In this guide, we’ll explore the Top 10 Photography Spots in Xi’an—and not just where to go. You’ll also get timing tips, local directions, and practical shooting advice. Whether you’re a DSLR pro or just snapping with your phone, these 10 best photography locations in Xi’an will help you capture its soul—one shutter click at a time.
Ready? Let’s dive into the top 10 photo spots in Xi’an that locals love and travelers often miss.
1. Xi’an City Wall (Ming Dynasty City Wall)
Standing atop the Xi’an City Wall feels like walking the spine of history. Stretching 13.7 kilometers around the heart of the old city, this is the most complete ancient city wall still standing in China. Massive gates, arrow towers, and sweeping skyline views? Yes, please.
To get there, hop on Metro Line 2 and get off at Yongningmen Station (South Gate). From there, it’s just a five-minute walk to the entrance.
The best times to shoot? Sunrise or sunset. That’s when golden light washes over the brickwork, casting long shadows and glowing highlights. At night, the wall lights up—literally. It’s perfect for long exposures and dreamy cityscapes.
Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the towering watchtowers in full. Try low-angle shots to highlight the texture of the centuries-old stone. And if you’re shooting at night, don’t forget a tripod. Those car trails and glowing lanterns look magical with a slow shutter.
This is one of the Top 10 Photography Spots in Xi’an—not just for history buffs, but for anyone who loves timeless beauty framed in brick and light.
2. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Daci’en Temple)
If Xi’an had a heartbeat, it might echo from the base of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Built during the Tang Dynasty, this towering pagoda once housed the sacred sutras brought back by the monk Xuanzang from India. Today, it still stands tall—quiet, proud, and watching over a bustling modern plaza.
Getting there is easy. Take Metro Line 3 or 4 to Dayanta Station, then walk just five minutes to reach the site.
Arrive early in the morning when the crowds are still sleeping and the light is soft. You’ll have the temple grounds almost to yourself. Or come at dusk, when the northern square bursts into life with a music fountain show that paints the night with rhythm and light.
Inside Daci’en Temple, frame the pagoda against the crimson temple walls for a beautiful contrast of tones. Use the still water of nearby pools to capture perfect reflections. During the fountain show (7:00–7:15 PM), switch to a slow shutter and catch the flow of water in motion—it’s mesmerizing.
This spot blends old and new in one breathtaking scene, making it a must among the Top 10 Photography Locations in Xi’an.
3. Muslim Quarter (Hui Min Street)
The Muslim Quarter is where Xi’an breathes its most flavorful air. Come evening, the narrow lanes turn into a sensory playground—steaming skewers, sizzling griddles, and locals bargaining over sesame buns. It’s chaotic, delicious, and incredibly photogenic.
To get there, take Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower Station. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk straight into the heart of street food heaven.
The best time to shoot? Between dusk and nightfall. That’s when neon signs flicker to life, and the scent of cumin and chili fills the air. The energy is contagious—and perfect for capturing human moments.
Use a 35mm or 50mm lens for tight, intimate portraits. Crank your ISO above 1600 to freeze the motion of vendors tossing noodles or customers laughing over lamb skewers. For mouthwatering food shots, get close to the steam, blur the background, and let the colors pop.
This is one of the best photography spots in Xi’an for street life. More than just a market, it’s a cultural feast—where every corner offers another story, and every plate deserves a close-up.
4. Terracotta Warriors Museum
Stepping into the Terracotta Warriors Museum feels like entering a frozen battlefield from over two thousand years ago. Discovered by chance in 1974, these life-sized clay soldiers were built to guard China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife. Today, they still stand in silent formation—each face uniquely carved, each warrior frozen mid-march.
To get there, take Metro Line 9 to Huaqingchi Station, then transfer to Bus You 5 (or 306) straight to the museum.
Arrive before 9:00 AM to beat the crowds. The silence adds to the drama, and you’ll have more room to find unique angles.
Use a mid-to-telephoto lens to capture intricate armor details and facial expressions—but remember, no flash photography is allowed. Shoot from a low angle to emphasize their towering presence and sense of command. If you’re outside the museum and have the proper permit, a drone shot of the complex adds a breathtaking perspective.
This historic marvel easily ranks among the Top 10 Photo Spots in Xi’an—not just for its scale, but for its haunting sense of legacy. It’s a must for any traveler chasing the soul of ancient China through a lens.
5. Great Tang All Day Mall (Datang Everbright City)
At night, the Great Tang All Day Mall comes alive like a dream out of Chinese legend. Imagine walking through a glowing corridor of lanterns, beneath towering Tang-style buildings, as performers in silk robes dance under cascading lights. This isn’t a film set—it’s one of the most dazzling best photography spots in Xi’an.
To get there, take Metro Line 3 or 4 to Dayanta Station. Exit from Exit C (southeast corner), then walk west for about 10 minutes until you reach the north square of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. From there, you’ll step into the heart of the Great Tang Everbright City.
The best shooting window? Between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. That’s when light shows dazzle the streets, and live performances—from musicians to the famous “never-falling” Tang lady—bring the Tang Dynasty vibe to life.
Use a wide aperture lens (f/1.8–f/2.8) for dreamy portraits with blurred neon backdrops. Want to capture movement and magic? Try long exposure shots of dancers and glowing lantern trails. Look up too—the faux-ancient buildings shine best when shot from below.
