Xi'an A 2-Day Journey Through Ancient China
Where the Silk Road began, where emperors ruled, where history comes alive
✔ Fully customized travel, tailored just for you.
★ Private guide & private vehicle with full itinerary support.
♥ No hidden costs. No forced shopping. Just peace of mind.
Estimated price per person:
Please note:
• The more people in your group, the lower the cost per person. Final pricing will be quoted individually based on your preferred travel dates and customized itinerary.
• Travel costs may vary depending on the departure date, number of travel days, meal arrangements, accommodation level, flight tickets, and airport transfers.
• For an accurate quotation, please contact our customer service team.
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Three Thousand Years of History,
Waiting for You to Walk Through It
Once called Chang'an, Xi'an was the capital of 13 Chinese dynasties and the eastern starting point of the Silk Road. The world-famous Terracotta Army stands frozen in time, the hot springs of Huaqing Palace whisper tales of imperial romance, and the Ming City Wall stretches endlessly across the skyline. This is where Chinese civilization as you know it was born — and you'll explore it all at your own pace, with a private guide who brings every story to life.
★Tour highlights★
1
Discover the Heart of Ancient Chang'an
Walk atop the 13.7km Ming Dynasty City Wall — China's best-preserved ancient fortification. Stand before the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, where the legendary monk Xuanzang housed the Buddhist scriptures he brought back from India. Here, along the ancient Silk Road, East met West and shaped a civilization.
2
Walk Where Chinese Emperors Walked
Step into the First Emperor's tomb: 8,000 life-sized warriors, archers, and horses, each with a unique face, have stood in battle formation since 210 BC. Pit 1's vast army stretches beyond sight, impossible to capture in photos. Learn of their accidental 1974 discovery, and you'll understand why this is the Eighth Wonder.
3
Taste the Night, Live the Tang Dynasty
As dusk falls, dive into the Muslim Quarter for sizzling lamb skewers, rich mutton soup, and Xi'an's famous burgers. Then wander Datang Everbright City, a dazzling avenue of illuminated Tang‑style palaces. Add a dance show or Hanfu photoshoot, and you'll feel like you've traveled back 1,300 years.
Days of immersive history & culture
Historic sites & UNESCO Heritage
Private & tailored to you
Travel Itinerary
This is one of our most popular model itineraries.
We will tailor the journey to your preferences and create a fully customized tour just for you.
Day 1
In the Footsteps of the First Emperor & Yang Guifei
Route: Terracotta Army → Emperor's Mausoleum → Huaqing Palace → Bell & Drum Tower → Muslim Quarter
Walking Level 3: Total walking time: over 4 hours
Walking Level is a guideline for the amount of walking involved in your day‑to‑day sightseeing. It is rated on a three‑level scale to indicate how much of the tour is spent on foot.
Walking Level 1: Total walking time: 30 minutes – 2 hours
Walking Level 2: Total walking time: 2 – 4 hours
Walking Level 3: Total walking time: over 4 hours
※Private tour, your pace – we adjust daily to keep it enjoyable and never exhausting.
Morning
◦ Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Army)
Your guide and private vehicle pick you up at your hotel. First stop: Xi'an's absolute highlight — the UNESCO World Heritage Terracotta Army. In 210 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the creation of over 8,000 life-sized clay warriors, archers, and horses to guard him in the afterlife. Buried for 2,200 years, they were discovered by chance in 1974 by farmers digging a well. Step into Pit 1 — the size of two football fields — and feel the sheer weight of thousands of soldiers standing in formation, each face unique. Then visit the Bronze Chariot Exhibition Hall, where exquisitely crafted bronze chariots with over 3,000 parts will astound you with their 2,200-year-old engineering.
◦ Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum (Lishan Garden)The emperor's actual tomb — a 76-meter-tall pyramid-shaped burial mound, surrounded by satellite pits containing replicas of palaces and government offices. The underground palace itself has never been excavated, and the mystery of what lies beneath remains one of archaeology's greatest puzzles. Standing here, with Mount Li rising behind you, you'll feel the sheer scale and ambition of ancient China.
The total time for visiting both sites is approximately 4 to 5 hours, allowing you to explore at a relaxed pace.
Lunch · Lintong Local Specialties
◦ Local Restaurant Near the Terracotta Army
Sample Xi'an's famous Yangrou Paomo — a rich lamb soup where you tear flatbread into pieces and soak them in the broth — and Roujiamo, the original "Chinese hamburger" with slow-cooked meat stuffed into a crispy bun. Your guide picks the best local restaurant and handles ordering and payment.
Afternoon
◦ Huaqing Palace (Huaqing Pool)
The Tang Dynasty imperial hot spring retreat where Emperor Xuanzong and his legendary consort Yang Guifei shared their tragic love story — immortalized in Bai Juyi's famous poem "Song of Everlasting Sorrow." See the actual remains of the bathing pools where Yang Guifei herself soaked, including the Begonia Pool and the Emperor's Lotus Pool. With Mount Li rising dramatically behind you, this is where Tang Dynasty romance becomes tangible. (Approx. 2–3 hours.)
Evening & Night
◦ Stroll around the Bell and Drum Tower Square.
Return to the city center to Xi'an's iconic Bell Tower and Drum Tower, standing guard over the crossroads of the old city. At sunset, the golden lighting turns them into postcard-perfect silhouettes — and a fantastic photography spot overlooking all four ancient streets.
◦ Dinner and foodie adventure in the Muslim Quarter
Xi'an's most famous food street, where Islamic Chinese culture and Northwest cuisine collide. Cumin-dusted lamb skewers sizzling over open flames, hand-torn Biang Biang noodles wider than your hand, persimmon cakes dripping with honey, spicy mutton soup that warms you to the bone... Your guide walks you through the stalls, helps you navigate the options, and finds the exact flavors that match your taste.
