Xi'an Day Trips: 7 Best One-Day Tours in and Around Xi'an

Xi'an is a world-renowned historical city. If you only have one day or want to include highlights outside the city in a day trip, it's crucial to first assess whether the route suits you, how much energy it requires, and if the time investment is worthwhile.

Here are seven carefully curated one-day tour itineraries. They include classic city sights as well as surrounding historical and scenic spots, helping you efficiently experience this city.

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• 1. Terracotta Army Day Trip
• 2. Xi'an Cultural Day Trip
• 3. Mount Hua
• 4. Luoyang
• 5. Pingyao
• 6. Hukou Waterfall
• 7. Ganquan Grand Canyon

1. Terracotta Army Day Trip – Classic Highlights Tour

A quick overview:

• Ideal for first-time visitors to Xi'an or those with limited time who want to grasp the core history in one day
• Covers the Terracotta Warriors and the most iconic symbols of the ancient city
• About 8 hours
• UNESCO World Heritage: Terracotta Warriors

If you only have one day in Xi'an and want to spend your time on the "most worthwhile" places, this route is usually the safest choice. It includes must-see attractions, allowing you to complete a journey through time from macro history to micro life in one day, with a relaxed pace.

Start from your hotel in the morning and head to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. You'll have ample time to visit the three pits to gain a deeper understanding of why Emperor Qin Shi Huang built this underground army and how archaeologists gradually uncovered it.

Terracotta Warriors

In the afternoon, return to the city to explore the ancient city wall. You can rent a bike to ride a section or take a leisurely walk along the wall. From here, you'll experience a stark contrast, with modern skyscrapers and ancient walls serving as each other's backdrop.

Our guests rode bicycles on the city wall

Next, savor the culinary delights with Silk Road influences on Muslim Quarter and observe the real-life scenes of local Muslim residents, concluding your day's journey.

Muslim Quarter

If you have more time in the evening and want to continue exploring, you can walk 5-15 minutes from Muslim Street to the nearby Bell and Drum Towers to enjoy the iconic night views of Xi'an.

See our One-Day Xi'an Highlights Private Tour.

2. Xi'an Cultural Day Trip – Ancient History & Museums

A quick overview:

• For those interested in Tang Dynasty history and Buddhist culture
• Focus on cultural and historical understanding, including the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, and Xi'an Museum
• About 8 hours
• UNESCO World Heritage: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda

If you have already visited popular attractions like the Terracotta Army and the City Wall and want a more leisurely day, this cultural route is more suitable.

In the morning, head to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a significant Buddhist landmark in Tang Dynasty Chang'an. You can explore the pagoda and nearby temples to learn about the history of Xuanzang's translation of Buddhist scriptures.

If you're up for it, climb the pagoda for a view of the city's layout. The statue of Master Xuanzang on the South Square is perfect for photos with the pagoda.

Our guests visited the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

In the afternoon, visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum, about a 20-minute drive from the Giant Pagoda.

It is much quieter here, ideal for a leisurely stroll, and you can ring the bell for blessings.

The nearby Xi'an Museum helps you understand how Buddhism integrated into the city's development and the historical changes of Xi'an as a capital over the millennia.

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

Is it necessary to see both pagodas? If you're interested in history, it's worthwhile. The Giant Pagoda is more of a symbol and city icon, while the Small Pagoda is closer to the original practice and daily use. Visiting both in one day helps you better understand the different aspects of Tang Dynasty Buddhism.

For a more interesting experience, consider adding a Hanfu experience. You can start with a Hanfu dressing session before visiting the Giant Pagoda, which takes about an hour. Since the day's schedule is quite relaxed, this won't have much impact.

Wearing Hanfu during your visit will make you feel as if you've traveled back in time to ancient days. If you want to take photos, the ancient architecture of both pagodas makes for a perfect backdrop.

Hanfu experience

3. Huashan Day Trip from Xi'an – Mountain Scenery

A quick overview:

• Ideal for those who love natural scenery and want to see mountain landscapes without too much exertion
• Primarily involves scenic views via cable car, appreciating the steep peaks and expansive views of Huashan
• About 8-9 hours (4 hours travel, 3-4 hours visit)

For those wanting to add a day of natural scenery to their Xi'an itinerary without spending too much time on long journeys, Mount Hua is a worthwhile day trip option.

It's only a 1.5-hour high-speed train ride or a 2-hour drive from Xi'an to switch from urban settings to dramatic mountain landscapes. We recommend traveling by car, as the time difference between car and train is minimal, and a car offers more direct and comfortable travel.

Mount Hua

To conserve energy for enjoying the scenery rather than climbing, we usually suggest taking the cable car up to the West Peak. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with expansive views of peaks and cliffs.

Then, head to the highest point, the South Peak, primarily via walking paths. For those seeking a bit of thrill, you can choose to visit the famous Plank Walk in the Sky. This is optional and won't affect the overall experience if you choose not to participate.

Plank Walk

After exploring, return to the West Peak to take the cable car down.

Our 4-Day Xi'an and Mount Hua Tour includes a one-day itinerary to Mount Hua. If you're interested, you can check out more details.

4. Luoyang Day Trip from Xi'an – Grottoes

A quick overview:

• Ideal for those interested in stone carvings and Buddhist culture
• Get up close to the Buddhist art of the Tang Dynasty
• About 8 hours (3 hours round trip by high-speed train, 1 hour travel, 3 hours visit)
• UNESCO World Heritage: Longmen Grottoes

If you're interested in stone carvings and Buddhism, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang are well worth a dedicated day trip.

