Coffee Shops in Xi’an。
Here is a good selection of places that are worth retreating to from time-to-time. There is a brief overview of each below, with many also having their own page with further info. and photographs. I haven’t listed any bars or restaurants as I am sure they will be stumbled across by word-of-mouth or on the odd random night out.
*[[[Jan/Feb 2012: This page is in the process of being tidied up- the information, though, is still all here]]]
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Amy’s Cafe (艾米咖啡馆/ àimǐ Kāfēiguǎn)
A peaceful and cosy little place, with a bit of a French feel, partly due to its boutique nature and partly to do with the hand painted artwork on the walls. It is an independent coffee shop, which for Xi’an is definitely a step in the right direction. If you come out of the North Gate of Wàiyuàn (外院) – Xi’an International Studies University – it is just across the road to the left. Click link for more info. and pictures. (Address:雁塔区昌明路外语学院北门对面艾米咖啡馆)
Art School Cafe (美院/ Měiyuán)
Sit outside under the trees, surrounded by Artists and a busy road junction. Don’t be put off this is a good spot. The Art School is located directly West of Dàyàntǎ (Big Goose Pagoda), start off on Yàntǎ Xī Lù (Goose Pagoda West Road), head West and keep going, it is at the junction at the end of the road, on Hán Guāng Nán Lù. More. It is now CLOSED – not sure if it is going to open again. I will keep this updated. (Address: 含光南路100号西安美术学院)
Art District (艺术区/ Yìshù Qū)
An Art District modeled on the previously underground, though, increasingly popular 798 Gallery/Workshop Area in Beijing. It is known here in Xi’an as the ‘Textile City Art Area’ (纺织城艺术区) and it is located in the East of the city, very near to the Ban Po Ancient Village. More info. if you click the link. (Address:东边纺西街纺织城艺术区)
Book City Tea Lounge (万邦书城/ Wànbāng Shū Chéng)
A good spot. A peaceful and comfortable tea house, mixing style with tradition on the second floor of the bookshop on Xiǎozhài Dōng Lù, half way between Shaanxi National History Museum and Chang2′An1 Lu. Modern red sofas mixed with traditional furniture, good quality tea, wireless internet and a selection of classical music to buy. More information and pictures. (Address: 雁塔区小寨东路万邦书城)
Book City (汉唐书城/ Hàn Táng Shū Chéng)
This is the largest book shop in Xi’an, plus there is now a cafe/juice bar on the 3rd floor. It is on the junction of Cháng’ān Lù and Yàntǎ Xī Lù, near Xiǎozhài. It now, finally, has a reasonable selection of imported English books, from Plato to Potter. See Sculpting In Time Cafe below for a new Book City in Gāoxīn. Plus also see below for the Foreign Language Bookstore. (Address: 雁塔区小寨长安路汉唐书城)
Bridges Cafe (桥缘咖啡馆/ Qiáo Yuán Kāfēiguǎn )
It is out in Gāoxīn and is a very relaxed spot, with a touch of sophistication arising from their mix of dark wooden furniture and complimentary soft furnishings. The old style window frames hanging on the walls act as blackboards, picture frames and ornamentation, while the grey bricked counter, solid slate surface top and silver coffee machine create a stylish focal point at the back of the cafe. Simple and subtle lighting supports the whole environment. Click for more information, pictures and directions. (Address: 高新区在科技路附近丈八北路桥缘咖啡馆)
C’est La Vie Bakery/ Cafe (赛拉维法国烘焙店/ Sài Lā Wéi Fǎguó Hōngbèi Diàn)
This is a bakery/cafe that sells a selection of freshly made European breads, for Xi’an this was a great new thing. The staff were trained by an Austrian baker, flown in for the task. It has comfortable places to sit, sells good coffee, a selection of fresh drinks and also offers an array of fine looking cakes. There are two that I know of, one is on Gao Xin Lu (next to Bacchus Pizza), the other is on the corner of Gao Xin Si Lu and Keji Lu (opposite the Gao Xin Sculpting in Time). Click here for a few pictures and extra info. (Address: 高薪区糜家桥小区向北20米高薪路23号)
Chan Ba Ecological District (浐灞生态区/ Chǎn Bà Shēngtài Qū)
This is part of a huge water city development on the banks of the river Ba, in the East of Xi’an. It is where the Expo was. It was noted in China Grooves some time ago that it is a particularly good spot for fishing and jogging, that is about right but it is still not bad for a wander. I haven’t been there since the Expo development was completed, and will update accordingly when I do. Click for pictures and more Info. (Address: 东北边浐灞生态区)
City Wall Gardens (环城公园/ Huánchéng Gōngyuán)
Around the outside of the Wall are gardens to hang out in, wander around, picnic in, exercise on and observe age old cultural pastimes enacted within. It is very nice on the south side and south-west corner, a bit more grim on the north side, while just to the right of the East Gate there is a secluded park within a park and a cleaner stretch of river. There is of course also the Wall itself that is well worth a cycle, long stroll or run around. The ticket for the Wall is about 4o rmb, and you will need a largish deposit to rent a bike -2/400 rmb.
