Home > Xian Travel Guide

Travel to Xian

Xian served as the capital city for 13 dynasties in Chinese history, including the Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Xinmang, Eastern Han, Western Jin, Former Zhao, Former Qin, Later Qin, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, and Tang Dynasties. It's also a place bearing a lot of history and hosting massive historical sights. Tons of people come to Xian for history and culture. Here is a thorough guide about the climate and weather, transportation of Xian, and tips on when to visit Xian.

Weather and Climate in Xian

Xian has a semi-humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. The Summer is often hot and rainy, the Winter is cold and with little rain or snow, while the Spring and Autumn are warm enough but not hot. July is the hottest month in Xian, and its monthly average temperature is 32 centigrade. January is the coldest month in Xian, and its monthly average temperature is about -0.3--1.3 centigrade. The amount of precipitation in Xian varies significantly from year to year, and the seasonal distribution of rainfall is also uneven. Between May and October, it rains a lot, of which the rainfall of months July, August, and September account for 47%.

Best Time to Visit Xian

Generally speaking, Generally speaking, Spring and Autumn are the best time to visit Xian. To be specific, April, September, and October are perfect times.

Daily Temperature of April in 2020 Temperature Chart of September in 2019 Temperature Chart of October in 2019

What to wear in Xian?

January and February: down jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, and warm boots;
March: jacket, long johns;
April: slowly change to a T-shirt and think trousers (jacket might in need before the Tomb-Sweeping Day)
May: the thin coat is necessary for early morning and late evening. For other times, a T-shirt is fine.
June - August: very hot, wear less, and don’t forget sun-blocking cream, sunglasses, or sunscreen.
September: still warm, thin jacket and pants would be fine.
October: jacket, long johns are in need.
November - December: down jacket, hat, scarf, gloves.

Transportation in Xian

Airport

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (IATA: XIY, ICAO: ZLXY) is located in Weicheng District, Xianyang, 47km from Xian city. It's the only international airport and also the largest aerial traffic hub in northwest China. According to the passenger throughout in 2019, the Xi'an Xianyang International Airport is the seventh-largest airport in China mainland and the fifth largest airport in terms of the scale. How to get to downtown Xian from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport?

Train Stations

1. Xian Railway Station

Located outside the Jiefangmen, Huacheng Beilu, Xian Railway Station is one of the three largest train stations in Xian. It serves both in passenger transport and cargo traffic. Besides, it's a train station that only hosts regular trains starting with T, K Z.

Xian Railway Station

2.Xian South Railway Station
Xian South Railway Station is located in Yinzhen, Chang'an District. It used to be a temporary train station to relieve the passenger pressure during Spring Rush in Xian Railway Station. At present, the station is mainly to receive and send the passengers between Xian and Ankang. With the building of the new Xian East Railway Station, the sole function of the Xian South Railway Station will be transporting goods.

3. Xian North Railway Station
Located in Weiyang District, about 12km from Xian center, Xian North Railway Station is a new railway station built in 2008 and put into operation in 2011. It’s the largest and the most important railway station in northwest China. This train station is mainly to receive and transport passengers from high-speed trains beginning with G, D, and C.

Xian North Railway Station

Xian Metro

Xian Metro is a constituent part of the Xian urban transit system. The first metro was public in 2011, which made Xian the first city in northwest China to have a subway and the tenth city in China mainland to operate the metro. Currently, there are four metro lines (metro Line 1, Line 2, Line 3, and Line 4) and 92 subway station in Xian, totaling operating mileage of 132.65km. Besides, Phase 2 of Metro Line 2, Phase 1 and 2 of Metro Line 5, Phase 1 and 2 of Metro Line 6, Metro Line 8, Phase 1 of Metro Line 9, and Phase 1 of Metro Line 14 are under construction. Shortly, Xian will have 12 metro lines. Xian Metro is also the first and the only rail transit system that has unique signs for each subway station.

Xian Metro Map

Metro Line 1: Fenghe Senlin Gongyuan Station - Beihuai Station - Shanglinlu Station - Fengdong Zimaoyuan Station - Houweizhai Station - Sanqiao Station - Zaohe Station - Zaoyuan Station - Hanchenglu Station - Kaiyuanmen Station - Laodonglu Station - Yuxiangmen Station - Sajinqiao Station - Beidajie Station - Wulukou Station - Chaoyangmen Station - Kangfulu Station - Tonghuamen Station - Wanshoulu Station - Changlepo Station - Chanhe Station - Banpo Fangzhicheng Station

Metro Line 2: Weiqunan Station - Hangtiancheng Station - Fengxiyuan Station - Sanyao Station - Huizhan Zhongxin Station - Weiyijie Station - Xiaozhai Station - Tiyuchang Station - Nanshaomen Station - Yongningmen Station - Zhonglou Station - Beidajie Station - Anyuanmen Station - Longshouyuan Station - Daminggongxi Station - Shitushuguan Station - Fengcheng Wulu Station - Xingzheng Zhongxin Station - Yundong Gongyuan Station - Beiyuan Station - Bekeizhan Station

