Things to do & places to visit in Shaanxi, China

Shaanxi #4 destination in China 2023. The average rating score is 4.35 based on 46.7k traveler reviews, of 710 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Chongqing, current date and time: Monday, April 29, 2024, 17:21.

Shaanxi Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in April

71°F - 47°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Moderately chilly with a gentle breeze

Feels like

24%

Chance of rain

92.0 millimeters

Amount

10.2 mph

Wind speed

51%

Humidity

13.0

Daylight length

6:14 AM

Sunrise

7:14 PM

Sunset

50%

Cloud cover

Sweater

What to wear

Top things to do (24)

Top destinations in Shaanxi 92

See more 80 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Xi'an City Wall Light Show (20 reviews)
- Stunning & spectacular fancy lantern light show
Cultural Events

WOW, Once it got dark, the skies were lit up beautifully by in excess of 10,000 fancy lights of well-co-ordinated, vivid colours and shaped lanterns The techniques for making the lanterns are considered to be cultural heritage intellectual property. See more..
4.5 The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses (15.0k reviews)
- Must see
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours History Museums

One of the most significant archaeological finds in the world, this 16,300-square-meter excavation reveals more than 7,000 life-size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations. See more..
4.5 Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang) (7.850 reviews) from $53.85
- Exciting experience
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Ancient Ruins

Xi'an city wall has a history of 600 years. It is the Ming dynasty city wall. The city wall was built to protect the city. It is 12-14 meters across the top, 15-18 meters thick at bottom and 13.7 kilometers in length. There is rampart every 120 meters. The ramparts are towers extending out from the main wall. There are 98 ramparts along the city wall. See more..
4.5 Muslim Quarter (4.125 reviews)
- Interesting and cultural place. Worth to visit
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

I would say this place is mostly for business for the local Muslim community. It is really nice to visit it though, especially in the evening. What I would recommend is to skip dinner and go there in the evening and try various kinds of foods. You will be surprised and I think most of the people would enjoy the food. You must try the local specialty, the grilled squid. Many places have it. It is really nice. You can also buy there many souvenirs. Probably no performances, as I did not experience any but loads of food and souvenirs and other things to buy. Surely worth to go! See more..
4.5 Shaanxi History Museum (1.623 reviews) from $300.00
- Fascinating Museum
History Museums

This history museum, housed in a magnificent Confucian Temple, features more than 370,000 pieces of historical relics mainly from the Zhou to the Tang periods (1100B.C. to 907 A.D.). See more..
4.5 Mount Huashan (1.274 reviews)
- I want to go back!
Monday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Mountains

Famous for its breathtaking cliffs and 12-kilometer-long winding path to its peak, this mountain features five peaks that resemble five petals of a flower. See more..
4.5 Dayan Pagoda Northern Square (981 reviews)
- Best to visit in the evening
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Fountains

This is a large area located right next to the wild goose pagoda. the key highlight here is the light and water fountain show. While the show is available on the hour from day to night it is best to catch it in the evening. Set against the backdrop of the wild goose pagoda, the show is pretty spectacular. The water fountains are spread across an area about 600 meters long and 50 meters wide. The fountains literally dance to the music, and the accompanying lights are a sight to watch. The show last for about 15 minutes. Other than The light show the courtyard is also an area where older folks gather to dance and exercise. There are also bronze sculptures portraying life back then spread across the courtyard. See more..
4.5 Tomb of Emperor Jingdi (Hanyangling) (703 reviews)
- Amazing display.
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Cemeteries

The joint mausoleum of Emperor Jingdi and Empress Wang, his consort. See more..
4.5 Xi'an Museum (591 reviews)
- Amazing Jade and Buddha Sculpture Collection
Speciality Museums

We visited this small amazing museum without any expectation because it is located next to small pagoda and it is free. What we found out was the amazing world class Jade collection and Buddha sculpture probably the best in China. It has a complete Buddha sculpture from different dynasties in China. Very impressive. A must visit when you are in Xian. See more..
4.5 Tang Bo Art Museum (351 reviews)
- Tangbo Art Museum - highlight of Xian
Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

Tangbo Art Muesum possesses a collection of Shannxi folk arts, ancient paintings exhibited in historical sequence, and local contemporary artists’ artworks. Whatever your age and talents, after enjoying the perfect introduction to Chinese art with a guided tour in English or Chinese, you get hands-on with brush and ink to create your own calligraphy masterpieces on rice paper. If this is not for you, feel free to join other cultural experiences such as paper-cutting learning, shadow puppets making, rubbings making, and traditional Chinese painting learning. See more..
4.5 Mountain Huashan Plank Trail (119 reviews)
- Amazing Views,Not Dangerous If you are cautious and take time.
Hiking Trails

