Avoid Xi'an Accommodation Mistakes | Don't Be Fooled by Travel Guides Anymore, Locals Test These 5 Areas to Stay In

The sentence that Xi'an locals hate to hear the most is: "I booked a guesthouse next to the Bell Tower, and the Muslim Quarter is downstairs. It must be very convenient at night, right?" Every time I hear this, I want to tell them directly: You're not here for tourism; you're here to pay tuition for noise and traffic jams.

Travel guides constantly tout "staying in the city center, within walking distance of attractions," but the "closeness" between Xi'an's old city and scenic spots is only in terms of straight-line distance. In reality, at night and after the event, it often turns into a triple whammy of being unable to walk, not being able to hail a taxi, and not being able to sleep. Below, we'll first expose three trendy areas that locals would basically not choose to stay in, and then give you a few secondary residential areas that are actually suitable for staying in.

I. The area around the Bell Tower and East Street: So lively you won't sleep, hailing a taxi is all about luck.

The Bell Tower is indeed the geographical center, but precisely because it is so central, the East Street and Luomashi area is still bustling with people after 11 p.m. The old buildings along the street generally have very poor sound insulation, and the noise from convenience stores, milk tea shops, and barbecue stalls downstairs keeps seeping into the rooms.

Even more troublesome is the transportation. Many alleys near the Bell Tower are restricted or one-way, making it difficult for ride-hailing services to enter. You might be waiting for a car on the roadside with your luggage, and the driver might call and ask, "Are you opposite Kaiyuan or at the Bell Tower Hotel?" This can easily leave you confused. While the subway is convenient, the crowds at the Bell Tower station during rush hour are enough to make you feel suffocated.

Parking is a nightmare. Parking spaces are extremely scarce in older neighborhoods, and you're constantly getting caught on camera for roadside parking. For those driving here, staying here basically means spending half an hour in anxiety every time you leave the house. Unless you're a young person who absolutely needs to see the clock tower at night and doesn't mind the noise, I really wouldn't recommend staying here.

II. The area around Beiyuanmen in the Muslim Quarter: Dragging a suitcase through the crowds, it's not a lively atmosphere, it's torture.

The main street of the Muslim Quarter is crowded with people during the day, and there are still waves of tourists coming and going at night. There are many guesthouses and inns around places like Beiyuanmen, Dapiyuan, and Sajinqiao, but the buildings are old, the stairs are narrow, and there are no elevators. Dragging a large suitcase into the alley will make you regret it to the point of questioning your life.

Staying in this area, the nights aren't quiet. Even in the early hours, you can hear tourists pulling suitcases, shops closing up and pulling their shutters, and garbage trucks being hauled away. Not to mention, some guesthouses are right above restaurants, so the smell of cooking oil wafts into the rooms from morning till night, leaving your clothes covered in the smell of grilled meat and cumin.

Safety isn't a major concern, but the main street is dimly lit at night, and the alleyways are winding and twisting, which might make a single woman feel uneasy going back. Forget about parking; you can't even get into the alleys, and the nearest parking lot is always full. The guides only tell you "there's delicious food downstairs," but they don't tell you "there's noise and cooking fumes upstairs."

3. The area around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Tang Paradise: It looks close, but you won't be able to get back after the event ends.

The Tang Paradise is a top attraction in Xi'an, and many people specifically book rooms near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda so they can walk back to their hotels after the show. However, the problem is that this "walkable" status only applies to the entrance of the scenic area; after the show, you simply can't squeeze back to your hotel.

After 10 p.m., traffic around the city center nearly comes to a standstill. Long queues form at subway entrances, and it's common for ride-hailing services to have lines of one or two hundred people. Many drivers cancel orders because they can't get in. You can only slowly move along with the crowd; what should be a ten-minute walk can take more than half an hour.

The surrounding high-end hotels are overpriced, and many ordinary guesthouses are converted from commercial and residential buildings with poor sound insulation, slow elevators, and the sound of ventilation fans from shopping malls that can be heard at night. It's especially unpleasant to stay here with elderly people and children; children can't walk, and the elderly can't stand the crowds. By the time you get back to the hotel, you're exhausted. Locals usually head to Nanxiaomen, Qujiang Phase II, or even the northern suburbs after watching a performance; nobody wants to be stuck at the entrance of the scenic area.

