5 Days | Unmissable Xi'an Tour

Tour Overview

Xi'an, the ancient capital of thirteen Chinese dynasties, stands as the sole Chinese city ranked among the world's four great ancient capitals. The breeze along its ancient city walls carries the fragrance of cultural heritage, while the ground beneath every step echoes with once-glorious history.

Terracotta Warriors bear witness to thousands of unique, nameless faces, each distinct yet collectively embodying Qin's legacy. The Muslim Quarter gathers vibrant human vitality, unfolding the authentic tapestry of daily life. What's more, Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City invites you to witness its breathtaking splendor, offering a glimpse of Chang'an's golden age. When you listen to the traditional Hua Yin opera at the Gao Family, which may evoke the vast land views of Shaanxi in your eyes. Blue bricks and black tiles line the lanes and alleys, where half whispers history and half narrates stories. The city's profound heritage is vividly revealed through its culinary delights and nightscape culture.

Within these five days' journey in Xi'an, we will take you up close to savor the unhurried charm of this millennia-old capital and immerse you in the grandiose Tang Dynasty fantasies. You will experience the Guanzhong folk culture at Yuanjia Village, enjoy the shadow puppetry at the Gao Family Compound, and relive the historic battle of "Two Tigers Guarding Chang'an" at White Deer Plain Film Studio.

 

Highlights of this tour:

1. Craft Terracotta Warriors using ancient techniques to feel the pulse of history and witness millennium-old glory by learning pottery figurine-making.

2. Explore Yongxing Fang and Muslim Quarter to savor all Shaanxi delicacies at these two major snack hubs.

3. Stroll through Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City to admire the Qujiang nightscape and behold the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty.

4. Appreciate shadow puppetry and Hua Yin opera at Gao Family Compound to immerse yourself in the charm of China’s intangible cultural heritage.

5. Experience 360 Extreme Flying Ball to embrace the magical allure of modern technology.

6. Visit White Deer Plain Film Studio to experience the village life in Guanzhong Plain and unique Republic of China-era costume shows.

7. Admire the view of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Da Ci'en Temple to feel the essence of Tang Dynasty Buddhist culture.

8. Savor tea and explore cave dwellings, and try folk paper-cutting at Yuanjia Village to experience authentic local traditions.

 

Day-by-day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Xi'an

Routes: Shenzhen → Xi'an (CZ3213 08:00-10:45)

Gather at Shenzhen Bao'an Airport and fly to the ancient capital Xi'an, a timeless cultural icon "longing lingers in Chang'an". The romanticism of Han-era prose and the grandeur of Tang poetry endlessly depict this dazzling city of emperors, scholars, and monks, leaving visitors enthralled by its legacy.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to downtown to visit Gao Family Compound, the 400-year-old Ming Dynasty residence of Gao Yuesong (a Qing Dynasty scholar from Jiangsu) famed for its imperial "Second-Ranked Imperial Scholar" plaque.

After that, you will be arranged to watch shadow puppetry (UNESCO intangible heritage), a rare Han Chinese art form originating in the Han Dynasty and flourishing in the Tang Dynasty. Its melancholic yet passionate tunes and Qin-style aesthetics deliver a unique audiovisual experience.

Then, you will explore the Muslim Quarter, which is established in 2005 as a halal food street featuring Shaanxi specialties like Lao Sun's Lamb Paomo, Jia San Soup Dumplings, and Honghong Pickled Fried Rice.

Finally conclude at Bell & Drum Towers, which is an iconic Ming-era landmarks (built in 1384 and 1380 respectively). Known as "rising with the bell, resting with the drum", this bustling hub displays Xi'an's modern vitality amidst historical grandeur.

Meal: Lunch

Hotel: Xi'an Hotel

 

Day 2: Leisurely Exploration of Xi'an

Routes: Xi'an Ming City Wall → Yongxing Fang → Xi'an Museum → Anrenfang Heritage Site

After breakfast, visit Xi'an Ming City Wall (entrance ticket is included). Built between 1374 and 1378 during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, it stands as China's most intact ancient fortification. The wall complex includes a moat, drawbridge, gate towers, watchtowers, corner towers, battlements, and crenellations—a meticulously structured medieval fortress exuding classical Chinese charm, so it is well worth exploring in depth.

Next, head to Yongxing Fang, a culinary street dedicated to intangible cultural heritage. It gathers traditional snacks from across Shaanxi (Northern, Central, and Southern regions), offering an overwhelming feast for your taste buds.

After lunch, visit Xi'an Museum. Its themed exhibition "Ancient Capital Xi'an" chronicles the city’s millennia-long history as a dynastic capital. The museum houses artifacts from key periods like the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, with masterpieces that attract visitors to pause in admiration.

Finally, you will end the day at the Exhibition Hall of Anrenfang Heritage Site built atop the ruins of a Tang-era mansion. You can observe both the original archaeological site and artistically reconstructed displays. Through poetry, music, clothing, housing, lamps, and tea enhanced by miniature models and multimedia, the exhibition immerses spectators in the daily life of Tang Chang’an, hence evoking a vivid longing to travel back in time.

