Xi'an
Attractions Xi'an 6 min read
Terracotta Army & the City Wall at dusk
A morning with the 8,000-strong clay army, an evening cycling the only complete city wall in China.
Morning: the army
The Terracotta Warriors are 40 km east of Xi'an — 8,000 clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China's first emperor for 2,200 years.
- Take tourist bus 5 (306) from the east square of Xi'an Railway Station, not a taxi — ¥7, 70 min
- Skip the 'guide' who boards your bus; the site is well-signed in English
- Budget 3 hours; Pit 1 is the big one
Evening: the wall
Xi'an's City Wall is the only complete one left in China — 14 km around, wide enough to ride. Rent a bike at the South Gate at golden hour; a full lap is about 90 minutes, and the light is best on the west side as you finish.
Locals' Tip
Rent the bike on the South Gate at golden hour — a full lap is 14 km and the light is best on the west side.
Locals' Crowd