Best Places to Stay in Xian China

Where to Stay in Xian: A Guide for the Traveler

Xi’an, the ancient capital of China, is brimming with history and culture. Whether you’re exploring the Terracotta Army, strolling through the Muslim Quarter, or experiencing the vibrant nightlife around the Bell Tower, finding the right accommodation can make all the difference. Here’s a breakdown of Xi’an’s diverse lodging options to help you choose:

Luxury Hotels:

  • Xi’an Kempinski Hotel: Immerse yourself in 5-star comfort with stunning views of the city walls. This hotel offers upscale amenities, elegant dining options, and top-notch service.
  • The Shangri-La Hotel Xi’an: Experience breathtaking traditional Chinese architecture and luxurious gardens while staying near the heart of Xi’an.

Mid-Range Hotels:

  • Sofitel Xian: A stylish hotel in a convenient location with comfortable rooms and amenities like an outdoor pool and fitness center.
  • Hilton Xi’an: Located near the Xi’an Bell Tower, this option offers familiar comfort and quality for those seeking a mid-range stay.

Budget Hotels & Hostels:

  • Xi’an Ancient City Hostel: Meet fellow travelers and enjoy the social atmosphere of this highly-rated hostel with comfortable dorms and private rooms.
  • Bell Tower Hotel (budget): This hotel offers affordable rates and clean, basic accommodation in a central location.

Choosing the Right Area:

  • Near the City Walls: Stay within walking distance of Xi’an’s iconic city walls for easy access to historical sites like the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and the Muslim Quarter.
  • Downtown Xi’an: For a central hub with convenient access to restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.
  • Xi’an City Center: Immerse yourself in the heart of the action, close to the city’s main attractions and bustling transportation.

Beyond the Hotel:

  • Consider your interests: Are you staying in Xi’an for its historical sites like the Terracotta Army? Choose accommodation near the ancient city wall area. Want a vibrant nightlife experience? The streets around the Bell Tower and Drum Tower are filled with bars, restaurants, and night markets.

  • Transportation:

    • Staying near the city walls offers easy access to public transportation.

    • Downtown Xi’an is easily accessible by bus, taxi, or even walking.

    • If you want to be close to the action of the ancient city wall, consider staying in a hotel within the Muslim Quarter.

Types of Accommodation:

Xian offers a range of options:

  • Hostels: Budget-friendly and great for meeting other travelers, these are popular with solo backpackers and younger crowds.
  • Boutique Hotels: Many charming boutique hotels have sprung up near the city’s historical sites, offering unique designs and themes while still being affordable.
  • Luxury Hotels & Resorts: Xian is home to numerous luxurious hotels and resorts, often with traditional Chinese architecture and amenities.

Things to Keep in Mind:

  • Location: Choose a location based on your travel priorities.
  • Budget: Prices vary widely depending on the type of accommodation you choose.

Research and compare different options online to find the best fit for your budget and travel style.

  • Amenities: Consider what amenities are important to you, such as free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and laundry facilities.

  • Reviews: Check out reviews from other travelers to get a sense of the location and the hotel’s quality.

  • Transportation: Xian has an extensive public transportation system with buses, taxis, and subways available.

Recommended Areas:

  • Xian Ancient City: This area offers a glimpse into the ancient city’s past, with traditional architecture and charming streets.

  • Muslim Quarter: A vibrant hub for local cuisine, culture, and history.

  • Xi’an City Center: Staying in this area puts you within walking distance of many historical sites.

Travel Tips:

  • Book in advance: Xian is a popular tourist destination, especially with the Terracotta Warriors attracting visitors from all over the world.
  • Transportation:

Near the city walls:

  • Bell Tower Hostel: This option offers affordable and comfortable stays near the center of the city.

Xian City Center:

  • Budget-friendly hotels:

    • Sofitel Xi’an: This hotel provides a blend of modern amenities and traditional charm, with its location close to the ancient city walls offering stunning views and convenience for exploring historical sites.

Recommended Accommodation Options:

  • X’ian Bell Tower Hotel: Located near the city wall, this hotel offers a luxurious experience.
  • Hilton Xi’an (and other similar hotels): This brand offers several options in different locations within the city.

Stay with a view:

  • Choose from a variety of accommodations:

    • Budget-friendly hostels: These are perfect for solo travelers or those on a budget who want to meet other people.
    • Luxury hotels and guesthouses:

If you’re looking for a comfortable stay, consider these factors:

  • Modern amenities:

    • Location: Choose accommodation based on your desired level of comfort and budget.

Recommended for:

  • History buffs:

    • Xian City Wall: Offers a unique perspective of the city and its history.

  • Travelers looking for cultural immersion:

You can find hostels near the city walls to experience the local scene.

  • Families:

Find a hotel with family-friendly amenities like connecting rooms, swimming pools, and playgrounds.

  • Budget-conscious travelers:

Xian has many budget accommodation options around the city center.

For specific recommendations:

  • Search online for “hotels near Xi’an City Walls” or “family-friendly hotels in Xian”.

Read reviews:

* Look at reviews from other travelers to see what they recommend and what their experiences were like.

Consider your budget:

* **Luxury Hotels:**

These are just a few suggestions for accommodation, and you can find many more options within the city center depending on your budget.

  • Boutique hotels: Many offer unique experiences and local charm.
  • Mid-range hotels:

You’ll find comfortable accommodations with affordable rates.

Near the city wall:

* **Xi'an City Hostel:** This option is great for those who want to be near the action but still enjoy a bit of peace and quiet in their rooms.

Xian’s vibrant history and culture are accessible through various historical sites:

  • The Terracotta Army:

A must-see, this museum houses the life-size terracotta warriors and horses.

