Xi'an in 2 days — army, wall and the Tang core
Two days lets you do the Terracotta Army properly and still have a full day for the wall, the museums and the Muslim Quarter. Keep day one on the east-side highlights and day two on the city core.
Set up Alipay with an international card and passport verification for metro QR, DiDi and bikes. Book the Terracotta Army real-name ticket before you fly (up to several days ahead). The Shaanxi History Museum is reservation-only and closed Mondays — book its slot early and build indoor visits around that.
Day 1 — Terracotta Army & Huaqing Hot Springs
The east-side headline sights, 40 km from the core.
- 08:00 Terracotta Army 3 hr — book ahead; pits 1–3 and the bronze chariots.
- 12:00 Lunch near the army Simple noodle shops by the parking lot.
- 13:30 Huaqing Hot Springs 2 hr — the Tang imperial pools and the Li Shan foothills.
- 17:00 Return to the core Tourist bus or Didi back to the Bell Tower.
- 19:00 Muslim Quarter 1.5 hr — dinner and the night market.
Day 2 — City Wall, museums & the Muslim Quarter
The city core: ramparts, Tang gold and the old lanes.
- 09:00 Shaanxi History Museum 2.5 hr — free, reservation-only; bronze and Tang gold. Closed Mondays.
- 12:00 Big Wild Goose Pagoda 1.5 hr — climb the pagoda, then the square.
- 14:30 Xi'an City Wall 2 hr — rent a bike at the South Gate; ride the rampart.
- 17:00 Bell Tower + Drum Tower 1 hr — the twin landmarks above the core at dusk.
- 18:30 Muslim Quarter + Great Mosque 1.5 hr — lanes and the quiet courtyard mosque behind them.
Practical notes
- Book the army first. It is the one thing with no reliable walk-up; everything else is flexible.
- Monday closure. Shaanxi History Museum is closed Mondays — shuffle your museum visit off that day.
- The Bell Tower is your hub. Metro Lines 2 and 6 meet nearby; taxis and Didi gather at the edges.
Only one day? See the 1-day plan. Want a mountain day trip? See the 3-day plan with Mount Hua, or return to the Xi'an hub.
Itinerary last reviewed: 2026-10-18. Routes are written from established traveller itineraries and the city's own geography; adjust for weather and opening hours on the day.