A sourced account of travelshorts’ 2024 trip. Opinions and costs describe that journey; hotel benefits, prices and access may have changed. Summaries are editorial paraphrases, attributed to the creator. Read our source notes.
Travel day 5 of 23 · Reconstructed date: 2024-03-28 · Source: travelshorts · Editorial edition: 3 November 2026.
What happened on day 5
- Visited
Xi'an Bell Tower
Walked past the illuminated Xi'an Bell Tower on the way to the Muslim Quarter.
Video evidence (1)
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 1:44Caption timestamp checked
So right ahead of us here, here's the famous bell tower.
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 1:44Caption timestamp checked
- Experienced
Xi'an Muslim Quarter
Sampled traditional Xi'an street food in the Muslim Quarter including Chinese hamburgers (roujiamo), grilled meat skewers, and freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.
Video evidence (1)
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 4:44Caption timestamp checked
So we've just got some traditional Xian Chinese hamburgers.
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 4:44Caption timestamp checked
- Experienced08:00
Temple of Heaven
Visited the Temple of Heaven early in the morning and viewed the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
Video evidence (2)
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 0:36Caption timestamp checked
We're here reasonably early. It's 08:00 in the morning. We're only going to spend about an hour or so here because we've got to go back
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 1:50Caption timestamp checked
And we've made it to the main building here at the Temple of Heaven, the hall of prayer for good harvest.
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 0:36Caption timestamp checked
- Experienced
Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing Hotel
Returned by subway to Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing Hotel, packed luggage, and checked out.
Video evidence (1)
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in ChinaVideo description
We then catch the Beijing Subway back to our hotel the Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing Hotel pack our things, check out and then get the Subway again the Beijing West Train Station.
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in ChinaVideo description
- Experienced
Beijing West Railway Station
Boarded the G657 High-Speed Bullet Train at Beijing West Railway Station bound for Xi'an.
Video evidence (1)
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 8:20Caption timestamp checked
We've made it onto the train. We're in coach four. seats, 5a, 5b and 5c. So we're in a row of three configuration here.
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 8:20Caption timestamp checked
- Experienced
Holiday Inn Express Xi'an Bell Tower
Arrived in Xi'an, took a taxi from the railway station to Holiday Inn Express Xi'an Bell Tower, and checked into family room 316.
Video evidence (1)
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 34:00Caption timestamp checked
We've just checked into the room. Do you want to have a quick look, see what it's like? Yes, I know you do. So we're on the third floor, room 316.
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 34:00Caption timestamp checked
What the creator thought
Recommendation
Travelshorts’ observation: Xi'an Bell Tower is spectacular at night, surrounded by people dressed in traditional Tang Dynasty costumes posing for photos and live streaming.
Video evidence (1)
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 19:57Caption timestamp checked
A lot of people come here dressed in traditional costume and have their photos taken with a bell tower in the background.
Transport
Travelshorts’ observation: China High-Speed Rail second class is comfortable with ample legroom, generous reclining seats, tray tables, and USB power sockets at each seat, with overhead racks fitting full-size suitcases.
Video evidence (1)
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 9:34Caption timestamp checked
A lot of legroom. You can see there, there's Matthew's legs. Lots of space in front of him. And they do recline quite far.
Transport
Travelshorts’ observation: Physical paper tickets are not required on China high speed rail; international passengers board by presenting their passports directly at ticket gates.
Video evidence (1)
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 12:34Caption timestamp checked
So we don't actually have paper tickets, we just use our passports for a ticket.
Where they actually stayed
Holiday Inn Express Xi'an Bell Tower
Actually stayed · 2 nights · Day 5 · Day 6
Room recorded: Family Room.
Travelshorts’ account: Conveniently located within a short walk of the Bell Tower and Muslim Street. Great central location a few minutes walk from Xi'an Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter; family room has two double beds plus sofa and handy USB ports in every socket. Had breakfast at the hotel early before taking a DiDi taxi to the Terracotta Army.
Observed during this stay: Breakfast, Safe, Shower, Sofa, Tea making facilities, Two double beds, USB wall sockets. These are historical observations, not a current amenities guarantee.
Video evidence (3)
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 0:32Caption timestamp checked
All we've got to do is turn left out of the hotel, head towards the bell tower,
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 34:30Caption timestamp checked
Then this is a family room, so we've got two double beds plus a sofa. There's Matthew and Holly relaxing after our long train journey to come here.
- TERRACOTTA WARRIORS In XI'AN is it the BEST Attraction in CHINA?Video description
We start the day very early, have breakfast at our hotel the Holiday Inn Express Xian Bell Tower then get a taxi (DiDi) from outside to take us to the Terracotta Warriors.
Getting around
Walking: Holiday Inn Express Xi'an Bell Tower to Xi'an Muslim Quarter
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?)Video description
We went to the Muslim Quarter by walking past the Xian Bell Tower before arriving at Muslim Street where all the local street food can be found.
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?)Video description
High speed rail: Beijing West Railway Station to Xi'an Railway Station
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in ChinaVideo description
Today we are going to be travelling in second class from Beijing to Xian and the journey time is just over 5 hours.
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in ChinaVideo description
Taxi: Xi'an Railway Station to Holiday Inn Express Xi'an Bell Tower
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in ChinaVideo description
Once we arrived at Xian we got a taxi from Xian Train station to our hotel, the Holiday Inn Express Xian Bell Tower.
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in ChinaVideo description
Costs mentioned in the videos
Historical amounts with their original currencies and price scopes. Listed prices and category summaries are distinguished from amounts paid; these are not a day-total calculation.
- Traditional Xi'an Chinese hamburger (Roujiamo)CN¥15.00
Transaction · Paid · per hamburger · Xi'an Muslim Quarter
Video evidence (1)
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 4:56Caption timestamp checked
They put them in a bun and the cost each was 15, which is about £1.50.
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 4:56Caption timestamp checked
- Three meat skewers on tree branch skewersCN¥30.00
Transaction · Paid · 10 CNY per skewer, total 30 CNY · Xi'an Muslim Quarter
Video evidence (1)
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 7:40Caption timestamp checked
So these cost ten yuan each, which is about a pound each. So altogether £3 or 30 yuan.
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 7:40Caption timestamp checked
- Freshly squeezed pomegranate juiceCN¥15.00
Transaction · Paid · per cup · Xi'an Muslim Quarter
Video evidence (1)
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 10:04Caption timestamp checked
Just in case I didn't mention it earlier, that pomegranate juice was 15,
- XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?) · 10:04Caption timestamp checked
- China High-Speed Bullet Train Second Class Ticket (Beijing to Xi'an)CN¥0.00
Transaction · Paid · 3 second class seats (Mark, Holly, Matthew) booked via Trip.com · Beijing West Railway Station
Video evidence (1)
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in ChinaVideo description
Today we are going to be travelling in second class from Beijing to Xian and the journey time is just over 5 hours.
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in ChinaVideo description
- Bento Box meal on China high-speed trainCN¥61.00
Listed price · Listed price · chicken bento meal listed price · Beijing West Railway Station
Video evidence (1)
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 17:27Caption timestamp checked
61 yuan for chicken.
- Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China · 17:27Caption timestamp checked
Watch the original account
XIAN CHINA STREET FOOD is NOT What We Expected (The Best Chinese Street Food in China?)
Travel day · Uploaded 2024-07-20 · Day 5
Riding the WORLDS FASTEST Bullet Train from Beijing to Xian in China
Travel day · Uploaded 2024-07-13 · Day 5