When most people think of Xi’An, the first thing that comes to mind is the Terracotta Army. But after spending 6 days here, I realised that Xi’An is much more than an archaeological wonder.
From exploring centuries old city walls to standing in front of the roaring Hukou Waterfall and conquering the famous Mount Hua, this trip gave me a mixture of history, culture, food, and adventure without breaking my bank.
If you’re planning a trip to Xi’An, here’s exactly how I spent 6 days there and how much it cost.
Day 1: First Taste of Xi’An
洒金桥早市 (Sajinqiao Morning Market)
The best way to start a trip of course is with food. The streets are packed with local breakfast or snacks. It was the perfect introduction to Xi’An’s food culture.
大雁塔 (Big Wild Goose Pagoda)
One of Xi’An’s most iconic landmarks, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda dates back to the Tang Dynasty and offers a glimpse into the city’s rich Buddhist heritage.
大唐不夜城 (Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City)
As night falls, this area transforms into one of the most vibrant places in Xi’An. The streets light up with stunning Tang Dynasty inspired architecture, cultural performances, and endless photo opportunities. It’s touristy, yes, but still worth visiting.
Day 2: Terracotta Warriors & Imperial History
兵马俑 (Terracotta Army)
No trip to Xi’An is complete without seeing the Terracotta Army. Standing in front of thousands of life-sized warriors that have guarded Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb for over 2,000 years was genuinely impressive. Photos can’t capture the scale of it.
丽山园 (Lishan Garden)
Located near the Terracotta Army, Lishan Garden offers a quieter experience and provides additional insight into the emperor’s mausoleum complex.
华清宫 (Huaqing Palace)
Known for its beautiful gardens and historical significance, Huaqing Palace was once a royal retreat during the Tang Dynasty. The combination of history, architecture, and mountain scenery makes it a worthwhile stop.
Day 3: Exploring Xi’An City Centre
钟鼓楼 (Bell and Drum Tower)
This landmark sit in the heart of Xi’An and is the city’s most recognisable symbol. Walking around the surrounding area gives you a glimpse of both old and modern Xi’An.
开元商城 (Kaiyuan Shopping Mall)
A great place to escape the crowds, do some shopping, and enjoy modern city life after previous days of historical sightseeing.
Day 4: Hukou Waterfall
黄河壶口瀑布 (Hukou Waterfall)
This was one of the biggest surprises of the trip.
Hukou Waterfall is the largest waterfall on the Yellow River and one of the most powerful waterfalls I’ve ever seen. The sheer volume of water rushing through the narrow gorge creates an incredible sight and an even louder sound. Standing close to the viewing platform, you can literally feel the power of the river. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the long day trip from Xi’An, my answer is yes. However, if you’re short on time, I’d suggest skipping Hukou Waterfall as it’s located quite far from Xi’An and requires a full day trip.
Day 5: Mount Hua
华山 (Mount Hua)
Mount Hua was easily the highlight of the trip for me.
Known as one of China’s Five Great Mountains, it’s famous for its dramatic granite peaks, steep cliffs, and breathtaking views. To save time and energy, we took the West Peak cable car route. Even with the cable car, there was still plenty of walking and stair climbing involved on the moutain peaks. The mountain scenery was spectacular. If you love mountains and only have time for one day trip from Xi’An, I’d strongly recommend this.
Day 6: A Relaxing Final Day
德福巷 (Defu Lane)
Before heading home, we spent some time exploring Defu Lane, a charming street lined with cafés, bars, and boutique shops. It felt very different from the historical attractions and offered a more relaxed side of Xi’An.
西安城墙 (Xi’An City Wall)
One of the best ways to end a Xi’An trip is by cycling along the ancient city wall.
The wall is one of the best preserved city walls in China, and riding a bicycle on top gives you a unique perspective of the city. It was a fun and memorable way to wrap up the journey.
For this trip, I used Klook to book my Terracotta Army tickets. If you’re planning it in your itinerary, it’s worth to check out their deals here.
And also, you can use my code “EXPLOREWITHCAI” to enjoy extra savings on KLOOK.
Xi’An Budget Breakdown (RM 2,650 per person) – Travelled as a group of 6 people.
✈️ Flights – RM 993
AirAsia return flight
- To Xi’An: No checked baggage
- Return to Kuala Lumpur: Added 7kg extra carry-on baggage
🏨 Accommodation – RM 392
5 nights at City Comfort Inn
🚗 Transportation – RM 52
Entire trip within Xi’An using DiDi
🍜 Food – RM 250
☎️ 7-Day Roaming – RM 58
🎫 Attractions & Activities – RM 905
🏔 Mount Hua – RM 424 (Booked through hotel tour service)
- Hotel transport (round trip): RMB 100
- Entrance ticket: RMB 160
- Shuttle bus (round trip): RMB 80
- West Peak cable car (round trip): RMB 280
- Mountain slide: RMB 30
- Audio guide: RMB 40
- Insurance: RMB 10
🏺 Terracotta Army – RM 209 (Booked through KLOOK for entrance ticket and through hotel tour service for transport)
- Entrance ticket: RM 71
- Hotel transport + buffet lunch: RMB 70
- VR experience: RMB 138
- Shuttle bus: RMB 15 + RMB 5
🌊 Hukou Waterfall – RM 212 (Booked through hotel tour service)
- Transport + entrance ticket: RMB 350
🏯 Xi’An City Wall Cycling – RM 60
- Entrance ticket: RMB 54
- Bicycle rental: RMB 45
Xi’An is one of the affordable destinations I’ve visited in China. For RM2,650 per person, I got to experience famous historical sites, incredible food, stunning natural landscapes, and one of China’s most iconic mountains.
While the Terracotta Army may be the reason many people visit Xi’An, it was places like Mount Hua, Hukou Waterfall, and even the simple moments wandering through local markets made this trip more memorable.
If you’re looking for a destination that combines history, culture, food, and adventure without a huge budget, Xi’An is definitely worth adding to your list!