This vivid street of lights is one of the best photography places in Xi’an, especially if you love color, motion, and a touch of time travel.6. Bell Tower & Drum Tower
6. Bell Tower & Drum Tower
Right in the heart of Xi’an, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower rise like ancient sentinels above a sea of modern traffic. These twin icons once marked time for the city, but now they chime with light and life—especially after dark. If you’re looking for classic cityscape shots, this is one of the top 10 photo spots in Xi’an you can’t miss.
To get there, ride Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower Station. From the exit, it’s just a short 3-minute walk.
Time your visit for blue hour—about 30 minutes after sunset—when the sky turns cobalt and the towers glow golden. As night deepens, their ornate rooftops shimmer under spotlights, surrounded by streaming headlights and neon.
Head to the 5th floor of Kaiyuan Shopping Mall across the street—it’s free and offers the best panoramic view of the Bell Tower. Use a tripod and a long exposure to capture the dramatic swirl of traffic looping around the tower like a light river.
This is one of the best photography spots in Xi’an, where old and new collide beautifully in a single frame.
7. Shaanxi History Museum
If you want to trace China’s story through its artifacts, the Shaanxi History Museum is the perfect place to start. With elegant Tang-style architecture outside and national treasures inside, this museum is not just for history lovers—it’s one of the most visually striking Top 10 Photography Spots in Xi’an.
To get there, take Metro Line 2 or 3 to Xiaozhai Station. From the exit, it’s about a 10-minute walk.
Arrive in the morning. That’s when natural light filters through the glass dome above the main hall, casting soft shadows and highlights that elevate every shot.
Outside, frame the museum’s symmetrical design—its balance and elegance are made for your lens. Inside, the real magic happens in low light. Since flash is prohibited, switch to a high ISO (3200 or higher) and use a fast lens to capture intricate jade carvings, bronze vessels, and ancient scripts.
It’s a must-visit for anyone building a story-rich photo series. Quiet, dignified, and full of meaning, this museum is among the best photography locations in Xi’an to explore the artistry of the past with your camera in hand.
8. Mount Hua (Huashan – Xi’an Outskirts)
Just 30 minutes from Xi’an by high-speed train lies a mountain that feels like it belongs to another world. Mount Hua—one of China’s Five Great Sacred Mountains—is famous not only for its dramatic cliffs, but for the feeling it gives you: that you’re walking on the edge of the sky.
To get there, take a high-speed train from Xi’an North to Huashan North Station. Then hop in a taxi to the scenic area entrance.
Plan to reach the East Peak before sunrise. That’s where the sun first kisses the craggy ridgelines, setting them aglow. If you’re lucky enough to catch a sea of clouds after the rain, it’s pure magic—the peaks float like islands above a white abyss.
Use a wide-angle lens to capture the sweeping panoramas. For those sharp, jagged ridges, a telephoto lens adds drama by compressing the depth. Want something extra? An ND filter will help you create silky cloud flows over still stone—pure visual poetry.
This isn’t just one of the top 10 photo spots in Xi’an’s surroundings—it’s a soul-stirring climb that rewards both hikers and photographers at every step.
9. Qujiang Lake Heritage Park
Hidden just beyond the city’s hustle, Qujiang Lake Heritage Park feels like a quiet whisper from the Tang Dynasty. Once a royal garden, it’s now a peaceful escape where still lakes mirror ancient-style pavilions—and where time seems to slow down.
Take Metro Line 4 to Qujiangchi West Station. From there, it’s only a 5-minute stroll to the park entrance.
The best moments to shoot? Early morning or dusk, when the light turns soft and the water glassy. That’s when reflections become your secret weapon—perfect for those symmetrical, Zen-like compositions.
In autumn, the park becomes a canvas of red and gold. Frame falling leaves against the silhouette of Tang-style rooftops for a scene straight out of a classical painting.
This serene garden is one of the best photography spots in Xi’an for capturing seasonal beauty and traditional charm. Whether you’re chasing reflections, colors, or calm, this park invites you to slow down and shoot with heart.
10. Shuyuanmen Cultural Street
Just steps away from Xi’an’s ancient city wall, Shuyuanmen Cultural Street hums with the rhythm of old-world elegance. Here, the scent of ink mingles with the scratch of calligraphy brushes. This is where you’ll find scrolls drying in the breeze and shopkeepers grinding ink the way their ancestors did centuries ago.
To reach it, take Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station. Walk for about 8 minutes and you’ll enter a street lined with wooden facades and red lanterns swaying overhead.
Come in the morning when the street is still quiet. You’ll catch artists just opening shop, focused and calm. It’s the perfect time to capture those fleeting gestures—an inked brush mid-air, a scroll unrolling like a story.
Switch to black-and-white mode to enhance the vintage mood. The textured stone, handwritten banners, and calligraphy in motion give your photos a timeless depth.
This is one of the most underrated gems among the Top 10 Photography Spots in Xi’an—ideal for photographers drawn to culture, craft, and the everyday poetry of old Xi’an life.
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Xi’an is a photographer’s playground—rich in contrasts, colors, and character. Whether you’re capturing towering relics of ancient dynasties, neon-lit food stalls, or misty mountains just beyond the city, each frame tells a different story. The variety is endless: history, modern life, landscapes, and culture—all waiting to be explored through your lens.
With this guide to the Top 10 Photography Spots in Xi’an, you’re already one step ahead. Plan your timing, bring the right gear, and most importantly—respect local customs and rules (like no flash photography in museums). When you do, you won’t just take photos—you’ll take home memories etched in light.
So grab your camera and step into the rhythm of Xi’an. The city’s best shots are waiting for you.
