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City guide

Xi'an, China

Xi'an is the capital of the Chinese province of Shaanxi. A sub-provincial city on the Guanzhong plain, the city is the most populous in the province and third-most populous in Western China after Chongqing and Chengdu, as well as the most populous in Northwestern China.

Type CityPopulation 13,240,000

Why go

  • Capital and largest city of Shaanxi, China.
  • Served by Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY).

History

Xi'an is the capital of the Chinese province of Shaanxi. A sub-provincial city on the Guanzhong plain, the city is the most populous in the province and third-most populous in Western China after Chongqing and Chengdu, as well as the most populous in Northwestern China. Based on the city's 2025 1% population sample survey, its estimated year-end resident population was 13.24 million, of whom 10.72 million were urban residents.

Restaurants & places to go

Bubble Tea, Cafe · Wikipedia: en:en:81200951 · mollytea.com
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-20:00; Sa-Su 07:00-17:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, air conditioning · 148号 03-04 铺 新港东路, 广州市 · starbucks.com.cn
Indoor
Steak House, Seafood, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:30-10:00,18:00-22:00; Mo-Fr 12:00-14:30; Sa-Su 12:00-15:00 · mandarinoriental.com
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Dessert, Cake, Bakery, Coffee, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-18:00 Features: outdoor seating · 瓦窑旧前街12号首层, 东山街道, 510080 · facebook.com
Indoor
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:30-14:30,17:30-22:30 · 5号 珠江西路, 广州市, 510623 · fourseasons.com
Indoor
Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: 18:00-22:00 · 5号 珠江西路, 广州市, 510623 · fourseasons.com
Indoor
Chinese/Cantonese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:30-14:30,17:30-22:30 Features: step-free access · 5号 珠江西路, 广州市, 510623 · fourseasons.com
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: 06:30-10:30 open "Breakfast", 11:30-14:30 open "Lunch", 17:30-22:00 "Dinner" · 5号 珠江西路, 广州市, 510623 · fourseasons.com
Indoor

292 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) 30 km to the centre
Guangzhou (Huadu), 44, CN — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 56 airlines (China Southern Airlines, Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Hainan Airlines…) · direct flights to 150 destinations incl. Hangzhou, Chongqing, Shanghai, Bangkok, Chengdu… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves Hong Kong (144 km) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 56 airlines, 150 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)
You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 32 airlines (China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air China, Shenzhen Airlines…) · direct flights to 86 destinations incl. Chongqing, Urumqi, Xining, Chengdu, Guiyang… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 32 airlines, 86 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Foshan Shadi Airport (FUO) 19 km to the centre
Foshan (Nanhai), 44, CN — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (China Eastern Airlines, China United) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Beijing (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 1 direct destination
  • China Eastern Airlines MU (737) · 1 route: Beijing*
  • China United KN (737) · 1 route: Beijing

