5 Days | Impressive Parent-Child Xi'an Tour

Tour Overview

Would you like to witness the historical grandeur of China's "Thirteen-Dynasty Ancient Capital"? As the only country in the world with an uninterrupted 5,000-year cultural history, you'll find the narration of legendary Terracotta Warriors from National Treasure, the charming Doll Lady and Pikachu greetings at the Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, the timeless chime of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, associated with the tantalizing flavors of Xi'an's signature dishes like "Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup" (Yangrou Paomo) and cold rice noodles (Liangpi). This magnificent destination is Xi'an, China's ancient capital. 

Over the next few days, we'll take you and your children on a journey to explore the monumental achievements of the emperor Qin Shi Huang, the unifier of China, and relive the poetic brilliance of Li Bai, Du Fu, Wang Wei, and Gao Shi from the film Chang'an 30,000 Miles. 

Additionally, we'll guide you in tracing the origins of the Han ethnicity, the Chinese language, Chinese characters, and Hanfu, China's traditional costume. Also, you'll uncover the legacy of thirteen dynasties and savor the culinary delights of the Guanzhong region. Along the way, we've hidden numerous surprises, waiting for you and your little ones to discover. By immersing in Xi'an's cuisine, culture, and history, these quintessential Chinese elements, you'll also provide your kids with profound cognitive and inspirational growth.

 

Highlights of this tour:

1. Create your own miniature "Terracotta Army" replica.

2. Shadow puppet show + puppet-making workshop, you can immerse in this intangible cultural heritage art form.

3. Tang/Han costume rental + makeup styling for Tang dynastic immersion.

4. Watch Zhang Yimou's film "Endless·Chang'an" – A spectacular performance dramatizing the capital's epic history.

5. Biangbiang noodle-making experience to record the precious family moments.

6. Xi'an Jiaotong University visit – Participate in key research projects & tech workshops to inspire young minds and cultivate ambition.

 

Day-by-day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Xi'an (Bell and Drum Tower Square & Culinary Experience in Huimin Street)

Assembly at Shenzhen Bao’an Airport and then fly to Xi’an, one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals. After arriving in Xi'an, you will be arranged to visit Bell and Drum Tower Square and Huimin Street (Muslim Quarter). Actually, Huimin Street is not just a single street, it is composed of sprawling network of over a dozen alleys, where your guide will bring you to unveil iconic snacks, such as plum juice, fried dough twists in oil tea, chilled bean jelly with gravy, glutinous rice cakes (Jinggao), Ding Jia’s braised pork, Sheng Zhiwang’s sesame cold noodles, imperial crispy beef pancakes and so on.

When you savor the delicious snacks, you can appreciate the views of Bell and Drum Towers, China’s largest and best-preserved Ming-era twin towers, which was built in 1374–1378 and served as the function of ancient timekeeping landmarks. Currently, it is a cultural hub with beautiful light shows and musical performances held at night, and its opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 21:30 PM. After that, you will return to the hotel for rest. 

Meal: N/A

Hotel: Xi'an Hotel

 

Day 2: Explore White Deer Plain Film Studios & Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City 

Route: White Deer Plain Film Studios → Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City → Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Square

After breakfast, you will depart for White Deer Plain Film City (The ticket is included in package). The highlights include strolling through Zishui Ancient Town and savoring Shaanxi delicacies amid "half-roofed" Guanzhou-style houses, and then you will enjoy the sense of traversing in Five Ancient Passes to experience Zhou-Qin-Han-Tang dynasties’ legacy, the package inclusions are as below:

• Take the 150m outdoor escalator + electric cart.
  

• Watch "Two Tigers Defend Chang’an" live-action show.
  

• 360° Extreme Ball Theater: Aerial views of ancient Chang’an.
  

• Interactive Mission: Families receive task cards upon entry and you can get prizes after the task completion.

After that, you will enjoy the Guanzhong Nine-Bowl Feast for lunch, it is the traditional dishes served in big bowls and thus reflects the local boldness. Next, you will participate in the special activity, the outdoor Biangbiang noodle-making, which is the good moments for recording and strengthening your family bonds. 

In the afternoon, you will be arranged for the time travel to Tang Dynasty, so it refers to the costume experience, you can choose Hanfu/Tang-style attire + makeup, then roam in the Tang Paradise Night Market as Tang literati or nobles, which is very intriguing moment in your life journey and the highlights are listed as below, which are the attractions not to be missed.

Must-see performances (19:30–21:30)

• Doll Lady (North Square West Gate).
  
• Floral Chariot Dance (19:40), Zhenguan Reign (20:00), Floating Li Bai, Puppetry, Return to Chang’an (21:00).
  

Best photo spots

• Xuanzang Plaza, Great Tang Mall (Sun Wukong statues + pagoda view).
  
