A 3-Day Xi'an Photo Walk: 17 Stops for Pagodas, Walls and Night Views

This route runs across three days: from a rooftop tea bar near the Bell Tower through the city wall and back, out east to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, then north and west past temples and a museum to a coffee shop on Zhongda International. Walk it in the order below — the timings are the ones recorded on the trip.

Staying near the Bell Tower puts day one almost entirely on foot. Compare all the main booking sites before you pick a hotel — the wall and the clock tower are within a walk of each other.

Day 1 — Bell Tower and Yongning Gate

1. Evening Breeze Viewing Tea Cafe Bar — the stop that opens the day, and the one that needs an order before you can shoot. It is known for the "roof-tile lifting" (上房揭瓦) view. From here it is a 10-minute walk to the wall.
2. Yongning Gate Tower — climb up from the south gate and you can shoot straight down the Bell Tower's central axis, plus the Kuixing Pavilion on the Xi'an city wall. Entry is 54 yuan per person. Allow time for two separate shots here. 12-minute walk to the next stop.
3. Er Hui Xiang Hotpot, Bell Tower branch — the draw is the "Chang'an wall" outside; photos at the doorway are free, no need to eat there. 7-minute walk on to the next.
4. Zaiyujian Chongqing Hotpot, Bell Tower branch — same idea, a different "Chang'an" photo wall, again free at the door.
5. Kaiyuan Shopping Mall, Bell Tower branch — the 5th-floor viewing terrace is free and is where you get the Bell Tower lit up at night.
6. Ba Wang Tea Party, Bell Tower flagship — floors 2 and 3 both frame the Bell Tower dead centre. No forced purchase; buy a drink if you want one. 8-minute walk back to Kaiyuan.
7. Kaiyuan Shopping Mall again — the route ends where the night view is, on the 5th floor. 8-minute walk from Ba Wang Tea Party.

Day 2 — Big Wild Goose Pagoda

1. Tang Daci'en Temple Heritage Park — free, and the north gate is the closest entrance. 10 minutes by car to the next stop.
2. Big Wild Goose Pagoda South Square — free, and the spot for the shot of Xuanzang with the pagoda behind him. 5-minute walk on.
3. Dayue City — the red wall beside Gate 3 sets off the old pagoda; the 4th-floor viewing platform is free and gives you the pagoda without the wall.
4. Da Tang Un-sleeping City — the night-time entertainment strip next to the pagoda area. 5-minute walk from Dayue City.

Day 3 — Temples, Museum, Coffee

1. Guang Ren Temple — free, and the "life's turning corner" (人生转角) is the shot. 5 minutes by car to the next stop.
2. Xiwutai Yunju Temple — free; the appeal is an old temple folded into the middle of the city.
3. Sajin Bridge Food Street — traditional Xi'an eating, the natural lunch stop. 20 minutes by car to the museum.
4. Xi'an Museum — free; a city collection next door to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. 2-minute walk to the pagoda.
5. Small Wild Goose Pagoda — free; a Tang-dynasty structure a couple of minutes from the museum.
6. An Ren Fang Heritage Exhibition Hall — free; the giant character lampshade is the photo. 20 minutes by car to the last stop.
7. Starbucks Reserve, Zhongda International — the "Xi'an" coffee-bean wall; no purchase required.