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor

Regional airports

Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) 78 km to the centre
Shenzhen, 44, CN — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 31 airlines (Shenzhen Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air China, Hainan Airlines…) · direct flights to 86 destinations incl. Hangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai, Chongqing, Kunming… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 78 km from Xi'an · Shenzhen Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air China
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 31 airlines, 86 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Macao International Airport (MFM) 114 km to the centre
Nossa Senhora do Carmo, CAR, MO — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 22 airlines (Air Macau, Air China, China Southern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines…) · direct flights to 38 destinations incl. Shanghai, Hangzhou, Manila, Shanghai, Xiamen… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 114 km from Xi'an · Air Macau, Air China, China Southern Airlines · Getting around Morocco →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 22 airlines, 38 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Zhuhai Jinwan Airport (ZUH) 125 km to the centre
Zhuhai (Jinwan), 44, CN — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 15 airlines (China Southern Airlines, Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines…) · direct flights to 30 destinations incl. Shanghai, Fuzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Beijing… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 125 km from Xi'an · China Southern Airlines, Air China, Shenzhen Airlines
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 15 airlines, 30 direct destinations
  • China Southern Airlines CZ (737-800, A320, 737, A321, 737-700, Embraer 190) · 18 routes: Beijing, Changcha, Fuzhou*, Guiyang, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Kunming, Meixian, Nanchang, Sanya, Shanghai, Shanghai, Shantou, Wuhan, Xiamen*, Yiwu, Zhengzhou
  • Air China CA (737-800, A319, A321, 737) · 10 routes: Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Fuzhou*, Guiyang*, Huangyan, Nanchang*, Nanning, Wenzhou*, Xiamen*
  • Shenzhen Airlines ZH (737-800, 737, A319, A320) · 6 routes: Beijing*, Chengdu*, Chongqing*, Fuzhou, Huangyan, Nanning
  • Shandong Airlines SC (737-800, 737) · 5 routes: Guiyang, Nanchang, Nanning, Wenzhou, Xiamen
  • Air Foyle GS (Embraer 190) · 3 routes: Ganzhou, Guilin, Haikou
  • China Eastern Airlines MU (A320, A321, 737-800) · 2 routes: Shanghai, Shanghai
  • China SSS 9C (A320) · 2 routes: Shanghai, Shanghai
  • Huaxia G5 (CRJ-900, CRJ-200) · 2 routes: Liuzhou, Wuzhou
  • Juneyao Airlines HO (A320) · 2 routes: Shanghai, Shanghai
  • Potomac Air BK (737-800) · 2 routes: Sanya, Tianjin
  • Sichuan Airlines 3U (A320) · 2 routes: Changzhou, Haikou
  • West Air China PN (A320) · 2 routes: Chongqing, Zhengzhou
  • Xiamen Airlines MF (737) · 2 routes: Fuzhou, Xiamen
  • Caucasus Airlines NS (Embraer 190) · 1 route: Ninbo
  • Shanghai Airlines FM (737-800) · 1 route: Shanghai

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor

Getting there by ferry

Union Pier
Ferry terminal · 1.5 km from the centre
Outdoor
Shengzonggonghui Ferry Pier
Ferry terminal · 1.5 km from the centre
Outdoor
Kiankow Ferry
Ferry terminal · 1.7 km from the centre
Outdoor
Haitong Ferry Pier (Out of Service)
Ferry terminal · 1.7 km from the centre
Outdoor
鳌洲码头
Ferry terminal · 1.8 km from the centre
Outdoor
Xidi Pier
Ferry terminal · 1.8 km from the centre
Outdoor
渡轮 S4线:鳌洲码头 -> 西堤码头
Ferry route · 广州公交集团客轮有限公司
Outdoor
渡轮 S7线:纺织码头 -> 天字码头
Ferry route · 广州公交集团客轮有限公司
Outdoor
渡轮 S14线:石围塘码头 -> 石围塘码头
Ferry route · 广州公交集团客轮有限公司
Outdoor
广州水上巴士S6线
Ferry route · 广州公交集团客轮有限公司
Outdoor
渡轮 S6线:黄沙码头 -> 芳村码头
Ferry route · 广州公交集团客轮有限公司
Outdoor
渡轮 S6线:芳村码头 -> 黄沙码头
Ferry route · 广州公交集团客轮有限公司
Outdoor
渡轮 S1线:金沙洲码头 -> 黄沙码头
Ferry route · 广州公交集团客轮有限公司
Outdoor
渡轮 S1线:黄沙码头 -> 金沙洲码头
Ferry route · 广州公交集团客轮有限公司
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: XIY has direct flights to 86 destinations on 32 airlines (incl. Chongqing, Urumqi, Xining, Chengdu, Guiyang…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Union Pier, 1.5 km); routes include 渡轮 S4线:鳌洲码头 -> 西堤码头, 渡轮 S7线:纺织码头 -> 天字码头, 渡轮 S14线:石围塘码头 -> 石围塘码头.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Xi'an, China. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Charter · Gulfstream, Global, BBJ · China's largest business-jet operator.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.