Chongqing–Xi'an DIY Travel Guide

Every year I plan a solo backpacking trip of 3–5 days. As always, I book tickets, hotels, and research itineraries on Ctrip. Last year, travel wasn’t possible because of the pandemic. This year the chance finally arrived, and I’m not letting it slip. I’m going on a whim—this very afternoon I drew up my travel plan, hoping it will be useful for others who are also thinking of traveling (I’ll update it if there are any noteworthy moments during the journey).

1. Travel Time Arrangement (3–4 days):

Time, train number, costs:

Some day just before June 14th, I’ll suddenly grab my backpack and suitcase and set off.

7:50 a.m. high-speed train from Chongqing West Station, expected to arrive around 12:30 p.m. at Xi'an North Station, journey time about 5.5 hours (depending on the actual timetable). Second-class high-speed train ticket: ¥282.5.

2. Return trip: to be decided.

Expected afternoon high-speed train back, arriving in the evening. Cost: second-class high-speed train ticket ¥282.5.

Note: Round-trip transport total: ¥300 × 2 = ¥600.

3. Hotel booking and route to hotel:

Highly-rated, convenient hotels recommended online, price ¥300 × 3 = ¥900.

Book for 2–3 days first, then decide whether to extend.

In the end, after browsing endlessly on Ctrip, my eyes were swimming among all the three- and four-star options. I finally chose the top-ranked "Xi'an Huifang Xuanli Boutique Hotel". Estimated room price ¥210 × 3 = ¥630. (This three-day rate actually saves one night’s cost compared to the budget.) It’s recommended to book early, as prices range from ¥192 to ¥300.

Note: If I chose a hotel close to the subway, it might be further from the Bell and Drum Towers or the Muslim Quarter, so I decided on a hotel near the sights.

Total accommodation: ¥630–900.

4. Transport from arrival to hotel, time and estimated costs:

1) Subway (45 minutes): From Xi'an North Station exit, walk 8 minutes to "Beikezhan (North Railway Station) Metro Station – Exit", take Line 2 towards Weiqunan, ride 10 stops (24 minutes), arrive at "Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Metro Station", exit via Exit A (New World Department Store), then walk 11 minutes to the hotel.

2) Taxi: Checked on Gaode Maps, about 16 km. It’s better to avoid peak-hour traffic jams (driving yourself would also take about an hour to the hotel). Taxi fare is estimated at ¥60 and up, depending on actual car-hailing.

Note: In summary, the subway seems more convenient. Budget less than ¥100 for this.

Normally I use my mobile phone to swipe for subway rides; I’ll just download the local subway app when I get there, if there is one.

2. Sightseeing Plan:

1. Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon (estimated 3:30–4:00 p.m.). Freshen up at the hotel first, then set out (around 5 p.m., hopefully a bit cooler). First stop: Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (or Tang Paradise, depending on time and energy). If time is tight, I’ll add another night spot in the evening.

Tickets: Booked on Ctrip for Ever Bright City at ¥98; book on the day in advance.

Subway (Line 2 – first train 06:23, last train 00:13; need to transfer to Line 3 – first train 06:15, last train 23:30): From hotel, walk 11 minutes to Bell Tower Metro Station – entrance, take Line 2 towards Weiqunan for 4 stops (8 minutes), transfer at Xiaozhai Metro Station to Line 3 (towards Baoshuiqu), ride 1 stop, get off at Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Metro Station – Exit C (southeast). Then walk 1.3 km (about 19 minutes) to Ever Bright City.

1) Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda are on one line, just on the subway interchange route. Tang Paradise can be reached by bus from either place, about 30 minutes each. Personally I might choose Giant Wild Goose Pagoda – Ever Bright City, because from the hotel to Ever Bright City I’ll pass Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (won’t go in, just see the night view and music fountain, free), and by then it’ll be evening. I mainly hear it’s about the night view or music fountain; depends on my preference.

2) Tang Paradise can be scheduled for another time, as Day 1 may not be enough.

