Xi'an , China
Xi'an is more multicultural than many
cities in China and the people here are
used to dealing with tourists. This
small city is very easy to get around,
especially as the numerous buses stop at
all the major attractions and there are
plenty of maps available to help
visitors find their way.
This Customs and etiquette
While the people of Xi'an are generally
very tolerant toward foreign visitors,
it is worth noting that this is a very
conservative society and visitors should
take care while in public. Showing
public affection is frowned upon here,
as is wearing revealing clothing,
especially when visiting temples and
other sacred sights.
As with the rest of China, tipping is
not common practice in Xi'an and most
top-end hotels and restaurants include a
service charge in their prices.
Money
The base unit of currency in Xi'an, as
in most of the People's Republic of
China, is the yuan (CNY), which is often
written as ¥. There are plenty of places
in Xi'an where visitors can change
currency, draw money from ATMs and use
credit cards to pay for goods and
services. Generally, cash is the best
method of payment for items.
Weather
Xi'an is located in a warm temperate
zone and has a continental monsoon
climate with four distinct seasons. The
city tends to be hot and wet in the
summer, cold with frequent snowfall in
the winter, while it often rains in
spring and fall.
Many visitors find Xi'an uncomfortably
hot in the summer and freezing during
the wintertime. This means that the best
months for travel are during the spring,
which takes place from March to May, and
again in the fall, from September to
November.
Transportation
Xi'an is blessed with an excellent
public transport system and those who
know where they are going will find a
large number of buses available to take
them all over the city. The main bus
station is located opposite the train
station, just outside the city walls,
and tourists will find line 610 the most
convenient as it passes by a large
number of tourist attractions such as
the Bell Tower.
The North/South train line was completed
just a couple of years ago and
transports people across the city, while
the East/West line is due to be finished
soon. There are also plenty of taxis
available and the fares are low compared
to those in Western countries.
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
(XIY) is located 50km northwest of the
city center. From the airport it is
possible to take a taxi straight to the
city center. Visitors can also choose to
save money by taking the regular shuttle
bus. Tickets are sold at a counter just
inside the Arrivals hall and buses can
be found parked just outside.
Fast facts
Population: 2,670,000
Spoken languages: Mandarin, English,
Shanxi Dialect
Electrical: 220 Volts, 50 Hertz
Phone/calling code: +86 29.