Updated 10 October 2026 · LocalKey consultant team
We suggest giving Xi'an two to three days on a first China trip, with one of them for the Terracotta Army, 35 km northeast of the city. Book the Terracotta Army ticket online in advance in your own name, because real-name reservation is required for all visitors, including foreign passport holders.
How many days do you need in Xi'an?
We suggest at least two days in Xi'an, and three if you prefer a slower pace with time for the city wall and neighbourhood walks. For the city beyond the Terracotta Army, our Xi'an culture page is a good companion.
Xi'an is in Shaanxi Province. The National Immigration Administration says Shaanxi is among the provincial-level areas covered by 240-hour visa-free transit for eligible travellers, and the permitted area in Shaanxi has been expanded to the entire province. For nationals of the listed countries who are flying on to a third country or region, that means Xi'an can fit into a visa-free stopover of up to 10 days. Check the 240-hour visa-free China guide before you finalise dates.
What should you book before visiting Xi'an?
The Terracotta Army museum and Lishan Park are covered by one ticket valid on the same day, and real-name online reservation is required for every visitor. Check the table below before you go, and book your time slot early.
| Sight | Ticket checking | Booking | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terracotta Army museum and Lishan Park | 8:30–17:00 from 16 March to 15 November; 8:30–16:30 from 16 November to 15 March; holiday hours follow the latest announcements | Real-name online reservation by time slot through the official website or official WeChat accounts; bring the original passport used for booking | Official museum ticketing instructions |
For the other city sights, we suggest checking each official site before you go, because opening hours and booking rules can change. Build your days around the sights you most want to see, and leave some slack in the schedule for queues and travel between areas.
How do you plan your Terracotta Army day?
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is at the northern foot of Lishan Mountain, 35 km northeast of Xi'an. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987, and it is the tomb of Emperor Qinshihuang, founder of the first unified empire in Chinese history in the 3rd century BCE.
The museum and Lishan Park are linked by a free shuttle bus, and one ticket covers both on the same day. Allow about 1.5 hours for the two together. We usually suggest a morning slot, so you have time to reach the site and still keep the afternoon free. For the pits, transport options and timing, see How to Visit the Terracotta Army in Xi'an 2026.
Where should you stay in Xi'an?
For a first visit, we suggest staying inside or near the city wall, where you can walk to many sights without relying on transport every time. A base close to the wall also keeps your return journeys simple after a full day out.
Hotel names are not part of this guide. Your LocalKey consultant can suggest options that match your dates and budget.
How do you combine Xi'an with Beijing or Chengdu?
We suggest pairing Xi'an with Beijing or Chengdu, depending on your interests. Xi'an works well as one stop in a longer China itinerary, and both pairings give you a different balance of history and daily life.
For the Beijing combination, see our Beijing city page and the sample route in Xi'an and Beijing private tour 2026. For a route that adds Chengdu, see Xi'an and Chengdu private tour 2026.
For food, we suggest one short stop for biangbiang noodles on a city day.
Plan your trip with LocalKey
We usually plan Xi'an as part of a wider China itinerary, including Beijing or Chengdu, through private China tours. Visit the Xi'an destination page to see how the city fits into a route.
LocalKey can arrange your own China trip — planned, booked and backed — as an Independent trip (private China tours). You travel on your own with the LocalKey app and 24/7 backup, with no full-time guide on any day. A local guide, airport pickup or a private car and driver are optional add-ons on demand. If you would rather have an English-speaking private guide and a private car throughout, choose the Private Guided option (private China tours). Talk to a 1:1 specialist on WeChat or WhatsApp, available 7×24, to compare the two.
Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor — verified_on 2026-10-10
- Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor — official museum ticketing instructions — verified_on 2026-10-10
- National Immigration Administration — Visa-Free Transit Policies, 20 August 2026 — verified_on 2026-10-10
- National Immigration Administration — 240-hour transit permitted areas, 19 December 2024 — verified_on 2026-10-10
