Xi'an Hardcore Check-in Route! Capture the Best Photo Spots of the Ancient Capital in One Day, Instantly Stunning Your Social Media

This Xi'an cityscape check-in route is truly classic! From the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to Yongning Gate, it connects the essence of the ancient capital's central axis. Based on your photo locations, I have compiled a detailed travel guide for you.

Strolling the Ancient Capital Skyline: A Journey from the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to Yongning Gate

Want to capture the grandeur of Xi'an from the Tang Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties in one day? This walking route linking city landmarks will unfold a three-dimensional historical panorama for you.

Morning · Tang Dynasty Buddhist Charm
Start your journey at the South Square of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (P12). Looking up at this millennium-old pagoda, built under the guidance of the monk Xuanzang to house Sanskrit scriptures, you can feel the inclusiveness and grandeur of the flourishing Tang Dynasty. For classic shots of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, head to the fourth-floor viewing platform of the nearby Joy City Mall (P1, P11). The modern design here cleverly frames the ancient pagoda. Whether using the corridor lines (P1) or the open platform (P11), you can capture stunning photos blending tradition and modernity.

Afternoon · City Wall Walk
In the afternoon, let's cross over to the Ming Dynasty city wall. Climb the city tower at Yongning Gate (also known as the South Gate) (P2-4), the most magnificent tower on the Xi'an city wall. Standing on the broad wall, with its rustic blue bricks and neat battlements, one side shows the lively atmosphere of the old city streets, while the other reveals the modern urban skyline.

Photography Highlights:

· Ancient and Modern in One Frame: At the northeast corner of Yongning Gate city tower (P10), use the battlements and corner tower as the foreground and gaze at modern buildings like Yongning International in the distance. One photo tells a thousand-year story.
· Symmetrical Aesthetics: From Wumu Gate (Small South Gate), look towards Yongning Gate city tower (P7). The symmetrical composition along the central axis fully displays the solemnity and order beauty of ancient Chinese architecture.
· Corner Light and Shadow: Don’t forget to stop at the northwest corner under Yongning Gate (P9). Sunlight passing through the thick gate tunnel creates photos with rich light and shadow textures.

Evening · Sunset and Nightfall
Sunset is the best magical moment. Wait on the city wall for the evening glow (P14) and watch the golden light dress the ancient city in splendor. When night falls and the lights come on, the night view of Yongning Gate (P17) is not to be missed. The brightly lit city tower and its reflection in the moat create a dreamlike scene.

If time permits, visit Xiangzi Temple (P13) under the city wall. This Taoist temple dedicated to Han Xiangzi, one of the Eight Immortals, is quiet and serene—a rare oasis in the bustling city.

Night · Bell and Drum in Harmony
The final stop is the viewing platform on the fifth floor of Kaiyuan Shopping Mall (P15-16). This is the perfect spot to capture classic shots of the Bell Tower and Drum Tower together. These two Ming Dynasty buildings glow brightly at night, surrounded by flowing traffic, freezing the most prosperous scene of ancient Chang'an.

Practical Tips:

· It is recommended to purchase tickets for the Xi'an City Wall Scenic Area, allowing access to multiple city gates throughout the day.
· Climbing the city wall at dusk lets you enjoy both the sunset glow and the night view, killing two birds with one stone.
· The city wall walking route is long; renting a bicycle is a good option.

This route offers a new scene at every step and a millennium in every glance. Walking through it, you will not only collect a full set of photos but also personally experience the calm breath and vibrant vitality of Xi'an, this thousand-year-old ancient capital, between the old and the new.