• Comedy: Secret Box of Tang (near "Lion’s Fortune").
  

In the evening, you will be arranged for the tour of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Centered on the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the scenic area mainly consists of the North Square, South Square, Ci'en Temple, pedestrian streets and commercial districts and so on. Among them, North Square is characterized by the Musical fountain show (19:00), and the South Square is featured by the Statue of Monk Xuanzang (Journey to the West lore). As the important carrier of Buddhist culture of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the design of the fountain also incorporates Buddhist elements such as lotus flowers, bringing a strong cultural atmosphere to tourists. At the same time, the music tracks of the fountain performance are rich and diverse, such as the "Water Rhyme of Wild Goose Pagoda, Dancing Xi'an" series of tracks, including chapters such as "Blossoming Hibiscus", "Watering the Ancient City", "Dreaming of the Silk Road" and "Spring Filling Chang'an", as well as "The Movement of the Great Tang Dynasty", "Camel Bell on the Silk Road", "Prosperous Chang'an" etc,. Through the change of water patterns and the combination of music, cultural themes such as the prosperous Tang atmosphere and the Silk Road are displayed. Especially in the hot summer, visitors can interact with the water columns, feeling the cool water splashes and the humid air, which increases the fun of the tour during the fountain performance.

Finally, the tour guide will arrange a specific time and boarding location with you, waiting for you to return to the hotel after your visit.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Hotel: Xi'an Hotel

 

Day 3: Visit Xi’an City Wall & Create Your Miniature "Terracotta Army"

Routes: Xi’an City Wall → Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

After breakfast, you will take a guided tour of Xi’an City Wall and enter through Yongning Gate (South Gate), it is 2-hour leisure walk. As the one of the world’s best-preserved ancient fortifications, it witnesses at least more than 600 years of history. Stroll along the ramparts, you can overlook the old city and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda as well as listen to the wind chiming on the watchtowers while touching bullet marks and weathered bricks that whisper tales of dynasties in the past, thus feeling the wall’s serene narrative of time.

After lunch, you will be transferred to Lintong (1-hour ride) to visit the Terracotta Army Museum, which is regarded as the Eighth Wonder of the World, over 8,000 life-sized warriors and bronze weapons had been buried for 2,000 years as a testament to Qin Shi Huang’s empire, so it is a global icon that unlocked Western fascination about ancient China. After finishing the visit of Terra Cotta Warriors in the Afternoon, you will start the unforgettable experience of creating your own miniature "Terracotta Army" in the workshop, the details of hands-on activity are listed as below:

• Clay sculpting: Mold, carve, and replicate a miniature warrior under expert guidance.
  

• Cultural Insights: Discover the "unique faces" among the thousands of terracotta figures, learn about the Qin Dynasty’s rise and the craftsmanship behind the army’s creation and take home your self-made artifact as a tribute to ancient artisans.
  

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch 

Hotel: Xi'an Hotel

Day 4: Treasure Hunt Experience

Routes: Xi'an Jiaotong University → Shaanxi History Museum 

After breakfast, you will be transferred to visit Xi'an Jiaotong University, which is a campus tour to learn about the university's humanistic history and various disciplines, thereby experiencing the campus life, cultural atmosphere, and achievements in scientific and cultural development of this renowned Chinese university. When the kids listen to the stories of scientists and feel the power of science, they will recognize the strong power of knowledge. Finally, during the sharing and communication session, they will put on bachelor's gowns and take group photos to commemorate this unforgettable moments, which is also the treasure in their life.

After lunch, you will take a guided tour to the Shaanxi History Museum (professional guide + audio headset included), the basic information about it is as below.

• Architecture: A Tang-style complex with a central hall and four corner towers, blending tradition and modernity.
  
• Collections: 370,000+ artifacts spanning 1 million years—from Paleolithic tools to pre-1840s relics.
  
• Highlights: Bronze ware (Shang-Zhou Dynasty), terracotta figurines, Han-Tang gold/silver crafts, and unparalleled Tang tomb murals.
  

After that, you will be taken to enjoy the treasure hunt activity, you need to find 3 treasures featured in National Treasure, such as Tiger-shaped Tallies (杜虎符), Celadon Teapot with Reverse Pouring (青釉提梁倒灌壶), and Grape & Bird-pattern Silver Incense Ball (葡萄花纹鸟纹银香囊). When each treasure has been found, its history story behind the national treasure will be unlocked, so the whole process is very intriguing and worth the exploration.

