Xi’an Walking Tour: 5 City Wall Routes & Muslim Street Hidden Eats

Xi’an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, offers the perfect setting for a walking tour within its walled Old City. A 13.74-kilometer-long Ming Dynasty city wall encloses a thousand years of xi’an china history right at your feet. It’s just a ten-minute walk from the base of the wall to the Bell and Drum Towers, and a turn into the alleys of Hui Muslim Street brings a bowl of sour soup dumplings that warms your heart. This Xi’an walking tour guide will help you cover the highlights of the city walls in a single day, then venture into the alleys to sample the authentic delicacies of Hui Muslim Street. Whether you’re planning your first Xi’an walking tour or have been here before and want to explore the hidden gems, this guide has you covered.

Which Section of the City Wall Should You Walk? Figure It Out Before You Go

For first-time visitors to Xi’an, the biggest dilemma is this: the city wall is so long—it takes three hours to walk the entire length—so which section is the most worthwhile? Honestly, there’s no need to force yourself to walk the whole circuit. The city wall is divided into four sections—south, east, north, and west—each with its own unique scenery. Choosing just one or two sections is plenty, and that’s the beauty of a flexible Xi’an walking tour. The southern section offers expansive views and is perfect for photo opportunities; the eastern section is quiet and less crowded, ideal for a leisurely stroll; while the northern and western sections are relatively unassuming but still hold their own surprises.

Another common question: Can you ride a bike on the wall? Should you bike or walk? This is a question everyone planning a Xi’an walking tour asks. There are bike rental spots on the wall—45 yuan for 3 hours on a single-seater, 90 yuan for 3 hours on a tandem—but I sincerely recommend walking at least one section. While biking is faster, walking is the only way to clearly see the inscriptions on the bricks and the silhouettes of distant rooftops.

Detailed Guide to 5 Sections of the City Wall: Xi’an Old City Wall Walking Routes in Practice

The following 5 Xi’an Old City Wall walking routes are the best sections, repeatedly verified by locals. Each section is marked with the starting and ending points; you can combine them as needed.

Southern Route 1: Hanguang Gate → Yongning Gate (approx. 20 minutes)

Climb the wall at Hanguang Gate and walk eastward to the base of Yongning Gate. This section is the shortest yet most iconic, and it’s also the most popular part of the Xi’an walking tour. The Hanguang Gate Ruins Museum is located inside the city wall, where you can see remnants of the Tang Dynasty gate passage; admission is free. When you reach Yongning Gate, you’ll find yourself beneath Xi’an’s most majestic city gate tower. Looking south, you’ll see the modern skyline in the direction of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, creating a striking juxtaposition of past and present. Come around 4 or 5 p.m., when the setting sun bathes the city wall bricks in a golden-red glow—every snapshot you take will look like a postcard.

Southern Route 2: Wenchang Gate → Jianguomen (Approx. 30 minutes)

Climb the wall at Wenchang Gate and head east all the way to Jianguo Gate. This section passes by Heping Gate, offering a bird’s-eye view of the gray rooftops of the Stele Forest Museum and the Shuyuanmen Ancient Street. The Qinling Mountains are faintly visible in the distance and appear especially clear on sunny days. Descend the wall at Jianguo Gate; a 5-minute walk will take you to the Old Market, where creative shops and cafes cluster together, making it a great spot to take a break.

East Route: Changle Gate → Northeast City Corner (approx. 35 minutes)

Climb the wall at Changle Gate, pass through Zhongshan Gate and Chaoyang Gate, and descend at the Northeast Corner. This section is the quietest, with few tourists, making it ideal for those who want to enjoy the city wall in solitude. Just below Zhongshan Gate lies Yongxing Lane, a street famous for Shaanxi’s intangible cultural heritage cuisine, where you can sample Zichang pancakes and Zhaoshui glutinous rice cakes all in one stop. In the eastern section, you can also see trains passing through the culverts under the city wall—a rather interesting sight.

North Route: Northeast Corner → Anyuan Gate (approx. 30 minutes)

Walk along the north wall from the northeast corner to Anyuan Gate. Beyond the north wall lie Xi’an Railway Station and the city’s new district, creating a stark contrast between the inside and outside of the city wall. Anyuan Gate is the northern gate; its gate tower has been fully restored. After descending from the wall, you can visit the nearby Daming Palace National Heritage Park, which is just one subway stop away.

West Route: Northwest City Corner → Andingmen (approx. 35 minutes)

Climb the city wall at the Northwest City Corner and proceed past Yuxiangmen to Andingmen. Outside this section of the wall lies a Hui ethnic minority neighborhood, where you can see the green domes of mosques and clusters of old houses. Yuxiangmen is named after Feng Yuxiang; it was a new city gate opened in 1928 to facilitate traffic. The Andingmen gate tower is the best-preserved of the four gates and is well worth a closer look.

