Xi'an has many outdoor activities to offer from cycling along the top of the city's ancient wall and hiking in the fields to soaking in hot springs. There are many choices for visitors wishing to spend some time outdoors in this ancient city.
Biking
There are bicycle tours all over China. Xi'an, the ancient capital of 13 dynasties, also has several of its own – in particular its bicycle tour on the top of the ancient city wall.
Xi'an ancient city wall
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The 18 city gates are all open and enable visitors to get up the wall where they can also hire a bike. The deposit is 200 yuan, and it costs 20 yuan for one bike for 100 minutes. The tandem bicycle costs 40 yuan for 100 minutes.
Admission fee: 40 yuan
Transportation:
To the South Gate: bus No.11, 12, 23, 46, 215, 600, 603, 608 or Wulong Special Line.
To the East Gate: bus No.8, 22, 43, 102, 203, 218, 232, 235, 252, 300, 527, 602, 604, 714, or 903.
To the North Gate: bus No.6, 26, 28, 33, 117, 205, 206, 208, 214, 216, 229, 310, 336, 506 or 511.
To the West Gate: bus No.4, 10, 15, 23, 206, 215, 221, 222, 223, 300, 302, 407, 504, 611, 701 or K630.
Soaking in hot springs
Xi'an is the right city to enjoy hot springs and there are many resorts providing therapeutic baths in and around the city.
Huaqing Hot Springs
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Huaqing Hot Springs are located in Lintong district in the eastern suburb of Xi'an. A visit to Huaqing Hot Springs can transport you back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) as this was the place where the Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty and the Concubine Yang came to relax. The flowing water is at a temperature of 43C all the year round and it contains many minerals. Today, around the ancient Huaqing Hot Springs, there are newly-developed hot springs for visitors to enjoy.
Admission Fee: 40 yuan (From Dec. 1 - the end of the next Feb.); 70 yuan (Mar. 1 - Nov. 30)
Transportation: take bus No.914, 915, or Tourism Bus Route 5 (306) from Xi'an Railway Station to Huaqingchi.
Dongtangyu Hot Springs
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Located in Lantian county in Xi'an, Tangyu town is a famous spa destination. The temperature of the hot water in Tangyu spa measures as high as 61 degrees. It contains many minerals such as iron, sulfate, iodine and other trace elements, which can be used to help treat many conditions.
Transportation: take bus No.920 and get off at Tangyu Stop.
Hiking
Mount Huashan
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Located about 120 kilometers to the east of Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, Mount Huashan is one of the five sacred mountains in China. It is a Taoist mountain that has long been of religious significance. Also called Xi Yue (western sacred mountain), it was originally seen as three separate peaks. At present, it is classified as five main peaks, among which the highest one is the South Peak (2160 meters high).
Mount Huashan is well known for being very steep, with some parts almost vertical. Visitors can get to the top by foot or cable car and are encouraged to climb the mountain at night to wait for sunrise. Admission fee: 100 yuan (Mar.1 – Nov.30); 60 yuan (Dec.1 – the next Feb.28/29)
Transportation: visitors can go to Xi'an Cheng Dong Coach Station and take the minibus from Xi'an to Huayin (Mt. Huashan).
