Sleeping in the Story of Chang'an | Choose family-friendly accommodations in Xi'an by area, four types of experiences each with their own unique features
When choosing accommodation in Xi'an, don't rush to compare room types. Choosing the wrong area can lead to many unnecessary round trips for your family trip. Xi'an's distinctive accommodations are generally distributed along four lines: Qujiang, Chanba, the city wall area, and Lintong, corresponding to four experiences: design aesthetics, water views, old architecture, and theme park resorts, respectively. Below, we'll break down each of these four categories by selecting a representative area, focusing on the target audience, photo spots, and family-friendly facilities.
Designer Hotels/Boutique B&Bs: Around Qujiangchi Relics Park
The area surrounding Qujiang Pool Relics Park boasts the highest concentration of designer accommodations in Xi'an, with boutique hotels and guesthouses clustered around South Lake and the Tang Paradise. The overall design is more youthful, featuring permanent art installations, a grand staircase bookstore, and rooftop terraces in public spaces. It's ideal for families who want to visit museums during the day and enjoy the night view. Compared to the old city, the streets are wider, strollers are easier to walk on, and the abundant nighttime lighting makes it less boring for children.
Photo spots are concentrated along the Nanhu boardwalk, hotel terraces, and in front of the Datang Everbright City light installations. For family-friendly facilities, most hotels offer connecting family rooms, children's toiletries, and a children's breakfast table; some also have indoor children's corners or picture book areas. Staying in this area means you won't have to squeeze onto the subway or take a taxi across the city to get back to your hotel at night, making it more comfortable for children's schedules.
River/Lake View Apartments: Both banks of the Ba River in Chanba Ecological District
If you're looking for a view of water from your window and a morning stroll along the river, the banks of the Ba River in the Chanba Ecological District are quieter than those in Qujiang. The resort hotels and high-rise apartments in this area offer panoramic views of the Ba River and the World Expo Park, making them ideal for families who prioritize sleep quality and appreciate nature. The roads and riverside walkways in Chanba are perfect for strollers and balance bikes, unlike the more crowded core scenic areas.
Recommended photo spots include the Bahe Rainbow Bridge, the reflection of Chang'an Tower, and the birdwatching boardwalk in the wetland park. For family-friendly facilities, many hotels in Chanba offer family-themed rooms and heated children's wading pools, while the riverside wetland park also features non-motorized playground equipment. In the cool morning, cycling or birdwatching along the river is a great way to replace some of the long queues at tourist attractions with free outdoor activities.
Old building renovation for accommodation: Shuncheng Lane-Shuyuanmen area
For families wanting their children to experience a "Chang'an city" atmosphere, the converted old courtyards along Shuncheng Lane to Shuyuanmen offer a more immersive option. These guesthouses retain the traditional Guanzhong residential layout, featuring blue bricks, wooden beams, and courtyards, with many offering views of the city walls from their windows. Ideal for families who appreciate historical atmosphere and plan to visit the Stele Forest or the city walls early in the morning. Staying near the city walls, the South Gate is much quieter in the early morning than during the day.
Photo spots include views from the terrace and city wall, the old gate tower, the courtyard, and the carved wooden doors and windows. Children dressed in Hanfu (traditional Han clothing) will have great photos in the courtyard. Family-friendly facilities are relatively light, but some courtyards offer bookstores, Go (Weiqi) facilities, rubbings of inscriptions, or traditional handicraft experiences. The core value of staying here is the location: an early morning walk to the Stele Forest or the South Gate Wengcheng allows you to complete the main tours before group tours.
Nearby family-friendly resorts/theme parks: Lintong National Tourist Resort Area
If your itinerary includes the Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Palace, or a hot spring resort, staying in the Lintong National Tourist Resort Area will save you more energy than staying in the city center. This area boasts a cluster of well-established family-friendly resorts and hot spring hotels, offering spacious rooms, comprehensive facilities for children, and many hotels even have outdoor lawns, wading pools, and kids' clubs. It's ideal for families who plan to spend one or two days in Lintong.
Recommended photo spots include the hot spring pools with a backdrop of Mount Li, the hotel's lawn tent area, and the petting zoo. Family-friendly facilities include a kids' club, craft workshops, and evening family activities. Some hotels offer shuttle service to and from Huaqing Palace performances or direct shuttle buses to the scenic area. After visiting the Terracotta Warriors during the day, children can continue playing in water activities back at the hotel, saving parents the hassle of traveling between the city center and Lintong.
Staying in the right area when traveling with kids essentially turns travel time into playtime. Especially in the Lintong Resort Area, staying there basically saves you the energy and entrance fees of a half-day round trip from the city center. You can then be among the first to visit the Terracotta Warriors or Huaqing Palace the next morning, making the experience much more relaxed.