2-Day Xi'an Culture and History Tour with Terracotta Warriors

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, one of Xi'an's most influential attractions
• 02 Explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built to preserve Buddhist sutras and figurines
• 03 Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum for insights into the ancient capital
• 04 Walk along Xi'an Ancient City Wall, the largest and most complete preserved city wall in China
• 05 Discover the Muslim Quarter, including the peaceful Great Mosque and Gao Family Yard

Embark on this 2-day tour to unveil the mysterious mask of the ancient city of Xi'an and discover its glorious history and culture through its remarkable attractions. Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda, and see the ancient City Wall, one of the city's most iconic landmarks. You will also visit the Muslim Quarter to experience another side of Xi'an's rich cultural heritage.

The pagoda was built during the Tang Dynasty to keep the Buddhist sutras and figurines of the Buddha that Master Xuanzang brought back from ancient India.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

City Xi'an

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Terracotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda

• Your driver and English-speaking Xi'an (Chinese) tour guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby between 8:00 and 9:00 am.
• On the way to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, stop at a terracotta figurine factory that specializes in reproductions of the clay warriors. Watch the artisans craft miniature statues and take the opportunity to try carving a figurine yourself.
• Then arrive at the Terracotta Warriors & Horses, famous for their surprisingly high level of sculpture. The original site of the Terracotta Museum was discovered by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. Today, it has become one of the most influential attractions in Xi'an. The museum includes Pit 1, the largest pit, as well as Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the bronze chariots and horses.
• After a typical Chinese-style lunch, continue to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The pagoda was built during the Tang Dynasty to keep the Buddhist sutras and figurines of the Buddha that Master Xuanzang brought back from ancient India. Surrounding the pagoda today is a large public square for leisure.
• After all the activities, your guide will take you back to your hotel. According to your travel pace and traffic conditions, the tour will end around 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm.

2

Day 02

Small Wild Goose Pagoda, City Wall and Muslim Quarter

• In the morning, your Xi'an (Chinese) guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby and take you first to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the two wholly preserved Tang Dynasty Buddhist pagodas in Xi'an.
• Next, go to the Xi'an Museum, where you will find historical relics and learn about the history of this ancient capital city.
• Eat lunch at a local restaurant.
• Later, visit the Xi'an Ancient City Wall, the most completely preserved and largest existing city wall in China. It was initially built during the Ming Dynasty for military defence and has become a symbol of Xi'an. You also have the option to ride a bike on top of it and enjoy amazing views of the entire city area inside the wall.
• In the afternoon, visit the Muslim Quarter, a hub of the Muslim community and one of the most famous snack streets in China. In the hidden lanes of the Muslim Quarter, you will find the Great Mosque standing quietly and peacefully. Muslim elements and local architectural elements are combined in the mosque, showing a special beauty to visitors.
• You will also visit the Gao Family Yard, once home to a government official of the Ming Dynasty.
• Following your tour guide, you will learn about the Chinese imperial examination system while listening to the story of the owner, Gao Yuesong. He earned his career position with an excellent score in the examination.
• After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Private transfer by air-conditioned vehicle
• Hotel pickup and drop-off service (within the 2nd ring road of Xi'an City)
• Licensed driver
• English-speaking Xi'an (Chinese) tour guide
• Entrance tickets
• Chinese-style lunches
• One bottle of mineral water per person per day

What's Not Included

• Personal expenses
• Gratuities (highly recommended)
• Optional activity: biking on the City Wall

Know before you go

• Please note that pickup and drop-off are available for hotels within the 2nd ring road of Xi'an City. If your hotel is beyond this range, an extra transfer fee may apply accordingly.
• Xi'an was the former capital of China in ancient times for 13 dynasties, with a glorious history of more than 5,000 years. It attracts visitors from all over the world and is especially famous for the Terracotta Warriors. This 2-day tour leads you to unveil the mysterious mask of this ancient city and learn its glorious history and culture by visiting its pearl-like attractions one by one: the Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter, and others.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

XiAn, Shaanxi, China

Tour start

XiAn, Shaanxi, China

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.