Xian Nightlife: Things to Do in Xian at Night 2024/2025
Xian, one of the oldest city in China, an ancient capital enduring over 13 dynasties, owns many priceless historic buildings and relics, and the world-renowned wonder, terracotta warriors. The nightlife in Xian is never too antiquated because of its old age. On the contrary, it is vibrant and colorful with amazing Tang Dynasty Show served with the fancy dumpling banquet; it is romantic and peaceful with the largest-scaled musical fountain show in Asia at Giant Wild Goose Tower; it is vigorous and relaxing with different featured bars and clubs including the unique Terracotta Warrior Themed bar; it is bustling and exotic with various food and snacks at different night markets. The followings are the most recommended activities in Xian at night.
As the ancient capital of the Tang dynasties, Xian is a city where the culture of the past can be recollected by its featured Tang Dynasty Show.
From the brightly lit exteriors of the theatre to the bright, clean, well maintained theatre everything reminded the visitors of its history and rich cultural habits. The dance, songs, costumes were very beautiful to watch. A recording of the entire song and dance is also available after the show so it sure forms a great souvenior. Dinner is often provided with dumpling banquet.The staff serving dinner speak English. The traditional Chinese instruments are played with the amazing dance. The artists dressed as the King and Queen of the Tang Dynasty will parade through the audience and make a toast.
Besides indoor Tang Dynasty Show, there are also show played in the scenic area such “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” at Huaqing Palace, which is highly recommended by tha local who says it is the best among all the Tang Dynasty Shows.
The Song of Everlasting Show
The Song of Everlasting Show
Outdoor Tang Dynasty Show Theater
④ Huaqing Hot Spring 华清池 ▶ Location: Huaqing Hot Spring Scenic Area, No 38 Huaqing Road, Tonglin District, Xian 西安市临潼区华清路38号
▶ Duration: Around 70 munites (First Performance: 20:10-21:20; Second Performance: 21:40-22:50)
▶ Theme: The Song of Everlasting Sorrow (The tragic romance between emperor Xuanzong and his beautiful concubine Lady Yang Guifei)
Indoor Tang Dynasty Show Theaters
① The Tang Dynasty Theater Palace 唐乐宫 ▶ Location: No. 75 Chang'an North Road, Beilin District, Xi'an City西安市碑林区长安北路75号
▶ Duration: 3.5 hours (daily 18:00 - 20:30 for dinner, 20:30 – 21:35 for Tang Dynasty Show)
▶ Theme: The Empress of Great Tang (the growth and the legend of the only Empress Wuzetian in the Tang Dynasty)
② Tang Paradise 大唐芙蓉园 ▶ Location: No. 99 Furong West Road, Qujiang New District, Yanta District, Xi'an City 西安市雁塔区曲江新区芙蓉西路99号
▶ Duration: 70min
▶ Theme: Dreamscape of the Great Tang Dynasty (The fictional encounters of different historic figures who lived in the Tang Dynasty)
③ Shaanxi Song and Dance Grand Theater 陕西歌舞大剧院 ▶ Location: No. 161 Wenyi North Road, Beilin District, Xi'an City 西安市碑林区文艺北路161号
▶ Duration: 3 hours (18:00-20:00 for dumpling banquet, 20:00-21:00 for Tang Dynasty Show)
▶ Theme: Tang Dynasty Styled Instruments Performance; Shaanxi folkloric Instruments Performance; Long sleeves classical dance show; Dance Show about Tang’s Army; Dance Show about Huaqing Palalce
Xian Attractions at Night
When the night comes and the light is on, colorful artificial lighting covers Xian with another kind of charm. Going to the different attractions in the city and exploring them at night, you will encounter the most stunning side of those ancient buildings.
Recommended Attractions at Night
① Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City 大唐不夜城 ▶ Location: No. 46 Ci'en Road, Yanta District, Xi'an City 陕西省西安市雁塔区慈恩路46号 ▶ Opening Hours: 24 hours
Highlight: Architecture, Walking Street, Light Show, Performace
② Tang Paradise 大唐芙蓉园 ▶ Location: No. 99 Furong West Road, Qujiang New District, Yanta District, Xi'an City 西安市雁塔区曲江新区芙蓉西路99号 ▶ Opening Hours: 9am - 9pm
Highlight: Nightscape by the Qujiang Pool; Lantern Show (irregular event), Water Screen Film
③ Ancient City Wall 古城墙 ▶ Location: Xi'an City Wall of Huancheng South Road, Beilin District, Xi'an City西安市碑林区环城南路西安城墙 ▶ Opening Hours: 8am - 7pm (winter) /10pm
Highlight: Cityscape of Xian
④ Xian Bell and Drum Tower 钟鼓楼 ▶ Location: Intersection of East Street and West Street in Beilin District of Xi'an City西安市碑林区东大街和西大街交汇处 ▶ Opening Hours: 8am -10pm
Highlight: The Bell Tower and the Drum Tower Seen from a distance
The Musical Fountain is located in the north square of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. As the biggest musical fountain in Asia, it is also equipped with high-tech lighting and audio systems. The shape and color of the fountain changes while the music is playing, and it gushes and reaches to 6 meters high. Lots of benches are provided in the square for visitors to hang out and enjoy the peaceful night there.
