Xian Day Tour: Terracotta Warriors and Old City Wall
Overview
The ancient capital of China, Xian is rich in history and home to the iconic Terracotta Warriors, one of the eight wonders in the world and one of the most significant archaeological sites in 20th Century. On this enlightening private Xian day tour, peel back the layers of Chinese history, discovering the essence of Xian: the great army of First Qin Emperor for his afterlife, the storied City Wall of Xian, and Muslim Quarter - home to a range of authentic Xian local food.
Best for: History buffs, transit travelers, first-timers
Duration: 1 day (about 8 to 10 hours)
Destinations: Xian
Travel Type: Private tour - Flexible & Free to customize
Highlights of the tour:
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Day
With one day trip in Xian, accompanied by your private professional English-speaking guide, you can experience the most remarkable historical sites in Xi'an: the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army and the ancient city walls.
Detailed itinerary:
07:30 - 08:30: It takes about 45 to 60 minutes to drive to Terracotta Army Museum from the center of Xi'an. To enjoy a more peaceful visiting experience before most tourists arrive, our guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby at around 7:30 after your breakfast.
8:30 - 12:00: Arrive at Terracotta Warriors Museum. Visit the Pits 1, 2, and 3, the original excavation pits of the Terracotta Army, the burial pits of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (one of the most famous tombs in the world). They were accidentally discovered by local farmers in the 1970s, so the Terracotta Army, buried for over 2000 years, has now been unearthed.
Pit 1 is the most imposing one, consisting of a huge army of over 6,000 terracotta figures, representing the most magnificent military formation. Then we come to Pit 2, where you can see the exquisite figures such as the kneeling archers and the generals, and get an up-close look at the museum's crown jewel—the bronze chariot. Next is Pit 3, considered by archaeologists to be the command center of the army. Though smaller in scale, it features a unique layout. Thereafter, take the shuttle bus to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Bronze Chariot and Horses Exhibition Hall to further explore the historical background and archaeological stories of the emperor's tomb.
12:00 - 13:30: Lunch and break. We will arrange Xian famous food for you at a local restaurant.
14:00 - 17:00: Drive to Xi’an City Wall. Ascend the city wall from one of the most magnificent and famous gates (e.g. Yongning Gate/South Gate). The city walls of Xi'an was built during the Tang Dynasty (Xi’an was the capital city), and was expanded during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty around 1370 (what we see today). With a total circumference of approximately 13.7 kilometers, a height of about 12 meters, a top width of 12 - 14 meters, and a base width of roughly 15 - 18 meters, it stands as one of the world's best-preserved and largest ancient city walls.
You can choose to walk or cycle the city walls, passing through structures such as the barbican, arrow towers, corner towers, and watchtowers, while enjoying panoramic views of both the ancient and modern of Xi'an. It takes approximately 2 hours to do the loop, so you may opt to cycle part of the way or the entire distance.
17:00 - 19:00: As night falls and the city walls light up, experience the local nightlife amidst Xi'an's beautiful nightscape. Nearby Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) is a Xian’s Hui ethnic community, blending Islamic traditions with Shaanxi regional delicacies like roujiamo, mutton paomo, soup dumplings, liangpi, and biangbiang noodles. Enjoy dinner at Muslim Quarter (optional), then if you like, stroll through Bell and Drum Tower Square to further appreciate Xi'an's night views.
Extend the Tour
Luoyang: Another ancient capital in China housing a wealth of historical sites. Extend your Xian day tour of Terracotta Warriors to Luoyang to explore Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes.
Chengdu: 3.5 hour high-speed train journey from Xian, Chengdu features giant panda encounter, slow-paced lifestyle, cultural treasures, and delicious Sichuan cuisine.
Beijing: A Xian tour to Beijing by high speed train allows you to visit the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, hutongs, etc.
