First Time in Xi’an: A Traveler’s Guide with WeChat and DiDi Tips

I’ll never forget my first day in Xi’an. Stepping out of Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, the air was thick with history—literally, you could almost smell the ancient city walls in the distance. As a first-time visitor, I was both excited and overwhelmed: How do I get to my hotel? What’s the best way to see the Terracotta Warriors? And how do I even pay for things here? Thankfully, my friend back home had one piece of advice: “Download WeChat and set up DiDi. They’ll be your lifeline.” She wasn’t kidding. If you’re planning your first trip to Xi’an, let me walk you through how to navigate this amazing city like a pro, using two apps that every traveler needs: WeChat and DiDi.

Before You Go: Get WeChat and Set Up Payments

WeChat isn’t just a messaging app in China—it’s a super app. You’ll use it for everything: chatting, paying for food, hailing taxis, booking hotels, and even accessing metro stations. If you don’t have it, download it from the App Store or Google Play before you arrive.

First Time in Xi’an: A Traveler’s Guide with WeChat and DiDi Tips

The most important step? Link a payment method. International visitors can’t link foreign credit cards directly, but you can add a “WeChat Pay Pass” via Alipay (wait, no—stick with WeChat: you can also use the “WeChat Pay” feature by linking a UnionPay card if you have one, or use the “WeChat Travel Card” for tourists). Alternatively, ask a friend in China to help you “top up” your WeChat Wallet with cash (they can use their own bank account to transfer money to your WeChat). I did this: my friend sent me ¥100, and suddenly I could pay for bubble tea, bus tickets, and even DiDi rides with just my phone.

Pro tip: Enable the “QR Code” feature in WeChat (it’s under “Me” > “Services” > “QR Code”). This is how you’ll pay for almost everything—just scan the merchant’s code or let them scan yours.

Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel: DiDi to the Rescue

After collecting my luggage, I opened DiDi (China’s Uber-like app, which you can log into with WeChat). If you don’t have it, download it and link it to your WeChat account—same as with WeChat, you’ll need to set up payments first.

Here’s how to use DiDi:

1. Open the app and enter your destination (I typed my hotel’s address in Chinese: “西安钟楼某某酒店”—you can copy-paste this from your booking confirmation).
2. Choose your ride type: “Express” (cheapest, shared rides), “Comfort” (private cars, mid-range), or “Premium” (luxury cars). For solo travelers, “Comfort” is worth it—around ¥50-80 from the airport to downtown, vs. ¥20-30 for Express but with stops.
3. Confirm your pick-up spot (the app shows you where the driver will meet you, usually outside the arrival hall).
4. Wait! The driver’s name, car model, and license plate will pop up within minutes. Important: Check the license plate when you get in—scams are rare, but better safe than sorry.

My DiDi driver was friendly, even though we barely spoke English (DiDi has a “translate” feature in the chat, but I just used my phone’s translator app). He took the highway, and in 40 minutes, I was at my hotel near the Bell Tower—no hassle, no overcharging (unlike some taxis).

Cost: ¥65 for a Comfort ride. Way cheaper than the airport shuttle (¥30 per person, but you wait for others) and way more convenient.

Navigating the City: DiDi and WeChat Maps

Xi’an is huge, but public transport is great. However, for convenience, nothing beats DiDi. I used it every day to get to attractions, and it was always reliable—even when I didn’t know the exact address.

For example, to get to the Terracotta Warriors (a must-see!), I opened DiDi, typed “秦始皇兵马俑博物馆” (the official name), and booked a Comfort ride. The driver knew exactly where to go, and the ride took about an hour from downtown, costing ¥80. On the way back, I used DiDi’s “Hail” feature to grab a ride from the museum’s parking lot—no waiting.

But what if you want to take the metro? Xi’an’s Metro is clean, fast, and cheap (¥2-8 per ride). Here’s where WeChat comes in:

• Open WeChat and go to “Me” > “Services” > “Transportation” > “Metro Card.”
• Tap “Add Metro Card” and enter your phone number. You can link it to your WeChat Wallet (if you have one) or pay with a credit card.
• Once it’s added, open the QR code at the metro station—just hold it up to the scanner, and the gate will open. No need to buy a physical ticket!

I used this every day to get to the Muslim Quarter (Line 2, “Muslim Quarter Station”) and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Line 4, “Big Wild Goose Pagoda Station”). Super easy.

Eating Like a Local: WeChat Pay and Hidden Gems

Xi’an is a foodie paradise, and you’ll want to try everything: roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers), liangpi (cold skin noodles), yangrou paomo (bread soaked in lamb soup), and biangbiang noodles (the ones with the crazy character). But how do you pay at small stalls that don’t take cash? WeChat Pay, of course.

My first food adventure was at the Muslim Quarter (回民街), a bustling night market near the Bell Tower. I was hungry and overwhelmed by the options, so I followed the locals. At a stall selling roujiamo, the vendor pointed to a QR code. I opened WeChat, scanned it, and entered the amount (¥10 for two burgers). Done!

But here’s a tip: Not all Muslim Quarter stalls are authentic. For the best biangbiang noodles, I went to “老孙家” (Old Sun’s), a famous chain with a location near the Bell Tower. I ordered the “酸辣biangbiang面” (spicy and sour noodles) for ¥18—worth every bite. The owner spoke a little English, and he even explained how to eat them (twirl the noodles around your chopsticks like a pro!).

Another must-try: yangrou paomo. I went to “同盛祥” (Tongshengxiang), a historic restaurant near the Drum Tower. You get a basket of bread and a bowl of hot lamb soup—you break the bread into small pieces, pour the soup over it, and let it soak. It’s messy but delicious. Cost: ¥25 per person. Pro tip: Use WeChat to book a table in advance, especially on weekends—this place gets crowded!

Visiting Attractions: Tickets and Tips

Xi’an’s top attractions are busy, but you can skip the lines with WeChat.

Terracotta Warriors: The most popular site, so buy tickets online. Open WeChat, search for “秦始皇兵马俑博物馆” official account, and tap “Tickets.” You can choose a date and time (I picked 9 AM to avoid crowds), pay with WeChat, and get a QR code ticket. Just show it at the entrance—no printing needed!

City Walls: Xi’an’s ancient walls are a UNESCO site, and you can walk or bike on them. I rented a bike near the South Gate (南门) for ¥20/hour. You can pay with WeChat at the rental booth. Tip: Start from the South Gate and go clockwise—less crowded, and you’ll get great views of the city.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda: A Buddhist temple with a seven-story pagoda. I bought tickets on WeChat (search “大雁塔” official account) for ¥50. The pagoda is tall, so take the elevator (extra ¥15) to the top for panoramic views.

Troubleshooting: What If Something Goes Wrong?

• DiDi driver cancels? It happens, especially during peak hours. Just book another one—DiDi will show you the estimated wait time.
• WeChat Pay isn’t working? Check your internet connection (use data, not just Wi-Fi). If you still can’t pay, ask a local to help—you can give them cash, and they can transfer it to your WeChat.
• You get lost? Open WeChat Maps (it’s built into the app). Just search for the attraction or address, and it’ll give you walking directions.

Final Thoughts: Xi’an is Easy with WeChat and DiDi

By the end of my trip, I felt like a Xi’an local. Thanks to WeChat and DiDi, I never had to worry about cash, language barriers, or getting lost. Xi’an is a city where ancient history meets modern convenience—you can stand next to 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warriors and then pay for bubble tea with your phone.

If you’re planning your first trip, remember this: Download WeChat and DiDi before you go, set up payments, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The locals are friendly, and the apps make everything easy. Now go—there’s roujiamo waiting for you!