▶ Address: North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (北广场大雁塔)
▶ Duration of Each Performance: about 20min
▶ Schedules and Opening Time: It will be closed every Tuesday. Every 12:00 and 20:00 (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday); 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 20:00 on weekends; and no performance from November to January in the next year.
Fountain and Music Show at Giant Wild Goose Tower
Xian Street Food and Night Market
Some people say that visiting night market is the best way to know about a city. Xi'an, an ancient capital of 13 dynasties, has a long history, and the night market in Xi'an is very famous. It is a sharing place for locals, foreigners, minority group and so on, especially the Muslim Hui People. If you only know the Muslim Quarter, the followings are also some nice night markets with good reputation.
Recommended Night Markets in Xian
① Beiyuanmen Night Market 北院门夜市 ▶ Location:Bell-Drum Tower Square, Lianhu District, Xi'an西安市莲湖区钟鼓楼广场
Recommended Food & Snacks: Halal Food, barbecues, hot pot, steamed buns, traditional Chinese cakes
② Eastern Street Night Market 东新街夜市 ▶ Location: Eastern Street in the middle of Jiefang Road, Xian City. 西安市新城区解放路中段
Recommended Food & Snacks: Shangxi-style food, casserole dishes, vermicelli, dumplings, grilled fish, steamed shrimp, tripe
③ Nanshaomen Night Market 南稍门夜市 ▶ Location: Outside the South Gate in Yanta District. 西安市雁塔区南门外南稍门
Recommended Food & Snacks: Various food from other provincial cities of China
④ Boshulin Night Market 柏树林夜市 ▶ Location: Near Forest of Steles Museum, Duanlvmen, Xian City. 西安市新城区端履门内，碑林博物馆旁
Recommended Food & Snacks: Wangji barbecue, casseroles and grilled fish dishes
Besides the popular attractions and traditional Tang Dynasty Show, when you have tried the cuisines in Xian, the other thing to complete the night is to have a drink somewhere in the ancient city. The followings are the best spots listed for you.
▶ De Fu Lou Café & Bar
Location: 39 Defu Lane Bar Street, Xi'an 西安市德福巷酒吧街39号
Located at Defu Lane, a famous bar street at Xian City center, De Fu Lou Café & Bar was one of the first bars to open in Xi’an, where you can find modern and vintage styled buildings. The bar offers both local and imported beers at reasonable prices. You can hang out there with live music, watching the football game on TV with friends.
▶ Park Qin
Location: Near No. 95 Beimadao Lane, Lianhu District, Xi'an City 西安市莲湖区北马道巷95号附近
Park Qin is the one and only Terracotta Warriors-Themed Bar in China, located in the city center area. The venue has a unique décor, excellent live music and a wide selection of drinks with Terracotta Warriors standing by your table.
▶ Vice Versa
Location: 100 meters west of the intersection of Anju Lane and Shuncheng Lane in Xi'an 西安市安居巷与顺城巷交叉口西100米
It opens from 3pm to 5am, featured with the mixed culture of the east and the west, and next of the Forest of Steles Museum. It is very popular among expats in Xian and s great spot to hang out with friends. Various local and foreign cocktails and beers are served and a skate shop runs on its third floor.
Best Xian Tour Packages for 2024/2025
It takes less than 5 days to explore all the best highlights of Xian and the surrounding. The Must things to do include - strolling or biking on the Ancient City Wall; discovering the incredible man-made wonder the Terracotta Warriors; visiting the World Heritage Site the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda; experiencing the local living and enjoying local snacks at Muslim Quarter; watching a refreshing Tang Dynasty Show; tracing back the 2500-year-old history of Xian in Shaanxi History Museum...As for arrival, you can get to Xian with international flights, or transfer to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong, and so on.
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