IV. South Shaomen Grass Slope and Lijiacun Jian Da: A Sound Choice Between Old Town Vibrancy and University Dining Area

The Nanxiaomen Caochangpo area is considered by locals to be a compromise area in the old city, suitable for first-time visitors to Xi'an who want both convenience and a good night's sleep. It's only two or three stops from the Bell Tower Metro Line 2, one stop from the South Gate, and a taxi ride is quick, avoiding the congestion of the city center.

There's no shortage of food options nearby. In the evenings, there are noodle shops, barbecue stalls, and skewers restaurants in Caochangpo, and plenty of affordable eateries in the Zhongmao Plaza near Nanxiaomen. Returning to the hotel late at night is safe; the main street is quite lively, especially for women and children. The only drawback is parking difficulties in the older residential area; if you're driving, be sure to check with the hotel beforehand to see if there are any spaces available.

The Lijiacun construction area is more geared towards students and long-term residents. It's about two stops from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda on Metro Line 4, and about 20 minutes by transfer to the Bell Tower, so it's not far. There are many universities nearby, food is reasonably priced, and there are plenty of late-night street vendors and convenience stores. The atmosphere is safe, like a university town. The downsides are that many buildings are old, some accommodations have poor soundproofing, and parking is also limited.

V. Longshouyuan Daming Palace West and Qujiang Pool Jinhutuo: Different Solutions for Families and Self-Driving Groups

Longshouyuan Daming Palace West is a well-established residential area in the northern suburbs, suitable for families with parents and children who also need convenient access to the high-speed rail station or airport. Metro Line 2 provides direct access to the Bell Tower in about 20 minutes, and the Daming Palace Ruins Park is within walking distance.

This neighborhood has many shops on the ground floor, including breakfast stalls, noodle shops, dumpling restaurants, and hot pot restaurants. It's quiet at night, and the surrounding area is mainly residential, so returning to the hotel late at night is very safe. Parking is much better than in the old town, with many hotels having surface or underground parking spaces, making it much easier for families with cars.

The Qujiang Pool and Jinhutuo area is suitable for families with children who drive there and prefer a quiet environment. It's two or three subway stops from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Tang Paradise (Da Tang Everbright City), but if you drive to the Tang Paradise, traffic can still be congested after performances, so it's recommended to park at your hotel and take the subway. The area mainly offers mid-to-high-end restaurants with pleasant, uncluttered environments that are quiet and safe late at night, and parking is relatively convenient. The downside is the limited selection of affordable snacks; if you want to experience the vibrant local atmosphere, you'll have to go further into the old town.

VI. High-tech Road Coffee Street: A secondary core landing point for business travelers returning home at night.

If you're in Xi'an for business, meeting clients, or prioritize quality accommodations and a quiet nighttime environment, the coffee street area on Gaoxin Keji Road is much more comfortable than the city center. Metro Lines 3 and 6 connect to Xiaozhai and Big Wild Goose Pagoda areas, so it shouldn't be a problem if you're not in a rush.

The dining options here are more modern, with cafes, light meals, and Shaanxi cuisine restaurants. There are also many bars and craft beer establishments in the evenings. The neighborhood is more orderly than the old town, and it's easy to get a taxi back to the hotel late at night. Safety is not a concern, as there are many office buildings nearby, the streetlights are bright, and patrols are frequent.

Parking is relatively easy to find in the High-tech Zone, with wide roads, plenty of parking lots, and some hotels offering free parking. The downside is that it's a bit far from traditional attractions; a one-way subway ride to the Bell Tower takes about 30 minutes. It's suitable for tourists who aren't in a rush to see all the sights and prioritize rest.

In closing: Don't ask the locals if I didn't tell you.

1. Before booking accommodation, check the map reviews for phrases like "next to the main street," "downstairs is the night market," or "next to the pedestrian street." If these phrases are found, be prepared for the place to be lively even at 1 a.m.

Second, during Xi'an's peak tourist season, never book a hotel in the heart of the scenic area. Traffic jams and noise will make you lose your patience for the trip, especially if you are traveling with elderly people or children.

Third, if you are driving to Xi'an, skip the hotels around the Bell Tower, Muslim Quarter, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda and look for hotels in Nanxiaomen, Qujiang Phase II, High-tech Zone, and the northern suburbs. The parking experience will be completely different.

Fourth, I like the lively atmosphere of the city. The area around Nanxiaomen Caochangpo and Lijiacun Jianda is more down-to-earth than the Muslim Quarter area. You can eat well and avoid the crowds.

5. If your obsession with quiet outweighs your obsession with "tourist attractions right downstairs", then choose either the High-tech Zone or Qujiang Pool. A good night's sleep is more important than anything else.