How to Eat Your Way Through Hui Muslim Street Without Getting Ripped Off? The Right Way to Do a Xi’an Muslim Street Food Walking Tour

Head north from the Bell and Drum Towers, and you’ll find Hui Muslim Street. A genuine Xi’an Muslim Street food walking tour starts by avoiding the main street—those shops that hound you with menus and are lit up like photo studios are mostly knockoffs. The real foodies are all in the alleys.

Dapi Yard: A Street Lined with Eight Old Shops

Dapi Yard is the most vibrant alley on Hui Muslim Street and a must-visit stop on the Xi’an Muslim Street Food Walking Tour. Within 200 meters, eight old shops line the street. Sheng Zhiwang’s sesame paste-topped cold noodles cost 8 yuan per serving, with a sesame paste so thick it’s almost impenetrable; Hongshunxiang’s braised cold jelly costs just over 10 yuan, served with the standard combo of sesame paste, steamed bread, egg, and century egg for a rich, layered flavor; Shi’s Baozi, dipped in chili oil, bursts with juice with every bite; Ma Feng’s Stir-Fried Paomo at No. 22 Guangming Alley features a spicy and sour stir-fry with raw meat that packs a punch; Ding’s Crispy Pork, a shop with over 20 years of history, is served with rice and Bingfeng soda, costing just 20–30 yuan per person. There’s also Liu’s Steamed Pork with Glutinous Rice at Xiaofangzi, the Halal Hot Pot Restaurant, and Lao Huifang Spicy Hot Pot—the kind of places locals frequent.

Xiyangshi: A Paradise for Paomo and Grilled Meat

Turn from Dapi Yard onto Xiyangshi, where Lao Mi’s Paomo is a must-try. Hand-torn bread is boiled in a rich broth, costing 20–25 yuan per bowl. Hongliu Grilled Meat and Braised Beef Sandwiches cost 10–12 yuan—they’re best enjoyed on the go. Southeast Asian Bengao is located at the intersection of Xiyangshi and North Guangji Street; layers of glutinous rice and red dates make for a sweet treat that’s not too rich.

Sajinqiao: The Heart and Soul of Sour Soup Dumplings

Sajinqiao is a beloved food street among locals. This hidden gem on the Xi’an Muslim Street food walking tour offers Ma Er’s sour soup dumplings for just 20 yuan a serving—thin wrappers filled with generous portions of meat in a tangy, spicy broth. A bowl of these in winter will warm you right through. The street is also home to Lao Liu’s Paomo and Liu’s Steamed Pork with Glutinous Rice Flour, both offering authentic flavors at reasonable prices.

Xi’an walking tour: Practical Information: Tickets, Transportation, Hours

City Wall admission: 54 RMB for adults, 27 RMB for students; combined City Wall + Stele Forest ticket: 100 RMB. Children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters tall, and seniors over 65 years old are admitted free of charge. Yongning Gate is open until 10:00 PM; most other gates close at 8:00 PM, so be sure to arrive well before closing time. Take Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station and exit via Exit A1; it’s a 5-minute walk to the South Gate entrance.

The combined Bell and Drum Towers ticket costs 50 RMB; individual tickets for the Bell Tower and Drum Tower are 30 RMB each. We recommend visiting in the evening, as the lighting is most photogenic when the city lights first come on.

Hui Muslim Street is open all day, with most shops operating from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It is busiest from noon through the afternoon. We suggest visiting after 4:00 PM to avoid the peak tour group traffic; shops in the alleys tend to close later.

Xi’an walking tour: Recommended One-Day Walking Route

At 9:00 AM, climb the city wall at Yongning Gate and walk along Route 1 South to the base of Yongning Gate (or, if you’re in good shape, take Routes 1 and 2 South, which takes about 50 minutes). At 10:30 AM, exit the wall at Wenchang Gate and head to the Stele Forest Museum (included in the combined ticket). At 11:30 AM, browse the calligraphy and painting stalls at Shuyuanmen. At 12:00 PM, walk to the Bell and Drum Towers for photos. At 12:30 PM, head straight to Dapi Yard on Hui Muslim Street to start eating. In the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll through the alleys, ending at Sajin Bridge. You’ll clock in at around 15,000 steps for the day—just right. This is a tried-and-true, essential Xi’an walking tour route.

This Xi’an walking tour route lets you soak in the ancient charm of the city walls and savor fresh local flavors in the alleys—the very essence of Xi’an’s Old City is right at your feet. Save this itinerary so you can follow it exactly on your next visit. If you want a deeper experience of the Xi’an Old City Wall walking route, consider walking along several sections of the wall—each offers a unique view.

Hui Muslim Street is open all day, with most shops operating from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It’s busiest from noon through the afternoon. We recommend visiting after 4:00 PM to avoid the peak tour group crowds; the shops in the alleys stay open later.