Everything you need to know before your first trip to Xi'an and China — payment, transport, apps, and insider tips that save hours of frustration.
In the first half of 2025, China received over 9.8 million inbound tourists — a 72% year-on-year increase. Visa-free entry now accounts for over 40% of all arrivals. Xi'an ranked #1 trending destination on TikTok for China travel, with Terracotta Warriors and Datang Everbright City content surpassing 2 billion views. There has never been a better time to visit.
The #1 question from first-time visitors: "How do I pay for things?" Good news — China has made enormous progress. You no longer need a Chinese bank account.
Both apps now support binding international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club). Over 200 cities across China accept foreign card payments through these platforms.
Restaurants & street food: 95%+ accept Alipay/WeChat. Metro & buses: Scan QR at turnstiles. Taxis (Didi): Pay in-app with bound card. Convenience stores: All major chains. Hotels: Most mid-range and above. Attractions: Online ticketing via mini-programs.
Keep 100-200 CNY in small bills for: small neighborhood eateries, temple incense, some taxis, and rural areas. Get cash at airport ATMs — they accept international cards and offer the best rates.
Major hotels, large shopping malls, and tourist attractions increasingly accept Visa/Mastercard directly. UnionPay cards work at most ATMs and an increasing number of merchants.
| Payment Method | Coverage | Setup Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alipay (foreign card) | 95%+ urban merchants | 5 min | Daily spending, food, transport |
| WeChat Pay (foreign card) | 90%+ urban merchants | 5 min | Same as Alipay + social |
| Cash (CNY) | 100% | 0 min | Backup, small vendors, tips |
| Foreign credit card | Hotels, malls, airlines | 0 min | Big purchases, hotel deposits |
📖 For detailed setup screenshots and troubleshooting, see our full Payment Guide for Foreigners.
Xi'an Metro has 9+ lines covering all major tourist areas. No need to buy a transport card — just scan your Alipay or WeChat Pay QR at the turnstile.
Xi'an Metro now supports foreign passport registration for monthly passes and stored-value cards. At any station service counter, present your passport to get a transport QR code linked to Alipay/WeChat. Single trips: just scan-and-go, no registration needed.
Didi works in English and accepts foreign credit cards via Alipay integration. It's cheaper than regular taxis and avoids the language barrier. Download Didi or use the mini-program inside Alipay/WeChat.
📖 See our full Didi Guide for step-by-step setup.
Book train tickets with your passport on the 12306 app or trip.com. No Chinese phone number needed for 12306 anymore — email verification works. Print your ticket or use passport swipe at the station.
📖 See How to Use 12306 for detailed instructions.
Take Tourist Bus 5 (Bus 306) from Xi'an Railway Station. Direct to the museum, ~1 hour, costs 7 CNY. Or book a private transfer via Didi for ~80-120 CNY one-way.
Language barrier is real but manageable with the right tools. Here are the apps that actually work:
Best offline Chinese↔English translation. Download the language pack before arrival. Camera translation for menus and signs works well.
🏆 Best OfflineBuilt-in message translator. Long-press any Chinese message to translate. Essential for communicating with hotel staff and drivers.
💬 In-AppReal-time conversation mode works well. Supports offline mode. Good alternative when Google services are blocked.
🗣️ Voice ModeIf you have an iPhone, the built-in Translate app handles Chinese well offline. Siri integration for quick translations.
🍎 iOS Built-inGoogle Translate works in China but requires a VPN connection, which can be unreliable. Don't rely on it as your primary tool. Download Baidu Translate as your offline backup.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| How much? | 多少钱？ | Duōshǎo qián? |
| I don't eat spicy | 我不吃辣 | Wǒ bù chī là |
| Where is the toilet? | 洗手间在哪？ | Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎ? |
| Please take me to... | 请带我去… | Qǐng dài wǒ qù… |
| I'm allergic to... | 我对…过敏 | Wǒ duì… guòmǐn |
| Can I pay by Alipay? | 可以支付宝吗？ | Kěyǐ Zhīfùbǎo ma? |
Not all hotels in China are licensed to accept foreign guests. This is important — booking the wrong hotel will result in being turned away at check-in.
China is rolling out digital registration at major hotels in pilot cities including Xi'an. Instead of filling paper forms, your passport is scanned and registration submitted automatically. Ask at the front desk if digital registration is available.
Internet access is essential for payments, maps, and translation. Here's how to get connected:
If your phone supports eSIM, this is the easiest option. Buy a China eSIM from providers like AloSIM, Airalo, or 3HK before you travel. Activate on arrival — no physical SIM swap needed.
Buy a China Unicom or China Mobile SIM at the airport. Bring your passport. Tourist SIMs with 7/15/30-day data plans are available at Xi'an Xianyang Airport arrivals hall.
Free WiFi is available at hotels, cafes, shopping malls, and the metro. Quality varies. Don't rely on public WiFi for payment transactions.
Google, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook are blocked in China. If you need these services, set up a VPN before arriving — it's very difficult to download one from within China. Roaming SIMs from your home country bypass the firewall but can be expensive.
📖 For detailed connectivity options, see How to Stay Connected in Xi'an.
Based on data from TikTok, Instagram, and Xiaohongshu, here are the experiences international visitors can't stop talking about:
The #1 trending experience. Rent a Tang Dynasty hanfu (汉服) near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, then stroll through the illuminated Grand Tang Mall at night. Many shops now offer plus-size options and multi-language fitting guides. TikTok videos of this experience regularly hit 500K+ views.
🔥 #1 TrendingThese hand-pulled belt-width noodles are Xi'an's signature dish. The character "biáng" is so complex it can't be typed — it has 56 strokes. Foreigners love filming themselves trying to say it. TikTok views: 500M+.
🍜 Must-TryRent a bike on the 14km ancient City Wall at sunset. The wall is beautifully lit at night, and the cool evening air makes cycling pleasant even in summer. Foreign tourists say it's the highlight of their Xi'an trip.
🌙 Best at NightGrab tea at a bamboo chair, then let a professional ear-cleaner work their trade. It sounds intimidating but is a beloved Chengdu/Xi'an experience that visitors find surprisingly relaxing.
🍵 Local VibeForget silk and tea — the 2026 hot souvenirs are surprisingly different:
| Item | Why It's Hot | Where to Get It | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glow-in-dark bamboo copter | Viral on TikTok as "Chinese magic flying disc" | Night markets, Huimin Jie | 5-15 CNY |
| 20,000mAh power bank | Half the price of Western equivalents | Huaqiang / electronics malls | 60-120 CNY |
| Dunhuang cultural merch | Unique museum-quality designs | Shaanxi Museum shop | 30-200 CNY |
| Chinese pastries | Bakery items like wife cake (老婆饼) | Supermarkets, bakeries | 10-30 CNY |
| Pharmacy throat lozenges | Unexpectedly popular — Chinese herbal formula | Any pharmacy | 8-20 CNY |
China's Departure Tax Refund 2.0 launched July 2026. Spend 200+ CNY at a single tax-refund store and get up to 11% VAT refund at the airport. Look for "退税" (tax refund) signs in major shops. See our Tax Refund Guide for details.
If you get stuck, don't panic. Chinese people are generally very helpful to foreign visitors. A smile, a map, and pointing go a long way. Young people in cities often speak some English and are happy to help with translation apps. The inbound tourism boom means locals are more accustomed to international visitors than ever before.