Xi'an attractions

8 top sights, in our order of priority for a first visit.

1. 1Terracotta ArmyMuseums & culture · Allow 4 hThousands of life-size clay soldiers, horses and chariots buried to guard the first emperor of China, discovered in 1974 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. 2Xi'an City Wall CycleOutdoors · Allow 2 hA 14 km Ming-dynasty wall that you can cycle around in about 90 minutes, with views over old and new Xi'an.
3. 3Muslim Quarter Food TourFood & drink · Allow 3 hA lively area of street stalls, with lamb skewers, biang biang noodles, persimmon cakes and more.
4. 4Big Wild Goose PagodaMuseums & culture · Allow 1 h 30 minA seven-storey Tang-dynasty pagoda built to store Buddhist scriptures, with a fountain and light show nearby.
5. 5Huaqing Palace & Mount LiMuseums & culture · Allow 2 hA hot-spring palace of the Tang emperors at the foot of Mount Li, often combined with the Terracotta Army.
6. 6Mount Hua HikeOutdoors · Allow Full dayOne of China's five sacred mountains, with narrow cliff paths and cable cars.
7. 7Tang Dynasty Dinner ShowEvening · Allow 2 h 30 minAn evening show of music and dance in the style of the Tang court, with dumplings.
8. 8Dumpling BanquetFood & drink · Allow 1 h 30 minA tasting of dozens of shaped dumplings in Xi'an, a local speciality.