After dinner, you will be taken to watch the film Boundless·Chang'an directed by Zhang Yimou. Rooted in Chang'an's profound historical and cultural heritage, the entire performance consists of eight creative segments with distinct styles, themes, and dimensions: "Harmony", "Rainbow Robes", "Shadow Figures", "Myriads of Forms", "Chang'an", "Reunion", "Coexistence", and "Legends". It draws inspiration from China's fine traditional culture, selects quintessential elements and symbols of Shaanxi culture, and integrates cutting-edge stagecraft. Through collision, exploration, and integration, it presents the artistic conception and reflection of "a stage of limited space yet boundless time, there is a curtain that rises and falls with dreams that are never far away".

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Hotel: Xi'an Hotel

Day 5: Departure

Routes: Xiaonanmen Morning Market → Daci'en Temple → Xi’an Museum → Yongxingfang → Airport (Shenzhen)

After breakfast, explore the Xiaonanmen Morning Market—a hub of Xi’an’s culinary heritage where steam rises from roujiamo (pork buns) and yangrou paomo (pita bread soaked in mutton soup). Don’t miss the "Chang’an" calligraphy wall on South Street for iconic photos, hence capturing your own beautiful moments in Chang'an. 

Afterwards, you will be taken to visit Daci'en Temple, an imperial temple among the thousand-year-old ancient monasteries. Here, you can purify your mind by brushing away the dust and see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda—a seven-story pagoda that has watched over Chang'an for more than 1,300 years. Since the Tang Dynasty, literati and scholars, after passing the imperial examinations and being promoted to official positions, often came here to worship Buddha. Interestingly, this practice was followed by the later generations, people prayed in advance for success and fame, gradually forming the custom of inscribing names on the pagoda to pray for good fortune and luck.

The next stop is Xi'an Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an Museum is a modern building housing the treasures of Chang'an, while Small Wild Goose Pagoda is a Tang Dynasty pagoda that has stood quietly for 1,400 years. As an ancient capital, Xi'an was the capital of 13 dynasties starting from the Western Zhou Dynasty, leaving countless cultural heritage sites. Today, thousands of years of history are condensed in Xi'an Museum, which holds the brilliant memories of this 13-dynasty ancient capital.

After lunch, you will head to Yongxingfang to enjoy delicious food. Actually, it is the food street with numerous Intangible Cultural Heritage, the street gathers over 50 vendors offering specialty foods from various regions of Shaanxi, including provincial and municipal intangible cultural heritage foods, as well as performances of traditional craftsmanship and local snacks. Therefore, you can not only experience the style of "108 Blocks of the Tang City" but also taste authentic Shaanxi folk snacks, and purchase local products, and travel souvenirs using traditional folk techniques.

After lunch, we will arrange a shadow puppet show and a shadow puppet-making activity for you, thus allowing you to experience the unique charm of traditional Chinese folk art. Based on the historical records, shadow puppetry originated in the Western Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang Dynasty, reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty, and spread to West Asia and Europe during the Yuan Dynasty, thus boasting a long and profound history. As an ancient form of traditional opera, shadow puppetry—also known as "shadow play"—is a folk drama where stories are performed using character silhouettes made of animal hides or cardboard. During performances, artists manipulate the silhouettes behind a white screen, tell stories in local tunes, paired with percussion instruments and string music, all of them exude a strong local flavor, your kids will be deeply hooked by them. Finally, we will escort you to the airport according to your flight schedule for your onward journey!

Meal: Breakfast

 

Tour Price ($=USD)

For $1841 P.P, which is based on a private tour for 2-6 people.

The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel.

 

Price Includes

√ Round-Trip Transportation: Shenzhen-Xi'an-Shenzhen;

√ Local Transportation: Air-conditioned vehicle with licensed drivers and guaranteed seats;

√ Accommodation: 4 nights' accommodation in well-selected hotels;

√ Meals: Meals listed in the itinerary ( 4 breakfasts + 5 lunches/dinners);

√ Tickets: First-entry tickets for all listed attractions, such as Xi'an City Wall, Terracotta Warriors Museum, Shaanxi History Museum, Daci'en Temple and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda;

√ Complimentary activities such as Boundless Chang’an theatrical performance, Terracotta warrior DIY workshop and unique Hanfu costume experience;

√ Guide Services: Licensed local guides for all sightseeing;

√ Shopping Policy: No shopping stops (pure sightseeing itinerary);

√ Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance;

√ Child Policy (Ages 2–12): Airfare, coach seats, meals (lunches/dinners), guided tour services, half-price attraction tickets, and complimentary activities;

√ Standard room rates are calculated based on twin-sharing occupancy.

 

Price Excludes

√ Any optional activities inside the attractions;

√ Any item not mentioned in the itinerary, such as Laundry, haircuts, phone calls, faxes, pay-TV, beverages, tobacco/alcohol in hotels, and other individual consumption.

√ Costs incurred due to unpredictable factors including but not limited to transportation delays, strikes, weather conditions, aircraft mechanical failures, or flight cancellations /schedule changes.

√ Accommodation Policy: Standard room based on twin-sharing occupancy.