Transportation:

* **Public Transportation:** Xian has a well-developed public transportation system with buses and subways running frequently near the city's major attractions.

  • Budget options:

    • Located near the train station, the Bell Tower Hotel provides convenient access to the city center.

Consider:

  • Staying in the vicinity of the Xi’an City Wall:

    • Staying near the ancient city wall will allow you to easily explore the historical sites and enjoy the bustling atmosphere.

  • Local transportation:

You can visit the

  • Terracotta Army: Located near Xi’an’s city walls, this is a great place to stay for easy access to the site.

Get around:

Use public transport, taxis, or even explore on foot.

On a budget:

X’ian offers various affordable accommodation options.

  • Budget hotels:

You can find hostels near the city walls offering a variety of amenities like dorm rooms and private rooms.

For a convenient and central location:

  • Stay in a hotel in the heart of Xi’an near the Muslim Quarter or other popular tourist spots.

  • Consider budget:

Many accommodations near the city’s center are centrally located, but staying closer to the city wall will give you more opportunities for unique experiences.

Recommended Accommodations (near the City Wall):

  • For a specific budget:
    • Budget-friendly:

      • Search for hostels with “budget” or “cheap” in their name on websites and apps like Hostelworld and Tripadvisor.

      • Hostelworld: Look for hotels near Xi’an’s city center that are within walking distance of the Terracotta Army site, such as:

        • The Big Wild Goose Pagoda Hotel: A historic hotel located close to the pagoda. Located in a historical location with many attractions nearby

Remember:

Budget-friendly:

  • The Bell Tower:

“Xian City Walls are a must-see attraction for tourists of all types.”

This statement highlights the importance of considering the context of the city’s other attractions.

  • Families:

  • Look for hotels with amenities like family rooms, connecting rooms, or family packages.

  • Hotels with childcare:

Choose hotels that offer babysitting services or kid-friendly activities.

  • Look for hotels with family rooms: This way parents can have a space to relax while kids sleep.

For your stay in Xi’an:

  • Consider the location:

Staying close to the Xi’an city wall offers easy access to the Terracotta Army and other historical attractions.

  • Consider the type of experience you want:

Do you want a relaxing retreat or a place with plenty of activities for kids?

  • Check for reviews mentioning:

Look for “family-friendly” in the description, or search specifically for hotels near the location.

  • Look for:

  • Family-friendly amenities: This could be anything from swimming pools and playgrounds to kid’s menus and cribs in rooms.

  • Consider a hotel with a pool:

This is a great way for kids to burn off some energy while you relax.

  • Consider hotels near popular attractions.

For your stay near the city walls:

  • Consider accommodation options:

Look for family-friendly hotels that offer affordable prices.

  • Consider staying close to the main attractions:

This can help you maximize your time and save on transportation costs.

Explore Xian’s City Center:

  • Convenient location:

Stay near the train station or the Bell Tower for convenient access to other areas of interest.

  • Near the Bell Tower:

    • Bell Tower Hotel:
      • A hotel with a central location, offering easy access to historical sites and transportation.

  • Near the Bell Tower:

You can find accommodation near the city wall or in the city center.

Near the city walls:

With many hotels and hostels in this area catering to tourists on a budget, you’ll have plenty of options for affordable accommodation.

  • Guesthouses:

Offerings range from basic rooms near the train station to more luxurious accommodations within the historic district.

Explore:

  • Near the city walls:

    • Historical Quarter:

This option is popular with tourists and offers a unique experience.

  • Xian City’s History: Explore the history of the city,
  • Family-friendly locations:

Within the city, there are many hotels near the ancient city wall, offering various amenities for families.

Consider:

  • Culture and budget: Look for a guesthouse with a traditional aesthetic.

There are many options for your stay in Xian.

Near the City Walls:

  • Look for:

Hotels near the Xi’an train station offer a convenient base.

  • Family-friendly amenities:

Many options:

  • Near the city center

  • Family rooms

  • Connecting rooms

  • Choose accommodations:

That are located in areas close to the historical attractions of the city.

  • Explore the City Wall:

There are many hotels with different levels of comfort and budget ranges near this popular landmark, offering a convenient location for exploring.

For:

  • Families: Look for family-friendly hotels near the city wall or other nearby attractions like:

    • Bell Tower: Located in the heart of the city, it’s a good option for those who want to be close to the action.

  • Xian City Center:

Stay in a guesthouse with a convenient location and enjoy the city center experience.

For a traditional touch:

Consider staying near the Bell Tower or other historical sites.

  • Near the City Walls: Look for hotels near the city wall that offer amenities like:
  • Cultural experiences: Stay near the city walls,

such as in the heart of Xi’an, to experience the culture and history of the city.

Many hotels and hotels near the city center are close to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔), a great place to stay for tourists who want to be within walking distance of the city’s historical attractions.

Staying near the city walls:

  • Budget-friendly options: These are often located in older, less touristy neighborhoods and offer a glimpse into local life.
  • Family-friendly accommodations: Hotels with “family” or “kid-friendly” in their description may be a good choice for families:

Staying near the city walls of Xi’an can be a great way to experience the history and culture of the city.

Look for:

  • Accommodation: This is where you will find hotels with family rooms, amenities, and nearby attractions.

  • Near the City Walls: Look for:

    • “Family-friendly” options: Stay near the city center to enjoy a variety of local restaurants, shops and markets.

  • Consider:

Staying in a guesthouse or hotel near the city walls.

For:

  • Staying close to attractions like the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Terracotta Army museum:

These are just a few suggestions for finding a hotel near the city walls.

  • Xian City:

Remember, staying near a major attraction may limit access to other parts of the city.