you—no fluff, just real talk from someone who’s been there.

Xi’an Tourist Pass: My Honest Guide to Saving Time and Money

First, What Is the Xi’an Tourist Pass?

Let’s get straight to it: The Xi’an Tourist Pass (called “西安旅游通票” in Chinese) is a prepaid card or digital pass that gives you access to multiple attractions, plus some perks like free transport or discounts. Think of it like a city-wide “all-you-can-visit” ticket, but smarter—you pick the duration (1, 2, or 3 days) and it covers most of the big-ticket spots.

There are two main types:

• Physical Card: You buy it at tourist centers, hotels, or attractions, and it’s a plastic card with a QR code.
• Digital Pass: Bought via the “西安旅游集团” official WeChat account or Alipay app. It’s a virtual QR code on your phone—way more convenient, since I didn’t want to carry extra stuff.

I went digital, and it was a game-changer.

Why You Might Actually Need It (And When You Don’t)

Xi’an’s top attractions—think the Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the City Wall—are amazing, but they add up fast. Let me break down the math for a 3-day trip hitting the main spots:

• Terracotta Army (秦始皇陵博物院): ¥150
• Huaqing Palace (华清宫): ¥120
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔): ¥50
• City Wall (西安城墙): ¥54
• Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆): Free (but requires a super hard-to-get ticket; more on that later)
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda (小雁塔): ¥30
• Forest of Stone Steles Museum (碑林博物馆): ¥75

Total if you pay separately: ¥479. A 3-day digital pass? ¥220. That’s over ¥250 saved—enough for a great dinner at a Muslim Street restaurant (more on that later!).

BUT—and this is a big “but”—it’s not worth it if you’re only staying 2 days or only want to see 2-3 attractions. For example, if you skip the Terracotta Army (many travelers do, but I’d never recommend it!), the pass loses value. Do a quick tally: List the attractions you must see, then compare their total cost to the pass price. If the pass is cheaper, grab it. If not, skip.

How to Buy the Pass: Step-by-Step (No Confusion, Promise)

I bought my digital pass on Alipay—here’s exactly how, so you don’t get lost:

1. Open Alipay and search for “西安旅游通票” (or scan the QR code at the airport/hotel—tourist spots have them).
2. Find the Official Account: Look for “西安旅游集团” (Xi’an Tourism Group)—the blue-checkmark one. Scammers make fake accounts, so double-check!
3. Choose Your Pass: Pick “1-Day” (¥80), “2-Day” (¥150), or “3-Day” (¥220). I got 3 days because I wanted to pace myself.
4. Pay & Activate: Use Alipay to pay, then it’ll send you a digital pass in your “Cards” tab. Important: The pass starts counting from the first time you use it, not when you buy it. So don’t activate it until you’re at your first attraction!

Pro tip: If you’re not comfortable with Alipay, buy it at the Xi’an Railway Station Tourist Center (near the exit) or your hotel’s front desk. Physical cards cost the same, but you have to carry them.

How to Use the Pass: What’s Included (And What’s Not)

This is where most travelers mess up—assuming the pass covers everything. It doesn’t. Here’s the exact list of what’s included (as of my trip in October 2023):

✅ Top Attractions Covered:

• Terracotta Army (秦始皇陵博物院)
• Huaqing Palace (华清宫)
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔)
• City Wall (西安城墙)
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda (小雁塔)
• Forest of Stone Steles Museum (碑林博物馆)
• Xi’an Museum (西安博物馆)
• Banpo Museum (半坡博物馆)
• And a few smaller spots I didn’t have time for.

❌ What’s NOT Covered (Big One!):

• Shaanxi History Museum: Free entry, but you must book a timed ticket online (via their official WeChat) 3-7 days in advance. The pass doesn’t help with this—sorry!
• Inside the Terracotta Army: The pass gets you into the pits, but if you want a guide (worth it!), it’s extra ¥100-200.
• Transportation: The pass doesn’t include the subway or buses (but Xi’an’s subway is cheap—¥2-5 per ride).
• “Combo” tickets: Some attractions (like Huaqing Palace + Terracotta Army) have combo deals, but the pass is already cheaper than those.

How to Use It: At each attraction, just open your digital pass (in Alipay’s “Cards” tab) and show the QR code to the ticket scanner. No printing, no fumbling—just tap and go.

My Honest Experience: Pass Wins and Fails

Let’s get real—here’s what went right and what was annoying:

✅ Saved Hours of Queuing: At the Terracotta Army, the “pass holders” line was 1/10 the length of the general ticket line. I was in in 5 minutes; the people behind me waited 45. Worth it.

✅ Spontaneous Stops: On Day 2, I walked past the Forest of Stone Steles Museum on my way to lunch. Decided to pop in—just scanned my pass and walked in, no ticket-buying stress. If I’d paid separately, I might’ve skipped it (regret!).

❌ The Shaanxi History Museum Mess: I forgot to book a ticket in advance (rookie mistake!). The pass doesn’t help here, so I had to wake up at 6 AM to line up for same-day tickets. Got in, but barely—lesson learned: Book this museum separately, pass or not.

❌ No “Skip-the-Line” at Peak Times: During the National Day holiday (Oct 1-7), even pass holders had to wait 20-30 minutes at popular spots. The pass speeds up ticket-buying, not crowds. So go early—8 AM is your best bet.

Pass vs. Separate Tickets: The Final Verdict

For a 3-4 day trip hitting 5+ major attractions, the pass is a no-brainer. You’ll save money and time. For a 2-day trip or if you only want to see 2-3 spots, skip it—pay separately.

My 3-Day Itinerary (Using the Pass):

• Day 1: Terracotta Army + Huaqing Palace (combo’d them, since they’re 30 mins apart by bus).
• Day 2: City Wall (rented a bike—¥45, extra cost) + Shaanxi History Museum (booked ahead!) + Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
• Day 3: Forest of Stone Steles + Small Wild Goose Pagoda + Muslim Street (for food—pass doesn’t cover this, but it’s free to walk around!).

Total spent on pass: ¥220. Total saved vs. separate tickets: ¥259. Plus, I skipped at least 2 hours of queuing. Win.

Final Tips for Using the Pass Like a Pro

1. Download Everything Offline: Alipay and WeChat need internet to load the pass. Xi’an’s subway has Wi-Fi, but attractions don’t always—download the pass QR code as a picture just in case.
2. Bring a Power Bank: Using your phone all day for the pass, maps, and photos drains battery. Don’t get stuck with a dead phone at the City Wall!
3. Check for Updates: Attractions sometimes change prices or add/remove coverage from the pass. Follow the “西安旅游集团” WeChat account for updates.
4. Pair with Public Transport: The subway is cheap and efficient (get a “Yikatong” card for ¥20 deposit + rides). Buses are ¥1-2, but a bit confusing if you don’t speak Chinese.

So, Should You Get the Xi’an Tourist Pass?

Yes—if you’re planning a 3+ day trip and want to see the big sights without stressing about tickets. It’s not magic (you still have to wake up early, book the museum, and deal with crowds), but it’s the best way to save time and money in a city where every attraction costs a fortune.

For me, it turned a “stressful sightseeing” trip into a “relax and explore” trip. I spent less time in lines and more time eating roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers) and wandering the Muslim Street at night. And that, honestly, is what travel’s all about.

Safe travels—and don’t skip the terracotta warriors. They’re worth it.