Xi'an
China · Country profile
Xi’an is the ancient capital of China, the great city of the Silk Road and the home of the Terracotta Army, the world-famous guardian legions of the first emperor that rise from the pits of the tomb in their thousands. The city keeps its enormous medieval wall, one of the most complete in the world, with its gates and its moat, and the old city within it holds the bell and the drum towers, the Muslim quarter with its bustling lanes, and the museums of the imperial treasures. The wild goose pagoda, the old bazaars and the wide avenues of the modern city complete the picture. A capital of more than three thousand years and the eastern end of the ancient trade, Xi’an is history made visible on the grandest scale.
About Xi'an
Xi'an is a city in China. The city's documented population is around 13,000,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY) and Chinese is spoken; the dialling code is +86. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport.
The Terracotta Army, the City Wall and the Bell Tower
Xi’an is the great historic capital of China, and the Terracotta Army, a few dozen kilometres outside the city, is the single most celebrated archaeological site in the country. The city itself holds the other glories: the immense city wall, cycled and walked at the leisure of the visitor, the bell and the drum towers, and the vibrant Muslim quarter with its markets and its food. The city is a compact base for the history of the region, with the pagodas, the museums and the temples filling the days. It is easier, slower and more manageable than the mega cities of the east, and its deep history gives it a gravity that modern skylines cannot match.
The Muslim Quarter, the Noodles and the Nights of the City
The best seasons are the spring and the autumn, when the city is mild and the air is clearer; the summer is hot and humid and the winter is dry and cold. The Terracotta Army requires an hour or so of driving and a good half-day of visiting, and the early start beats the tour bus queues. The city wall is best seen by bike, and the rentals at the gates make the circuit a great afternoon. The Muslim quarter is the essential food experience, and its lanes and its bazaars come alive in the evening. The currency is the renminbi, the app payments dominate and a translation app helps in the local streets. The metro is efficient, and the old city is compact and walkable within the walls.
The Bikes, the Pagoda and the Silk Road of the History
The Terracotta Army, the pits of the terracotta warriors at the mausoleum of the first emperor, is the essential sight of the country, and the scale of the excavated legions is best appreciated slowly. The city wall, the most complete in China, gives the great cycling circuit, and the south gate by night is the classic photograph of the old city. The bell and the drum towers and the square between them frame the centre, and the great wild goose pagoda with its evening light show anchors the southern edge. The Muslim quarter, with its grilled skewers, its breads and its stalls, is the food heart, and the older quarters of the city hold the quieter corners. Xi’an is history, food and architecture all on the grand Chinese scale.
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- Country
- China
- Population
- 13,000,000
- Coordinates
- 34.4471, 108.7516
- Capital
- Beijing
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- Languages
- Chinese
- Calling code
- +86
- Country code
- CN
Entry requirements for China
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting China for tourism.
Getting to Xi'an
Airports we list for Xi'an:
Other airports in the area:
- Chengdu Tianfu International AirportTFU≈ 612 km from Xi'an
- Beijing Capital International AirportPEK≈ 935 km from Xi'an
- Kunming Changshui International AirportKMG≈ 1,181 km from Xi'an
- Shanghai Pudong International AirportPVG≈ 1,273 km from Xi'an
- Guangzhou Baiyun International AirportCAN≈ 1,306 km from Xi'an
Cities in China
Other cities we cover in China:
Frequently asked questions
Is Xi'an the capital of China?
No — the capital of China is Beijing.
What currency do I need in Xi'an?
The local currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY). Languages spoken in China include Chinese.
What is the dialling code for China?
The international dialling code for China is +86.
Which airport should I fly into for Xi'an?
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is the airport we list for Xi'an.
How far is Xi'an from the nearest airport?
Xi'an is about 612 km from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit China?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Morocco (visa required) and United States (visa required). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Xi'an? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.