2021 Chinese New Year 3-Day Xi’an Family Trip: Budget-Friendly & Convenient Transport Guide
Xi’an – a city where the wind carries culture and every step walks through history.
Xi’an is a UNESCO World Heritage city, recognized in 1981 as a world-famous historic city. Over the centuries, more than ten dynasties established their capitals here. It stands as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of the world, and among all China’s former capitals, Xi’an served the most dynasties, for the longest time, with the greatest influence.
Meilihao Hotel (Xi’an Qujiang Dayanta Xiaozhai Convention Center) – A Convenient & High-Value Pick
The Terracotta Warriors site is quite far from the main urban area, but since most of the sightseeing would be in the city center, I chose Meilihao Hotel (Xi’an Qujiang Dayanta Xiaozhai Convention Center). It’s only 100 meters from the Xi’an Ring Expressway, and from there, you can take the expressway all the way to the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum in just over 30 minutes. It’s the best option I could find that lets you enjoy the city center and reach the Terracotta Warriors quickly. As part of the Meihao Hotel Group brand, you never need to worry about quality or service – in fact, you get pleasant surprises. For instance, last time I stayed, I parked in their free car park and when I left, I found they had even washed my car! Another time on a business trip, the housekeeper dried and ironed my clothes while cleaning the room, and told me they offer a free laundry service. I’m now a loyal guest, so a little recommendation doesn’t hurt.
【Address】 Building A, Changfeng International Plaza, 86A Chang’an South Road, Xi’an
【Price】 Around 200–300 yuan
【Features】 Airport pickup service, free parking, warm hospitality, multiple complimentary services
Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors Museum – The Emperor’s Underground Imperial Guard
When you think of Xi’an, the eighth wonder of the world, the Terracotta Warriors, is a must. These figures embody the wisdom of ancient craftsmen and are an epitaph to the sweeping ambition of China’s first feudal emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Standing before them, the uncontrollable awe, fascination, intoxication, and emotion is something every attentive visitor can grasp. It’s the most essential stroke of Xi’an – nowhere else on earth will you find so many soldiers waiting for you for so long.
【Address】 Qinling North Road, Lintong District, Xi’an
【Ticket】 120 yuan per person; free for seniors over 65, military personnel, people with disabilities, and children under 16 accompanied by parents; half price for full-time undergraduate and below students with valid student ID.
【Opening Hours】 8:30–17:30 (ticket sales stop at 16:30)
Huaqing Pool – The Shared Bathing Place of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei
After soaking up the dominant spirit of Qin Shi Huang, my next stop was Huaqing Pool, also in Lintong District, on the way to the Terracotta Warriors and only 7 kilometers away. This was once ancient China’s most magnificent hot-spring palace complex, which rose in the Tang Dynasty and was also destroyed during the Tang. What we see today was rebuilt after the founding of the People’s Republic, so it’s a modern replica. Each pool corresponded to a heavenly star – for example, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin’s bath was matched with the Ziwei Star, and in order from top to bottom, the water in the pools flowed through interconnected channels, giving a glimpse into royal quality of life.
It’s also the birthplace of the love story between Yang Yuhuan and her husband, which Bai Juyi immortalized in the famous poem “Song of Everlasting Sorrow.” Nowadays, unless it’s too cold, two open-air evening performances of the same name – based on that ancient tale – are staged here. The show lasts over an hour with no dull moments; highly recommended!
【Address】 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi’an
【Ticket】 120 yuan per person; free for seniors over 65, military personnel, people with disabilities, and children under 1.2m; half price for visitors under 18 and full-time undergraduate and below students with valid student ID.
【Opening Hours】 9:00–17:00
Shaanxi History Museum – Travel Through Time Among Vast Precious Relics
Shaanxi History Museum lies northwest of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an. Construction began in 1983, and it opened on June 20, 1991, as China’s first large modern national-level museum. Its completion marked a new chapter for Chinese museology. The architecture is a Tang-style complex with a “central hall and four towering corner towers” – orderly in layout, varied in height, dignified and grand, blending ethnic tradition, local character, and contemporary spirit.
The collections are not only abundant and diverse, but also of high quality and far-reaching value. The Shang and Zhou bronzes are exquisite, the pottery figurines from various dynasties take myriad forms, the Han and Tang gold and silverware are unparalleled, and the Tang tomb murals are without equal. It’s a true treasure house of dazzling masterpieces.
【Address】 91 Xiaozhai East Road, Yanta District, Xi’an
【Ticket】 (Closed Mondays) Book tickets online; reservations are limited to the current and next week, with 500 tickets per day. Collect tickets at the right-hand reservation window starting at 8:30. This is very convenient because fewer people use it and the queue is short – recommended. You can also queue directly on the left side, but it’s crowded (not recommended).
【Opening Hours】 9:00–17:30 (ticket collection stops at 16:00)
Big Wild Goose Pagoda – Repository of Relics and Master Xuanzang’s Bone
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Da Ci’en Temple are Xi’an’s landmark and a must-visit. Climb to the top and lean on the railing; the ancient capital of Chang’an unfolds before your eyes. Da Ci’en Temple was the most famous and magnificent Buddhist temple in Tang Dynasty Chang’an, built in the 22nd year of Emperor Taizong’s Zhenguan reign (648 AD), with over 1,300 years of history.
The Tang monk Xuanzang (Tripitaka) once presided here, overseeing the translation of Buddhist scriptures. He personally supervised the construction of the pagoda and founded the Ci’en school of Mahayana Buddhism, making this temple a sacred site of Chinese Mahayana Buddhism. Thus, Da Ci’en Temple holds a very prominent place in Chinese Buddhist history.
【Address】 Yanta South Road, Yanta District, Xi’an
【Ticket】 Da Ci’en Temple: 50 yuan, student ticket 30 yuan; Big Wild Goose Pagoda climb: 30 yuan
【Opening Hours】 9:00–17:00
Tang Paradise – Reviving the Splendour of the Imperial Garden
Tang Paradise has been a royal garden since ancient times, rising in the Qin and Han and flourishing in the Sui and Tang. Today’s Tang Paradise was reconstructed on the original Tang ruins, covering 1,000 mu (approx. 67 hectares), with a water area of 300 mu (20 hectares). It’s a large national 5A royal garden-style scenic area that fully showcases the historical grandeur of the Tang Dynasty.
The park is divided into 14 cultural zones, taking Xi’an’s glorious history as the “Tang capital city” as the main thread and gathering the essence of Tang historical landscapes. Through architecture, dining, song and dance, music, folk customs, modern high-tech, and vibrant shows, the brilliant Tang culture is vividly interpreted and recreated. Attractions include Ziyun Tower, Ladies’ Hall, Imperial Banquet Palace, Fanglin Garden, Fengming Jiutian Theatre, Apricot Garden, Lu Yu Tea House, Tang Market, and Qujiang River Banquet.
【Address】 99 Furong West Road, Qujiang New District, Yanta District, Xi’an
【Ticket】 Free entry
【Opening Hours】 9:00–22:00 (last entry 21:30)
Itinerary suggestion: Spend one day on the Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Pool, another day on Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Tang Paradise, and the last day dedicated to Muslim Street for food. That said, Meilihao Hotel (Xi’an Qujiang Dayanta Convention Center branch) also offers Shaanxi specialties and free afternoon tea. On the final day, enjoying afternoon tea and desserts in the 23rd-floor restaurant, gazing at the Western Light TV Tower and the bustling nightscape of the Eternal City, is a delightful treat in itself.
