Written by Ruqin
July 14, 2026
The first time I walked along Xi’an’s City Wall, I realized something special.
This isn’t a city that simply preserves history.
It lives inside it.
From the wall, I could see Tang Dynasty pagodas, Ming Dynasty gates, and streams of modern traffic below. Everything belonged together. Nothing felt out of place.
That’s what makes Xi’an different.
History isn’t locked away in museums. It’s woven into everyday life.
However, first-time visitors often rush through the city or overlook practical details. A little planning makes a huge difference.
Here are nine mistakes I recommend avoiding on your first trip to Xi’an.
1. Landing and Expecting Google Maps to Work
Many travelers make this mistake before they even leave the airport.
They land, open Google Maps, and suddenly feel lost.
Gmail, Instagram, and several other familiar apps may also stop working normally.
Your phone isn’t the problem.
Mainland China has a different internet environment.
Before you leave home, I recommend setting up an international eSIM or an international roaming plan.
If you prefer local assistance, head to the Shaanxi International Traveler Service Center in the arrivals hall of Terminal 5 at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.
It’s hard to miss.
The center offers one-stop help for international visitors, including:
- SIM card assistance
- Foreign currency exchange
- Mobile payment guidance
- Transportation information
- Multilingual support
I always tell visitors to take advantage of it.
After a long flight, having someone answer your questions face-to-face is far easier than trying to figure everything out alone.
2. Assuming One Credit Card Is Enough
Visa and Mastercard are becoming more widely accepted in China.
However, Xi’an still runs largely on QR code payments.
Even small food stalls often expect customers to pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Before your trip, download Alipay or WeChat Pay, verify your passport, and link your international credit card.
You’ll pay almost exactly the way local residents do.
The good news is that international cards are becoming easier to use.
For example, all twelve ticket offices at the Xi’an City Wall now accept major foreign credit cards.
Several Metro stations also provide POS terminals where international visitors can purchase tickets.
Meanwhile, the Datang Everbright City Visitor Center has a dedicated payment assistance desk with multilingual staff who can help visitors set up mobile payments.
Still, don’t expect every small restaurant or street vendor to accept your overseas bank card.
I always keep both a mobile payment app and a little cash, just in case.
3. Waiting Until You Arrive to Buy Terracotta Army Tickets
The Terracotta Army isn’t the kind of attraction where you should simply show up.
During busy seasons, ticket lines become long very quickly.
Even worse, by the time you reach the ticket office, the morning admission slots may already be sold out.
Book your tickets online one or two days before your visit.
I recommend using the official Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum booking channel whenever possible. If that’s difficult, trusted travel platforms like Trip.com (Ctrip) also make the process straightforward for international visitors.
Then arrive early.
I usually recommend getting there before 9:00 a.m.
Here’s the route I like to follow.
Start with Pit 3.
It’s the smallest excavation hall, but it’s also one of the most fascinating.
Next, visit Pit 2, where you’ll see kneeling archers, cavalry horses, and some of the museum’s finest warrior figures.
Finally, head to Pit 1.
It’s the largest hall and the most dramatic. Saving it for last lets the experience build naturally.
If your schedule is flexible, visit between Wednesday and Friday.
Weekends and Chinese public holidays are noticeably more crowded.
4. Expecting to Tap Your Credit Card at the Metro Gate
Xi’an’s Metro system is clean, modern, and easy to use.
However, most fare gates don’t yet accept contactless international credit cards.
I’ve seen visitors walk confidently toward the gate, tap their Visa card, and then step aside looking confused.
Fortunately, you have several good options.
The easiest is to activate the Xi’an Metro QR Code inside Alipay after linking your international card.
Then simply scan your phone at the gate.
You can also buy paper tickets at customer service centers in major stations using an international credit card.
Another good choice is the Chang’an Tong Card.
Think of it as Xi’an’s version of London’s Oyster Card.
Pay the refundable deposit, add some credit, and tap your card throughout your stay.
Before leaving Xi’an, return the card and collect your deposit.
At some point, Xi’an may expand contactless foreign card payments across the Metro.
For now, don’t count on tapping your Visa card at the entrance.
5. Eating Only on the Main Muslim Quarter Street
The Muslim Quarter is one of Xi’an’s most famous food districts.
Naturally, most first-time visitors head straight for the main pedestrian street.
It’s lively, colorful, and full of tempting aromas.
However, it’s also the most tourist-oriented part of the neighborhood. Prices are often higher, the queues are longer, and the food isn’t always the best.
Instead, do what many locals do.
Walk off the main street and explore the narrow side lanes.
Sajinqiao (洒金桥), Dapiyuan (大皮院), and Miaohou Street (庙后街) are all just a few minutes’ walk from the main Muslim Quarter. These streets are where many Xi’an residents come when they’re looking for a satisfying meal rather than a photo opportunity.
I usually start around Sajinqiao and simply wander from there.
You’ll find tiny noodle shops, family-run restaurants, and food stalls that have been serving the neighborhood for years.
Here are a few local favorites worth trying:
- Sour soup dumplings at a small restaurant near the entrance to Sajinqiao.
- Biang Biang noodles, famous for their extra-wide hand-pulled noodles and fragrant chili oil.
- Stir-fried yangrou paomo, served with pickled garlic.
