Free things to do in Xi'an, curated by locals!

🌿 [Qinglong Temple Ruins Protection Zone] - A secret world of cherry blossoms
▪️ Take Subway Line 3 directly there, and avoid the paid scenic area by walking towards the east gate.
▪️ Red walls, bamboo forests, and mirrored hallways are perfect for taking photos in Hanfu.
✨ Tip: Arrive before 8am to have the entire flower field to yourself.

🏭 [Dahua 1935] - The beauty of industrial ruins
▪️ An art district converted from a former textile factory, featuring giant graffiti walls.
▪️ Staircases in old factory buildings and rusty pipes make for great cyberpunk photos.
▪️ Every Saturday, there's a creative market run by university students (handmade goods, cheap and fun!).
Location: No. 251, Taihua South Road (Subway Line 4, Hanyuan Hall Station)

⛪ [Five Star Street Church] - A hidden gem blending Chinese and Western styles
▪️ A 300-year-old Catholic church with breathtaking stained glass windows.
▪️ Organ worship on Friday evenings (non-believers can also visit quietly).
▪️ In the small alley around the corner, you'll find the most authentic rose mirror cakes in old Xi'an.

🏞️ [Qujiang Pool Ruins Park] - The ultimate night view
▪️ A gathering place for locals to jog at night, with the lake reflecting the lights of thousands of homes.
▪️ Free shadow puppet shows every Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm.

🎬 [Exterior of the Western Film Studio Museum] - A must-visit for art lovers
▪️ Giant movie poster walls and Soviet-style red brick factory buildings.
▪️ Important! Taking photos of the exterior is completely free, no need to enter the museum.

🏨 [Hotel Recommendation | Smart hotel 10 minutes from attractions]
▫️ YUE Hotel (Datang Everbright City South Square Branch)
▫️ 11th Floor, Human Resources Industrial Park, No. 1819, Cuihua Road, Yanta District

💡 Why choose this hotel?
✅ Prime location: All the above attractions are within a 3km radius (easily accessible on foot or by bike).
✅ Smart control features: Voice-activated Xiaodu smart assistant and smart toilet.
✅ Family-friendly: 1.8m bed and separate dry and wet bathroom areas.

🗺️ Actual walking times
→ Dahua 1935: 15 minutes by subway.
→ Qujiang Pool: 8 minutes by shared bike.
→ Datang Everbright City: 10 minutes walk through Kaiyuan Square to the core area.
→ Yintai Department Store: Just across the road downstairs (super convenient for storing shopping bags).

⚠️ Things to avoid:
Don't take a taxi to Qinglong Temple! The morning rush hour traffic is a nightmare.
During the off-season, you can stay in a smart hotel room for around 150+ per person, much cleaner and safer than a homestay.