Coffee Beanery
A perfectly civilized Starbuck-esque coffee shop, located in the Chang’An Metropolis Centre. It is the shiny black building just outside the South Gate, with BEA Bank, Gucci and Haagen Dazs on the ground floor. For a quiet change of scene, housed as it is in this business/ up-market shopping centre, it is not a bad spot. It is a good place to retreat to close to the city. It does sandwiches, soup and freshly made coffee, but it is a bit expensive for what it is. WiFi. www.coffeebeanery.com.cn (Address: 南关正街88号长安国际广场B座二层- 0298765 1580）
Fleeting Time Cafe (流年咖啡馆/ Liúnián Kāfēiguǎn)
An independent cafe with good coffee, great value and chilled atmosphere. It has been revamped since my original write up and pictures. It now has a cafe/bar downstairs and a music venue upstairs. It is run by a lovely couple, one a local Xi’anese and the other a Beijingite. They have created a cool little place, tucked away in the leafy shade at the far end of Shi Da Lu. They also have regular live music nights. See more information and photographs here (although the pictures are no longer up-to-date) (Address: 师大路a-14号－外院后门向东100米路南)
The Food Loft
A luxury shopping mall food-court on the top floor of the huge shopping mall (Xing Zheng Yuan Mall) half way down Dong1 Da4 Jie1 (East Street-south side), on the corner of luo ma shi. It has big sofa chairs with dining tables. It has European and Asian foods, plus a variety of drinks, including coffee. There is an ice-skating rink opposite, a cinema close-by and now other small juice bars and cafes near-by too. A little more info.（Address: 骡马市步行街兴正元商场六层赋乐)
Foreign Language Bookstore
On East Street (Dōng Dà Jiē) above the big Lǐ Níng (李宁) Sports Store (you need to go through Lǐ Níng to get to it), it is on the third and fourth floors. A reasonable selection of novels and wider interest hard backs. They do also have quite a good selection of English text books, to help teach the odd Chinese child or 60. Now also see Book City above for its selection of foreign book. (Address: 东大街北方）
Hello Cafe (你好咖啡馆／ Nǐhǎo Kāfēiguǎn)
This place is a strange anomaly, as it is by all intents and purposes an independent coffee shop but is owned by the Franchisee of the Subway on the ground floor. It has its own menu but the Subway sandwiches can also be eaten upstairs. Hello has a country homestead front room feel, with floral sofas, mock brick fire place, family photos and postcards on the wall. See here for more information and pictures. (Address: 大唐不夜城A-6-1-10105, 大雁塔南广场东南角)
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HOME CAFE (Jia1 Ka1 Fei1 Guan3) 家咖啡馆A quaint little place, light and airy, with white walls and a white wood stripped counter area. It is fresh and peaceful, with oldy worldy lamps scattered amongst the simple arm chairs and table-clothed tables. There are half a dozen separate seating areas, with one larger circular table nestled in a window lit corner. It is on Yan Nan Lu above a fashionable clothing store, also run by the owners.Click here for pictures and more info. (Address: 曲江新区雁南一路92号：029 8769 9736
JENNIFER’S CAFE (Jie2 Ni2 Hua1 Ka1 Fei1 Guan3- 婕妮花咖啡馆)-just along from the south gate of the North Western University, on You3 Yi4 Xi Lu (友谊西路), near the northern end of Gao1 Xin1 Lu (高新路). Quiet with a laid back atmosphere and a bit of an ethnic feel- Wireless.click for photographs(Address: 高新区友谊西路127号-西工大南门口西面)
KFC & DICOS- not really for the food, but for a quiet and clean place to study- Chinese style, particularly early mornings. Sitting in KFC for hours studying or chatting, while buying very little or nothing at all, is ok by the Chinese. I can’t say I have quite got used to that yet, but a cheap coffee normally suffices. Upstairs in the Dico’s on Chang’An Lu near Shi Da is not a bad spot to do a bit of studying and watch the world go by.
