Practical advices and suggestions on visiting Xi'an

1. Travel with reliable tour agencies
There are numerous self-employed guides, illegal travel agencies and low-priced tours in Xi’an. They tend to make tourists spend more time in souvenir stores, leaving less time for sightseeing. Also, their travel itineraries are not arranged professionally and visitors cannot fully enjoy themselves.
2. Be aware of fake Tour Bus No.5 (306) to Terracotta Army
The fake one takes visitors to a lot of souvenir stores and also overcharges. Remember that the real one is parked on the east square of Xi’an Railway Station and there is usually a line of visitors getting onboard one after another; and its conductors don’t leave the bus to call on passengers.
3. Western toilet and squat toilet are used in Xi’an
The vast majority of public toilets here are squat toilets, like in shopping malls, scenic spots, railway stations and airport; but usually one or two western toilets can be found in a large wash room. Remember to bring some toilet paper with you, since not all public toilets provide it. The toilets in hotels are mainly western toilets.
4. Free WiFi is widely available
WiFi is available in your hotel room, most restaurants, cafés, shopping malls and even attraction sites.
5. 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit is implemented in Xi’an
Passport holders of 53 countries and regions can enjoy a visa-free stay up to 72 hours when transferring internationally via Xi’an Xianyang International Airport. Passengers transiting in Xi'an Xianyang Airport are only permitted to travel in Xi'an and Xianyang.
Qualified Countries:
24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
15 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, Monaco
6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
2 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand
6 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
6. Must-go attractions in Xi’an
Xi’an boasts a number of historic relics, such as the Terracotta Army, the City Wall, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. Apart from the Terracotta Army, which is 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of downtown, all of the other sites can be reached by metro.
7. Places to enjoy local snacks
You can enjoy the specialty dishes of crumbled flatbread with mutton stew (yangrou paomo), marinated meat in baked bread (roujia mo), Liangpi noodles, and Biang Biang noodles at the Muslim Quarter and the Yongxing Fang. But remember to respect Muslim customs in the Muslim Quarter.
8. Bank of China in Xi’an: Offers Money Exchange Service
1) Bell Tower Branch
Address: 29 South Street, Beilin District
2) Drum Tower Branch
Address: 133 South Guangji Street, Beilin District
3) Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Branch
Address: 1 Middle Section of Yanta Road, Beilin District
9. Hospitals
1) Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital
Address: 256 West Youyi Road, Beilin District
Tel: +86 29 85251331
2) The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University
Address: 157 Xiwu Road, Lianhu District
Tel: +86 29 29 87679000, +86 29 87679323
3) Xi’an Children’s Hospital
Address: 69 Xijuyuan Lane, Lianhu District
Tel: +86 29 29 87311818
10. Post office
1) Bell Tower Post Office
Address: Northeast corner of the Bell Tower Square
2) Xiaozhai Branch
Address: 3 West Xiao Zhai Road
11. Emergency Numbers
Fire: 119
Traffic: 122
Ambulance: 120
Police: 110
12. Useful Numbers
Zip code Inquiry: 11185
Taxi Complain: 96716
Mayor’s Hotline: 12345
Xi'an Tourists Complain: 12301
Consumption Complain: 12315
Telephone Number Inquiry: 114
Public Buses Complain: 16801315
China Mobile Customer Hotline: 10086
China Unicom Customer Hotline: 10010
China Telecom Customer Hotline: 10000