Xi'an Travel Guide: Journey Through the Time Tunnel of the Thirteen Dynasties Ancient Capital

Must-Know Before You Go Best Seasons: Spring and Autumn (March-May for cherry blossoms / September-November for ginkgo) Transportation: 🪾 Airport: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (Metro Line 14 direct to downtown) In the City: Metro (ZFB "Xi'an Electronic Metro Card") + Shared Bikes Cultural Tags: 🌴 · One of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of the World · Starting point of the Silk Road · Prototype of "The Longest Day in Chang'an" 3-Day Essential Itinerary 🌵 Day 1: History Walk ☘️ · Morning: 🪾 · Terracotta Warriors (opens at 8 AM with fewer crowds, book official guide) 🎋 · Lishan Garden (home to the authentic bronze chariot and horses!) · Afternoon: 🍄 · Huaqing Palace (must-see "Song of Everlasting Sorrow" performance) 🌿 · Evening: 🦚 · Yongxingfang (smash bowl wine + Zichang pancakes) 🐉 Day 2: Ancient City Time Travel 🌴 · Morning: 🎄 · Shaanxi History Museum (hard to book! If unsuccessful, visit Xi'an Museum) 🌴 · Small Wild Goose Pagoda (quiet and less crowded) · Afternoon: · City Wall Cycling (South Gate → Hanguang Gate section is the most beautiful) · Evening: ☘️ · Bell and Drum Tower Night View (no need to climb) · Muslim Quarter (Da Piyuan / Xiyangshi are more authentic) Day 3: Tang Dynasty Immersion · All day: 🎍 · Great Tang All Day Mall (watch performances by day, enjoy lanterns by night) · The Longest Day in Chang'an themed street (wear Hanfu for photos) · Hidden Gems: 🐾 · Guangren Temple (Tibetan Buddhism + city wall photo spot) 🪺 Taste of Xi'an Must-Eat List: 🐈 · Roujiamo (Qin Yu / Ziwu Road Zhang Ji) · Yangrou Paomo (Lao Mi Jia Da Yu, tear your own bread) · Shaanxi Cuisine (Gourd Chicken + Brush Pen Pastry) Snack Check-in: 🐓 · Jia San Soup Dumplings (old brand in Muslim Quarter) · Chahua Nong (Xi'an version of "Cha Yan Yue Se") · Grandma Hua’s Sour Plum Soup (perfect with barbecue) Avoid: 🐓 · Don’t buy "Terracotta Warriors Chocolate" in scenic spots · Pomegranate juice on the main street of Muslim Quarter is watered down Accommodation Recommendations 🦩 · Convenient: Near Bell Tower / South Gate (e.g., "Backpack Ten Years" hostel) 🕊️ · Tang Style Fans: Qujiang Boutique Hotel (near All Day Mall) · Unique Experience: Courtyard homestay under the city wall 🦚 Photography Tips Terracotta Warriors: 🐬 · Avoid crowds by shooting at the right corner of Pit 1 City Wall: · Symmetrical composition at Yongning Gate Guangren Temple: · Red walls, golden roofs + snow-capped mountains (Qinling visible on clear days) Local Advice 1. Pitfall Prevention: 🦈 · Fake tour bus No. 5 at the train station targets tourists · Don’t follow unofficial guides at Terracotta Warriors (only trust official guides) 2. Booking Challenges: 🐳 · Shaanxi History Museum tickets released 3 days in advance (at 10 AM, 6 PM, and 7 PM daily) 🦞 3. Transportation Tips: 🪼 · Take Metro Line 9 to Huaqing Pool, then taxi to Terracotta Warriors 🦈 City Easter Eggs 🐳 "The soul of Xi'an hides in— the rhythmic pounding of the stele rubbers, the coffee aroma under the plane trees on Xiangzi Temple Street, the shout of old Qin opera artists by the city wall" Flexible Itinerary: 🦞 · If you have more time, add: Mount Hua day trip (30 minutes by high-speed train) 🐠 · Family-friendly: Huaxia Cultural Tourism Ocean Park 🐟