KING COFFEE-on Yan4 Ta3 Xi1 Lu4 (雁塔西路)-see the listing for Yan Ta Xi Lu below- perfectly good coffee, quiet and in a top spot just down from Da Yan Ta (Big Goose Pagoda). Wireless Internet. Plus outside seating in a sort-of terraced garden. There still aren’t that many coffee shops in Xi’an but there is a bit of choice now, before there was either this place or the King Coffee on Nan Da Jie (South Street). more info. on K Coffee shops (Address: 雁塔区雁塔西路25号)
NONO CAFE - wealthy and fashionable clientele. When STARBUCKS arrived in town this place raised its prices over night to match, not wanting to be out down when vying for Xi’an’s elite custom. Evenings are busy and smokey but the day-time is still quite chilled (Wireless).Walk down South Street (Nan Da Jie- 南大街) on the left with the Bell Tower behind you, turn left after KFC and it is immediately on your left. more info. here + article here (Address: 西安市南大街东木头市113号- 029 8170 1234)
QU3 JIANG1 LAKE (HU2)-曲江湖- a huge and impressively landscaped lake in the new Qu Jiang District (Qu1区), just 15 minutes south of the Big Goose Pagoda (Da Yan4 Ta3 大雁塔). At the weekend, early mornings are best as it gets busy later, during the week no problem. You can rent bikes and boats but you do need a largish deposit so bring some cash. Just a little back from the lake, coming westwards is a nicely landscaped walk through park with playing areas, small ponds and pools, a poetry circle and a couple of nicely landscaped tea houses. It is a very relaxed spot in the evenings. (Address: 曲江区-大雁塔南边唐城墙遗址东边-曲江湖）
REVOLUTION PARK (Ge2 Ming4 Gong1 Yuan2)-good place to retreat to from the city. North of the Sofitel Hotel on the left, down from the train station on the right. Good little lake, benches and ice-cream, plus an old fairground.
SCULPTING IN TIME CAFE (SIT Cafe)- 雕刻时光- Diao1 Ke4 Shi2 Guang1- a very chilled cafe on the right hand-side of Shi Da Lu, opposite Xi’an Foreign Languages University. It mixes a variety of old furniture with a clean, simple design and wooden floors. It is very airy with a lot of window seating, a cool and quiet place- certainly during the day. Western Food and Wireless. Pictures and more info. on their other coffee shops in Xi’an (Address: 雁塔区师大路41号2楼雕刻时光-西安外国语大学对面)
SHAANXI NORMAL UNIVERSITY- 陕西师范大学- Shan3 Xi1 Shi1 Fan4 Da1 Xue2 (also known as SHI1 DA4- 师大)-best campus in Xi’an. It’s a great spot for hanging out surrounded by greenery but also to do some sport in a very peaceful environment. The atmosphere and the activities going on at the running track/sports ground, particularly early mornings and evenings, remind you that you really are in China and that that is a good thing. Just ask for Shi Da on Chang2′ An1 Nan2 Lu- 长安南路- Chang’ An South Road.Click for more info. (Address: 雁塔区长安南路师大- 华东服饰广场对面)
SHI1 DA4 LU4 – 师大路- Xi’an’s International Studies University and Shi Da Campus are very close by, so this street has a good student buzz. Shi Da Lu offers alot of local food and some Western food. The western food is found at the VILLAGE CAFE and SCULPTING IN TIME CAFE. There is also a lot of local street food on the near by and more hectic YANG2 JIA1 CUN1, the road directly opposite Shi Da Lu on the other side of Chang’an Lu. A little more info.(Address: 雁塔区长安南路师大路) See Map
SMALL WILD GOOSE PAGODA- 小雁塔- XIAO3 YAN 4 TA3- a great place to hang out. The ancient pagoda is set in a very well landscaped and peaceful park area. It is worth the visit for the pagoda but also for the landscaped gardens, scattered steles and good museum. It is also worth it, ironically, for the high, in local terms, entrance fee as it keeps the place quiet and a major reason why it comes recommended. This is a great place to chill out and feel a more ancient China all around you. A book and a picnic would also do the trick here.Pictures (Address: 友谊西路72号-029-8780 3591) See Map
SHU1 YUAN4 MEN2 殊院门and XIANG1 ZI3 MEN2 YOUTH HOSTELS 湘子门青年旅舍by the South Gate-SHU1 YUAN4 HOSTEL(lv3 she4)is quite a relaxed place to hang out, depending on the time of year I suppose. It has a number of airy and comfortable seating areas and a sort of outside seating area at the back of the hostel ( a partial glass roof a couple of floors up prevents rain descending). Sells pizza and real coffee relatively cheap for Xi’an.click for more info. and info. on Xiang Zi Men Hostel
VILLAGE CAFE (香村咖啡馆) The Village Café on Shi Da Lu, opposite the Foreign Language University, is one of the old coffee shop classics here in Xi’an. However, the term ‘Classic’ can in this part of the world revolve around slightly shorter time periods than most places would require to have such a tag applied: coffee shops being a relatively recent addition to Xi’an society. Here, 4-5 years of being open, with or without a consistent and loyal cliental, is just about enough time to earn legendary status; for The Village, however, the title is well warranted. Click here for more info. and pictures. (陕西省西安市雁塔区师大路32号, (029) 8522 2150)
YAN4 TA3 XI1 LU4- 雁塔西路- Goose Pagoda West Road-specifically the part just down from the Pagoda on the West side, known as Da4 Tang2 Tong1 Yi4 Fang3 (大唐通易坊). It has a well designed array of restaurants (Indian, Malaysian, Fusion, Korean), bars and cafes with well-landscaped outside seating areas. It retains a traditional calm feel with a buzz at night, a mix of locals going for a stroll and others going out. More info. and pictures. (Address: 雁塔区雁塔西路大唐通易坊）
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