Skip to content
Locrawl

Things to do with kids in Xi'an

13 family-friendly places in Xi'an: zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and more.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an
Photo: Liuxingy, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence)

Things to do with kids in Xi'an

  1. SeeHistory museum

    Shaanxi History Museum

    陕西历史博物馆; Shǎnxī Lìshǐbówùguǎn

    This museum houses a collection of local artefacts that span the province's history from the Neolithic period through the Qing dynasty. In particular, it contains fabulously well preserved pottery from the nearby Banpo neolithic village (also worth a visit) and many excellent Shang Dynasty bronzes. Although some guidebooks call it "one of the best museums in China", its old fashioned pots-and-arrowheads-behind-glass format may appeal mainly to enthusiasts. The most eye-catching articles are those from the Tang Dynasty that were used by the royal family. All visitors are required to make a booking on the museum's official WeChat account before visiting (see website for QR code). Upon arrival at the museum, you will need to pick up your pre-booked tickets from the counters on the east side of the South Entrance. The specific counter you will need to go to will depend on what kind of tickets you have booked. Go to Counters 1 or 2 for tickets to the 'Treasures of the Great Tang Dynasty', Counter 3 for tickets to the 'Mural Paintings of the Tang Dynasty' or Counter 4 for tickets to the main exhibition halls. You will also see automatic ticketing machines but these can only be used by visitors with Chinese ID cards.

    Nov 15-Mar 14: 09:00-17:30; Mar 15-Nov 14: 08:30-18:00, no tickets issued in last 90 minutes,:closed on MondaysEntry to the main exhibition halls is free. Tickets for the 'Treasures of the Great Tang Dynasty' cost ¥30 and tickets for the 'Mural Paintings of the Tang Dynasty' cost ¥270. The fees for English language tour guides are ¥300 for the main exhibition halls, ¥100 for the 'Treasures of the Great Tang Dynasty' and ¥100 for the 'Mural Paintings of the Tang Dynasty' · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

  2. SeeHistory museum

    Beilin (or Stele) Museum

    西安碑林博物馆; Xī'ān Bēilín Bówùguǎn

    Remarkable collection of 4000 inscribed stone tablets, covering scripture, poetry, classic Chinese texts, triumphs of rulers, family history, and practical affairs such as instructions to rebuild a school. The 7th century Nestorian Stele (Showroom 2, first exhibit on the left) depicts the coming of Nestorian Christianity to China.

    Mar-Nov: 08:00-18:30; Dec-Feb: 08:00-18:00, no entry in last 45 minutesMar-Nov: ¥60, Dec-Feb: ¥50, or ¥100 (if combined with City Walls)

  3. SeeHistoric site

    Daming Palace National Heritage Park

    大明宫国家遗址公园

    This is, first of all, a huge park with both green spaces and an enormous open square with an equally-impressive ancient palace gate (the palace is Tang dynasty, built in 634 AD). There's a model of the palace next to the gate. The square sometimes hosts public performances. The park even has an IMAX theatre. The park, gate and square are accessible for free. If you pay for admission, you can actually go into the partially restored palace ruins and other sections of the park protected by a moat. Worth seeing for the sheer size of it - it's more than 4 times the size of the Forbidden City, and a very surreal effect compared to the crowding in the rest of Xian.

    In spring and summer (April 15th to October 15th), opening hours are 08:30-19:00, the last tickets are sold at 17:30 and the last entry is at 18:30. In autumn and winter (October 16th to March 14th), opening hours are 08:30-18:00, the last tickets are sold at 17:00, and the last entry time is 17:30The standard ticket price is ¥60. Children aged 7 to 18 pay half-price. Children aged 6 or under and adults aged 65 or over are granted free entry · Heritage listed

  4. See

    Huaqing Palace

    华清宫; Huáqīnggōng 华清池; Huáqīngchí; Huaqing Pool

    Built by the Tang emperor Xuanzong near hot springs at the foot of Li Shan (Mount Li) so he could frolic with his favoured Imperial Concubine Yang to his heart's content. You may also take the nearby cable car (¥35 return) to catch a Birdseye view of the area. Most of today's structures date not from the Tang Dynasty, but from later dynasties. The exception is the ruins of the Tang Dynasty baths, which have been excavated and are open to public viewing. Also of interest is a residential compound dating from the late Qing Dynasty that was briefly home to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek. This was the site of the Xi'an Incident in 1936 and the bullet holes from the incident can still be seen.

    Closed · opens 7 amStandard adult tickets are ¥120, Students, children and persons over 65 pay half price

  5. See

    Tang Paradise

    大唐芙蓉园

    A large (67 ha, 165 acres) theme park based on the royal gardens of the Tang Dynasty. It claims to be the first theme park for all five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell). It includes a large fragrance garden and the largest movie-on-water screen in the world.

  6. See

    Banpo Village Ruins

    半坡遗址, 半坡博物馆 Banpo Museum

    6,000-year-old ruins of a village site including residential and pottery-making areas, ancient tools, and a burial ground. You should also visit the Shaanxi History Museum to see some of the best examples of the pottery found at Banpo.

    Closed · opens 8 amTickets are normally ¥65. Children aged 6 to 18 pay half price. Children under 6 and adults over 65 get in for free

  7. BuyBookshop

    Jiahui Hantang Book City

    嘉汇汉唐书城

    The largest bookstore in Xi'an, Book City has a fairly decent selection of imported English books. You'll find a wide range of books here, from educational ones, to classic novels, and modern literature to children's books. The place gets swamped with people at the weekends, so for a more pleasant browsing experience, come during a weekday.

    Closed · opens 9 am

  8. EatRestaurant

    Li Ming's Dumpling House

    李明饺子馆

    A tiny, family-run spot known only to locals, serving exceptional guotie (potstickers) and baozi (steamed buns) with secret-recipe fillings. No frills, just authentic flavor.

    Closed · opens 11 am

  9. See Not mapped

    Gao Family Compound

    高家大院, Gao's Grand Courtyard

    Built over 400 years ago during the late Ming Dynasty, this 86-room courtyard mansion is the former residence of a famous scholar-official by the name of Gao Yuesong (高岳崧). The mansion has been fully restored and turned into a museum. It also functions as a venue for puppet shows. The Gao Family Compound should not be confused with Gao Peizhi's former residence on Xinglong Lane, another traditional residence which is sometimes also referred to as 'the Gao Family Compound'.

    Closed · opens 10 am¥15 (entry ticket only), ¥30 (entry ticket + puppet show)

  10. DoAquarium

    Qujiang Ocean Park

  11. DoTheme park

    易俗历史文化街区

  12. DoAquarium

    曲江海洋极地公园极地馆

  13. DoAquarium

    曲江海洋极地公园海洋馆

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Xi'an (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.