Nightclubs and bars in Xi'an

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The fountain is the biggest one in Asia, it's the mixed combination of colorful light and vivaciousis musical fountains. It is a good place to visit, especially in night. The show opens at 8:30 pm, and ends at 8:45. But I'm not sure if it changes with the season, so before you go there please know about the exact time.

In addition, there are many sculptures on the square, and gardens. If you walk about to south, west and east, you will find many interesting things with rich Chinese culture and folk tradition. There is always a historic story behind the sculpture. It's definitely a must-see night view.

Nice place to have a drink (with a wide range of cocktails), with nice music. They have a lot of live music also, but when we were there, the band (I think they were Columbian) was awful: two women and two men, and the only one who could sing only sang one song. But it was quite funny to see.

Really relaxing and nicely decorated place with live piano music (also open for people who don’t stay in the hotel). Unfortunately for us, a group of Chinese businessmen arrived and started their drinking habit with the usual loud drunken talk, so there went the piano music and the relaxing evening. The waitresses came to apologize many times, but of course it wasn’t their fault. I just felt sorry for them, because it’s totally not nice to be a waitress for drunken Chinese businessmen.

The condition is better than 1+1, less crowded, at least you can find a seat before 10 pm. And talking is not impossible, you can dance, talk and take a short rest on the seat.
Like other Baby face in other cities, there is no band, no singer, just music, beer, alcohol, and 20 minutes dancing show

This place is on the same block (or was it the next block?) as Xian City hotel (walking towards south). Decorated mostly in red, this place is nice to start the night, having a few drinks with friends while enjoying the dice games. You can even challenge the bar tenders to the game (your pay for the drinks of course!).

They have a security gate installed at the entrance, but apparently the guards don't really stop you even though the gates beeped (I've got my mobile in my pocket).

Music is Chinese Pop, with some english tunes thrown in at intervals.

Drinks are reasonably priced, certainly not the cheapest in town (Budweiser - RMB 10 - Nov 06)

Dress Code: I didn't see anyone wearing short pants (it was winter!) :-)
Just dress however you like.

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We were not sure what to expect when our guide suggested going to this show but it was well worth it. We know nothing about traditional Chinese dancing/music but we enjoyed it.

The dinner consisted of an entrée then 18 different types of dumplings ( see photos).

The concert itself was outstanding: skilful dancers, musicians, beautiful costumes, colourful stage scenery and changing lighting effects.

You need to get to the restaurant at 6.30pm in order to eat meal.

600 Yuan Theatre/dinner

Dress Code: No special requirements. I would wear something that was not too casual.

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Maybe it was because Xian was the first place we went to but we were enthralled with the flashing,neon lights of the Katyuan Department Store, the hotels opposite and the surreal view of the Bell Tower lit up.

Have a look at the photos and see if you agree!

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While touring China a traveler should at least once make some effort to see somekind of Chinese opera. The may mean a rather lengthly night out for Chinese opera can last over four hours long. For certain this frightened me off while I was in Beijing but while in Xian, which has little nightlife, I decided to take in some form of theatre or opera. I had originally planned on seeing the Tang Dynasty show but this was sold out. There for I decided upon the Shanxi Grand Opera who perform at the Shanxi Grand Opera House. I arranged for a ticket through a travel agent who also had been booking hotels for me. The ticket cost me about Y200. This included one performance and a dim sum dinner. This latter aspect was great. The dim sum was served with twenty different fillings, each molded to look like it's filling. The waitress also told me was in each dim sum which was good because I am allegric to shellfish. What I could eat was very good.
After dinner I was escorted to a seat which amazingly was almost dead centre in the theatre. The show was more a series of song, dance and folk instrumentals than a opera. Ther performances were good with some fine dancing. The folk instrumentals were actually the most interesting part of the show for me. The costumes were quite spectacular and it made for a very colourful night. The whole show could be considered a bit touristy, since there were few Chinese in the audience, but on a whole I had alot of fun. I understand that there are two shows available but I only paid for one show which started at 6pm.

Dress Code: Dress conservatively neat, after all this is China.