Xi'an Walking Tour to Discover the Traditional Culture

Route: City Wall - Shuyuanmen Cultural Street - Xi'an Beilin Museum - Xiangzimiao Street - Bell & Drum Tower - City God Temple

Xi'an is a complete showcase of ancient temples, palaces, as well as tombs and buildings. Follow this Xi'an walking tour itinerary, you will immerse yourself in Xi'an's profound history and culture.

Xi'an City Wall is the largest and best-maintained one in the world. Its 650-year history and elegant structures attracts travelers worldwide. To enjoy a better exploration, you are recommended to ascend the City Wall at the South Gate, as the independent one-day walking tour will take it as center. The South Gate (Yongningmen) can be reached by Metro Line 2 (Yongningmen Station), and Bus No. 6, 11, 12, 23, 46, 215, 600, 603, 608, etc. at Nanmenwai Station. The admission fee is CNY54; however, it is more economical to buy a combo ticket of CNY100 for the City Wall and Beilin Museum. You may stroll along the flat top of the wall and take in the city view, and you could also look down at the activities of the locals in the parks around the wall. Cycling on the wall is definitely a plus. It may take around 2 hours cycling the whole circle. You would easily find the bicycle rental point on the wall. The separate bike is CNY45 for 2 hours and tandem is CNY90. Deposit is both CNY200.

After descending the City Wall from South Gate, you should walk to the Shuyuanmen Cultural Street, which is located in the eastern side of the South Gate. This is an antique street with ancient architecture style in Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. Shuyuanmen won its name because the Guanzhong Shuyuan (central Shaanxi academy, established in the Ming Dynasty), which was one of the leading academies in ancient China, was located here. Now there are a lot of shops selling calligraphy items, Chinese rice paper, paintings, jewelers and paper cuts. It is a good place to mooching around.

From the end of Shuyuanmen Street, you can walk east for few minutes and reach the famous Beilin Museum (Forest of Stone Steles Museum). This museum holds numerous inscribed tables from past dynasties, on which the history, culture, lifestyle as well as religions of China ancient time were written. It is very interesting to see how Chinese characters varied over times. The ticket is CNY65 if you want to buy it separately from the City Wall.

On the western side of the South Gate is the Xiangzimiao Street, just opposite the Shuyuanmen Street across the South Street (Nandajie). This street was named after Xiang Zi Temple, a Taoist temple. Han Xiangzi is a character in Chinese ancient legend, who became an immortal at last. With the old-style archway and peaceful ambiance, this street gives a feeling like stepping back in time and leads you to revisit the early days of Xi'an. It is flanked with many exquisite tea houses, bars, galleries and hostels. Many backpack travelers choose staying at hostels there.

Walk back to the South Street, the Bell Tower is just 900 meters (980 yards) northwards. On the top floor of the tower, you will get a nice view of the city center. The combo ticket of the Bell Tower and the nearby Drum Tower is CNY50.

After stepping out from the Drum Tower, walk along the West Street (Xidajie) for about a few minutes, you will see a beautiful ancient archway, which is the entrance of the City God Temple. This temple is one of the top three City God temples in ancient China. It has been destroyed several times, and now it is restored very beautifully.

Your one day Xi'an walking tour is wrapped up when you get back to the Bell Tower area, where you can take Metro Line 2 at Zhonglou Statin and Metro Line 1 at Beidajie Station, which is about 1000 meters north of the Zhounglou Station. There are also many buses to every corner of the city. It is east to find your way back to your hotel.