Northwest China · 10+ hours: the Terracotta Army is an hour outside town
Xi’an layover guide
Terracotta Army, city wall, Silk Road history
Nora Li· Transit visas, city trips and shopping
Last updated
Times, fares, and routes are indicative. Confirm with the operator before you travel.
Why Xi’an works for a layover
Xi’an is the shortest route to one of the world’s great sights: the Terracotta Army. If your layover is 10+ hours and you don’t mind moving fast, you can see the warriors, cycle the ancient city wall, and eat your way through the Muslim Quarter in a single day.
The route
Head straight to the Terracotta Army. It’s an hour from the airport and gets busy by late morning. Return to the city and walk or rent a bike on the City Wall at the South Gate. Finish in the Muslim Quarter for lamb skewers and hand-pulled noodles before your flight.
Food to try
Roujiamo (Chinese “burger”), yangrou paomo (lamb soup with crumbled bread), and the biangbiang noodles.
Timing notes
XIY airport is about 50 minutes from the city. The Terracotta Army deserves 2–3 hours: if your layover is shorter than 10 hours, stay in the city and do the wall and Muslim Quarter instead.