Best Time to Visit Xi'an

Spring and autumn: the sweet spots

March to May and October to November are when Xi'an is at its best. Our data rates all of them Excellent, and the top picks are March, April and October. Days are mild, so walking the 14-km Ming city wall is a pleasure. Many people rent a bike and ride the top of it. In April it's warm enough for a T-shirt, with cool evenings. By May it's already hot at midday, though still comfortable.

Heading to the Terracotta Army? These months suit it well. The pits are mostly indoors, but you queue and walk outside a lot. Showers are short and light in spring. October is a bit wetter, with grey skies on many days, but it's still pleasant. November is crisp and clear.

Summer: hot and wet

June is hot, July and August are hot and sticky, and both are rated Poor. July is the wettest month by a clear margin, with rain on 16 days. Afternoon downpours can flood the streets. Mornings in the Muslim Quarter are manageable, and the Shaanxi History Museum is a cool escape at midday. Evenings are best for a bowl of biangbiang noodles (wide, hand-pulled) or a roujiamo, a pork bun, at a street stall.

Summer is also high season, since Chinese school holidays run through July and August. Expect long queues at the Terracotta Army and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. If you hate crowds and heat together, skip these months. September is Good, but it's damp and cloudy.

Winter: cold, dry and quiet

December and January are dry and cold, with frost at night. Both rate Fair. It's the low season, so the main sights are calmer and you'll often have the wall to yourself. The Terracotta pits are chilly, so wear a proper coat. Snow is rare but possible. Hot lamb soup, called yangrou paomo, with torn flatbread, tastes best now.

Chinese New Year usually lands in late January or February, and it changes the picture. Travel peaks around it, many local restaurants close for days, and the city fills with lanterns and temple fairs. Check the date before you book, as it moves each year. The Lantern Festival, about two weeks later, is a lovely time to see the city wall lit up. February is Good, with mild days and cold nights.

If you're picking one trip, aim for April or October. Want fewer people and don't mind a coat? Go in November.