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 7 of 23 · Reconstructed date: 2024-03-30 · Source: travelshorts · Editorial edition: 3 November 2026.
What happened on day 7
- Experienced21:16
Xi'an Railway Station
Boarded overnight high-speed sleeper train D124 at Xi'an Railway Station bound for Shanghai in carriage 10 (beds 29-32).
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA HIGH SPEED SLEEPER TRAIN in a PRIVATE ROOM from Xi'an to Shanghai · 2:30Caption timestamp checked
And in carriage ten, we've got our own room, beds 29, 30, 31, and 32.
- CHINA HIGH SPEED SLEEPER TRAIN in a PRIVATE ROOM from Xi'an to Shanghai · 2:30Caption timestamp checked
- Visited
Xi'an Bell Tower
Visited the Xi'an Bell Tower, climbing to the upper floors to admire the ancient wooden architecture and views.
Video evidence (1)
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City WallVideo description
We start at the Xian Bell Tower and what a fascinating attraction it is. The Xi'an Bell Tower, is a traditional building, that marks the geographical centre of the ancient capital.
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City WallVideo description
- Visited
Xi'an Drum Tower
Walked over to the Xi'an Drum Tower and toured the collection of ceremonial musical drums.
Video evidence (1)
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 10:39Caption timestamp checked
And this is the reason it's called the Drum Tower.
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 10:39Caption timestamp checked
- Skipped
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Traveled by subway to Giant Wild Goose Pagoda but found it closed upon arrival, so viewed it from the outside park.
Video evidence (1)
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 18:08Caption timestamp checked
So it doesn't look like we're going to visit the Wild Goose pagoda today,
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 18:08Caption timestamp checked
- Visited
Xi'an Ancient City Wall
Entered the South Gate (Yongningmen) of the Xi'an City Wall and walked along the wide ramparts.
Video evidence (1)
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 23:42Caption timestamp checked
We have made it inside the south gate of the city wall.
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 23:42Caption timestamp checked
- Skipped
Xi'an Ancient City Wall
Observed bicycle rental stations on the wall but decided to skip renting bikes and walked on foot instead.
Video evidence (1)
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 24:47Caption timestamp checked
So we're not going to be hiring bikes now.
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 24:47Caption timestamp checked
What the creator thought
Transport
Travelshorts’ observation: Booking all 4 berths in a 4-berth soft sleeper cabin on Chinese sleeper trains gives families total privacy with a lockable door and under-bed luggage storage.
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA HIGH SPEED SLEEPER TRAIN in a PRIVATE ROOM from Xi'an to Shanghai · 7:47Caption timestamp checked
This is a soft sleeper as well. Hard sleepers don't have doors and they have three beds going each side
Recommendation
Travelshorts’ observation: Xi'an City Wall remains open late into the evening and provides open walking and bicycle rental paths encircling the historic core.
Video evidence (1)
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 19:37Caption timestamp checked
I believe the city wall is open until very late at night,
Getting around
Train: Xi'an Railway Station to Shanghai Railway Station
Actual
The D124 sleeper spans Day 7 into Day 8. The day boundary is an editorial reconstruction.
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA HIGH SPEED SLEEPER TRAIN in a PRIVATE ROOM from Xi'an to Shanghai · 4:53Caption timestamp checked
Okay, this is our sleeper train from Xian to Shanghai. It's D124.
- CHINA HIGH SPEED SLEEPER TRAIN in a PRIVATE ROOM from Xi'an to Shanghai · 4:53Caption timestamp checked
Metro: Xi'an Drum Tower to Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 15:22Caption timestamp checked
Let's catch the subway and let's head to the Wild Goose pagoda.
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 15:22Caption timestamp checked
Metro: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to Xi'an Ancient City Wall
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 19:31Caption timestamp checked
and then we're going to get the subway over to the south gate of the city wall.
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 19:31Caption timestamp checked
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.
- Soft sleeper 4-berth private compartment on D124 train (Xi'an to Shanghai)CN¥0.00
Transaction · Paid · Booked all 4 berths to have a private compartment for 3 travelers · Xi'an Railway Station
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA HIGH SPEED SLEEPER TRAIN in a PRIVATE ROOM from Xi'an to ShanghaiVideo description
I paid for an additional bed so we have the whole room to ourselves, Our own private cabin.
- CHINA HIGH SPEED SLEEPER TRAIN in a PRIVATE ROOM from Xi'an to ShanghaiVideo description
- Admission tickets for Xi'an City WallCN¥108.00
Transaction · Paid · Admission for three people (1 adult, 2 children) · Xi'an Ancient City Wall
Video evidence (1)
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 23:23Caption timestamp checked
So this cost 108 RMB for the three of us.
- XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall · 23:23Caption timestamp checked