City in Shaanxi, China
Xi'an for solo travelers
Is Xi'an good for solo travel?
A walkable walled city for first-timers, with the Terracotta Warriors, city-wall cycling and a loud Muslim Quarter food scene. Strong history for the price; limited English and winter smog.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable alone; harassment is uncommon. Use DiDi late and watch drinks in bars. |
How to meet people in Xi'an
Hostels near the Bell Tower with tours, a few language-exchange nights, and cycling groups. Most solo travelers meet people on Terracotta day trips.
Good things to do alone
- Cycle the Ming city wall at sunset
- Visit the Terracotta Warriors early
- Eat roujiamo and biangbiang noodles in the Muslim Quarter
- Watch the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda fountain show
- Climb Huashan for a day if fit
Where to stay in Xi'an
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Within the City Wall (Bell Tower) | First-timers: walkable sights, Muslim Quarter, hostels |
| Yongningmen–South Gate | Subway hub, bars, easy walls access |
| Xiaozhai–Giant Wild Goose Pagoda | Quieter long stays, malls, evening shows |
| Gaoxin | Newer apartments, tech jobs, cheaper rent |
Solo travel across China
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | 5/5 | Limited |
| Beijing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Shanghai | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Xi'an | 4/5 | Limited |
| Chongqing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hangzhou | 4/5 | Limited |
| Yangshuo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lijiang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Xiamen | 4/5 | Limited |
| Dali | 4/5 | Limited |
| Huangshan | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kunming | 4/5 | Limited |
| Qingdao | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nanjing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Changsha | 4/5 | Limited |
| Pingyao | 4/5 | Rare |
| Dunhuang | 4/5 | Rare |
| Guilin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Shenzhen | 3/5 | Limited |
| Guangzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Zhangjiajie | 3/5 | Rare |
| Suzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Harbin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Sanya | 3/5 | Limited |
| Lhasa | 3/5 | Rare |
| Shangri-La | 3/5 | Rare |
| Jiuzhaigou | 3/5 | Rare |
| Kashgar | 3/5 | Rare |
| Wuhan | 3/5 | Limited |
| Tianjin | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Xi'an good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). A walkable walled city for first-timers, with the Terracotta Warriors, city-wall cycling and a loud Muslim Quarter food scene.
How do you meet people in Xi'an?
Hostels near the Bell Tower with tours, a few language-exchange nights, and cycling groups. Most solo travelers meet people on Terracotta day trips. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Xi'an?
Limited.
Is Xi'an safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable alone; harassment is uncommon. Use DiDi late and watch drinks in bars.
More about Xi'an
Going to Xi'an solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Xi'an meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.