Longmen Grottoes

The high-speed train from Xi'an to Luoyang takes 1.5 hours one way. You can take a train around 9 AM from Xi'an and return by 5 PM.

The visit usually starts at the West Hill Grottoes, showcasing the most mature Buddhist sculptures of the Tang Dynasty. This is the core highlight of the grottoes and is considered the peak of Tang Buddhist art.

Standing in front of the grottoes, you will feel the atmosphere of religious, royal, and artistic aesthetics intertwined, which is precisely why the Longmen Grottoes are worth a visit.

The Vairocana Buddha at West Hill Grottoes

There are shuttle buses within the park to reduce walking. If you have the energy, you can also visit the East Hill Grottoes, Xiangshan Temple, or Bai Garden as additional sites. These are optional and can be adjusted according to your pace that day.

If you want to visit other attractions like Shaolin Temple or White Horse Temple, staying overnight in Luoyang would be more comfortable. Read our 6-Day Xi'an, Luoyang & Shaolin Highlights Tour.

5. Pingyao Day Trip from Xi'an – Traditional Town & Architecture

A quick overview:

• Ideal for those interested in historical culture, traditional city layouts, and ancient architecture
• A fully preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty city structure
• About 11 hours (5 hours round trip by high-speed train, 1 hour travel, 4 hours visit)
• UNESCO World Heritage: Pingyao Ancient City

If you're looking to see not just a few preserved ancient buildings but an entire city that still retains its original form, Pingyao is an ideal choice.

The high-speed train from Xi'an to Pingyao takes 2.5 hours one way. You can usually depart around 8 AM from Xi'an and return by 7 PM. This makes for a longer day trip.

Visiting the main sites in Pingyao typically requires two days. For a day trip, we recommend focusing on the core area of Pingyao Ancient City itself.

Pingyao Ancient City

Upon arrival, you can start by climbing the city walls for a bird's-eye view of the ancient street layout.

Then, focus on visiting the Rishengchang Exchange House and the China Escort Agency Museum to learn about the origins of modern Chinese banking and how funds were transported and secured in the past.

Rishengchang Exchange House

With the remaining time, you can explore the city at your leisure. We recommend the Xietongqing Money Exchange to see the intricately designed underground vault, or the Ma Family Courtyard to understand the lifestyle of Pingyao's wealthiest family.

If you're interested in visiting Shuanglin Temple or Zhenguo Temple, staying overnight in Pingyao would allow for a more relaxed experience.

6. Hukou Waterfall Day Trip from Xi'an – River Landscape

A quick overview:

• Ideal for those interested in spectacular natural wonders
• Experience the thunderous roar and rushing waters of the waterfall
• About 10 hours (8 hours travel, 1 hour visit)

It's important to note that this is a tightly scheduled day trip, requiring significant travel time. Therefore, it's worth planning only if you're specifically interested in breathtaking natural scenery.

There is no direct public transport from Xi'an to Hukou Waterfall. Typically, you'll need a combination of high-speed train and a 1–2.5 hour car transfer. We recommend a direct car trip, which takes about 4 hours one way.

Is a day trip feasible? Yes, but be prepared for a tiring day. Generally, you would depart from Xi'an between 7:00 and 7:30 AM and return to your hotel around 5:00 PM.

Hukou Waterfall

Upon arrival, you'll visit the Shaanxi side of the scenic area. There are several viewpoints at different elevations, offering various perspectives of the waterfall's flow.

An hour is sufficient for the visit. Standing at the main viewpoint, you'll vividly feel the power of the Yellow River as it is compressed between the cliffs, roaring downwards—this is the most awe-inspiring aspect of Hukou Waterfall.

7. Ganquan Canyon Day Trip from Xi'an – Danxia Landform

A quick overview:

• Ideal for those interested in Danxia landforms and photography
• Features red sandstone canyons and changing light and shadows
• About 12-13 hours (8 hours travel, 2-3 hours visit)

If you're interested in natural geography and photography, consider the Ganquan Grand Canyon.

Ganquan Grand Canyon

However, it's important to note that this is a somewhat tiring day trip. There is no direct public transport from Xi'an to Ganquan, so driving is the most convenient. Depart from Xi'an around 7:30 AM, with a one-way drive of about 4 hours, returning to your hotel around 9 PM. Due to the long round trip, you'll need some energy and patience.

Is it worth a day trip? Only if you're specifically interested in the Danxia landforms. The core experience here involves walking through the canyon, observing the rock textures, and waiting for the right light to take photos. It's mostly flat with few steps.

Ganquan Grand Canyon

If you expect a variety of attractions or want constant new sights throughout the day, you might find the travel and experience disproportionate. But if you're willing to spend time experiencing the rare Danxia landforms around Xi'an, and don't mind dedicating most of the day to travel, the experience is worthwhile.

There is another Danxia landscape near Xi'an: Jingbian Wave Valley. But we don't recommend it because the round trip from Xi'an takes 2 hours longer than to Ganquan Grand Canyon, making a day trip more exhausting.

Explore a Lively Xi'an with China Highlights

Check out our carefully designed Xi'an tours for more ideas.

If you have thoughts about the day trips mentioned above, feel free to contact us. We will tailor-make your Xi'an tour to your interests and needs, providing private guides and transportation for a professional, personalized, and highly flexible experience.