Xi'an Cijian Yin She: A Travel Haven Hidden in the Old City's Everyday Life

Before coming to Xi'an, have you ever wondered how to stay in a place that is "close to the city wall's lively atmosphere and near the morning bells of the Bell and Drum Towers"? Only when you open the door of Cijian Yin She do you realize the answer lies in this little world—hidden deep in the alleys of the Hui residential area, with old Xi'an’s gray bricks and tiles just outside the window, and stepping out the door you immediately find yourself embraced by delicious food and beautiful scenery. The "location anxiety" that travelers often worry about when choosing a homestay completely disappears here. We have settled in the geographic heart of Xi'an, making walking, subway, and taxi rides all convenient and worry-free. The distance to every attraction is just right—no need to get up early to catch a bus, no detours or long trips—leaving plenty of time to slowly feel the city's depth and vitality. Bell and Drum Towers | 10-minute walk, listen to the morning bells and evening drums [Transportation] Exit the alley and walk north along Maixian Street, cross Xiyangshi Road, then walk another 300 meters to the foot of the Bell Tower. The whole trip takes about 10 minutes. Going in the evening, you can catch the golden sunlight shining on the Bell Tower, and it looks even more stunning when lit up at night—every snapshot is atmospheric and cinematic. [Yin She Tip] You can book Bell Tower tickets in advance via the official WeChat account. From here, you don’t need to backtrack; after visiting, you can head straight to the nearby Muslim Quarter for some paomo (bread soaked in mutton soup). Muslim Quarter / Dapiyuan | 5-minute walk, taste authentic local flavors [Transportation] Turn left out of the homestay’s main door, walk straight to the end, then turn right into a small alley to find the entrance to Dapiyuan. It’s quieter than the main street of the Muslim Quarter, where local hidden gems are tucked away—Old Sun’s paomo, Jia San’s soup dumplings, Ding’s crispy pork. When tired from exploring, you can come back anytime to rest, and when hungry, just go downstairs to satisfy your cravings. [Yin She Perk] Guests staying here will receive a "secret food map" to avoid tourist traps and directly locate authentic flavors only found in old Xi'an. Ming City Wall | 25-minute walk / 10-minute bike ride, touch the millennia-old bricks [Transportation] Walk east along Chang’an Street from the homestay, and in 25 minutes you’ll reach the Yongning Gate entrance of the city wall. If you don’t want to walk, you can ride a shared bike and get there in 10 minutes. Rent a bike on the city wall and cycle around while feeling the breeze and enjoying the blend of old and new cityscapes—this is the true way to experience Xi'an. Datang Everbright City / Big Wild Goose Pagoda | 30-minute subway ride, attend a grand Tang Dynasty rendezvous [Transportation] Walk 8 minutes from the homestay to Bell Tower Station on Metro Line 2, take 3 stops to Xiaozhai Station, transfer to Line 3, then ride 2 stops to Dayanta Station. The whole trip takes about 30 minutes. In the evening, go to Datang Everbright City to watch the light show and see the roly-poly doll performers. Taking a taxi back afterward costs only about 20 yuan, making it very cost-effective. Beilin Museum / Shuyuanmen | 20-minute walk, savor the fragrance of calligraphy and books [Transportation] Walk straight south along Chang’an Street. Shuyuanmen Ancient Culture Street is inside the Yongning Gate city wall, and at the end of the street is the Beilin Museum. The whole walk takes 20 minutes. Along the way, you’ll find shops selling the Four Treasures of the Study, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving. Friends who love traditional culture must not miss this. A Note to Every Visitor to Xi'an The beauty of Xi'an is hidden in the echoes of the Bell and Drum Towers, in the aroma of paomo, and in the lively alleys of the old city. At Cijian Yin She, No. 11 Maixian Street, I have prepared clean, soft beds, thoughtful amenities, and authentic local guides, waiting for you to open this door, unload your travel fatigue, and easily attend this appointment with the ancient capital. Come to Xi'an, stay here, and let me be your "local friend"~