After today's tour, your guide and private vehicle will take you back to the hotel. If you need assistance with check‑in or any other procedures, your guide will be happy to help.
Day 2
Where East Meets West — Silk Road & Tang Nights
Walking Level 2: Total walking time: 2 – 4 hours
Route：Shuyuanmen Cultural Street → Ming Dynasty City Wall (West Gate) → Big Wild Goose Pagoda → Yongxingfang Food Street → Datang Everbright City
Morning
◦ Day Two begins with a step into Xi'an's living cultural soul – Shuyuanmen (Academy Gate)
Xi'an's ancient Academy Gate street. Watch master calligraphers at work, shop for hand‑crafted seals, and soak up the literati atmosphere that has inspired artists for centuries.
◦ Ming Dynasty City Wall — West Gate (Anding Gate)
At 13.7km in circumference, this is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Climb up at the West Gate (Anding Gate) and walk along the top — the contrast between the old city's tile roofs and the modern skyline beyond is breathtaking. Optional: rent a bicycle and ride the full circuit of the wall for an unforgettable experience.
◦ Lunch · Authentic Shaanxi Cuisine
The area around Anding Gate is lined with beloved old local eateries. Your guide will introduce you to authentic Shaanxi dishes such as Hulu Ji (crispy fried whole chicken), Shao San Xian (hearty three-fresh stew), and Huixiang Jianbing (fennel flatbread). Not tourist food — the real flavors that locals have loved for generations.
Afternoon
◦ Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Da Ci'en Temple)
Built to house the Buddhist scriptures that the monk Xuanzang carried back from his epic 17-year journey to India — the real-life adventure behind the famous novel "Journey to the West." The 7-story pagoda stands 64 meters tall; climb to the top for a sweeping view of Xi'an. The surrounding North and South Plazas feature a magnificent musical fountain show and beautifully reconstructed Tang-style architecture.
◦ Yongxingfang
A bustling hub of Shaanxi's intangible heritage, where you can sample regional delicacies and experience traditional performances in a recreated Tang dynasty setting.
Evening & Night
◦ Dinner · Peking Duck
For your final dinner, enjoy Xi'an's take on the legendary Peking Duck — crispy, lacquered skin, tender meat, wrapped in paper-thin pancakes with scallions and sweet bean sauce. Your guide shows you the authentic way to eat it.
◦ Datang Everbright City — A Walk Through Tang Dynasty Night
The grand finale. A stunning pedestrian avenue where illuminated Tang-style pavilions, palaces, and gateways stretch into the distance, creating an immersive dreamscape of ancient China at night. Street performers in Tang Dynasty costumes, cascading light installations, and an atmosphere that makes you feel like you've wandered into the streets of Chang'an 1,300 years ago. The perfect ending to your Xi'an journey.
★ Optional Activities ★
-Hanfu dressing & photo experience -
Choose your favorite traditional costume, get styled with hair and makeup, and capture stunning photos against Xi'an's historic streets. A magical moment that makes you feel like you've stepped into ancient China.
After the itinerary, your private vehicle and guide will escort you back to your hotel. Thank you for exploring Xi'an with us!
What's Included & What's Not Included
✅ Included
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All ground transportation throughout the tour (vehicle, driver, highway tolls, parking)
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Professional foreign-language-speaking tour guide
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Entrance tickets to all sites in the itinerary
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China domestic travel insurance
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Pandaland Trip exclusive welcome gift
❌ Not Included
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International flights/trains to and from Xi'an (we can help arrange)
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Airport / train station transfers (available as an add-on)
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Meals (Based on your taste, the guide will select suitable restaurants and provide full assistance with ordering and payment)
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Personal spending, souvenirs & drinks
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Optional activities: Hanfu experience, etc. (most require advance booking)
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Comfortable Walking Shoes：You'll be on your feet a lot — the Terracotta Army site, the city wall, the Muslim Quarter. Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.
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Dress for the Season：Xi'an is inland — summers can hit 40°C (104°F) with intense heat, winters drop to -10°C (14°F). Spring and fall have large day-to-night temperature swings. Pack for your season.
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Rain Gear & Sun Protection：Summer brings strong sun and sudden rain. A folding umbrella, hat, and sunglasses will serve you well.
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Cash & Mobile Payment：Cash and WeChat/Alipay are most convenient at the Muslim Quarter and street stalls. Major cards work in larger restaurants and hotels.
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Personal Medications：Bring any prescription medication or supplements you rely on. While pharmacies are widely available in Xi'an, specific products may be hard to find.
What to Bring
🏔️ This is a model itinerary centered on history and cultural appreciation. It's suitable for a wide range of ages.
🌦️ Walking distances are approximate and include sightseeing within attractions and city walks. They may vary depending on your preferred pace and customized itinerary.
🩺 The itinerary may be adjusted due to weather, traffic, attraction operating hours, or other unforeseen circumstances. Your guide will always prioritize your safety and comfort.
🐴 The Terracotta Army is open year-round, but weekends, holidays, and Chinese public holidays are extremely crowded. We recommend visiting on weekdays if possible.
🛡️ The Muslim Quarter and Datang Everbright City can get very busy at night. Please take care of your valuables in crowded areas.
✈️ Flights, airport transfers, and accommodation are not included unless otherwise stated. We are happy to assist with these arrangements upon request.
🎨 Every itinerary can be customized to suit your interests. Want to add the Shaanxi History Museum? Cycle the city wall? Spend a 3rd day at Famen Temple? Everything is customizable — just tell us what you'd like, and we'll make it happen.
