Xi’an Day Trips & Nearby Getaways
Xi’an is already overflowing with history and culture, but the treasures don’t stop at the city walls. The surrounding region is full of dramatic mountains, ancient villages, and nature spots worth exploring. This guide highlights the must-visit places near Xi’an, plus suggested routes and 3–7 day itineraries at the end.
Huashan Mountain（华山, Huàshān）
A Must-Visit Adventure Near Xi’an
Mount Huashan（华山, Huàshān）is one of the must-visit destinations near Xi’an. Since it’s located a bit farther away and requires plenty of time to explore, most travelers plan a full-day trip just for Huashan.
Five Peaks & Two Main Ways to Explore
Huashan features five peaks — West, South, East, Central, and North — and visitors usually choose:
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One-day trip , or
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Two-day trip for a more relaxed experience
If you're doing a one-day trip, there are two popular styles:
1) Cable Car + Hiking (Easy Mode)
A balanced and enjoyable way to explore the mountain.
2) Full Hiking (Hard-core Mode)
This route requires strong physical stamina — think twice before choosing it!
Night Hike for Sunrise 🌄
The full-hiking option is mostly chosen by travelers aiming to see the sunrise. They start at night, climb from the mountain gate to the East Peak, and wait for sunrise.
Typical night-hike route:
Mountain Gate → North Peak “The Only Path Since Ancient Times” （自古华山一条路, Zìgǔ Huàshān Yì Tiáo Lù） → East Peak Sunrise Platform（朝阳台, Cháoyáng Tái）
It's tough — but an unforgettable experience for serious hikers.
Cable Cars: The Easy Scenic Way 🚡
Huashan has two main cable cars :
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Xifeng Taihua Cable Car （西峰太华索道, Xīfēng Tàihuá Suǒdào）
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Beifeng San Te Cable Car （北峰三特索道, Běifēng Sān Tè Suǒdào）
Two recommended routes:
Relaxed Route — “West Up, West Down”
West Peak cable car → Plank Road in the Sky（长空栈道, Chángkōng Zhàndào） → East Peak → Central Peak → return via West Peak cable car
Takes about 5 hours total , including around 4 hours of hiking.
Panorama Route — “West Up, North Down”
Up via West Peak cable car, cross peaks, then go down via North Peak cable car
Takes roughly 7 hours in total.
Practical Information
Entrance Ticket:
Peak season (Mar 1 – Nov 30): 160 RMB / person
Off-season (Dec 1 – end of Feb): 120 RMB / person
Cable Car Prices (Peak / Off-Season):
Xifeng Taihua Cable Car: 140 RMB / 120 RMB per person
Beifeng San Te Cable Car: 80 RMB / 45 RMB per person
Hukou Waterfall（壶口瀑布, Húkǒu Pùbù）
The Roaring Power of the Yellow River
Hukou Waterfall（壶口瀑布, Húkǒu Pùbù ）sits on the border between Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces and is one of the most dramatic sights along the Yellow River. After being closed for a period of time, it reopened on August 8, 2020.
Here, you’ll watch the mighty Yellow River plunge down with thunderous power—so strong that muddy water splashes onto your face. It literally feels like getting a “mud facial mask” beauty treatment from Mother Nature herself.
Eight Spectacular Seasonal Views
Hukou offers different views throughout the year, forming its famous Eight Scenic Wonders , including:
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Water mist rising from the riverbed
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Boats seemingly sailing on dry land
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Rainbow playing in the spray
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Rain falling under clear skies
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Thunder-like roars on sunny days
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Ice hanging like crystal peaks in winter
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Waves pounding mountains like a rising sea
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The dramatic “Dragon Trough” stretching for miles
Standing by the riverbank, with waves crashing and the waterfall roaring like thunder, you’ll truly feel the legendary momentum of the Yellow River — the power behind the saying:
“The wind howls, the horses cry, the Yellow River roars.”
Best Seasons to Visit
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Warm seasons: water volume is high, producing misty clouds and deafening thunder-like sound
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Autumn: enjoy both the waterfall and surrounding red foliage
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Winter: see the frozen Yellow River and impressive hanging ice formations
You’ll also spot people leading decorated donkeys along the riverbanks for fun photo opportunities — quirky to look at, and joining in is totally up to your mood.
Nearby Cultural Sites
Besides the waterfall, you can also visit Huangdi Mausoleum（黄帝陵, Huángdì Líng） and Xuanyuan Temple（轩辕庙, Xuānyuán Miào） , both not far from Hukou Waterfall — perfect for a combined trip.
Practical Information
Public transportation to Hukou Waterfall isn’t very convenient.
The most comfortable options are self-driving or booking a private car from Yichuan（宜川, Yíchuān）.
Bus Options:
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From Xi’an East Bus Station: direct bus to Hukou, ~5 hours, departs 08:00 & 13:20
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From Yan’an South Bus Station (near Yan’an Railway Station): departs 07:30
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From Yichuan Bus Station: multiple buses to Hukou daily
Tickets:
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Entrance: 90 RMB per person
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Shuttle bus (round-trip within scenic area): 40 RMB per person
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00
Famen Temple（法门寺, Fǎmén Sì）
A Sacred Buddhist Landmark Between Xi’an and Baoji
Famen Temple（法门寺, Fǎmén Sì）is located north of Fufeng County in Baoji, roughly halfway between Xi’an and Baoji. It was originally built at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, giving it a history of over 1,700 years.