3) While mapping the route, I found the sights are quite scattered. Transport is mainly by subway, each journey taking about an hour – a bit annoying, but the hotel is near Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City. The system-recommended hotel was still on my original planned route, so I won’t change it. I feel time will be wasted traveling between sights. Driving yourself risks traffic jams; taxis take about half an hour (fare ¥30+) and also risk jams. If not in a hurry, the subway is still recommended.

4) Total costs: Tickets + transport, estimated within ¥150.

2. Day 2: Huaqing Palace, Terracotta Warriors, Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (and Tang Paradise – ¥78 and up; will decide based on whether there's enough time on the return; if not, consider other times). All these sights are on the same route. There are buses from the railway station, No. 914 and 915. (If I’m alone, I’ll join a one-day group tour.)

Group tour cost estimated within ¥500, varies with travel agency packages. Personally I’m not too keen on watching the "Song of Everlasting Sorrow" show, which will save quite a bit. Other expenses estimated within ¥200.

Total: ¥700

Note: Best to take a tour that picks you up, to avoid having to go to a meeting point on my own.

3. Day 3: If time permits, I can join a one-day group tour to Hukou Waterfall and related routes. If not, I’ll head back.

Group tour cost estimated within ¥500, depending on the agency.

Other expenses estimated within ¥200.

Total: ¥700

4. Day 4: Bell and Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter – all within the city. Since my hotel is right nearby, I’ll spend the last day around the hotel. After a full night’s rest, I can stroll around the neighborhood. I can also explore the night scenery after returning from the group tour on the second day and find some food before going back to the hotel. If I haven’t been to Tang Paradise, I can plan for it on this day. Tickets from ¥78.

Tickets: Bell and Drum Towers combo ticket, booked on Ctrip ¥50, book before 19:30. Tang Paradise ticket from ¥78.

Other expenses: Except for Tang Paradise, which requires about an hour’s transport, the other two sights are within walking distance from the hotel, no transport needed.

Note: If I’ve already strolled around the Bell and Drum Towers and Muslim Quarter in the previous evenings, I can skip or reduce these on the itinerary.

5. Day 5: Return trip.

If the return is in the afternoon, I can browse the supermarket near the Xi'an North Station metro exit and buy local specialties.

3. Local Cuisine:

1. Must-eat recommendations:

1) Xi'an Jia San Authentic Soup Dumplings (Beiyuanmen Main Store): lamb and beef soup dumplings are the signature.

2) Old Mi’s Da Yu Pao Mo (Xiyangshi Street branch); the word "Da Yu" (heavy rain) on the sign helps distinguish it from copycats.

3) Ding’s Xiao Su Rou (halal, Muslim Quarter flagship store): crispy pork with rice, paired with local Bingfeng soda or their own sour plum drink.

4) Biangbiang noodles, according to personal taste.

5) Southeast Asian-style Zenggao (intersection of Xiyangshi Street and Beiguangji Street)

Total estimated cost: ¥200–300 or so.

2. Souvenir shopping:

I like local supermarkets; I’ll browse around and buy things to bring back. Estimated within ¥300.

Qin pastry: a baked good.

Demao Gong Crystal Cake: pastry.

Shadow puppets: art pieces.

Choujiu (thick rice wine): The wine that supposedly intoxicated Yang Guifei. I recommend buying at Xi'an Restaurant – eat and drink well before purchasing.

Summary: 4 days and 3 nights, total budget: round-trip transport 300×2 + three nights accommodation 210×3 + three days tickets & transport (150+700+150) + subway/other transport ¥100 + three days meals ¥300 + souvenir shopping ¥300 = ¥2960.

Conclusion: For 4 days and 3 nights (not including Hukou Waterfall for now), a basic budget of ¥3000 should be enough. If adding one more day, budget within an extra ¥1000.

I hope this trip will be enjoyable~

If anyone is planning to travel soon, feel free to leave a message and join me. It’d be great to travel with like-minded friends. I’m a female born in the 80s, cheerful and outgoing, enjoy making friends. If you’d like to come along, leave a message – women only.

Note: I prefer traveling freely and independently. Aside from one-day local group tours for convenience, I basically plan my own itinerary and generally don’t join group tours.