Xi’an Night Travel Guide: Top Things to Do in Xian at Night
Admire the Best Night Views in Xi’an
1.Bell Tower and Drum Tower Night View
After dark, the Xian Drum Tower and Bell Tower are landmarks that present the best night views in Xi’an. The ancient buildings stand majestically under modern lights. Golden beams illuminate the glazed rooftops of the Bell and Drum Towers, outlining their gracefully upturned eaves. Don’s miss street performances and lively group activities where you can fully experience Xi'an's nighttime passion and vitality during your Xi’an travel.
2. Daming Palace at Night
An evening visit to Daming Palace is highly recommended, as this UNESCO-recognized site offers an experience where cutting-edge light technology meets timeless architectural wonder. What stuns most is the Danfeng Gate, the southern entrance to Daming Palace. Known as "The Grandest Gate of China's Golden Age," it comes alive at night through immersive illuminations that recreate Tang's imperial splendor.
Enjoy Xi’an’s Night Performances
For a deeper cultural touch, Xi’an night shows bring the Tang Dynasty’s glory to life through dance, music, and traditional play, marking a magnificent part of China’s nightlife. Hence, watching night performances and shows is also among the fun things to do in Xi’an at night.1. Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show (Tang Paradise)
The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance is one show you can't miss during your China Xi'an tours. Held in Tang Paradise, the performance is incredibly impressive, mixing ancient poetry, songs, and music with beautiful dances. There are eight different performances with old instruments and nice dances, and the most famous is "Orioles Singing in Spring" played on a panpipe by Gao Ming.
2. Shadow Play and Traditional Opera
Wonderful Chinese shadow puppet shows are being performed in various places, including the Gao Family Compound. The small shadow puppets become vivid under old artists' skillful hands, moving between light and shadow to perform ancient stories. Don't miss the traditional opera Huayin Laoqiang in Xi’an at night! It's called China's oldest rock music.
>> Recommended 3-day Xi’an highlight tour
3. Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show
This most famous large-scale live-action show in Xi'an is based on the scenes depicted in Bai Juyi's poem "Song of Everlasting Sorrow," telling the love story of Imperial Concubine Yang and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Performed at Huaqing Palace with the towering Li Mountain as a natural backdrop, the stage rises dramatically from the water, with the mountain bathed in a sea of twinkling lights—a sight that leaves audiences in awe.
Watch the Stunning Light Shows
Besides the amazing live performances, enjoying the light shows is also one of the unique things to do in Xi’an at night.1. Big Wild Goose Pagoda Musical Fountain Show
Known as the largest musical fountain in Asia, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Musical Fountain measures 218 meters wide (east-west) and 346 meters long (north-south). When the music starts, over 1,000 jets dance to music, from gentle ripples to a thunderous 60-meter geyser that glows like a neon dragon under colorful lights. Pro tip: Visit at 7 PM for golden-hour photos or 9 PM for the most dazzling light-water symphony.
2. Yongning Gate Light Show
Yongning Gate (South Gate) is the main entrance for touring the Ancient Xi'an City Wall at night. After dark, the moat transforms into a giant light-projection canvas, with water screens reaching maximum height and Tang Dynasty patterns projected in real-time on the wall surface, which is breathtaking. You can ascend the Yongning Gate wall and rent a retro bicycle to cycle along the wall, which is one of the popular things to do with kids in Xi’an.
>> Recommended 4-day Xi’an discovery tour for active families
Taste Delicious Food at Night Markets in Xi’an
Wondering where to go in Xi’an after dinner? Its night markets are worth visiting. Below are the top night markets in Xi’an.1. Xi’an Muslim Quarter Night Market
The Muslim Quarter is a well-known night food market where you can experience the liveliness of Xi'an's nightlife. Visit Beiyuanmen, you'll find the streets are lined with numerous snack shops and restaurants serving nearly 300 kinds of delicacies, and don't hesitate to try the famous Xi'an food like Roujiamo, Biang Biang Noodles, and Xian Dumpling Banquet. You can also explore the alleys, such as the Sajinqiao area, which is more favored by locals and hides more authentic snacks.
2. Chang’an Twelve Hours Themed Street
Step into Chang'an Twelve Hours and be transported to the Tang Dynasty through its authentic Chinese architecture. What would it be like to dine here in Xi’an at night? The Tang Banquet tells you the answer. It is a Tang-style feast that allows you to experience Tang Dynasty Chinese food culture, featuring a "Tang-inspired Cuisine" series of delicacies worth trying. While enjoying the food, there are also various exquisite stage performances and Tang music played with traditional instruments like phoenix flutes and luan pipes.>> Recommended half-day Xi'an evening food tour
Take Cultural and Historical Walks at Night
Wandering the city is also one of the best things to do in Xi’an at night. For a cultural and historical immersion, you can explore the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City.Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City
It’s one of the most popular places to visit in Xi’an at night. As the lights turn on, walking here feels like traveling through time to the prosperous Chang'an city of the Tang Dynasty. Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City combines the Tang Dynasty architectural style with modern technological elements. There is a total of 22 shows, each lasting ten minutes. You can stroll through this living museum, experiencing the glory and liveliness of the Tang Dynasty.
Take Breathtaking Night Photos
Xi'an's beautiful nightscapes deserve to be photographed and shared with your friends and family. The glowing towers, pagodas, and bustling streets provide great chances for stunning photos of Xi’an’s night attractions.Best Night Photography Spots in Xi’an
- The Yongning Gate Tower: Ideal for panoramic shots of the Bell Tower axis and ancient walls.
- Xi’an Joy City Rooftop (4F): Best site for overlooking and capturing the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
- Kaiyuan Mall Observation Deck: The best viewpoint for the Bell Tower and city center skyline.
- The northwest plaza of Xi'an's Bell Tower: a classic photography location for Xi'an's cityscape at night, best for capturing the magnificent view of the Drum Tower.
- Heshenghui Rooftop (6F): Capture the wide city skyline and the vibrant Xi’an night from above.
Relax in Xi’an Night Clubs and Bars
For those who love modern Xi’an nightlife, visiting Xi’an nightclubs and bars is also among the top things to do at night in Xi’an.1. PLAYHOUSE
This 2,000-capacity club has become the benchmark for nightlife in Northwest China. It has an international DJ lineup, German-engineered sound systems, and mind-blowing light shows with four “cosmic cubes” capable of 720-degree rotation. All these make it a place where you can truly feel the pulse of Xi’an after dark.
2. The Siren Bar
The Siren Bar is China's first and Xi'an's only 360-degree rotating high-altitude lounge. At 28 floors high, it allows you to overlook the Yongning Gate city wall, Bell Tower, SKP shopping district, and the entire Chang'an Road, providing beautiful sunset and night views. The bar slowly rotates once per hour, with seats changing perspectives over time, offering the best night experience in Xi’an.
Explore Xi’an at Night with Easy Tour China
With so many things to do in Xi'an at night, have you also become fascinated by Xi'an's nightlife? You can plan a Xi'an night tour with Easy Tour China, a professional travel agency specializing in private China tours. From illuminated landmarks to night markets and cultural performances, we'll customize your tour to Xi'an according to your interests. Or take a look at the China tour packages below that include Xi’an for inspiration.