Discover Xi’an: Ancient Soul, Modern Vibes
Planning your first trip to Xi’an? This ancient capital is more than Terracotta Warriors and city walls — it’s a place where history meets creativity, tradition blends with modern fun, and every corner surprises you.
From biking atop thousand-year-old fortifications and savoring a steaming bowl of Paomo , to enjoying ancient bell-and-drum performances, hunting adorable cultural plush souvenirs, and taking a thrilling cable-car ride to Mount Huashan’s legendary plank walk , Xi’an offers unforgettable experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Whether you're here for food, culture, adventure, or simply to feel the heartbeat of China’s past and present, Xi’an will welcome you with open arms — and plenty of delicious lamb broth.
Start exploring and discover why Xi’an is China’s favorite “internet-famous” ancient city.
Must-Try Experiences When You First Arrive in Xi’an
Unique travel moments always stay with you long after the trip ends. And in Xi’an , a city with thousands of years of history, there are countless “locals-only” experiences that became viral sensations thanks to social media — making Xi’an one of China’s most beloved “internet-famous cities.”
This guide highlights the must-try experiences for first-time visitors. Each activity is a true local classic , offering a fun and immersive way to understand the spirit of this ancient capital. Get ready to enjoy Xi’an like a local and make your trip unforgettable!
Cycle on the Ancient Xi’an City Wall（西安古城墙，Xī’ān Gǔ Chéngqiáng）
Built during the Ming Dynasty , the Xi’an City Wall is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Sitting right at the heart of the city, it encircles historic landmarks like the Bell Tower (钟楼 Zhōnglóu) , Drum Tower (鼓楼 Gǔlóu) , and the famous Hui Muslim Street (回民街 Huímín Jiē).
The wall is about 14 meters wide — wider than it is tall — and incredibly flat, making it perfect for a relaxed ride. Cycling along the wall gives you a unique visual contrast: traditional city scenes inside the wall and modern skyscrapers outside — a beautiful blend of old and new you won’t see anywhere else.
The recommended route starts at South Gate（南门 Nánmén） , riding through East Gate（东门 Dōngmén） and North Gate（北门 Běimén） until you reach West Gate（西门 Xīmén）. Make a short stop at East Gate to admire ancient structures like watchtowers, defensive towers, and gate towers along the wall.Total cycling time: around 1.5 hours
Bike Rental Info
- Rental locations: South Gate (east & west sides), plus West Gate, North Gate, and East Gate
- Price: approx.
¥45 / 3 hours for a single bike
¥90 / 3 hours for a tandem bike
Deposit: around ¥200
- Opening Hours:
South Gate east & west rental stations: 08:00–22:00
(Nov 1 – Mar 31: closes earlier at 20:00)
Other rental stations: 08:00–00:00 year-round
Slurp a Bowl of Paomo at Sajinqiao（洒金桥 Sǎjīnqiáo） — Xi’an’s Beloved Local Comfort Food
There’s a saying in Xi’an:
“Beneath the city wall runs Xi’an’s railway, and wherever Xi’an people go, they must have Paomo.”
To truly taste Xi’an, you cannot miss a steaming bowl of Paomo — a hearty mutton or beef broth with hand-torn bread pieces, rich flavors, and a bit of hands-on fun. And the best place to experience it like a local? Sajinqiao , a food hotspot adored by residents.
Here, head straight to the famous Liu Xin Beef & Mutton Paomo and Stir-fried Paomo（刘信牛羊肉泡馍小炒 Liú Xìn Niú-Yángròu Pàomó Xiǎochǎo）.
They offer two types:
- Broth Paomo（口汤泡馍 Kǒu Tāng Pàomó）
Machine-cut bread : smaller pieces, soft and silky as they soak up the broth
Hand-torn bread（手掰馍 Shǒu Bāi Mó） : larger, chewier pieces with a noticeable wheat aroma — perfect for slow savoring
- Stir-fried Paomo（小炒泡馍 Xiǎochǎo Pàomó） Richer, spicier, and oilier than the soup version — bold flavors that cling to every bite.
The broth here is clear yet savory , deeply aromatic with beef or mutton, making each spoonful comforting and satisfying. It’s a pure Xi’an experience — simple, soulful, and unforgettable.
Useful Info
- Business hours: 09:00–21:00
- Price reference:
Lamb Paomo: ¥28
Beef Stir-fried Paomo: ¥24
Hear Ancient Echoes at the Bell & Drum Towers(钟楼 Zhōnglóu & 鼓楼 Gǔlóu)
Standing face-to-face in the very heart of Xi’an, the Bell Tower（钟楼 Zhōnglóu） and Drum Tower（鼓楼 Gǔlóu） are iconic landmarks every traveler recognizes. Their traditional architecture already draws crowds, but when night falls and the towers glow under golden lights, the scene becomes pure magic — a favorite spot for photographers and a guaranteed “memory-card killer.”
But the real hidden gem here is not just the view — it’s the ancient music performances that bring history to life.
At the Bell Tower , you can hear Bianzhong（编钟 Biānzhōng） , an ancient chime-bell performance, played six times daily , each session lasting 10–15 minutes with four rotating pieces.Across the street at the Drum Tower , traditional drum performances take place six times daily as well.
Listening to these instruments inside ancient towers, with melodies echoing across centuries, feels like stepping straight into the past — an unforgettable cultural moment.