Metro Line 3: Yuhuazhai Station - Zhangba Beilu (Kejilu Xikou)Station - Yanpingmen Station - Kejilu Station - Taibainanlu Station - Jixiangcun Station - Xiaozhai Station (transit to metro Line 2) - Dayanta Station (transit for metro Line 4) - Beichitou Station - Qinglongsi Station - Yanxingmen Station - Xianninglu Station - Changle Gongyuan Station - Tonghuamen Station (transit for metro line 1) - Hujiamiao Station - Shijiajie Station - Xinjiamiao Station - Guangtaimen Station - Taohuatan Station - Chanba Zhongxin Station - Xianghuwan Station - Wuzhuang Station - Guoji Gangwuqu Station - Shuangzhai Station - Xinzhu Station - Baoshuiqu Station

Metro Line 4: Beikezhan Station - Shangxinlu Station - Fengcheng Shierlu Station - Wenjinglu Station - Xingzheng Zhongxin Station (transit for metro Line 2) - Fengxinlu Station - Changqinglu Station - Baihua Station - Caojiamiao Station - Xuanwulu Station - Daminggong Station - Hanyuanlu Station - Huochezhan Station - Wulukou Station (transit for metro line 1) - Dachaishi Station - Hepingmen Station - Lijiacun Station - Xian Kejidaxue Station - Dayanta Station (transit for metro line 3) - Datangfurongyuan Station - Qujiangchixi Station - Jinhutuo Station - Hangtiandadao Station - Feitianlu Station - Hangchuanglu Station - Shenzhou Dadao Station - Hangtian Donglu Station - Hangtian Xincheng Station

Bus

There are three kinds of buses in Xian city: the regular buses, air-conditioned buses and minibuses. Mostly of the buses don’t have conductors, you can take the bus by preparing your own changes, swiping your Chang’antong card, or scanning the code on your phone. The regular bus charges 1 RMB per ticket. The air-conditioned bus charges 2 RMB per ticket, but you will get a 50% discount if you use Chang’antong card or scan code from your phone. Most of the minibus charges the same as the regular buses, but some of them with conductors charge based on the length of your journey (0.5 RMB for three stations; extra 0.5 RMB per station if you ride longer than three stations).

Tips: if you are planning to travel to some famous sights by bus, check out the following bus lines.
1.You 1: Huochezhan (Xian Railway Station) - Xiyuemiao Temple - Mount Hua
2.You 2: Huochezhan (Xian Railway Station) - Famen Temple - Taibaishan National Forest Park
3.You 3: Huochezhan (Xian Railway Station) - Qianling Mausoleum
4.You 4: Huochezhan (Xian Railway Station) - Han Yangling Museum
5.You 5 (former Bus 306): Banpo Neolithic Museum - Qinshihuang’s Tomb - Terracotta Warriors and Horses- Huaqing Palace - Lishan Mountain - Lintong Museum - Hongmenyan Ruins Site - Bianque’s Tomb
6.You 6: Beilin Steles Forest - South Gate - Daxingshan Temple - Shaanxi History Museum - Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Qinglong Temple - Tangyuan
7.You 8: Zhaojiacun - Beixin Street - Revolution Park - Bell Tower - Drum Tower - Guangji Street - Zhuque Gate - Small Wild Goose Pagoda - Nanshaomen Gate - Daxingshan Temple - Shaanxi History Museum - Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Qin Palace

Taxi

The flag-down fare of the Xian taxi is 9 RMB. Taxis with different engines charge differently.

For taxis with engines under 1.8 liters (including 1.8L):

1. Flag-down fare: 9 RMB (3km);
2. Freight rates: 2 RMB/km.
3. If the journey exceeds 12km in a single way, the unoccupied subsidy fee will be charged (1 RMB per extra kilo).
3. The flag-down fare of Xian taxi at night (23:00 - 6:00) is 10 RMB/3km, and the freight rate is 2.3 RMB per extra kilo.
4. The bridge tolls, highway tolls, and parking fees incurred in response to the request of passengers will be on passengers.

For taxis with engines over 1.8L:

1.Flag-down fare: 9 RMB/2km.
2.Freight rates: 2.4RMB per extra km.
3.If the journey exceeds 8km in a single way, the unoccupied subsidy fee will be charged (1.2 RMB per extra kilo).
The flag-down fare at night (23:00 - 6:00) is 10 RMB/3km, and the freight rate is 2.6 RMB per extra kilo.
4. The bridge tolls, highway tolls, and parking fees incurred in response to the request of passengers shall be bored by passengers themselves.

Private Transfer

Lilysun China Tours provides car rental services in Xian and other cities. We have many types of vehicles, including the sedan car, 7-seat minivan, 14-19 minibus, and buses with 35 or more seats. If you need our service, contact us!