5 days in Xi'an
A realistic day-by-day plan with start times, how long to allow, and travel estimates between stops.
This 5-day plan covers Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace, Muslim Quarter Food Tour, Xi'an City Wall Cycle and more. It starts around 9am, keeps two main things per day with a proper lunch, and leaves the evening for food or a show. Travel times are estimates from the distance between stops.
Day 1
Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace & more
- 09:00
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ About 20 min by metro or taxi
- 19:00
↓ About 80 min by metro or taxi
Day 2
Xi'an City Wall Cycle, Big Wild Goose Pagoda & more
- 09:00
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ About 10 min by metro or taxi
- 19:00
Day 3
Mount Hua Hike & Dumpling Banquet
- 09:00
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Inside the City Wall
Close to the Bell Tower and the Muslim Quarter.
- 19:00
Day 4
Explore Xi'an
- 09:00
Morning in Qujiang
Modern area near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Near the South Gate
Hotels and cafés near the wall.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Day 5
Explore Xi'an
- 09:00
Morning in Inside the City Wall
Close to the Bell Tower and the Muslim Quarter.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Qujiang
Modern area near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The route on a map
Pins follow the order of the plan. Click a pin for details.
Best time to visit Xi'an
The most comfortable months with manageable crowds are Apr. These are broad seasonal patterns, not forecasts.
- JanColdCrowds: quiet
- FebColdCrowds: quiet
- MarCoolCrowds: busy
- AprMildCrowds: busy
- MayWarmCrowds: peak
- JunHotCrowds: peak
- JulHotCrowds: peak
- AugHotCrowds: peak
- SepWarmCrowds: peak
- OctMildCrowds: peak
- NovCoolCrowds: busy
- DecColdCrowds: quiet
Best months Peak crowds and harsh weatherBars show how busy it is: taller means more visitors.
5-day Xi'an questions
Is 5 days enough for Xi'an?
Two days. This plan fits the main sights into 5 days at a comfortable pace, with a lunch break each day.
Can I change the order of the days?
Yes. Group days by neighbourhood if your hotel is far from a sight, and swap any day if opening hours (many museums close one day a week) or the weather requires it.
What should I book before I go?
Book Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace, Big Wild Goose Pagoda first – they use timed entry or sell out.