The temple was first called Ayuwang Temple（阿育王寺, Āyùwáng Sì） and was renamed Famen Temple during the Tang Dynasty.
In 1987, archaeologists discovered four finger bone relics of the Buddha hidden deep inside the underground palace — making it the only place in the world where genuine Buddha finger bone relics have been unearthed. This discovery instantly made Famen Temple famous worldwide.
Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss
Buddha Relics
The biggest highlight is of course the Buddha finger bone relics , now enshrined in the Famen Pagoda of Relics（合十舍利塔, Héshí Shèlì Tǎ） inside the temple complex.
However, the relics are only displayed on:
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Weekends
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Major Buddhist festivals
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The 1st and 15th of each lunar month
So be sure to check your visit date if you want to see them.
Famen Temple Museum – Treasures from the Underground Palace
Another must-see is the Famen Temple Museum , also known as the Treasure Hall. It houses many precious cultural relics excavated from the underground palace, including:
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Double-ring Twelve-loop Staff （双轮十二环锡杖）— the earliest, largest, and most exquisite Buddhist ceremonial staff ever discovered
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Over 700 pieces of Tang dynasty silk , including luxurious gold-woven brocade
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Rare secret-color porcelain , glassware , tortoiseshell coins , and other royal treasures
This museum alone is worth the trip for history and culture lovers.
Practical Information
Transportation
From Xi’an Railway Station, take bus 104 to Xi’an West Bus Station.
From there, you can:
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Take a direct bus to Famen Temple (recommended), or
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Take a bus to Fufeng and then transfer to a local bus to Famen Temple
Tickets
Peak season (Mar 1 – Nov 30): 120 RMB per person
Off-season (Dec 1 – end of Feb): 90 RMB per person
The ticket includes entry to:
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Famen Temple complex
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Famen Temple Museum
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Famen Pagoda of Relics
Appendix: Suggested Day Trips Around Xi’an
Exploring around Xi’an can be planned by four directions — East, West, South, and North.
Among them, the East, West, and North routes are the most popular with travelers.
Generally speaking:
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Xi’an city sights: 2–3 days
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Mount Huashan（华山, Huàshān）: 1–2 days
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Hukou Waterfall（壶口瀑布, Húkǒu Pùbù）: 1 day trip
Below are the suggested spots along each route. Feel free to mix and match depending on your interests and travel time.
East Route (东线)
Ideal if you're into early Chinese history & mountain scenery.
Includes:
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Banpo Museum（半坡博物馆, Bànpō Bówùguǎn）
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Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang（秦始皇陵, Qínshǐhuáng Líng）
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Terracotta Warriors（兵马俑, Bīngmǎyǒng）
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Huaqing Pool（华清池, Huáqīng Chí）
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Mount Li（骊山, Lí Shān）
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Lintong Museum（临潼博物馆, Líntóng Bówùguǎn）
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Hongmen Banquet Site（鸿门宴遗址, Hóngményàn Yízhǐ）
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Mount Huashan Scenic Area（华山风景区, Huàshān Fēngjǐngqū）
West Route (西线)
Best for Tang Dynasty culture & imperial tombs.
Includes:
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Xianyang Museum（咸阳博物院, Xiányáng Bówùyuàn）
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Maoling Mausoleum & General Huo Qubing's Tomb（茂陵·霍去病墓, Màolíng / Huò Qùbìng Mù）
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Qianling Mausoleum（乾陵, Qiánlíng）
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Zhaoling Museum（昭陵博物馆, Zhāolíng Bówùguǎn）— near Yuanjia Village（袁家村, Yuánjiācūn）
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Yang Guifei’s Tomb（杨贵妃墓, Yáng Guìfēi Mù）
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Famen Temple（法门寺, Fǎmén Sì）
North Route (北线)
Great for ancient relics & Yellow River culture.
Includes:
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Sanyuan City God Temple（三原城隍庙, Sānyuán Chénghuángmiào）
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Yaowang Mountain Stone Carvings（药王山石刻, Yàowáng Shān Shíkè）
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Yaozhou Kiln Museum（耀州窑博物馆, Yàozhōu Yáo Bówùguǎn）
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Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor（黄帝陵, Huángdì Líng）
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Sima Qian Ancestral Hall（司马迁祠, Sīmǎ Qiān Cí）
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Hukou Waterfall（壶口瀑布, Húkǒu Pùbù）
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Yan’an（延安, Yán’ān）
Suggested 3–7 Day Itineraries
Here are simple trip combinations to help you plan:
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3 Days / 2 Nights: Xi’an city only
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4 Days / 3 Nights: City + East Route
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5 Days / 4 Nights: City + East Route + Mount Huashan
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6 Days / 5 Nights: City + East & West Routes + Mount Huashan
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7 Days / 6 Nights: City + Hukou + Mount Huashan + East & West Routes
These itineraries cover the essentials without rushing — perfect for first-time visitors.