- A bottle of Bingfeng, Xi’an’s iconic orange soda that locals have loved for generations.
If you’re not sure what to order, keep it simple.
A bowl of Biang Biang noodles with a side of spicy beef meatball soup is always a good choice.
Or try cold skin noodles (liangpi) with stir-fried paomo for a meal that’s both classic and distinctly Xi’an.
One more tip from experience: don’t judge a restaurant by its appearance.
Some of the best meals I’ve had in Xi’an came from tiny places with simple signs, plastic stools, and long lines of local customers.
When you see locals waiting patiently for a table, that’s usually a very good sign.
6. Booking a Hotel Without Checking if It Accepts Foreign Guests
This surprises many first-time visitors.
Not every hotel in Xi’an can accommodate international travelers.
Some smaller hotels and guesthouses don’t have the required registration system for foreign passports.
You don’t want to discover that after arriving with your luggage late at night.
Before booking, check that the hotel clearly states it accepts foreign guests.
Most major booking platforms include this information.
Location also matters.
I usually recommend staying somewhere between the Bell Tower and Xiaozhai along Metro Line 2.
It’s convenient for museums, the City Wall, restaurants, and public transportation.
If your budget allows, staying inside the South Gate area lets you walk directly to the City Wall.
If you prefer quieter surroundings, look around Qujiang Pool Park.
One place I generally avoid is staying immediately beside major attractions.
The mornings become busy, while the evenings often feel surprisingly empty.
7. Thinking Xi’an Is Only About the Terracotta Army and Dumplings
Most visitors arrive with two things in mind.
The Terracotta Army.
And lamb paomo.
Both deserve their reputation.
However, Xi’an becomes much more interesting once you slow down.
Instead of walking on top of the City Wall, spend an hour walking beside it.
The stretch between Anding Gate and Hanguang Gate is one of my favorites.
You’ll see local residents walking their dogs, neighborhood repair shops, and elderly people chatting outside their homes.
That’s everyday Xi’an.
Next, visit Daming Palace National Heritage Park.
Some visitors say there’s “not much to see.”
I completely disagree.
Standing on the site of the former imperial palace, surrounded by open space and quiet wind, gives you a sense of the Tang Dynasty’s scale that no museum can recreate.
Then head to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda instead of the more famous Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
It’s quieter.
It’s older.
Birdsong replaces loudspeakers.
The atmosphere feels completely different.
If you enjoy history, don’t miss the Stele Forest Museum.
Watching traditional stone rubbing demonstrations brings Chinese calligraphy to life in a way books never can.
Finally, if you’re curious about traditional Chinese clothing, consider renting Hanfu for an afternoon.
Around Datang Everbright City, you’ll find many professional studios offering makeup, styling, and photography.
It’s fun, and Xi’an’s historic architecture makes a beautiful backdrop.
8. Only Visiting the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda at Night
The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is famous for its evening musical fountain.
Unfortunately, everyone knows that.
By nightfall, the square becomes packed.
Instead of watching the performance, you may spend most of your time looking over other people’s heads.
Here’s what I prefer.
Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda during the day.
Then head to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the late afternoon.
The warm sunlight turns the ancient bricks golden.
Next, stay until the city lights begin to appear.
You’ll enjoy the changing atmosphere before the biggest crowds arrive.
Later, take a quiet walk around Qujiang Pool.
Reflections shimmer across the water, and the pace feels wonderfully relaxed.
9. Overlooking Xi’an’s Visitor Services
Many international visitors don’t realize how much support Xi’an now offers.
Your first stop should be the Shaanxi International Traveler Service Center at Terminal 5 of Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.
The staff can help with:
- Mobile payment setup
- Foreign currency exchange
- Transportation advice
- Tourist information
- Multilingual assistance
You’ll also find support around the city.
The Datang Everbright City Visitor Center has a dedicated payment assistance center with Chinese, English, and Russian-speaking staff.
Meanwhile, every City Wall ticket office accepts major international credit cards.
Several Metro stations also provide foreign card payment services.
If you’re staying longer or simply want more local information, search for the LoveXian WeChat Mini Program.
It brings together useful information for international visitors, including travel services, healthcare, visas, accommodation, and daily life in Xi’an.
It’s a handy resource to keep in your pocket.
Xi’an doesn’t ask you to hurry.
In fact, I think the city rewards people who slow down.
Walk through a quiet neighborhood instead of rushing between famous landmarks.
Order something you’ve never tasted before.
Spend a little longer inside an old temple courtyard.
Watch local residents practicing tai chi beneath the City Wall.
The Terracotta Army will always be there.
So will the ancient pagodas.
Xi’an has been waiting for more than two thousand years.
It isn’t going anywhere.
Come prepared. Stay curious. Then give yourself permission to wander.
That’s when the old capital of Chang’an begins to reveal its real character.
About the Author
Ruqin is the founder of Ruqintravel.com and has spent more than four decades working in China’s travel industry. Drawing on hands-on experience in cities like Beijing and Hangzhou, he personally researches and updates each guide to help international travelers navigate China with confidence.
Further Reading
How to Buy Terracotta Warriors Tickets (Step-by-Step, No Stress)
How to Use the Xi’an Subway: A Guide for First-Time Travelers
Xi’an City Wall Travel Guide: Map, Tickets & Visiting Tips
How to Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an: A Practical Guide
10 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip to China
