Small Group Xi'an Day Tour to Terracotta Army, City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Muslim Bazaar

Hotel Pick-up Service (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Welcome to join our one-day Xian small group tour. According to your location, our guide and driver will pick you up between 8:00 AM-9:00 AM. The pick-up service is available for hotels located within the Third Ring Road in Xi'an. The guide will confirm the pick-up time with you in advance.

Drive about 1 Hour to Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses (about 2 hours exploration)

After meeting your guide and driver, we will drive about 1 hour to the highlight of today - the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses, aka Terracotta Army.

Often hailed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor's Terracotta Army lay underground silently for over two millennia until it was accidentally discovered by local villagers in 1974. To date, three main burial pits—designated Pit 1, Pit 2, and Pit 3, with about 8,000 live-sized figures, horses and a wealth of bronze weapons have been discovered.

These pits boast the sheer scale and are arranged in a "pǐn" (品) shape. Pit 1 is the largest, with a total area of 4,260 square meters. It features a vast, neat formation of pottery figures and horses lined up in a formation of massive army ready for battle. The Pit 2 reveals a more complex array of military divisions, including cavalry, chariots, and infantry. The smallest Pit 3 was estimated (or believed) to be the command center for the entire army by experts.

Standing above the pits will evoke the feeling of an ancient emperor from over two thousand years ago, commanding his overwhelming army with unmatched power and vision. Your profession guide will also vividly recount many histories and stories about the Qin Dynasty and the first emperor in Chinese history.

Drive to A Terracotta Replica Factory to Make Your Own Terracotta Warrior  (about 1 hour)

After visiting the world-renowned Terracotta Warriors and Horses, we will drive about to a nearby Terracotta Replica workshop. Here you will have about 1 hour to learn about some detailed information about the manufacturing process of the ancient terracotta warriors. What's more, you can choose a favorite style of Terracotta Warrior and learn to make your own miniature replica warrior under the guidance o fa master.  

Drive Back to the City Center & Visit the City Wall (about 40 minutes)

After the Terracotta Army exploration, we will drive back to the Xian city center to discover some of the best historical landmarks of this ancient capital.

Firstly, we will ascend the Xian City Wall (aka the Fortifications of Xi'an), one of the largest and best-preserved existing ancient city walls in China. As a powerful witness to the glorious history of Xi'an, the City Wall of Xian was initially founded in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and the existing main structures from the Ming Dynasty over 600 years ago.  

Standing 12 meters high, and 12-14 meters wide on its top surface, the wall forms a closed, rectangular circuit with a total perimeter of 13.74 kilometers. While walking or cycling atop the wall (optional, rent the bicycle on your own), you will encounter a comprehensive military defense system formed by various defensive features, including ramparts, watchtowers, barbicans, a moat, drawbridges, arrow towers, corner towers, enemy towers and parapet walls (Nǚ'ér Qiáng).

Walking or cycling atop the wall will also reward you with a glimpse into the striking contrast between the ancient and modern faces of Xi'an.

Enjoy Your Time at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (about 1 hour)

Continue your history discovery tour in Xian with a visit to the iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Located within the Da Ci'en Temple, this World Cultural Heritage Site stands as an outstanding representative of Tang Dynasty Buddhist culture and a masterpiece of ancient architecture. It was firstly constructed in the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty to house the Buddhist scriptures, statues, and sarira that Master Xuanzang brought back from India. After multiple renovations and reconstructions over the centuries, the existing tower is a seven-story, square-based, pavilion-style brick pagoda with a hight of about 64.5 meters (64.517 meters).

Based on your preferences, you can ascend the tower (optional, additional fee required) to admire many enshrined Buddhist statues and cultural relics and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Or, stroll around the surrounding area to see exquisite sculptures, Asia's largest music fountain, traditional-style architecture along the Great Tang All Day Mall.

Culinary Adventure at the Muslim Quarter (about 30 minutes)

The last stop our Xian day tour is the Muslim Quarter (Hui Min Jie) - the paradise for foodies. Also known locally as Fangshang, it is not a single street but a famous food and culture district composed of several streets, such as Beiyuanmen, Beiguangji Street, Xiyangshi, Dapiyuan, Huajuexiang, and Sajinqiao. This area had became a Hui ethnic minority settlement from the late Northern Song Dynasty to the early Southern Song Dynasty. Now, it is a popular landmark of Xian, featuring the Ming and Qing dynasty architectural style, Great Mosque of Xi'an, and vibrant food scenes. Try to entertain yourself with diverse Northwestern Chinese Halal cuisine here, including Yangrou Paomo, Roujiamo, Liangpi, etc.

Drop Off at Your Hotel at around 5:30 PM

When it comes to the end of this rewarding Xi'an day tour, it is time to say goodbye to your guide and driver. They will drop you off at your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you.