McDonald's

T3 doesn’t actually have a McDonald’s, despite what blogs say

Older XIY guides list a McDonald’s in Terminal 3, but current Chinese airport food maps only show a branch in T2 arrivals, plus KFC and Burger King in T3. If you walk T3 end to end looking for golden arches, you’re likely wasting 15–20 minutes you don’t have.

Right now, the only clearly confirmed McDonald’s at Xi’an Xianyang is in the T2 landside arrivals hall, used by people finishing their trip or connecting between terminals on the public side. That means once you’re airside in T3 security, you should plan on fried chicken or Whoppers instead of a Big Mac.

Prices at mainland China airport McDonald’s outlets usually run about 10–20% higher than city branches, so expect a basic combo around ¥35–45 if you make it to T2. By comparison, similar set meals at KFC/Burger King in T3 sit in roughly the same price band, within a few yuan.

Regulars on Chinese forums say they intentionally route via the T2 arrivals McDonald’s during landside connections of at least 90 minutes, grabbing food before heading over to T3 check-in. They specifically warn others to stop searching T3 gate areas 20–30 minutes before boarding when no arches appear on the signs.

Watch out for outdated “XIY restaurant lists” that still label McDonald’s under T3 without a gate or floor number; current airport diagrams usually omit it there. Several Xi’an Q&A threads spell it out: “McDonald’s in T2, not T3; only KFC/Burger King in T3.” Treat any staff answer that sounds unsure as a sign to walk away, not toward, T3.

Tip: If a McChicken is non‑negotiable and your flight uses T3, eat at the T2 arrivals McDonald’s first, then allow at least 20–30 minutes to move terminals and clear T3 security.