The plank walk has an amazing views,but this isn't for faint heart. Know that this is about max 1 Km path (Assuming one way is 500 Meters). Follow the link,You can see me do "The World Most Dangerous Plank Walk in Xi'an,China",this will give fair Idea on what you are about to attempt. https://youtu.be/d7rayZ5Nl0w Suggested Route: a) Book your Bullet Train Tickets Two Ways from Xian North Station to HuaShan (110 RMB Two ways),use below website http://www.travelchinaguide.com/ b) Once to arrive Huashan Train Station (30 Min).Hire taxi at 20 RMB,diver will help you get 1.Entrance Ticket (Total 180 RMB) 2.Two Way Cable Car to West Peak (Total 280 RMB) 3.Bus from Ticket Office to Cable Car Entrance (Total 80 RMB two ways) c)Ticket Office to Cable Car Entrance (40 Min) d)Cable Car Entrance to West Peak Cable Car (30 Min),look for sign board "West Peak" then go "South Peak" summit then "Plank Walk on Sky" e)West Peak to Plank Walk on Sky takes about 1 Hr 15 Min (Assuming we take good breaks) f)Plank Walk on Sky one way (max 30 min),return on same path another 30 Min,so max 1 hr for this activity.(40 RMB for equipment Hire) g)Plank Walk on Sky to West Peak takes about 1 Hr 30 Min (Assuming we take more breaks as you will be tired) h)West Peak Cable Car to Cable Car Entrance (30 Min) i)Cable Car Entrance to Ticket Office (40 Min) j)Ticket Office to Huashan Train Station (10 Min @ 20 RMB Max) See more..
4.5 Xi'an Qujiangchi Site Park (113 reviews)
- Lovely oasis in a big city
Monday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM Bodies of Water • Parks

This is an enormous park that is right outside the grounds of the Great Goose Pagoda Temple. There are beautiful dancing fountains, lots of colorful statues and tableau commemorating famous Chinese operas, places to picnic to sit, separate areas of the park dedicated to opera, literature, etc., and lots of walking paths as well as beautiful plantings and flowers. You could easily spend hours here, meandering around the paths, taking in everything there is to see. Right at the beginning of the park is a group of outdoor vendors selling all sorts of typical touristic souvenirs. This park is a lovely place to visit if you come to the Great Goose Pagoda. See more..
4.5 Han Yang Ling Museum (83 reviews)
- Mini warriors but major attraction!
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM History Museums

The joint mausoleum of Emperor Jingdi and Empress Wang, his consort. See more..
4.5 Beiyuanmen Night Market (57 reviews)
- A good and colourful night market.
Flea & Street Markets

This is a great (if sometimes overcrowded) night market. It offers mainly food of all sorts, but also other market-ish stuff - clothes, fans, etc. Don't miss the fake telescope near the market's entrance - those guys built lots of fake telescopes and they charge people for taking a look at the planets. Everyone with a sharp eye can tell that those are not real telescopes (but rather home-made toys), but for many tourists, watching at taped blurry photos of the planets through a fake telescope is a must. Try asking one of the telescope operators how come you can see the planets while the skies are so cloudy... . :) See more..
4.5 Celebration Palace Park (53 reviews)
- Beautiful place to see and walk around
Monday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Parks

Go at night to see the beautiful lights and walk around the park and then go to the shopping area to see more. Simply put beautiful place. See more..
4.5 Taibaishan National Forest Park (50 reviews)
- Spectacular View!
Mountains • Parks • Forests

Taibai Mountain at 3,767 metres above sea level is the highest peak of the Qinling Mountain Range. Located in the Meixian County and at the northern foothills of Baoji City of Shaanxi Province, it is a natural botanical garden and a well-known place of Taoist worship. It offers spectacular views of its surroundings and autumn colours of its numerous flora and fauna, and trees, especially in October. The cable car brings visitors to a level of 3,000 meters before they can trek further up the mountain. If lucky we can experience snow if the it were to rain the day before! See more..
4.5 Great Wall Ruins of Qin Dynasty (40 reviews)
- Let your imagination run wild!
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings

I totally got a kick out of this place! We just sort of wandered around the old walls and let our imaginations ride the winds of time to imperial days when the walls were tall and strong. Now, standing at the edge of the desert, they are mainly hard-packed piles and ridges of dirt but nevertheless are impressive and interesting. Nearby are several abandoned cave-homes, carved into the loess. See more..
4.5 Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City (34 reviews)
- Great Tang All Day Mall is amazing
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Scenic Walking Areas

As part of our tour through china we had the opportunity to visit this place and we are glad we did. After seeing so many streets in china where is felt like a tourist trap I felt like I was part of the Chinese culture. The street is extremely busy but not with tourists, but locals. All age groups were there. We arrived just before dark and the lights were just being turned on. The vendors were out in force with food, souvenirs, entertainers. For as busy as this place was it was relatively clean compared to other places we visited in china. We spent over an hour walking this street, but we ran out of time. We could not find any western toilets so if that is an issue find one before you visit here. We did try a couple of sticks of local food, some very tasty, some not but was worth trying. There were a few restaurants along the way but we did not try them. I felt very safe here but would still say to keep your guard up with your valuables. See more..
4.5 Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site of Yan'an (33 reviews)
- interesting visit
Monday: Historic Sites

saw how the Maoist leaders lived. Amazing. So committed. . The rooms were spartan with minimun furniture. Mao had his own wooden bathtub. See more..
4.5 Great Wall Ruins of Wei (31 reviews)
- great wall of china
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings

traveled there in late august ....stayed at Beijing, going from there to the great wall on a tour we were given an English speaking guide who was helpful in telling us all the aspects of the gun turrets and where people lived while the original wall was being built,t the trauma they went through while building. what was rebuilt and how long it took and the people who rebuilt it , also how much more is going to be rebuilt and the time it will take . on the day that i went it was a little hazy ..best day is after a rain ..lunch was provide On the way back to the hotel ( i stayed just outside of the for bidden city) we called at a silk factory ...also interesting .. It really is a must to see See more..
4.5 Revolutionary Memorial Hall (Geming Jinianguan) (27 reviews)
- Essential Chinese CP history
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality Museums

