Four areas to base yourself
Xi'an has no single hotel district. The Terracotta Army is in Lintong, outside the walled city, so the main choice is between sleeping in the city and sleeping near the pits. Most visitors stay in the city and make a day trip. This page compares four areas, without recommending any individual hotel.
The journey to the pits takes about 1.5 to 2 hours by Metro and bus from the centre, so the day trip is easy to plan: see getting there. If you would rather have the transfer arranged, look at Terracotta Army tours from Xi'an.
The areas compared
Location options only. Check each hotel's distance to the nearest Metro stop yourself.
| Area | Best for | Transport | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old town, Bell Tower | The towers, the Muslim Quarter, food | Walking in the centre | Not every hotel is within walking distance or quiet |
| South gate, Yongningmen | The city wall | Metro line 2 | Distance depends on the hotel |
| Qujiang, Big Wild Goose Pagoda | The pagoda, Tang Paradise | โ | Further south than the walled city |
| Lintong, Huaqingchi | The Huaqing Palace, trips to the museum | Metro line 9, then a bus | Far from the old town |
For most first-time visitors, the old town is the best base: the towers and the Muslim Quarter are close, and you leave for the pits in the morning. If the Terracotta Army is your main reason for the trip and you have only one night, Lintong shortens the journey to the pits.
Our pick: a private car from your hotel
Wherever you stay in Xi'an, this car collects you for the warriors and the mausoleum.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day trips from Xi'an
Terracotta Army tours and city tours that start in Xi'an, with live prices and availability.
What each area is like
Four location options, in the order you are likely to compare them.
The old town around the Bell Tower
The central location for the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower and the Muslim Quarter next door. It is the area for evening walks and street food. Do not assume that every hotel there is walkable to the sights or quiet, so check the exact address on a map. See things to do in Xi'an for the sights nearby.
The south gate
Yongningmen is the south gate of the city wall, and Metro line 2 stops there. It is an option if the wall is your priority, since you can climb it in the morning and rent a bike. Check the hotel's actual distance to the gate before you book. See the city wall guide.
Qujiang and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
South of the walled old town. It fits the pagoda and temple area and Tang Paradise. You are farther from the towers here, and the Terracotta Army trip starts from further out.
Lintong and Huaqingchi
The area for the Huaqing Palace and for early trips to the museum. Metro line 9 stops at Huaqingchi, but the Metro does not replace the bus from there to the pits (602 or ๆธธ613, exit C). The old town is a long ride away.
How to choose
Match the base to the number of nights and the order of your plans.
- Two nights or more: stay in the old town and do the Terracotta Army as a full day trip.
- One night: stay in the old town if you want the towers and food, or in Lintong if you want a shorter trip to the pits.
- Evening Huaqing show: if you stay in Xi'an, plan the late return in advance, because a last return after the show is not guaranteed.
- Wall by bike: a hotel near the south gate saves a trip.
Before you book
Practical points for foreign guests.
Your passport
The hotel handles your registration with your valid passport at check-in. Carry the original, since you also need it for the museum ticket.
Foreign guests
Confirm with the hotel before you pay that it accepts guests with a foreign passport. Not every property does, and a booking does not guarantee it.
Questions to ask
Ask about luggage storage, breakfast times for an early start, and the distance to the nearest Metro stop. Do not assume any of them from the hotel category.
Timing
Holiday weeks are busy, so book early. See the best time to visit for the dates.
Where to stay in Xi'an: frequently asked questions
Where is the best area to stay in Xi'an?
For most first-time visitors, the old town near the Bell Tower, because the towers and the Muslim Quarter are close. The Terracotta Army is a day trip from there.
Should I stay near the Terracotta Army?
Only if the pits are your main reason for the trip. The old town, the towers and the Muslim Quarter are a long ride away.
How do I get from Lintong to the pits?
Metro line 9 stops at Huaqingchi, and from exit C you take bus 602 or ๆธธ613. The Metro stop alone does not get you to the pits.
Do hotels need my passport?
Yes. The hotel registers foreign guests against a valid passport, so carry the original.
Is this site official?
No. This is an independent guide, and it lists areas, not individual hotels.