The Best Way to Spend One Week in Xi'an from Singapore

Xi'an is not just home to the Terracotta Army. It is a quintessential representative of Tang Dynasty culture, allowing you to step back into its glorious era.

It is a paradise for Hanfu photography, where the magnificent ancient architecture provides stunning backdrops for your photos. You can also explore authentic food streets to savor the most genuine local delicacies, such as Roujiamo (meat sandwich), Yangrou Paomo (lamb soup with bread), Youpo Mian (oil-splashed noodles), and Hulu Ji (gourd chicken).

Xi'an also boasts convenient transportation, enabling you to reach several famous attractions within 2-3 hours, including Huashan Mountain, Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple, Hukou Waterfall, Jingbian Wave Valley, Ganquan Grand Canyon, and even Pingyao Ancient Town.

Spending a week here allows you to deeply experience both the ancient capital and the vibrant nightlife culture, while also giving you time to appreciate the surrounding landscapes.

Lily Liu

15 Years as a Local Guide in Xi'an

Hello! I'm Lily. Although I wasn't born in Xi'an, I fell in love with its rich history, vibrant culture, and wonderful people the moment I arrived. I'm fortunate to have my dream job as a local travel guide in Xi'an since 2009. I can't wait to stroll through the city, share its fascinating stories along the way, and sample its delicious local specialties together. Looking forward to seeing you in Xi'an!

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• Flight from Singapore to Xi'an
• A Classic One-week Itinerary in Xi'an
• Best Time to Visit Xi'an

Flight from Singapore to Xi'an

Traveling from Singapore to Xi'an is very convenient, with direct flights available daily. Currently, Scoot Airlines operates direct flights that depart around 7 PM and take approximately 6 hours, arriving in Xi'an around 12:30 AM. For the return flight to Singapore, it typically departs at 1:30 AM and arrives around 7:30 AM.

China Eastern Airlines offers flights on Mondays and Fridays, departing from Singapore around 2:30 PM and arriving in Xi'an at approximately 8:30 PM. The return flights from Xi'an to Singapore also operate Monday to Friday, leaving around 7 AM and arriving at 1 PM.

A Classic One-week Itinerary in Xi'an

Having been a tour guide in Xi'an for over ten years and after considering the thoughts of my clients, I believe the following itinerary is perfect for those planning to spend a week experiencing the culture of the people and the city of Xi'an. Based on my guiding experience, I have also provided daily travel recommendations. 

• Day 1: Fly from Singapore to Xi'an (late arrival)
• Day 2: Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Palace
• Day 3: Huashan Mountain
• Day 4: Ancient City Wall, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an Museum, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter, and Shadow Play at Gao Courtyard
• Day 5: Hukou Waterfall and Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor
• Day 6: Yongxingfang Food Street, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Paradise, and Great Tang All Day Mall
• Day 7: Fly from Xi'an to Singapore (early departure)

Day 1: Fly from Singapore to Xi'an (Late Arrival)

Where is the best place to stay in Xi'an? I recommend accommodations near the Bell Tower within the city walls, as it offers the best location for dining and shopping, all within a 10-15 minute walk.

Bell Tower

If you want to enjoy the most enchanting night view of Xi'an, consider staying near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. At night, you can stroll to the Great Tang All Day Mall, where you'll feel transported back to the Tang Dynasty, surrounded by girls in Hanfu taking photos.

Night view of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Most flights from Singapore to Xi'an arrive late, often with delays. The earliest you can typically check into your hotel is around 2 AM or later.

Be sure to contact the hotel to confirm your reservation and request that they prepare your room key in advance for a quick check-in upon arrival. If you're taking a private tour with China Highlights, your guide can assist with this.

Day 2: Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Palace

To enhance your visit to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, I recommend staggering your visit. Arriving early or during lunchtime can improve your experience.

Since you arrive late on the first day, leaving the hotel at 10:30 AM and arriving around 11:30 AM allows you to visit the museum during lunchtime. This way, you can enjoy a quieter exploration of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum.

Terracotta Army

Afterward, you can have lunch at a local restaurant around 2 PM. Following lunch, visit Huaqing Palace to learn about the turning point of the Tang Dynasty, including the touching love story of Emperor Xuanzong and his concubine Yang Guifei.

Huaqing Palace on a snowy day

Return to Xi'an around 5:30 PM to avoid the rush hour.

Many visitors enjoy "The Song of Everlasting Sorrow" in the evening. This drama, based on Bai Juyi's poem, depicts the magnificent atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty and the timeless love story between Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei at Huaqing Palace.

