Here are three different two-day Xi’an itineraries for couples:
Itinerary 1: Historical Xi’an
Day 1:
- Start your day at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit attraction and will take up most of your morning.
- Have lunch at one of the local restaurants nearby, where you can try some of Xi’an’s famous dishes like roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) and yangroupaomo (crumbled bread in mutton soup).
- After lunch, head to the Xi’an City Wall, one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. You can rent a bike or walk around the wall and enjoy the views of the city.
- In the evening, head to the Muslim Quarter, a bustling area full of street food and souvenir shops. Try some local snacks like biangbiang noodles and roujiamo, and explore the Great Mosque, a beautiful blend of Islamic and Chinese architecture.
Day 2:
- Start your day at the Shaanxi History Museum, which houses a vast collection of artifacts from the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties.
- Have lunch at a nearby restaurant and try some of the local specialties like guantang baozi (steamed buns in a soup), or paomo (bread soaked in mutton soup).
- In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous Buddhist pagoda that was built during the Tang dynasty. You can climb to the top for a beautiful view of the city.
- End your day at the Tang Dynasty Show, a performance that showcases traditional Chinese music, dance, and costumes.
Itinerary 2: Nature and Culture
Day 1:
- Start your day at the Huaqing Hot Springs, a scenic area with hot springs, gardens, and historical sites. The most famous attraction here is the Huaqing Palace, which was once the winter palace of Emperor Xuanzong during the Tang dynasty.
- Have lunch at a nearby restaurant and try some of the local dishes like shaanxi cold noodles, or xifan (rice porridge).
- After lunch, head to the Banpo Museum, an archaeological site that displays the remains of a Neolithic village dating back to 6,000 years ago.
- In the evening, head to the Tang Paradise, a large theme park that features traditional architecture, gardens, and performances.
Day 2:
- Start your day at the Mount Hua, one of China’s five sacred mountains. You can take a cable car to the top and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding area.
- Have lunch at a nearby restaurant and try some of the local dishes like huajuan (steamed buns with sweet or savory fillings), or huoguo (hotpot).
- In the afternoon, visit the Forest of Steles Museum, a museum that displays thousands of stone tablets and rubbings from different dynasties.
- End your day at the Xi’an Bell Tower and Drum Tower, two ancient towers that were used to announce the time and make music.