Journey at a glance
- Day 1 Arrive in Xi'an
- Day 2 Xi'an
- Day 3 Xi'an
- Day 4 Depart Xi'an
Breach the battlements of Xi’an to discover this ancient walled capital of ten dynasties, gateway to the Silk Road and home of the Terracotta Warriors. You’ll have your Indiana Jones moments amid museums and tombs as you peel back history in this multicultural melting pot.
About this Journey
Xi’an is where China’s first emperor united the warring states of China. One of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Xi’an’s rich tapestry of history was woven together during its time as the capital of no fewer than ten dynasties. The city’s ancient walls and narrow streets hark back to a time when Xi’an was the center of cultural, religious, and economic interaction between the East and West at the eastern end of the Silk Road. From the famous army of life-sized Terracotta Warriors to a museum dubbed the “Treasure Chest of Ancient China,” you’ll delve into China’s illustrious ancient history on this three-day trip.
Tour Highlights
- Coming face to face with the life-sized Terracotta Warriors, then crafting your own miniature clay soldier to take home
- Exploring a lesser-known side of China by going to the city's Muslim Quarter where Chinese Muslims have lived for 1,300 years
- Sampling dumplings you’ve made yourself in a cooking class featuring local specialties
YOUR JOURNEY
Route Map
Select a route section to explore the map. Tap a stop for its location or use the directions link for the next leg. Flights, trains, cruises and hiking arrangements follow your itinerary.
- 1Xi’anDirections to City Wall
- 2City WallDirections to Terracotta Warriors
- 3Terracotta WarriorsDirections to Li Mountain
- 4Li MountainDirections to Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- 5Big Wild Goose PagodaDirections to Stele Forest
- 6Stele ForestDirections to Muslim Quarter
- 7Muslim QuarterDirections to Shaanxi History Museum
- 8Shaanxi History MuseumDirections to Hanyang Tombs
- 9Hanyang Tombs
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Xi'an
Step off the plane in Xi’an and meet your local guide in the airport arrivals hall. They’ll be waiting to welcome you and will have your private vehicle on standby • Enjoy dinner at a local Muslim restaurant. • After dinner, transfer back to hotel and have a good rest for the night.
Day 2 Xi'an
Cycle at your leisure on Xi’an’s ancient city wall. • Marvel at the proudly unflinching, life-sized Terracotta Warriors. • Make a miniature Terracotta Warrior yourself to take home. • Among the atmospheric foothills of Li Mountain, embark on a tale of love and loss with a professional performance of a Tang Dynasty story named “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow.”
Day 3 Xi'an
Wander around Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square, dominated by a pagoda built to hold sacred Buddhist texts and artifacts brought back from India. • Visit the Stele Forest, a serene museum named for its large collection of standing stone tablets, inscribed with everything from classical literature to imperial decrees and whose carvings visually portray the evolving story of Chinese writing. • Explore the Muslim Quarter of Xi’an, legacy of the Silk Road. • Enjoy a shadow puppet performance held inside a traditional courtyard house. • Try your hand at paper cutting with a local master, learn more about the local folk art, which has been practiced in China since soon after the invention of paper in 105 AD. • Learn about Xi’an’s 1,300 year old Muslim community by visiting the Great Mosque • Experience Xi’an with more than just your eyes by learning to make dumplings and sampling some more.
Day 4 Depart Xi'an
Wander through the exhibition halls of the “Treasure Chest of Ancient China,” the Shaanxi History Museum. • Admire the countless terracotta figurines and burial objects of the Hanyang Tombs, the resting place of a Han Dynasty emperor, from atop a glass walkway. • Your local guide and private chauffeur will escort you to the airport and help you check into your departure flight.
Recommended Hotels
Photos
The Ritz-Carlton, Xi'an 5 stars The Ritz-Carlton is set in the heart of the city’s central business district.
Photos
Photos Dumplings Xi'an's Muslim Quarter Taichi Lesson
Details
What’s Included
- Services of an English-speaking local English-speaking guide
- Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfasts included
- All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
- Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
- All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
- Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water
What’s Excluded
- International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
- Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
- Travel and medical insurance
- Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
- Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers
TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL
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