Morning Bell & Evening Drum Ritual（暮鼓晨钟 Mùgǔ Chénzhōng）
Every day, Xi’an honors tradition with time-keeping ceremonies:
- Morning Bell（晨钟） — 09:00 / 12:00 / 15:00 The Jingyun Bell（景云钟 Jǐngyún Zhōng） rings 24 times
- Evening Drum（暮鼓） — 18:00 24 solar-term drums sound first, followed by the Wen Tian Drum（闻天鼓 Wéntiān Gǔ） beating 24 times
A powerful reminder of Xi’an’s ancient rhythms — still alive today.
Performance Info
Bell Tower Bianzhong Performance
- Times: 09:10 / 10:30 / 11:30 / 14:30 / 15:30 / 16:30
- Music examples: “Spring River in the Moonlight” (春江花月夜) , “Jasmine Flower” (茉莉花) , “Colorful Clouds Chase the Moon” (彩云追月) , “Auld Lang Syne” (友谊地久天长) , Welcome Melody and more
Drum Tower Drum Performance
- Times: 09:10 / 10:00 / 11:00 / 15:00 / 16:00 / 17:00
- Music examples: “Yellow River Boatmen” (黄河船夫) , “Dragon Leaps Tiger Jumps” (龙腾虎跃) , “Welcome Drums” (迎宾锣鼓) , War Drums , Rolling Walnuts , and more
Hunt for Plush Souvenirs & Creative Toys — Xi’an’s Cutest Trend （西安文创 Xī’ān Wénchuàng）
Xi’an may be ancient, but it’s also one of China’s most playful and creative modern cities. Cultural souvenirs here aren’t just postcards and magnets — they’re next-level and irresistibly cute. Forget ice-cream souvenirs and blind boxes; the new obsession sweeping the internet is plush toys inspired by Xi’an’s icons.
From Datang Everbright City（大唐不夜城 Dàtáng Bùyè Chéng） to the Terracotta Warriors（兵马俑 Bīngmǎyǒng） , Big Wild Goose Pagoda（大雁塔 Dàyàn Tǎ） , Small Wild Goose Pagoda（小雁塔 Xiǎoyàn Tǎ） , and Xi’an City Wall（西安城墙 Xī’ān Chéngqiáng） , every landmark now has its own adorable mascot.
Some fan-favorite characters include:
- Running Roujiamo (奔跑的肉夹馍 Bēnpǎo de Ròujiāmó) — followed by the “Mó Question ” plush and even stuffed Roujiamo with interchangeable fillings
- Tang Xiaocang (唐小藏 Táng Xiǎocáng) & “Poetry Immortal” blind boxes
- Tang Dynasty Lady blind boxes
- Lazy Dragon Tower Mascot at Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- City Wall Warriors plush & brick-style bags
- Tang Niu Bouncing Doll & themed lollipops from Shaanxi History Museum
- Small Goose Pagoda plush & Cemetery Guardian “Beast Xixi (兽西西 Shòu Xīxī)” at Xi’an Museum
- Cute Tang Lady “Tang Xiaoxi (唐小西 Táng Xiǎoxī)”
These mascots blend history, humor, and modern creativity — making them fun gifts or travel trophies.
Where to Buy
Here are popular spots to hunt down the hottest plush designs:
- Yongxingfang Huaqing Cultural Shop
- Datang Everbright City — Xinhua Book Pavilion
- Qujiang Intime Mall (Building B, 1st Floor)
- Bell Tower – Qinren Qiangdiao Creative Shop
- Joy City Mall (B1) — Cultural Creative Park
- Terracotta Warriors — Bingma Grain Gift Shop
- Small Wild Goose Pagoda — Xi’an Museum Gift Shop
- Shuyuanmen — Qiao Cultural Shop
- Nandajie Zhongda International — Creative Park
- Huaqing Palace — Huaqing Cultural Center
- Shaanxi History Museum Qin-Han Hall — Bingma Grain Gift Shop
- Muslim Quarter — King & Bird Café
- Bell Tower South Street — Creative Gallery
Ride the Cable Car & Brave the Cliffside Plank Walk at Mount Hua （华山 Huàshān）
If your Xi’an trip allows extra time, don’t miss a journey to Mount Hua（华山 Huàshān） , one of China’s legendary “Five Great Mountains.” Famous for its dramatic peaks and steep trails, Huashan’s charm lies in one word: 险 — extreme steepness and thrill.Hop on a cable car, then step onto the iconic “Chang Kong Plank Walk（长空栈道 Chángkōng Zhàndào）” — a narrow wooden path bolted to the cliff face — and feel your adrenaline spike as you cling to chains with the mountain wind in your ears. Pure adventure!
How to Explore Huashan
Huashan has five peaks : West, South, East, Central, and North.You can choose between:
- One-day trip
Easy style: Cable car + hiking
Hardcore style: Full hiking up & down
There are two main cable cars :
- North Peak Cable Car（三特索道 Sāntè Suǒdào）
- West Peak Cable Car（太华索道 Tàihuà Suǒdào）
Recommended routes:
- West-up West-down — easier, see four peaks
- West-up North-down — more scenic, wider views
Whether you’re here for scenery, challenge, or that legendary plank walk selfie — Huashan never disappoints.
Practical Info
Entrance Ticket
- High season (Mar 1 – Nov 30): ¥160/person
- Low season (Dec 1 – end of Feb): ¥120/person
Cable Car Prices (High / Low season)
- West Peak (Taihua) : ¥140 / ¥120
- North Peak (Sante) : ¥80 / ¥45