Plan your Xian tour? The city center of Xian is a very compact and walkable, and most of the places of interests are just a breeze from where you stay in the walled city.
As an ancient capital in China, Xian now still keeps the fortifications built in Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls.
Xi’an City Layout
You may stay within the city wall or outside the city wall. But most travellers prefer to stay inside the old city wall. The wall measures 14 km in circumference, 12m in height, and 15–18m in width at the base.
Check out Xian City Layout for information.
The city layout within Xian City Wall is based on a grid pattern centrally denoted by the grand Bell Tower (钟楼), which levels out four main avenues clockwise: East avenue (East Street 东大街), South Avenue ( South Street 南大街), West Avenue (West Street 西大街) and North Avenue (North Street 北大街).
Xian Railway Station is located outside the northeast corner of Xian city wall. Xian North Railway Station is 12km north of Bell Tower; Xian Airport is located 40km northwest of Xian city center. Terracotta Warriors Museum is located 30km to the east of Xian city center.
Stay around the Bell Tower Area
Bell Tower Area is the most central part of Xian with four main streets merged here. Under the Bell Tower, the Subway line 02 takes you to Xian North Railway Station ( 10 km north of the city center) or the exhibition center in the south.
To the northwest of Bell Tower, there is a Starbucks (Bell Tower Shop). Walk westward from the Starbucks, you will see some local famous restaurants providing Xian dumplings and Yangrou Paomo (Bread and Mutton Soup).
Further west, you come across Drum Tower. North of Drum Tower is the famous Muslim Quarter.
Suggested hotels around Bell Tower:
Melody Hotel Xian,
Citadines Xi’an CentralBell Tower Hotel XianIbis Hotel Xi’an.
Xi’an Century Landscape Hotel
Ramada Bells Tower
Skytel Xi’an
Stay on the East Avenue Area in Xian
The East Avenue used to the most commercial street in Xian. Now its popularity is fading with its position having graduated taken by South Avenue and West Avenue. Outside the east gate of Xian City Wall is Shaanxi Song & Dance Theatre which puts on Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show every day.
Suggested hotels around East Avenue:
Grand Metropark Hotel
Xi’an Grand Noble Hotel
Xi’an Canaan International Hotel
Super 8 Hotel Xi’an He Ping GateS
Stay on the South Avenue Area.
The South Avenue is the shortest avenues of the four with its southern tip meets the South Gate of Xian City Wall. The South Avenue is lined with high end and upstart shopping malls.Its city wall south gate is often used as a tourist spot where people start to work. Forest of Stone Tablets is also located to the east of the south gate.
Union Alliance Atravis Executive Hotel
Skytel Xi’an (Formerly Prince International Hotel)
Stay on the West Avenue Area
The West Street is rebuilt in a Tang Dynasty architecture style. This is the most beautiful street, especially sparkling in the evening.
Suggested hotels around West Avenue:
West Capital International Hotel
Rongmin International Hotel Xi’an
Meihua-Goldentang International Hotel
Best for Business Travel: North Avenue Area
The North Avenue is the least commercial street of the four streets where Xian’s office buildings and government buildings are dotted here and there around the North Avenue.
Suggested hotels around north avenue:
Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square
Mercure on Renmin Square
Xian Huashan Mountain International Hotel
Aurum International Hotel
Xian colorful hotel apartment
Days Inn City Centre Xian
Stay on the Xian Railway Station Area
Xian Railway Station is located on the northeast corner of the city wall. It is a very bustling and commecial area.
On the east square of the train station, there are directly buses going to Terra-cotta Army and Huaqing Hotspring.
Suggested hotels around Xian Railway Station:
Grand Soluxe International Hotel
Xi’An Hilton Xi’an
Jinjiang Inn (Xi’an Jiefang Road)
Stay on the South of Xian City Wall Area
The area outside the City Wall in the south is quite with some walkable attractions like Big Goose Pagoda and Shaanxi Museum.
Suggested hotels:
Tangcheng Hotel Xian
Shangri-la Hotel Xian
Useful Xian Hotel Links
Top 10 Xian Luxury & Boutique Hotels
Top 10 Hostels in Xian, Xian Youth Hostels
Tip: Hassle-free Xian Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Xian guided tours:
Xian Tour
Xian Day Tour
Xian Tour Packages
Beijing Xian Tour
Further Readings
Beijing Xian High Speed Train Experience
Best Time to Visit Xian
How to Visit Xian in Two Days?
Xian Airport Transportation
Xian Railway Station Transportation
Xian Taxi: Xian Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Xian City Layout
Xian’s Top 7 Iconic Landmarks
Where to Stay in Xian
Top 10 Attractions in Xian
Top Things to Do for Kids in Xian
How Visit Terracotta Army
How to Visit Xian on a Budget
The Starbucks in Xian
Top Markets in Xian
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Xian
Top 10 Best Restaurants in Xian
Top 10 Souvenirs in Xian
Xian Tourist Traps, Xian Tourist Scams
Tips for Visiting Muslim Quarter in Xian
Tips for Visiting Xian City Wall
The Ramparts of Quebec City and Xian City
Tips for Visiting Shaanxi History Museum
Tips for Visiting Xian Bell Tower
How to Visit Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Top 10 Photography Spots in Xian
The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall
Tips for Visiting Hanyang Tombs Xian
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show in Xian
Tips for Visiting Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Yaodong Cave Dwellings in Xian
Tips for Visiting Huaqing Hot Springs in Xian
How to Visit Mount Huashan
Mt.Huashan Snow Scenes Photos
How to visit Xiyue Temple
Top 10 Hostels in Xian
Top 10 Xian Luxury & Boutique Hotels
Xi’an: An Exotic City with an Undeniable Historical Depth
Best Places to See Autumn Leaves around Xian
Muslim Streets in Muslim Quarter in Xian
Hua Jue Xiang, Huajue Lane at Xian Muslim Quarter
The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall
Xian City Wall Night View
What to do in Xian after dark
Xian’s Best Street Food
Xian Muslim Quarter Exotic Food
Xian Bar Street
Spring Festival Lantern Exhibit in Xian
Xian Terracotta Army Pictures
How to Visit Maijishan Grottoes from Xian by Train
How to Visit Hukou Waterfall
How to Visit Huangdi Mausoleum
Xian Lhasa Flight Experience (Tips, Photos & Map)
Beijing Xian Flight Experience
Datong Xian High Speed Train
Reviews on Beijing Xian Luoyang Tour
Visit Xian in January (Weather, Wear, & Tips)
Visit Xian in February
How to Visit Xian in March
Visit Xian in October
How to Visit Xian in November
Visit Xian in December
Any questions, just drop a line.
Hi,
Two years ago I visited Xi’an and was told that foreigners were not allowed to stay at local low price Hotels or Hostels or Motels but that we are only allowed to stay at high end more expensive hotels for foreign tourists. Is this true?
Lisa,
For security reason, all the hotels which receive foreign tourists much have permits. But these authorized hotels don’t have to be expensive. Many inns and hostels are targeted at foreign tourists.
By the way, the Top 10 Hostels in Xian listed below may be of some help for you:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/shaanxi-travel/xian-travel/xian-hotel/top-10-hostels-in-xian-xian-youth-hostels
Have a good time in Xian!