Beijing to Xi'an 5 Days
Beijing and Xi’an in five days by high-speed rail: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Army and where to eat in the Muslim Quarter.
Route: Beijing → Xi’an
Last reviewed October 23, 2026 · schedules, prices and opening hours change — re-check before booking
Who this suits
First-timers who want the two essential historical cities without adding a third flight. The pace is steady but not punishing.
What it costs
¥5,500–8,500 per person, including four nights of mid-range hotel, one high-speed train, tickets and food. International flights excluded.
Book in this order
- 1Book the Beijing–Xi’an high-speed train at the 15-day release; morning departures sell out first.
- 2Terracotta Army tickets are timed and passport-linked — reserve several days ahead.
- 3Shaanxi History Museum is free but releases timed tickets on a fixed schedule; have the passport numbers ready.
- 4Forbidden City tickets release seven days ahead and disappear quickly in holidays.
Day by day
- 1
Beijing: Forbidden City
Morning Forbidden City with a timed ticket, Jingshan Park view, evening in the hutongs with a roast duck dinner.
- Sleep
- Beijing
- Getting around
- Airport express or DiDi to the hotel; metro for the evening.
- Book
- Forbidden City ticket for day two, seven days ahead.
- Daily cost
- ¥400–700 (excl. hotel)
- 2
Beijing: the Great Wall
A full day at Mutianyu — cable car up, a long walk on the wall, then back to the city for dinner.
- Sleep
- Beijing
- Getting around
- Metro to Tian’anmen East; Jingshan is a 10-minute walk from the palace north gate.
- Book
- Timed Forbidden City entry; passport required.
- Daily cost
- ¥400–700 (excl. hotel)
- 3
High-speed train to Xi’an
Morning train from Beijing (about 4.5 hours). Afternoon: rent a bike on the Xi’an City Wall. Evening: the Muslim Quarter for street food.
- Sleep
- Beijing
- Getting around
- Private car to Mutianyu, about 1.5 hours each way.
- Book
- Car arranged the night before; cable-car ticket on arrival.
- Daily cost
- ¥500–800 (excl. hotel)
- 4
Terracotta Army
Out early to beat the tour groups — the site is an hour east of the city. Afternoon at Huaqing Palace or back to rest, then the Great Tang All Day Mall at night.
- Sleep
- Xi’an (Bell Tower)
- Getting around
- High-speed train Beijing West→Xi’an North, about 4.5 hours; metro to the old city.
- Book
- Train at the 15-day release; City Wall bike rental on arrival.
- Daily cost
- ¥700–1,000 including train (excl. hotel)
- 5
Shaanxi History Museum and departure
Museum in the morning (reserve days ahead), Big Wild Goose Pagoda area at midday, then onward travel.
- Sleep
- Xi’an
- Getting around
- DiDi or bus 306 to the Terracotta Army, about an hour each way.
- Book
- Timed Terracotta ticket; leave by 08:00 to beat tour groups.
- Daily cost
- ¥500–800 (excl. hotel)
If the plan does not fit
Add Pingyao
Two extra days let you stop between Xi’an and Beijing at Pingyao’s walled old town (about 3 hours by train). It is atmospheric but touristy; stay inside the walls for one night.
Luoyang instead of a second Beijing day
Longmen Grottoes are 40 minutes by high-speed rail from Xi’an. It is a long day but worthwhile for Buddhist sculpture; skip if you are already temple-fatigued.
Destinations on this route
Beijing
China's capital, from the Great Wall and Forbidden City to hutongs and night markets: what to see, how many days you need and when to go.
Best time: April - May, September - October
Xi'an
Step back in time at the ancient capital with the Terracotta Army and City Wall. Taste amazing Muslim Quarter street food.
Best time: April - May, September - October
Read before you book
Other itineraries
Beijing 3-Day First Trip
A realistic three-day Beijing route for first-timers: the Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall and one calm neighborhood day without rushing the city.
View day-by-day →Classic Beijing Experience
Five unhurried days in Beijing: the Forbidden City, Mutianyu’s Great Wall, hutong evenings and a realistic pace for a first visit.
View day-by-day →Xi’an 2-Day Highlights
Two efficient days in Xi’an: the Terracotta Army, City Wall, Muslim Quarter and the museum pieces that matter most on a short stop.
View day-by-day →Want this route checked against your dates?
I can help decide whether this route is too full, where to cut a city, and whether it still works for a first trip, family travel or a tighter budget.
See trip-planning helpQuestions about your trip?
If you want help with routes or want to ask me something directly, you can find me here.