Enjoy The Song of Everlasting Sorrow

Day 3: Huashan Mountain

Huashan Mountain, located about 120 kilometers from Xi'an, is known as "the most precipitous mountain under heaven" due to its steep slopes and towering peaks. You can also experience the longest cable car in China, the Taihua Cable Car.

Peak Season (March to November): To avoid crowds, I recommend departing from the hotel at 7:30 AM. After a 2-hour drive, you'll arrive at Mount Hua around 9:30 AM. The visit typically lasts about five hours.

You can either pack a lunch or have a late lunch afterward to ensure you have enough time to explore. Expect to return to the hotel around 5:30 PM, depending on wait times.

Low Season (December to February): During this period, there is usually no need to queue. Depart from the hotel at 8:30 AM, arriving at Mount Hua at 10:30 AM. You can return to the hotel around 4:30 PM.

Mount Hushan

Day 4: Enjoy Xi'an City Highlights

From May to September, I recommend starting your tour at 8:30 AM to take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures when visiting the Ancient City Wall. In other months, starting at 9 AM or even 9:30 AM is acceptable.

Ancient City Wall

Next, head to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum around 10:30 AM. Enter through the west gate, visit the museum first, and then walk 5-10 minutes to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, exiting through the north gate to meet your driver for lunch around 12:30 PM. You'll find plenty of choices, from local restaurants to the famous dumpling restaurant Defachang.

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

After lunch, visit Gao Courtyard to watch the Shadow Play around 2 PM. This tour lasts about 1.5 hours.

Then, take a 10-minute walk to the Great Mosque to learn about Islamic culture in China. This visit takes about 40 minutes.

The Great Mosque

You'll then have some free time to shop for souvenirs and enjoy a food tour before heading back to the hotel. Your tour should conclude around 5 PM, but you can start a bit later if needed.

Day 5: Hukou Waterfall and Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor

Today's sights are all located far from Xi'an, so I recommend starting your tour at 7:30 AM to ensure a relaxed experience. Drive about 2 hours to visit the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, followed by lunch before heading to Hukou Waterfall.

If you prefer an early lunch, you can eat near the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor around 11:30 AM, or drive about 2 hours to have lunch close to Hukou Waterfall before your visit around 1:30 PM. Start your Hukou Waterfall tour at 2:30 PM, allowing about 2.5 hours for the visit.

Expect a 4-hour drive back to Xi'an, arriving at the hotel around 9 PM. It will be a long day, so if you prefer a more relaxed tour, you can choose to visit only the Hukou Waterfall.

Depending on your interests, you can choose between visiting Hukou Waterfall and the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor or the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang. If you decide to extend your trip to Ganquan Grand Canyon, an additional day will be needed, as it requires a 3-hour drive from Hukou Waterfall.

Witness the spectacular Hukou Waterfall

Day 6: Enjoy City Highlights and Prepare for Departure

Since you have an early morning flight the next day, plan to arrive at the airport by 10:30 PM. If you take the China Eastern Airlines flight departing around 7 AM the next day, you can stay another night in Xi'an and arrive at the airport around 4 AM.

Start your tour at 10:30 AM to minimize waiting time at the airport. Begin by exploring Yongxingfang Food Street, where you can sample specialties from across Shaanxi instead of dining at a restaurant.

Yongxingfang Food Street

Then visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a landmark of Xi'an, arriving at the west entrance by 4 PM to enjoy various performances. This tour will take about 3 hours, allowing you to experience the site both during the day and in the evening.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Finally, stroll along the Great Tang All Day Mall before heading to the airport. I recommend a late lunch or early dinner, depending on your departure time.

Day 7: Fly from Xi'an to Singapore (Early Departure)

On your departure day, since you'll be flying early in the morning, aim to arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight. Although online check-in may not be available, arriving early will allow you to check in on time.

When is the Best Time to Visit Xi'an?

Having lived in Xi'an for over 20 years, I believe it is suitable for visiting year-round. Many people consider April, May, September, and October the best months due to moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. Personally, I think March and November are also excellent choices, as temperatures range from 3-12 degrees, leading to a more enjoyable experience with fewer visitors.

If you want to experience winter in Xi'an, consider visiting in December, when you might even see snow.

Xi'an in winter

It's best to avoid visiting during Chinese public holidays, such as International Labor Day (the first week of May), National Day (the first week of October), and the Spring Festival, as the influx of tourists can diminish the quality of your travel experience.

Additionally, from mid-July to August, summer vacation leads to a significant increase in tourists, with temperatures soaring to 38-40 degrees, making it one of the least pleasant times to visit.