Shaanxi has an arid climate, and is very hot and dry in the summer, with occasional heavy rains, and the winters are cold with little precipitation. The best times to visit are in the spring and autumn.

Shaanxi can be reached by plane, via the Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, or by train from many locations in China, approximately 15 hours from Beijing. Due to long traveling times by train, it is recommended to purchase a sleeper ticket. The time used in Shaanxi is Beijing Time.

The most well-known attraction in Shaanxi is the Terra Cotta Army, located on the outskirts of Xi'an. The collection of over 8000 life-size clay figures is often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". Also in the area of the Terra Cotta Army Museum are the Huaqing Hot Springs and Mount Li. In addition Shaanxi contains a plethora of other attractions, including natural attractions such as Mount Hua, the Foping Natural Panda Reserve, and much more.

Xi'an features a wide range of local delicacies, from the dumpling feast at De Fa Chang, to dishes of Islamic origin, such as bread in lamp soup. Also worth noting is biang biang noodles, as the character "biang" has a stroke count of 54, making it the most complex character in the Chinese language.<br /> 

Shaanxi has a wide-range of accomodation resources, from 5-star hotels to youth hostels. Hotels 3 stars or less may not be licenced to board foreigners. Higher-end hotels will cost about $100 per night, and the top-recommended hotel is Xi'an's Tang Paradise Hotel.

Aside from historical and cultural attractions, Shaanxi also has many modern facilties and a bustling night life. Some activities include watching Tang-style dance performances, Qin Opera, shadow puppet plays, and so on, as well as events such as the annual Xi'an Ancient City Wall Marathon.