Xi'an is a city that is highly suitable for city walks. It retains the traditional grid layout, with a compact city structure and close proximity between attractions, making it ideal for comfortable exploration on foot.
This city was the capital for thirteen dynasties and has over 1100 years of history as a capital, where historical relics and modern architecture blend perfectly.
As we stroll through the streets of Xi'an, historical relics and cultural symbols such as the city walls are everywhere, allowing us to feel Xi'an's profound historical and cultural heritage. As we traverse the streets and alleys of Xi'an, we can experience the vitality of the city in places filled with the atmosphere of everyday life, such as the Muslim Street, Yongxingfang, and Luomashi.
Whether you are a history and culture enthusiast, a food explorer, or a photography lover, you can find your own travel pleasures here. Through different city walk routes, you can gain a deeper understanding of Xi'an's history, culture, and local life for a unique travel experience.
Based on my experience as a tour guide and a local, here are three recommended Xi'an city slow-experience routes for you.
Hello! I'm Lily. Although I wasn't born in Xi'an, I fell in love with its rich history, vibrant culture, and wonderful people the moment I arrived. I'm fortunate to have my dream job as a local travel guide in Xi'an since 2009. I can't wait to stroll through the city, share its fascinating stories along the way, and sample its delicious local specialties together. Looking forward to seeing you in Xi'an!
Route 1: Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square Musical Fountain - Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Tang Paradise
This route has a walking distance of 2.5 kilometers, with a recommended duration of 2-4 hours (which can be adjusted according to personal interest and stay time). It is better to go in the afternoon or evening.
Big Wild Goose PagodaWe can appreciate the simplicity and solemnity of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and experience the bustling Tang Paradise, as if we have traveled back to the Tang Dynasty where we can see people dressed in Tang and Han costumes taking pictures everywhere.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD, is a landmark building in Xi'an and a representative of the Buddhist culture of the Tang Dynasty.
It was built to preserve the Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by Xuanzang, the first Buddhist in China. We can admire the charm of the thousand-year-old pagoda from a distance.
If you are interested in Buddhist culture, you can also buy tickets to visit the Daci'en Temple and climb the pagoda to understand modern Buddhist culture.
From the top of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, you can appreciate the beautiful scenery of the Tang Dynasty and feel the charm of Xi'an past and present. You can see the high-rise buildings in the distance and the undulating and well-arranged Tang-style buildings nearby.
View from the top of the Big Wild Goose PagodaAfter visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, you can have dinner at Joy City on the west side of the pagoda. I usually suggest my team to taste authentic Shaanxi cuisine at Chang'an Dapaidang.
Then, around seven in the evening, arrive at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square to watch Asia's largest musical fountain, a feast for both the eyes and ears.
The fountain during the day has sufficient light and a clear background, suitable for taking photos with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The fountain at night has brilliant lighting effects, making the fountain performance even more stunning.
The Nightview of the Big Wild Goose PagodaAfter watching the musical fountain, you can walk along the pedestrian street on the east or west side of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to Tang Paradise, a 1.5-kilometer long Tang Dynasty cultural theme pedestrian street located south of the pagoda.
In the middle of the street is a group of Tang Dynasty sculptures based on the timeline, with various food stalls, creative shops, and popular photo spots on both sides.
This themed block holds cultural activities and themed exhibitions from time to time, such as Tang style parades, costume performances, and Weeble performances.
Tang Paradise is brilliantly lit at night, and through the combination of Tang-style architecture, cultural performances, light shows, and modern commerce, it recreates the bustling scene of the Tang Dynasty.
Tang ParadiseRoute 2: City Wall - Shuyuanmen - Bell and Drum Towers - Luomashi Pedestrian Street
This route generally requires 4-7 hours for a deep experience of Xi'an's historical culture, local life, and modern commerce, allowing you to feel the diverse charm of Xi'an in one day.
Bell and Drum TowersYou can go from the ancient city wall to the bustling Bell and Drum Towers to experience the changes in Xi'an over time, and experience the cultural atmosphere of Shuyuanmen and the local life of Luomashi.
The ancient city wall of Xi'an is the most intact ancient city wall in China, built during the Ming Dynasty, with a total length of 13.74 kilometers.
I suggest you climb the city wall from the South Gate, the most intact of the four city gates. You can choose to walk to Wenchang Gate, or you can ride a bicycle around the city on the wall to understand the historical changes of Xi'an.
Ride a Bicycle around the City on the WallFrom Wenchang Gate, you descend from the city wall and shuttle through the streets with old-fashioned green bricks and grey tiles.
On both sides of the street are shops filled with stationery, calligraphy and paintings, and stone rubbings. If you like, you can have the artists write a piece of calligraphy or cut a piece of paper-cutting that you like. Here you can also search for small gifts that you like.
Exiting Shuyuanmen and walking along South Street for about 15 minutes, you can reach the Bell Tower, a city center building built in 1384.
It is the largest and most intact existing bell tower. Facing it from afar is the Drum Tower, built in 1380. You can climb the Bell and Drum Towers to experience the grandeur of the ancient buildings. I usually suggest my team to view the Bell and Drum Towers from a distance.
Walking east from the Bell and Drum Towers for 5 minutes, you can reach Luomashi, which was once the largest mule and horse trading market in the northwest region.
Today's Luomashi is lined with shops, rich in cultural atmosphere, and is a good place for Xi'an residents and tourists to shop and relax. Here you can find Chinese-owned sports brands such as Hongxing Erke, Qiaodan, and Xtep.
You can also go to the Luomashi underground mall to have a look, where there are clothes, hats, bags, accessories, nail art, food, and so on.
Route 3: Defu Alley - South Gate of the City Wall - Huan Cheng Park
This route is better to start in the afternoon. It's a walking route where historical charm and modern atmosphere blend perfectly. It will also allow you to slow down and get close to Xi'an.
We can take 4-6 hours to feel the city's modern vitality while deeply understanding its history and cultural heritage, and stepping into the lives of local people.
Defu Alley, also known as "Xi'an Bar Street", is the most popular place for young people to check in and take photos.
Stroll along the ancient alley with a bluestone road surface, walk into your favorite bar for a drink, or order a drink you like, and check in at the popular photo spots to add new fun to your journey.
After leaving Defu Alley, a five-minute walk will take you to the South Gate of the City Wall. When night falls, you can see bands performing and hear cheers.
South Gate of the City WallExiting the city gate is Huan Cheng Park, where you can see elderly people strolling, parents walking with their children, and people playing chess, practicing Tai Chi, and dancing in the square. If you are interested, you can join in at any time.
Join the locals in sword dancing in Huan Cheng ParkWalk for another five minutes from Huan Cheng Park to reach the square outside the South Gate.
At night, the city wall appears particularly majestic and magnificent under the lights. The warm yellow light outlines the contour of the city wall. The gate tower of the South Gate seems even taller and more solemn in the night, and the lights illuminate the carved beams and painted rafters on the gate tower, showing the delicacy and grandeur of ancient architecture.
Then return to the snack street inside the South Gate from the west gate hole of the South Gate.
Here, I always have to eat the representative Xi'an snack, Roujiamo, which has a crispy crust, and the sweet and not greasy Zeng cake with a soft and glutinous texture, and drink a bottle of Bingfeng soda, a must-drink in Xi'an.
RoujiamoFinally, go to Lao Jin's barbecue to eat some tender and fragrant barbecue. Enjoy a feast of Xi'an's cuisine here.
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