This is the mother ship of Chinese Communist Party history as well as a total veneration of Mao. In addition to a wealth of charts, maps and photos depicting the era of the 20's through 1949, the museum presents spin and revisionist history at its best. All of the significant events have English descriptions. Seeing "purges" described as "party rectification" and reading of defeats described as "strategic movements" lends enjoyable irony to the exhibit. See more..
4.5 Baoji Bronze Ware Museum (25 reviews)
- Awarded the hometown of Bronze Ware in Chinese Civilization
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality Museums • History Museums

To persue the Cultural roots of Chinese Civilization,Shouldnot miss the Xian tours of English Speaking Guide Lee Wechat:qing09163258 See more..
4.5 Ming Great Wall Site (20 reviews)
- 古城落印
Monday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings

当双手轻轻按抚在硕大的青砖之上，似乎穿越了时空聆听了那个年代里的喧泄，像一个背负碎瓦城工的轻叹，又像是一个穿越历史的战士的呐喊，瞬时间历史的车轮在脑海中压满了车辙，惊喜于对历史的窥探，慨叹于先人的智慧，满足于身为华夏人的自豪！ See more..
4.0 Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta) (3.440 reviews)
- Pagoda Nice and Worth Visiting Area
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites

Located on the grounds of the Jianfu Temple, this pagoda (circa 652 A.D.) is considered on of the most famous in China due to its antiquity and historical relevance in connection with Buddha. See more..
4.0 Xi'an Bell Tower (2.325 reviews)
- Easy site to visit.
Spent 1-2 hours Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers • Religious Sites

The Bell Tower Square marks the geographical center of the ancient capital. From this important landmark extend East, South, West and North Streets, connecting the Tower to the East, South, West and North Gates of the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty. See more..
4.0 Xi'an Mosque (1.554 reviews)
- Quiet and Peaceful, Beautifully Landscaped Mosque
Religious Sites

Dating back to the Ming period, this mosque features inner courtyards that bear more of a resemblance to a Chinese temple. See more..
4.0 Drum Tower (Gulou) (1.035 reviews)
- A must see tower with a performance
Monday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Historic Sites • Observation Decks & Towers

Built in 1384, this imposing tower was rebuilt after the 1949 Communist revolution. See more..
4.0 Huaqing Palace (720 reviews) from $35.90
- Beautiful views
Monday: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Hot Springs & Geysers

Huaqing Palace, also known as the Huaqing Hot spring or Huaqing Pool, is located in Lintong District, Xi'an city. It takes only 10 minutes from terra cotta warriors to Huaqing Palace by tourist bus 306. The mystery and scarce hot spring, which can cure diseases, attracted many emperors to build palaces here, Huaqing Palace is one the greatest among them. The design of kinds of hot spring pools represented the simple and original world view of ancient people. Now travelers can not only visit the museum of imperial hot spring pool, the historical site of Xi'an Incident but also can climb Moutain Li and furthermore explore the Chinese earliest military observation tower. Suggestion: Before visiting Huaqing Palace, please email to [email protected], we will send the tour package, which includes: the map, recommended routes and the book about the social organism. Access our official website and homepage on Facebook, you can find more information. See more..
4.0 Tang Paradise (486 reviews)
- Great for a night time visit.
Monday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Historic Sites • Amusement & Theme Parks

For the fans of the Miyazaki Hayao's Spirited Away, the Ziyun Building definitely reminded me of the Yubaba's Palace. The pond, the buildings around it - all makes you feel like being in the movie. The distant lights of the Tang Pedestrian Mall are like the market where Chihiro's parents got turned into pigs. Entrance was from the West Gate. For foreigners without Chinese IDs had to show passports at the visitor's centre and the enter through a passage for disabled - kudos to the place for having such. At 17:30 there was a fountain and light show in front of the Ziyun building in the pond. Without stopping for landmarks, the park can be walked around in under two hours. On the east and north sides, each lantern along the walkway represents a sad love story from the Tang Dynasty period. There is a theater on site for which shows there are separate tickets sold. The entrance to the park itself is free. See more..
4.0 Forest of Stone Steles Museum (423 reviews)
- Museum of stone carvings
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:45 PM Speciality Museums • History Museums

This museum boasts the largest collection of steles cut in 837 A.D., the oldest existing texts of the Confucian classics, and more than 2,000 engraved stone tablets from the Han dynasty. See more..