Your First 48 Hours in Xi’an: A Practical Guide for Travelers

Landing in Xi’an feels like stepping into a living history book—one where ancient dynasties meet modern China, and every street corner has a story to tell. But as a first-time visitor, I’ll admit: I was a little overwhelmed. Between the language barrier, navigating the airport, and figuring out how to stay connected, my first few hours were a whirlwind of “Wait, how do I…?” So, let me break it down for you: the real stuff you need to know, from landing at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) to surviving (and thriving!) your first two days in this incredible city.

Your First 48 Hours in Xi’an: A Practical Guide for Travelers

Step 1: Surviving the Airport—Get Your China SIM Card First

Let’s start with the most important thing: you need a Chinese SIM card. Forget relying on hotel Wi-Fi or international roaming—you’ll want data for maps, translation apps, and paying for everything (yes, everything in China uses mobile payments). Here’s the step-by-step:

Where to Buy a SIM Card at XIY

As soon as you get off the plane, follow the signs for “Arrivals” and “SIM Card Services.” There are two main spots:

• China Mobile/China Unicom/China Telecom Counters: These are in the Arrival Hall, right after you go through customs. Look for booths with big logos—they’re hard to miss. I went to China Mobile because it has the best coverage in Xi’an (and most of China).
• Airport Kiosks: Near the baggage claim, there are smaller self-service kiosks, but these are trickier for foreigners (they often require Chinese ID). Stick to the staffed counters.

What You’ll Need

• Your passport (they’ll scan it).
• Cash (around 100-200 RMB) for the SIM card. Some counters take Alipay/WeChat Pay, but cash is safer.

Which Plan to Choose

Don’t overthink it. For a short trip (3-7 days), get a tourist SIM with unlimited data. I paid 99 RMB for 7 days of 4G data (10GB/day, which is more than enough). The staff will activate it on the spot—just pop it into your phone, and you’re good to go. Pro tip: Ask them to help you set up WeChat Pay or Alipay if you don’t have it—you’ll need it for taxis, snacks, and even entrance tickets!

Step 2: From XIY to the City—Transportation Tips

Once you have your SIM card, it’s time to get to your hotel. Xi’an has three main options:

Option 1: Airport Express Bus (Best for Budget Travelers)

• Cost: 25 RMB per person.
• Route: Runs from XIY to major spots like Bell Tower (city center), Xi’an Railway Station, and North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
• How to Use: Follow the signs for “Airport Bus” outside Arrivals. Tell the staff your hotel—they’ll point you to the right bus (e.g., “Line 5” goes to Bell Tower). Buses leave every 15-30 minutes, and the ride takes ~1 hour (traffic depending).
• Why It’s Great: Cheap, direct, and no language barrier (staff speak basic English).

Option 2: Metro (Cheapest, but a Bit Complex)

• Cost: ~5-8 RMB depending on your destination.
• Route: Take Metro Line 14 from the airport (it’s the only line at XIY) to North Railway Station, then transfer to Line 2 (the main line) to get to the city center (e.g., “Bell Tower Station”).
• How to Use: Buy a metro card at the airport station (cash only) or use WeChat Pay (scan the QR code at the ticket machine). The metro is clean and efficient, but you’ll need to navigate transfers—bring a screenshot of your route!

Option 3: Taxi/Ride-Hailing (Most Convenient, but Watch Out for Scams)

• Taxi: Go to the official taxi stand (follow the signs—don’t accept rides from random people offering you a taxi). The fare to the city center is ~100-150 RMB (30-40 minutes). Important: Insist they use the meter! Some drivers will quote a flat fee—negotiate if you have to, but the meter is fairer.
• Ride-Hailing (Didi): This is like Uber, but you need a Chinese phone number to register. If you bought a SIM card, the staff can help you sign up (it’s worth it—cheaper than taxis, and no haggling). Just open Didi, enter your destination, and pick “Comfort” or “Premium” (avoid “Express” if you don’t speak Chinese).

I took the airport bus to the Bell Tower—super easy, and I dropped my bags at my hotel before lunch.

Day 1: Immerse Yourself in the City Center

Stay in the Bell Tower or Muslim Quarter area—it’s the heart of Xi’an, walkable, and full of life. Here’s my first-day itinerary:

Morning: Bell Tower & Drum Tower

Start at the Bell Tower (Zhong Lou), the symbol of Xi’an. It’s right in the middle of a roundabout—you can’t miss it. Entry is 50 RMB, and you can climb to the top for a 360° view of the city. Pro tip: Go early (9 AM) to avoid crowds.

Next, walk 5 minutes to the Drum Tower (Gu Lou). It’s similar to the Bell Tower but with giant drums inside. Entry is 50 RMB, and there’s a cool “Drum Show” at 10 AM/11 AM/2 PM/3 PM/4 PM/5 PM (30 RMB extra)—worth it for the traditional music and dance.

