Xi'an is one of the most popular tourist cities in China. Its historical attractions draw millions of tourists from all over the world, such as the Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Bell Tower, and the Drum Tower. How can you choose where to stay for your Xi'an tour? Here, we've rounded up the best six areas to stay in Xi'an.
1. City Center (the Bell Tower) - Best for First-Time Travelers
Bell TowerFor first-time travelers, the city center, which is in Beilin District, is the best place to stay. It is one of the busiest areas in Xi'an. There are many attractions, such as the Bell Tower - the landmark of the city center, the ancient city wall of Xi'an, Muslim Street, and the Drum Tower.
Metro lines 1 and 2 pass through this area, so it is easy to reach other parts of the city from the city center. It will take about 50 minutes to get to the Terracotta Army and 50 minutes to get to the airport. As it is a good location, there are multiple accommodation options, from luxury hotels to cheap hotels.
Recommended hotels: Grand Park Xian (5-star), Eastern House Boutique Hotel (5-star), Grand Noble Hotel Xi'an (4-star), Citadines Xingqing Palace Xi'an (4-star), Home Inn (3-star)
2. Lianhu District - Best for Business Trips
Lianhu District is located in the western part of the city center. It is a residential and commercial area with many parks. Some attractions are located in this area, such as the Catholic church in Wuxing Street and the Drum Tower. Compared with the main city center area, this area has a quieter environment and is ideal to stay in for business trips.
To get to other areas of Xi'an, you can use the Bell Tower, Anyuanmen, and Long Shou Yuan stations on Line 2. It takes about 1 hour to get to the Terracotta Army by taxi from this area and 15 minutes to get to the city center by taxi.
Recommended hotels: Sheraton Xi'an Hotel (5-star), Titan Times Hotel (5-star), Jin Jiang West Capital International Hotel (4-star)
3. Xincheng District - Best for Families
Daming Palace National Heritage ParkLocated to the east of the Bell Tower, Xincheng District is a quiet residential area. It is a good place to stay for families. There are many stores in the area, such as Wanda Plaza, Xincheng Plaza, and Yitian Holiday World shopping mall. You can find Daming Palace National Heritage Park there. Daming Palace used to be the most magnificent palace complex in the Tang Dynasty (618–907) and it was the symbol of that period.
You can use the metro at Anyuanmen and Xi'an stations on Line 2 to get to other areas in Xi'an. It will take about 50 minutes to reach the Terracotta Army and about 30 minutes to walk to the Bell Tower.
Recommended hotels: Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xian (5-star), Ramada Bells Tower (4-star), Jinjiang Inn - Xi'an Jiefang Road (3-star)
4. Yanta District - Best for Budget Plans
Big Wild Goose PagodaYou can use Dayanta Station on Metro Line 3 to get to other areas in Xi'an. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the city center and 45 minutes to reach the Terracotta Army by taxi.Yanta District lies in the south of the city. Many universities are in this area, such as Xi'an Jiaotong University, Northwest University of Politics and Law, and Chang'an University. You can also find Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Shaanxi History Museum there. As the two attractions are must-sees in Xi'an, many tourists choose to stay nearby. Therefore, it is a popular place with various hotels to stay in.
Recommended hotels: Wyndham Grand Xian South (5-star), The Westin Xi'an (5-star), Somerset Aparthotel Xindicheng Xi'an (5-star), The Fairway Place, Xi'an - Marriott Executive Apartments (4-star), Jinjiang Inn (3-star)
5. Weiyang District - Best for Catching Trains and Airplanes
Weiyang District lies in the north of the city. Xi'an North Railway Station (the high-speed train station) is located there and this area is also near the airport. It will take about 40 minutes to get to the airport by taxi. You can find Weiyang Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Weiyang Lake Amusement Park, and Chanba National Wetland Park in this district.
It takes about 40 minutes to get from Xi'an North Railway Station to the city center. Metro lines 2 and 4 run through this area. Heading to the Terracotta Army from Weiyang by taxi takes about 45 minutes.
Recommended hotels: Novotel Xi'an SCPG (5-star), Mehood Lestie Hotel (4-star), Vienna Hotel (3-star)
6. Lintong District - Best for Visiting the Terracotta Army
Terracotta ArmyBeing 35 kilometers from Xi'an city center, Lintong is an ideal place to stay for a vacation to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. There are rich historical sites and cultural relics protection units in the district, such as the famous Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace, and the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor.
It takes about 50 minutes to get to the airport and 40 minutes to reach Xi'an North Railway Station by taxi. The area has no metro yet. Taxis and public buses are the common forms of transportation.
Recommended hotels: Angsana Xi'an Lintong (best for winter, 5-star)
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Check out our popular Xi'an tours:
- One-Day Xi'an Highlights Private Tour - discover the Terracotta Army, the ancient city wall, and the Muslim Quarter.
- Explore the Essence of Xi'an - enjoy our 3-day Xi'an tour with must-see attractions and unique experiences.
- 12-Day Summer Vacation Tour in Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, and Shanghai - explore the Chinese culture.