Xi’an Travel Guide

Xi’an was China’s capital for more than a thousand years and the starting point of the Silk Road. Today it is best known for the Terracotta Warriors, its intact Ming-dynasty city wall and its famous street food. This guide covers what US travelers need to know.

Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Xi’an?

For most trips, yes. US citizens need a Chinese visa to visit Xi’an. Most US applicants qualify for a 10-year multiple-entry visa that allows stays of up to 60 days per entry.

If you are traveling through China to a third country or region, you may qualify for the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit. Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is an eligible entry port. You need a confirmed onward ticket with a date and seat, and a round trip back to the US does not qualify.

If your trip doesn’t fit the transit rules, Visa Express can handle your China visa, with processing in as little as 6–8 business days.

Getting to Xi’an

• By high-speed train: About 4.5–6 hours from Beijing, and about 6 hours from Shanghai. Trains arrive at Xi’an North Railway Station, which is on Metro Line 2.
• By air: Xi’an Xianyang Airport has flights from across China and some international routes. Metro Line 14 connects the airport with Xi’an North Railway Station, where you can change to Line 2 for the city center. Taxis and DiDi take about 45–60 minutes.

See our guide to getting around China for booking trains with your passport.

Visiting the Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Army, buried with China’s first emperor more than 2,000 years ago, is one of the world’s great archaeological sites.

• Tickets: About ¥120 in peak season (March–November) and ¥100 in winter. Tickets are sold online only and are linked to your passport, so book ahead and bring the same passport. Booking sites like Trip.com are easier for foreigners than the official Chinese app.
• Hours: Generally 8:30 am to 6 pm, with last entry around 5 pm.
• Getting there: The site is about an hour east of the city. Take Metro Line 9 to Huaqingchi, then a short bus or DiDi ride, or take a DiDi the whole way (about 50 minutes).
• Avoid unofficial buses and touts near the main railway station. Use official public buses or a ride-hailing app.
• Allow half a day. A licensed guide or audio guide makes the pits much more interesting.

Top Things to Do in Xi’an

• City Wall: Rent a bike and ride the full 8.5-mile (14 km) loop on top of China’s best-preserved city wall.
• Muslim Quarter: A busy food street near the Drum Tower. Try roujiamo (Chinese “burger”), biangbiang noodles and yangrou paomo (lamb soup with bread).
• Bell and Drum Towers: Landmark towers in the center of the old city.
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda: A Tang-dynasty Buddhist pagoda with an evening fountain show.
• Shaanxi History Museum: One of China’s best museums. Entry is by advance reservation with your passport.
• Mount Huashan: A dramatic mountain about 30 minutes away by high-speed train, popular for a challenging day hike.

Getting Around Xi’an

• Metro: Covers the main sights, the train station and the airport, with English signs. Buy tickets at machines or use a transit QR code in Alipay.
• DiDi and taxis: Affordable and easy. Have your destination written in Chinese.
• Walking: The old city inside the wall is compact enough to explore on foot.

Practical Tips for US Travelers

• Payments: Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay before you fly, and link a US Visa or Mastercard. Carry some cash as a backup.
• Internet: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook are blocked. A travel eSIM usually gives you access.
• Passport: Carry it with you for hotels, trains, the Terracotta Warriors and museums.
• Language: English is limited outside hotels and major sights, so a translation app helps.
• Best time to visit: Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October). Summers are hot, and winters are cold and sometimes smoggy.
• Emergencies: Police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119.

Get Your China Visa With Visa Express

Planning a trip to Xi’an? Visa Express prepares and submits China visa applications for US citizens in all 50 states. See our China visa requirements, fees and processing times, or read our Beijing travel guide to plan the classic Beijing–Xi’an route.