What You Must Know for a May Day Trip to Xi'an

I've been to Xi'an several times. With May Day just around the corner and a generous five-day holiday this year, lots of friends have been asking me for Xi'an travel tips. So I'm sharing my own experiences here, hoping it helps fellow travel lovers a little (*￣︶￣).

First, let me mention that this is still a special period. Last time I came to Xi'an, the local policy required a 'Yima Tong' health code for entering public places like the subway, supermarkets, and hotels—any code other than red was fine. Then you'd have your temperature taken, and of course, everyone carries their ID card for convenience. It's the same for visitors from other provinces; there's no quarantine or anything. I came in mid-March, and things should be even safer now, so travelers don't need to worry too much—just be prepared.

Now for the highlight: delicious food and some must-see sights. During this period, there aren't many tourists, hotels are cheap, and the season is just perfect—absolutely fantastic!

Whenever I think of Xi'an, the Zhonglou (Bell Tower) comes to mind, so I searched for accommodation near it and chose the Jinjiang Inn Xi'an Zhonglou Luomashi Branch. I stayed three nights and it was really good. I forgot to take photos, so I downloaded one from their website—I have to say, it looks quite lovely at night.

The room was pretty nice. The front desk recommended their 'Qingya' king bed room, saying it's a new product. I tried it and there were quite a few differences from the old Jinjiang Inn rooms—the bed was higher, the bathroom felt more upscale. Best of all, the location is super convenient: it's just steps from Huimin Street, the city wall, and Shuyuanmen, where I planned to stroll and eat. Definitely recommend. For the May Day holiday, it's probably safer to book your accommodation in advance.

Now, the good eats:

Right next to the hotel is a Yuanjiacun, a spot where you can enjoy local Guanzhong specialties without going far. Dishes like huaihua wheat rice, liangfen (bean jelly), Qianxian tofu pudding, and sheep blood heluo noodles—so many snacks! You buy a prepaid card first, then order. Really great, clean, and tasty.

There's also a luosifen (snail noodle soup) place that's amazing, Liu Xiaopang. The young lady at the front desk recommended it, saying they eat there all the time and there's always a queue. So I ordered a bowl. It came with tofu skin, pickled bamboo shoots, and snail broth—rich, savory, sour, and spicy. If you can't handle the smell, be warned! I love that intense flavor hit. As for the smell on your clothes, just take a shower back at the hotel—hot water is available 24 hours, very convenient.

Another gem is the night market at Dongxin Street. Night market lovers, you have to try it. There's a Xiao Yang Barbecue that's excellent, and Old Chen's Stew, with huge beef chunks that are incredibly satisfying.

Now let me introduce some nearby sights:

The city wall is a must. The Xi'an City Wall, also known as the Ming City Wall, is the largest and most intact ancient city wall in China. My advice: go in the afternoon. When the sun sets, the golden light on the ancient wall is just stunning—many couples even take their wedding photos there. That's a Xi'an specialty. Under the wall are lots of bars and the Round-the-City Park, where sometimes you can enjoy free local music performances, like Qinqiang self-organized troupes. It's a bit like the Huayin Old Tune that Tan Weiwei recommended—a real novelty.

At dusk, looking down from the Ming City Wall at the streets and alleys of Xi'an, you'll feel the modern breath of this ancient city. It makes you dazed, and you reflect on the era you live in. We're quite fortunate indeed.

Next up: Daming Palace Ruins Park. You absolutely must go there now because areas that used to charge admission are now free. Happy, right? (I went!) A heads-up: you need to book in advance. I went the same day and managed to get a reservation, so it depends on luck, but I think it's pretty easy. Just follow the Daming Palace Ruins Park official account on WeChat and you can book ahead.

Taking the family with some food for a picnic is wonderful, and it's a great date spot for couples too. After this pandemic, I think we all feel like spending more time in nature.

There's another must-mention free spot. I've seen many comments asking how to visit Xi'an on a budget—well, just follow me and you won't go wrong. This place is Xingqing Park. Spring is here, and all the tulips in Xingqing Park are in full bloom. The scenery is truly beautiful. From Zhonglou, take bus 7, 45, 8, or 203 to Xingqing Park. Make sure you enter through the main gate—because of the pandemic, only one gate is open. You'll need to scan a QR code and have your temperature checked, but that's the drill for everything these days. Let me show you the photos first.

Pretty, right? Take a happy heart, and go enjoy the flowers with the people you love and who love you.

Alright, I've shared quite a bit. For food, stick to Huimin Street, Dongxin Street, and Yongxingfang. For sightseeing, it's all about ancient architecture and natural scenery. For accommodation, the Jinjiang Inn Xi'an Luomashi Branch is my pick. After the pandemic, I'm sure everyone is itching to get out. Travel in China is the safest now, so what are you waiting for? Get moving!