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By Li Wei | Published August 2026

Beyond Xi'an

Day Trips from Xi'an

Xi'an is the perfect base for exploring central and western China. High-speed trains and highways make mountains, ancient temples, waterfalls, and even pandas accessible in a day or two.

The Chess Pavilion on Mount Huashan — the most dramatic day trip from Xi'an
LW

Written by Li Wei

History & Culture Writer · Xi'an since 2019

Li Wei has lived in Xi'an since 2019 and has visited every major museum and historical site in Shaanxi province at least three times. He spends his weekends exploring forgotten Tang dynasty ruins and reading Ming-era city maps. Before writing travel guides, he worked as a research assistant at the Shaanxi History Museum.

Chinese history (Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang dynasties)Archaeology and museum curationSilk Road history
Destination Travel Time Cost Best For
Mount Huashan30 min train$36–$45Adventure
Longmen Grottoes1.5 hr train$39History
Famen Temple2 hr bus/car$15Buddhism
Hukou Waterfall4 hr car$15Nature
Foping Pandas2 hr train$12Family
Qianling Mausoleum1.5 hr car$15Tang Dynasty

Mount Huashan

华山

Must Do
Full day (8–10 hours) 30 min high-speed train + cable car $24 (entry) + $12–$21 (cable car)

One of China's Five Great Sacred Mountains. Dramatic granite peaks, the infamous Plank Walk bolted to a vertical cliff at 2,000m, and sunrise views that rank among China's best. Take the first train from Xi'an North at 7:00 AM — you'll be on the summit by 9:30 AM.

Insider Tips

→ Take the West Peak cable car up ($21) and North Peak cable car down ($12) to save energy

→ The Plank Walk costs $4 extra and requires signing a waiver — not for those with vertigo

→ Bring water and snacks — prices on the mountain are 3–5× city prices

→ Best in spring or autumn; summer is dangerously hot on exposed sections

Full guide →

Luoyang & Longmen Grottoes

洛阳 · 龙门石窟

Worth It
1–2 days 1.5 hours by high-speed train $26 (train) + $13 (grottoes entry)

100,000+ Buddhist statues carved into limestone cliffs over 1,500 years. The largest Buddha is 17 meters tall. Combine with White Horse Temple (China's first Buddhist temple) and Luoyang Museum. The high-speed train makes this an easy day trip or overnight.

Insider Tips

→ Longmen Grottoes are best visited in the morning when light hits the west cliff face

→ The night illumination of the grottoes (April–October) is spectacular and less crowded

→ Luoyang water banquet (洛阳水席) is the local specialty — try it for lunch

→ Can be combined with Shaolin Temple (1 hour by bus from Luoyang)

Famen Temple

法门寺

Hidden Gem
Half day to full day 2 hours by bus or private car $15 (entry)

Houses a finger bone relic of the Buddha, one of the most sacred objects in Chinese Buddhism. The Tang Dynasty underground palace where the relic was hidden for 1,000 years is now a museum. The modern temple complex is vast and impressive.

Insider Tips

→ The underground palace museum is the highlight — do not skip it

→ Combine with Qianling Mausoleum (Tang Dynasty imperial tomb) for a full day

→ Bus from Xi'an Fenghao Bus Station takes about 2 hours

→ A private car ($60–$75 round trip) is more comfortable for combining multiple sites

Hukou Waterfall

壶口瀑布

Adventure
1–2 days 4 hours by car or bus from Xi'an $15 (entry)

The Yellow River's most dramatic point — a 30-meter waterfall where the river narrows from 300 meters to 50 meters. The roar can be heard from kilometers away. Best visited in July–October when water volume is highest, or in January–February for the stunning ice formations.

Insider Tips

→ July–September has the most powerful water flow after summer rains

→ January–February ice waterfall formations are otherworldly and far less crowded

→ Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet — the spray reaches 30+ meters

→ Best combined with Yucha Grand Canyon (1 day) for a northern Shaanxi route

Foping Panda Valley

佛坪熊猫谷

Family
1–2 days 2 hours by high-speed train + bus $12 (entry)

A natural giant panda habitat in the Qinling Mountains, less crowded than Chengdu's panda base. The pandas here are wilder and more active. You may also spot golden monkeys, takin, and crested ibis — all endangered species unique to this region.

Insider Tips

→ Visit early morning (8–10 AM) when pandas are most active and feeding

→ The Qinling pandas have distinct brown-and-white coloring, different from Sichuan pandas

→ Combine with a visit to the Qinling Mountains for hiking and wildlife

→ Take the Xi'an to Hanzhong high-speed train, then transfer locally

Qianling Mausoleum

乾陵

History
Half day 1.5 hours by bus or car $15 (entry)

The joint tomb of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian — China's only female emperor. The Spirit Way lined with stone statues is one of the best-preserved in China. The tomb has never been opened — archaeologists believe it contains priceless Tang Dynasty treasures.

Insider Tips

→ The headless stone statues and foreign ambassadors along the Spirit Way are fascinating

→ Combine with Famen Temple for a full day trip west of Xi'an

→ The tomb mound is set into a natural mountain — the scale is impressive

→ Far fewer tourists than the Terracotta Warriors — a peaceful alternative

Day Trip Planning Tips

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Book trains in advance: High-speed trains to Huashan and Luoyang sell out during holidays. Book on Trip.com or 12306.cn at least 3 days ahead. G-trains (G-series) are the fastest.
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Start early: For day trips, leave Xi'an by 7–8 AM. Most attractions close by 5–6 PM. Starting early also means fewer crowds at popular sites.
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Bring your passport: Train tickets in China are linked to your ID. Foreign travelers must carry the original passport used for booking — photocopies are not accepted.
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Combine nearby sites: Famen Temple + Qianling Mausoleum = full day west. Longmen Grottoes + Shaolin Temple = 2 days in Luoyang. Plan by geography, not by popularity.
Mount Huashan Guide See All Itineraries

Quick Comparison: Which Day Trip Is Right for You?

TripTimeCostBest ForDifficulty
Mount HuashanFull day$60-$90Hikers, adventurersHard
Terracotta WarriorsHalf day$22-$30History lovers, first-timersEasy
Han YanglingHalf day$15-$22Archaeology buffs, quiet seekersEasy
Huaqing PoolHalf day$22-$30Romance, history, hot springsEasy
Famen TempleFull day$30-$45Buddhist pilgrims, cultureEasy

Costs include round-trip transport + entry tickets + basic food. Excludes guide fees and optional add-ons (cable cars, performances).