Lunch: Muslim Quarter Street Food

Exit the Drum Tower and dive into the Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street). This is Xi’an’s food paradise—don’t eat at the first restaurant you see. Walk 10 minutes deeper into the alleyways (away from the main entrance) for authentic, cheap eats. Here’s what I tried:

• Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger): 10-15 RMB each. Get the “fatty beef” (fei rou) version from the stall with the longest line.
• Yang Rou Paomo (lamb soup with torn bread): 20-30 RMB. The restaurant “Lao Sun Ji” is famous, but any small place will do.
• Biangbiang Noodles: 15-20 RMB. These wide, hand-pulled noodles are Xi’an’s signature—ask for “spicy” (la) if you like heat.

Warning: Muslim Quarter gets packed by noon. Go at 11:30 AM to beat the rush.

Afternoon: Xi’an City Wall

After lunch, take a taxi (10 RMB) or walk 15 minutes to the Xi’an City Wall. It’s the best-preserved ancient city wall in China, and biking along it is a must-do.

• Cost: 54 RMB for entry, 45 RMB to rent a bike (2-hour minimum).
• Route: Start at the South Gate (the main entrance) and bike clockwise (you’ll get better views of the city). The full loop is 14 km—2 hours is plenty.
• Pro Tip: Stop at the East Gate to take photos of the sunset over the city—breathtaking.

Dinner: Back to Muslim Quarter (But Different Stalls)

For dinner, explore the less touristy parts of the Muslim Quarter. Try suan tangzi (sweet and sour soup with noodles, 10 RMB) or rouyou bing (fried dough with meat, 8 RMB). Wash it down with a suanmeitang (plum juice, 5 RMB)—perfect for cooling down after a spicy meal.

Day 2: History & Hot Springs—The Classic Xi’an Experience

Xi’an is the start of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army—no trip is complete without it. Here’s how to do it without feeling rushed:

Morning: Terracotta Army & Horses

• Getting There: Take Metro Line 2 to North Railway Station, then switch to Line 9 to Terracotta Army Station (total ~1 hour). Alternatively, take a Didi (30 RMB, 40 minutes).
• Entry: 120 RMB (March-November) or 150 RMB (December-February). Buy tickets online (WeChat/Alipay) to skip the line.
• What to See: The pits are huge—start with Pit 1 (the largest, with 6,000+ soldiers), then Pit 2 (archers and chariots), and Pit 3 (commanders). Hire a guide (100-200 RMB) or rent an audio guide (20 RMB)—you’ll miss the stories otherwise (e.g., how each soldier’s face is unique).
• Time Needed: 2-3 hours.

Lunch: Near the Terracotta Army

There are small restaurants outside the gates. Try liangpi (cold skin noodles, 12 RMB) or paomo (same as lunch yesterday, but cheaper here).

Afternoon: Huaqing Palace (Hot Springs)

After the Terracotta Army, head to Huaqing Palace (15-minute taxi ride, 20 RMB). It’s a royal palace complex with hot springs—Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei (his famous consort) used to bathe here.

• Cost: 120 RMB entry (includes the hot springs, if you want to swim—extra 50 RMB for the pool).
• Highlight: Walk through the Nine Dragon Pool and the Pavilion of Steaming Waters—the history is fascinating, and the gardens are beautiful.
• Pro Tip: Skip the hot springs unless you’re tired—just exploring the palace is enough.

Evening: Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Tang Dynasty Show

Head back to the city center (taxi, 40 RMB) for the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta). It’s a 7th-century Buddhist pagoda—you can climb it for 50 RMB, but the real magic is at night when it’s lit up.

For dinner, go to Tang Furong Garden (near the pagoda) for a Tang Dynasty Show. It’s a 1-hour performance of traditional music, dance, and acrobatics (180-380 RMB, depending on seats). The food is decent, but come for the culture—trust me, it’s worth it.

Bonus Tips: What I Wish I’d Known

1. Cash is Still King: While mobile payments are everywhere, small vendors (like street food stalls) often only take cash. Bring 500-1000 RMB in small bills (10s, 20s, 50s).
2. Download These Apps:
   • WeChat/Alipay: For payments.
   • Didi: For taxis.
   • Baidu Maps: More accurate than Google Maps in China.
   • Pleco: For translating Chinese menus (just point your camera at the characters).
3. Dress in Layers: Xi’an gets hot in summer (35°C+) and cold in winter (-5°C). Bring a jacket even if it’s warm during the day.
4. Bargain (a Little): In markets (like the Muslim Quarter), you can bargain for souvenirs (start at 50% of the asking price). But don’t bargain for food—it’s rude.

Final Thoughts

Xi’an is a city where the past and present collide—and with a little prep (especially that SIM card!), it’s easy to fall in love. From the Terracotta Army to the street food of the Muslim Quarter, every moment feels like an adventure. So land at XIY, grab that SIM card, and get ready to explore—you won’t regret it.

Safe travels, and xiexie ni (thank you) for reading!