Xi'an is an essential stop for first-time China travelers as it showcases China's history and civilization. But how long do you need for a trip to Xi'an? This article will provide you with some of the best itinerary ideas for planning your Xi'an trip.
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- How Long to Spend in Xi'an
- Xi'an in 4 Days
- Xi'an in 3 Days
- Xi'an in 2 Days
- Side Trip Itineraries from Xi'an
How Long to Spend in Xi'an
In general, spending 3 to 4 days is ideal for a trip in Xi'an with a comfortable pace without missing all the highlights.
If you only have two days, you could focus on the main highlights — the Terracotta Warriors and some city sightseeing.
We do not recommend a one-day trip, as it gives only a hurried and cursory glance at scenic spots.
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Thank you
We were in Xian only one day but enjoyed a perfect trip to the Terracotta Army and an excellent lunch together with our lovely guide Susan. Thank you very much for the time together. more
Apr 2025, Marco
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Day trip to Xi’an
I came to Xi’an for two days and booked a day-tour with China Highlights. The experience was great and Ken, my guide, was friendly, informative, and great provider of historical context. The day went by fast. Highly recommended to make the most of the visit. more
Apr 2025, Sergio A
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Two-week trip to China
Our guide in Xi’an, Mervyn, was very friendly and welcoming. She talked with us throughout the visit to make sure the trip was everything we wanted it to be, and suggested activities based on our interests. Mervyn was an excellent guide for the Terra cotta warrior museum, and we appreciated the opportunity to meet and share lunch with a local family. Mervyn went above and beyond the planned itinerary to add to the overall enjoyment of our visit. We also appreciated Mervyn’s extra efforts after we departed to mail a memento accidentally left behind. more
Apr 2025, SusanN
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Xi'an in 4 Days (Rich Experience)
If you want a full and rich experience in Xi'an, spending four days is recommended.
Without missing the highlights, you'll have the opportunity to have some special experiences like making your own terracotta warrior, trying on Chinese traditional costumes, and a food tour.
You could also visit Mount Hua, Taoism's sacred mountain, and admire its breathtaking peaks. If you're more adventurous, you can also challenge its famous trestles. Here is the itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrival and free exploration
- Day 2: One day trip to the Terracotta Warriors with a hands-on experience of making clay warriors
- Day 3: A full day in Mount Hua
- Day 4: City highlight touring (museums, pagodas, Ancient City Wall, and a food tour) and departure
See 4-Day Xi'an and Huashan Mountain Tour
All our tours can be adjusted based on your interests and needs. Our private trips are hassle-free and flexible.
Xi'an in 3 Days (Essence of Xi'an)
With three days in Xi'an, you could still enjoy a full and rich experience. The difference with the four-day itinerary is that you won't visit Mount Hua. Here is the itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrival + museum visiting
- Day 2: A trip to Terracotta Warriors with a food tour
- Day 3: City sightseeing (Ancient City Wall, museums, pagodas, etc) with a hanfu experience and departure
The Terracotta Warrior is a big attraction. It is the mausoleum and burial pits of the first emperor of China and the largest one in China.
In order to get a good understanding of the history and stories behind it, we will arrange a hands-on experience of making your own clay warrior.
Thus, you're going to spend most of your second day there. If you are particularly interested in this attraction, it is worth spending a day on it.
Our schedule is flexible. Just contact us if you want to make some adjustments or have any needs.
Xi'an in 2 Days (Focus on the Terracotta Warriors)
If you have two days, you could focus on the Terracotta Warriors with some city sightseeing. Here is the itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrival + city sightseeing (Ancient City Wall, museums, and pagodas)
- Day 2: Visit Terracotta Warriors + departure
Two days' visiting is a little tight. If you want to have a better experience when visiting the Terracotta Warriors, we suggest a full day's visiting and leave in the third day's morning.
Our private transfer and local guide's accompany will make the most of your time and maximize your travel experience.
For travelers from Singapore, we also offer a one-week Xi'an itinerary.
Side Trip Itineraries from Xi'an
There are also some worthwhile destinations close to Xi'an that you might consider visiting:
1. Luoyang and Shaolin Temple
Luoyang, an ancient capital like Xi'an, and its nearby Shaolin Temple are the most popular choices, especially if you are interested in Chinese history and Chinese kung fu.
A trip to Luoyang and Shaolin Temple takes about one day. Luoyang is about a 1-hour bullet train travel from Xi'an.
In Luoyang, the main attraction is its spectacular Longmen Grottoes where you could marvel at the exquisite carvings and Buddha statues.
Then head to Shaolin Temple, which takes about 1½ hours by car. Walk around the temple and learn about Chinese Buddhism and martial arts. You could also enjoy a wonderful Kung Fu show. See 6-Day Xi'an, Luoyang & Shaolin Highlights Tour.
2. Pingyao Ancient Town
In Pingyao, you could get a glimpse of the ordinary life of a merchant in ancient times. Pingyao is about a 3-hour journey from Xi'an by the bullet train. Spending about two days touring the highlights of Pingyao Ancient Town is recommended.
There you could explore the original site of the first draft bank in China, visit an interesting museum — Armed Escort Company Museum, watch the sunset from the city wall, and pay a visit to Wang's Family Compound (the Forbidden City in Folk). Check out the 2-Day Pingyao Highlights Tour.
If you have more time, you could explore further north to Datong, which is famous for its Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple. See the 4-Day Datong and Pingyao Tour.
Tour China with Us
All our tours can be adjusted as much as you like. We aim to create an ideal itinerary based on your interests, group size, travel length, and other requirements. Feel free to contact us.