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Xi'an — China travel

10 Days in Xi'an

Ten days to explore Xi'an and its surrounding historic sites — the full imperial and Silk Road experience.

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Best time: March-May or September-NovemberBudget: mid-range

Quick Answer

Is 10 days enough for Xi'an?

10 days lets you go beyond Xi'an's core into neighborhoods, food markets, and one or two day trips at a relaxed pace.

Source: NihaoVisit Xi'an guide

10-day Xi'an itinerary at a glance

Use our full Xi'an travel guide as the base and adapt it to 10 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.

Terracotta Army (multiple visits with different guides)City Wall (sunrise and sunset bike rides)Shaanxi History Museum (repeated visits)Mount Huashan overnight hikeDayan Pagoda & Great MosqueHuaqing PalaceQinling Mountains & Panda Reserve
1
Day 1

Terracotta Army — Orientation

First visit: focus on Pits 1, 2, 3 and museum.

Terracotta Army, Xi'an, China
  1. Terracotta Army
2
Day 2

City Wall & Drum Tower

Full circuit on bike. Evening street performers at drum tower.

Xi'an City Wall, Xi'an, China
  1. Xi'an City Wall
  2. Drum and Bell Towers
3
Day 3

Shaanxi History Museum

Free but book slot online. Three floors of Silk Road and Tang Dynasty artifacts.

Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an, China
  1. Shaanxi History Museum
4
Day 4

Big & Small Wild Goose Pagodas

Morning Da Ci'en Temple. Evening music fountain show.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an, China
  1. Big Wild Goose Pagoda
  2. Small Wild Goose Pagoda
5
Day 5

Huaqing Palace

Half-day at the imperial hot springs. Romance of the Long Silk Road story.

Huaqing Palace, Xi'an, China
  1. Huaqing Palace
6
Day 6

Mount Huashan — Day Trip

Plank walk and sky bridge. Not for those afraid of heights.

Mount Hua, Xi'an, China
  1. Mount Hua
7
Day 7

Qinling Mountains Panda Reserve

South of the city in the Qinling range, home of the rare brown-morph panda. Combine with rural mountain scenery.

Scenes from Xi'an, China
    8
    Day 8

    Terracotta Army — Second Visit

    Return with new knowledge. Focus on details missed first time.

    Scenes from Xi'an, China
    1. Terracotta Army
    9
    Day 9

    Muslim Quarter & Silk Road Culture

    Full afternoon eating and shopping. Try yangrou paomo.

    Great Mosque of Xi'an, Xi'an, China
    1. Great Mosque of Xi'an
    2. Muslim Quarter
    3. Grand Tang Mall (Datang Everbright City)
    10
    Day 10

    Last Morning & Shopping

    Morning walk on wall. Paper-cutting and calligraphic scrolls as souvenirs.

    Scenes from Xi'an, China
    1. Xi'an City Wall

    Budget for 10 days in Xi'an

    TierPer day10 days total
    BackpackerUSD $50–$80USD $500–$800
    Mid-rangeUSD $100–$200USD $1,000–$2,000
    LuxuryUSD $300+USD $3,000+

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    Calculate your trip budgetBuild your custom China itinerary

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the daily budget for Xi'an?
    Budget travelers: USD $50–$80/day. Mid-range: $100–$200/day. Luxury: $300+/day. These cover hotel, three meals, transit, and one paid attraction per day.
    Do I need a visa to visit Xi'an?
    It depends on your passport — see our <a href="/china-visa-2026/">China visa guide</a> for the latest country-by-country list. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for 30 days as of 2026.
    How do I get from the airport to the center of Xi'an?
    Xi'an's main airport connects to the city center via airport bus, taxi, or metro where available. See the airport transfer section of our Xi'an guide.
    Can I use 10 days for both Xi'an and a side trip?
    Yes — with 10 days you can pair Xi'an with one nearby city (e.g. a short rail or bus side trip) and still have buffer days.
    Is Xi'an safe for tourists?
    Yes. Xi'an has very low violent crime rates and is widely considered safe for foreign tourists. Standard petty-theft precautions apply. See our <a href="/is-china-safe-2026/">is China safe</a> page.

    See also: Xi'an travel guide, China visa 2026, China trip cost.