Costs nothing · Xi'an, China

11 Free Things to Do in Xi'an

Xi'an without spending: 11 places with confirmed free entry, ranked by the travelers who went.

Only places with a confirmed free-entry policy make this list. Ranked by traveler review volume. Updated monthly.

  1. Muslim Quarter

    Landmark

    Xi'an's Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) is the vibrant heart of the city's Hui Muslim community, a warren of lantern-lit lanes packed with food stalls, snack shops, and centuries of culture, just behind…

    Read our full guide →
  2. Dayan Pagoda Northern Square

    Landmark

    Dayan Pagoda Northern Square is a bustling public space in Xi'an's Yanta District, centered around the historic Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Pagoda), a Tang Dynasty Buddhist pagoda.

    Read our full guide →
  3. Xi'an Museum

    Museum

    Xi'an Museum is a comprehensive cultural institution located on Youyi West Road, showcasing the rich history of Xi'an and the surrounding Shaanxi region.

    Read our full guide →
  4. Drum Tower Square

    Landmark

    Drum Tower Square is a lively hub in Xi'an's old city, centered around the iconic Drum Tower (Gulou).

    Read our full guide →
  5. Muslim market

    Market

    The Muslim Market, also known as Muslim Street, is the bustling heart of Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, a historic neighborhood that has been home to the Hui Muslim community for centuries.

    Read our full guide →
  6. Bronze Statue of Master Xuanzang

    Landmark

    The Bronze Statue of Master Xuanzang stands prominently at Dayanta North Square in Xi'an, a tribute to the revered Buddhist monk who journeyed to India in the 7th century.

    Read our full guide →
  7. Xi'an Qujiangchi Site Park

    Park & nature

    Xi'an Qujiangchi Site Park is a large public park built on the site of the Tang Dynasty's imperial Qujiang Pond.

    Read our full guide →
  8. Xi'an Town's God Temple

    Religious site

    Xi'an Town's God Temple, also known as Chenghuang Temple, is a Taoist temple located in the heart of Xi'an's bustling Muslim Quarter.

    Read our full guide →
  9. Tianshuijing Catholic Church

    Religious site

    Tianshuijing Catholic Church, also known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, is a historic Roman Catholic church located on Wuxing Street in Xi'an's bustling Muslim Quarter.

    Read our full guide →
  10. Yongxing Fang

    Landmark

    Yongxing Fang is a bustling pedestrian street located in the heart of Xi'an, near the historic city wall.

    Read our full guide →
  11. Tian yi Jade factory

    Market

    Tian yi Jade factory is a market located in the Banpo district of Xi'an, China, known for its extensive collection of jade products.

    Read our full guide →

How we pick these

Every place here is genuinely free to enter. We filter the 38 Xi'an places we track down to those with no admission charge, then rank them by traveler reviews. Updated monthly.

Good to know

Always vs sometimes free

A few museums are free only on set days — check opening info before you go.

Budget the extras

Entry is free, but transport, snacks and lockers in Xi'an still add up.

Go early

Free attractions draw crowds; mornings are usually the calmest.

Common questions

What can you do for free in Xi'an?+

This list ranks the best no-cost things to do in Xi'an, from parks and viewpoints to museums with free entry.

Are there free museums in Xi'an?+

Some museums are free all the time and others on specific days. The verified-free ones are included above.

Is Xi'an expensive to visit?+

You can see a lot of Xi'an on a tight budget by leaning on the free attractions here and eating where locals do.

Worth paying for? Best things to do in Xi'an · hidden gems · build a budget itinerary

Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.