Budget Travel Guide to Xi’an: Terracotta Warriors | Homejourney

Budget Travel Guide to Xian: Terracotta Warriors & Ancient Capital – At a Glance

If you want to see the Terracotta Warriors, walk the Xi’an city wall, and experience China’s ancient capital on a budget, plan for about S$70–S$120 per day (excluding flights) with smart choices on food, transport, and accommodation.

This Budget Travel Guide to Xian: Terracotta Warriors and Ancient Capital is written from a Singapore-based perspective, with price references in both RMB and SGD, and connects naturally to Homejourney’s broader Asia lifestyle and travel pillar, including Xian China Travel Guide: Terracotta Warriors & Ancient Capital | Homejourney .

Why Visit Xi’an, China – Ancient Capital on a Budget

Xi’an, in northwest China’s Shaanxi province, was the starting point of the Silk Road and capital of multiple Chinese dynasties, including the Qin and Tang courts.[4] It combines grand imperial history, Muslim food streets, modern malls, and student-heavy neighbourhoods that keep prices relatively friendly compared with Beijing or Shanghai.[4]

For Singapore travellers, Xi’an is especially attractive because:

Terracotta Warriors: One of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, about 1 hour from the city by bus.[1][4]
Walkable historic core: The fully preserved Xi’an city wall is a rare, intact fortification loop you can walk or cycle on.[1][3][4]
Food value: Hearty Shaanxi noodles, roujiamo (Chinese burgers), and Muslim Street snacks are very affordable by Singapore standards.[4]
Gateway for longer Silk Road trips: Convenient bullet trains and overnight trains connect Xi’an to Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou and beyond.[1][5]

Best Time to Visit Xi’an (for Weather & Crowds)

Based on recent travel patterns, the best balance of weather, prices and crowds is:

March–April: Cool, generally clearer air, and reportedly calmer crowds at the Terracotta Warriors compared with peak summer.[3]
Late September–October: Pleasant autumn temperatures and golden city wall views; avoid the first week of October (China’s National Day Golden Week) when prices and crowds spike.

Winters (Dec–Feb) can drop below 0°C but some entrance fees are cheaper in low season (for example, several attractions use a lower winter price band).[1] Summers can be hot and smoggy, with higher domestic tourism.

Getting to Xi’an from Singapore

There are typically direct or one-stop flights from Singapore to Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) on Chinese and regional carriers. Typical one-way economy fares on sale can be in the range of S$250–S$450, depending on season and airline (budget vs full-service). This is comparable to or slightly cheaper than peak-period flights to Beijing or Shanghai.[2][6] (Exact fares vary by date; always confirm with airlines.)

If you are already travelling around China:

Beijing → Xi’an bullet train: Around 5 hours, roughly US$65–85 (about RMB 470–620) for second class.[2]
Xi’an → Shanghai flight: Typically US$120–200 for economy, often faster and similar in cost to high-speed rail.[2]
Xi’an → Chongqing / Chengdu by train: From around RMB 263–280 on high-speed services for several hours of travel.[5]

Money, Currency & Budget Expectations

Xi’an uses Chinese Yuan (RMB). As a Singapore-based traveller, a practical working rate is often RMB 5 ≈ S$1 (check exact rates before you change money). Homejourney supports major Asian currencies for property-related calculations, so if you later compare Xi’an and Singapore real estate, you can easily convert values using our currency tools and financing calculators via Bank Rates .

Typical per-person per-day budget ranges (excluding international flights) are:

Backpacker: S$50–S$70 (hostels, street food, public transport)
Comfort mid-range: S$80–S$120 (3–4★ hotels, taxis/Didi, nicer restaurants)[6][7]
Upscale: S$150+ (international chains, private tours, fine dining)

Example cost breakdown from a budget traveller’s Xi’an trip: four nights in a hostel at RMB 151 total, Terracotta Warriors entry RMB 150, city wall RMB 54, mosque RMB 25, local bus to Terracotta RMB 15, plus food and incidentals for a total of RMB 904.5 over several days.[1]

Top Attractions: Terracotta Warriors, City Wall & More

Terracotta Warriors (Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum)

The Terracotta Warriors are a collection of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses and chariots buried with China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, over 2,000 years ago.[4] The museum has three main pits plus an exhibition hall with bronze chariots.

Practical details for budget travellers:

Location: About 40 km northeast of Xi’an.
Transport: Public bus from Xi’an Railway Station east square costs around RMB 15 return according to a budget breakdown.[1] Travel time is ~1–1.5 hours each way.[4]
Entry ticket: Recent reference prices show around RMB 150–160 for peak season, with a lower winter rate around RMB 100 in earlier years.[1][4] Always verify the latest price at official channels before you go.
Opening hours: Typically around 8:30 am–5/6 pm (varies slightly by season; check before visiting).
Guides: On-site English-speaking guides are commonly available; one example was RMB 400 for 4.5 hours for a group of four (about S$20+ per person).[3]

Insider tip from a crowd-avoidance perspective: Some tour guides note that April tends to be calmer than peak summer months.[3] Arrive at opening time, start with Pit 2 or 3, then loop back to the iconic Pit 1 once initial crowds thin slightly.

Xi’an City Wall

The Xi’an city wall is one of China’s best-preserved ancient city walls, forming a roughly 13.7 km rectangular loop around the old city.[3][4] You can walk, rent a bicycle, or take an electric cart.

Recent traveller data shows:

Entry: Around RMB 54 for adults.[1]
Bike rental: About RMB 45 for 2 hours for a single bike and RMB 90 for a tandem, with a refundable deposit around RMB 200.[1]
Electric car: Full loop roughly RMB 80, about RMB 20 between two stops.[1]

Insider tip: For Singapore travellers used to humidity, Xi’an’s spring and autumn air feels drier, so bring a light jacket and lip balm when cycling the wall in the evening – the sunset views and night lighting make this one of the best-value experiences in Xi’an.

Other Budget-Friendly Highlights

Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque: Try lamb skewers, biangbiang noodles, and pomegranate juice. The Great Mosque entry was noted at RMB 25 in one breakdown.[1]
Shaanxi History Museum: Excellent overview of Xi’an’s ancient capital status; often free or low-cost with timed tickets.[4]
Bell Tower & Drum Tower: Central landmarks; one traveller paid RMB 50 for entrance.[1]
Tang Paradise & Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Immersive Tang Dynasty vibes, music fountains, and evening shows.[3][4]
Hidden food streets like Xuanfeng Bridge Street and Weiqu Old Street for authentic noodles and breakfast pancakes at local prices.[4]