Solo Trip to Xi'an: No Compromises | Blogger's 3-Day 2-Night Safety Guide: Complete List of Solo Dining, Photo Spots, and Group Buying Options

Before my third solo trip to Xi'an, I thought the biggest challenge of traveling alone in Xi'an would be finding someone to share a table and eat paomo (a type of flatbread soup). It wasn't until I stayed a night near the train station that I realized the real challenge was the unease caused by the alleyways at night and the touts soliciting customers. This time, I moved my accommodation near the South Gate and spent three days and two nights retracing the safe routes suitable for solo travelers, compiling this honest, firsthand guide.

For safe accommodation areas: South Gate is better than Bell Tower, Qujiang is better than Muslim Quarter.

When traveling alone, my top priorities for accommodation are: "Is the road well-lit when I return in the early morning? Is there someone at the front desk? Are there chain convenience stores nearby?" Based on my three experiences, I highly recommend the South Gate (Yongning Gate) area. It's inside the city walls but close to the subway station. After 10 PM, the streets from SKP to South Street are brightly lit, and shops stay open late, so you won't feel anxious returning to your hotel. Prices range from hostels to mid-range hotels. If you're traveling alone, I suggest choosing a chain hotel with security access and a 24-hour front desk. Don't try to save a little money by choosing a guesthouse hidden deep in an alley.

The next best option is a branded hotel near the Qujiang Big Wild Goose Pagoda, especially near the Tang Paradise. The security and street lighting are excellent, but the downside is the large crowds at night, so be careful with your belongings after exiting the subway. I don't recommend staying near the train station or deep in the Muslim Quarter. Around the train station, there are many touts and dark alleys, and in the deeper parts of the Muslim Quarter, some side alleys are poorly lit after the stalls close at night, making it easy to get lost when traveling alone. A general principle for both women and solo travelers: it's better to stay a little further away than to choose a hotel that is directly accessible by subway and located near a main road.

A list of options for dining alone without feeling awkward: from morning markets to late-night eateries

Xi'an is actually very friendly to solo diners. Many old restaurants operate on a shared-table system, so you can get a seat faster than two people if you occupy one. In the morning, you can go to the morning market stalls near the alley outside the South Gate and order a bowl of meatball hot and sour soup with half a pancake. The chef won't skimp on the ingredients just because you're dining alone. Alternatively, you can find a rice noodle shop in the Zhubashi area that's only open in the morning. The chili oil is fragrant but not overly spicy, and you can have a very satisfying meal for just over ten yuan per person.

For lunch, consider paomo (pita bread soaked in mutton soup) or shumai (mutton stew). Since breaking the pita bread by yourself can be time-consuming, it's recommended to choose the machine-cut "soup-filled" version to avoid the awkwardness of pretending to break it for a while. The stir-fried paomo has a stronger flavor, which pairs perfectly with a bottle of Bingfeng (a local soft drink). For dinner, head to the basement of the shopping center in Xiaozhai or outside the South Gate. There are many local chain stalls there, and the layout is clear for solo diners, with fast table turnover and no awkwardness. If you're staying near the South Gate late at night, you can walk to Fenxiang for a bowl of hot rice noodles or glutinous rice soup, but avoid the back alleys and look for shops with their dine-in area lit up on both sides of the main road.

Taking photos without relying on others for the best angle: Solo shots without needing strangers.

When taking photos solo in Xi'an, my principle is "if I can set up a tripod, I won't ask for help." The most stable spot is on the Yongning Gate city wall. Go up the wall after 4 PM, and head west to the first horse-faced wall where there are fewer people. Fix your octopus tripod in the groove of the crenellation, and use time-lapse Selfie to capture the sense of the entire wall's extension. For the Bell Tower, don't crowd in front of the Kaiyuan Shopping Mall; go directly to the fifth-floor observation deck, place a small tripod against the railing, and shoot from above at the Bell Tower and the traffic flow. The night view is even better.

On the west side of the South Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, there's a row of antique-style red walls. Before 10 AM, it's almost deserted. Simply place your phone against a stone lamp in the square or on your backpack, and use the countdown timer to take a clean half-body photo. If you like an industrial style, you can visit the old factory buildings of Dahua 1935. In the afternoon, when the sunlight is at an angle, the corridors have a strong sense of depth, making it suitable for taking your time taking photos alone. The only thing to note is that you shouldn't fully extend your tripod in crowded areas, observe your surroundings beforehand, and keep your equipment close at hand.

Reliable group buying and companion finding channels: Want to save money and stay safe?

The areas surrounding Xi'an, such as the Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Palace, and Qianling Mausoleum, are quite far away, making it uneconomical to hire a car for one person. However, do not easily trust roadside "day tour" solicitors. The safest channels are the "Xi'an Tourism Distribution Center" and official flagship stores of reputable platforms offering day tours. These come with contracts and insurance, and departure points are usually located at subway entrances or main road meeting points, ensuring you won't be taken to remote areas.

If you want to find travel companions, prioritize staying in hostel dorm rooms or joining city wall night running groups or local Hanfu (traditional Han clothing) photo shoots. These activities often involve meeting in public areas, which are generally safer. When sharing a group or meal with strangers, arrange to meet in public areas such as shopping malls, subway stations, or chain coffee shops. Don't let them know your specific room number, and try to avoid riding in their private vehicles. If you encounter overly enthusiastic "free tours," simply say "I've already made plans with friends" to extricate yourself.

10 Safety Checklist Points for Solo Travelers in Xi'an (Suitable for both women and solo men)

I've condensed the pitfalls I encountered during my three solo trips to Xi'an into ten points, and I recommend taking screenshots and saving them: 1. Take photos of your ID card, passport, and other documents and save them to a cloud drive; only carry photocopies with you. 2. Choose mid-range chain or brand hotels with 24-hour front desks, access control, and elevator cards. 3. Don't walk alone in the back alleys of the Muslim Quarter, the underground passages of the train station, or the unlit sections of the city wall late at night. 4. Use a ride-hailing platform and keep the trip sharing function enabled throughout the journey; sit in the back seat. 5. Carry a power bank and a short charging cable to keep your phone charged. 6. Divide your cash into two places to avoid finding large stacks of cash in front of stalls. 7. Don't wear expensive jewelry or carry conspicuous camera bags; put your camera in a regular backpack when not in use. 8. Maintain a distance of half a meter when approached by strangers and don't reveal your complete itinerary or accommodation. 9. When dining alone, prioritize restaurants with open kitchens and high table turnover rates; avoid family-run workshops in deserted alleys. 10. If harassed or followed, go directly to a convenience store, subway station, or police station in the scenic area for help; don't go back to your hotel.

Xi'an is actually a very solo-friendly city in China, but a sense of security often comes from "staying in the right area, choosing the right time of day, and having a backup plan." If you only have three days and two nights, I suggest using the South Gate as your base. Spend the morning on the city wall and bell tower, the afternoon around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the evenings just looking for food on the main streets and in large commercial areas. If you want to combine nearby attractions, book a day tour a day in advance through a reputable platform—it's convenient and safe. Solo travel doesn't mean settling. Take it slow and steady; Xi'an will give you ample room for both your camera and your stomach.