Meal: Breakfast + Dinner

Hotel: Xi'an Hotel

 

Day 3: Craft Terracotta Warriors Using Ancient Techniques

Routes: Huaqing Palace → Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang

After breakfast, take a tourist bus to Huaqing Palace (entrance ticket is included). This imperial resort hosted palaces for emperors across the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties. It gained global fame for its eternal hot springs, the historical tale of "Beacon Fire Fooling the Lords," the romance of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, associated with the site of the Xi'an Incident, finally cementing its status as an iconic scenic spot for Tang culture.

Next, explore the Qin Shi Huang's Terracotta Army Museum (inclusive of entrance ticket), hailed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" at the northern foot of Mount Li. This vast underground complex safeguards the guardian legion of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum, featuring nearly 10,000 life-sized terracotta warriors and horses that vividly depict the Qin army's power in unifying China. The sheer scale leaves visitors awestruck, and its UNESCO World Heritage designation since 1987 underscores its significance. To ensure high-quality insights, official museum guides provide specialized commentary.

Following the museum tour, you will get involved in the ancient terracotta-making workshop, guided by the craftsmen. Learn the Qin-era techniques for creating terracotta figures, from molding clay bodies to intricate carving, and independently craft your own replica warrior. This hands-on adventure may deliver an unforgettable and engaging experience in your life journey. After that, you will be arranged to take the tour bus back to Xi'an.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Hotel: Xi'an Hotel

 

Day 4: Unique Costume Show and 360° Extreme Flying Ball Experience

Routes: White Deer Plain Film Studio→ Giant Wild Goose Pagoda → Datang Ever-Bright City

After breakfast, depart for White Deer Plain Film Studio (includes uphill escalator & downhill shuttle tickets) — Shaanxi's first large-scale studio integrating film production, cultural leisure, children's activities, and live performances. It authentically recreates Guanzhong folk culture, displaying the unique architecture, history, and clan traditions. You can traverse five ancient passes (Wu Pass, Xiao Pass, Tong Pass, etc.) in a day, immersing in Guanzhong customs and stories from Zhou to Tang dynasties. Highlights are as below:

1912 Republic-era Costume Show: Time-travel to 1912.

Hua Yin Lao Qiang Folk Performance: Raw vocal artistry.

"Two Tigers Defend Chang'an" Live Show: Epic historical reenactment.

360° Extreme Flying Ball: A thrilling VR experience simulating aerial acrobatics over landscapes and through history.  

After lunch, return to Xi'an to visit Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (ticket is included). This UNESCO-listed Tang-era royal temple, where monk Xuanzang translated Buddhist scriptures, is served as a key location in Journey to the West and remains a masterpiece of religious architecture.

Finally, you will visit the Datang Ever-Bright City, which is a pedestrian street celebrating the flourishing Tang era, the key features include four themed squares( North Pagoda Square, Xuanzang Square, Zhenguan Square, Innovation Square), four cultural venues (Xi'an Concert Hall, Shaanxi Grand Theater, Xi'an Art Museum, Pacific Cinema) and Iconic installations such as "Dancing Doll Performers", "Living Statues", and light displays over Qujiang Lake, thus earning its title as "China's Most Beautiful Pedestrian Street".

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Hotel: Xi'an Hotel

 

Day 5: Departure (Xi'an → Shenzhen CZ3226 (20:45–23:45) or CZ5842 (19:05–22:10))

After breakfast, drive to Yuanjia Village, which is the sign of Guanzhong Folk Experience Zone (it includes a complimentary cup of Jinhuafu tea - golden-flowered dark tea). This heritage site preserves traditional grey-brick architecture and recreates traditional workshops and specialty food streets, therefore unveiling the agrarian, culinary, and folk culture of the Guanzhong region.

Workshop Street: Demonstrates traditional techniques like oil grinding and tofu-making, with hands-on participation.

Snack Street: Features over 200 Guanzhong delicacies (e.g., youpo noodles, lamb paomo), offering all-day dining options.

Ancestral Hall Street: Gathers intangible heritage crafts like iron forging, paper-cutting, and bamboo weaving alongside century-old shops.

Next, you will be transferred to visit authentic cave dwellings, which are the iconic loess plateau residences reflecting local ingenuity.

In Yuanjia Village, you will have the opportunity to step into these renovated cave dwellings so as to experience authentic Guanzhong life, and try your hand at Shaanxi paper-cutting by learning from Shaanbei artisans and immersing yourself in China’s cultural legacy. 

After wrapping up these unique folk experiences in the afternoon, you will be escorted to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport and fly back to Shenzhen to bring this ancient capital tour the unforgettable end!

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

 

Tour Price ($=USD)

From $ 869 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 

√ Flights: Round-trip air tickets between Shenzhen and Xi'an;

√ Transport: Private air-conditioned vehicle with licensed drivers;

√ Accommodation: 4 nights well-selected hotels in standard twin rooms;

√ Meals: Daily breakfast (4) + lunches/dinners (6);

√ Admission: First entrance tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;

√ Guiding Services: Licensed local tour guides;

√ Shopping Policy: Zero shopping arrangements throughout the trip.

 

Price Excludes

√ Round-Trip Shuttle Service: Shenzhen ↔ Airport transfers;

√ Excluded Expenses: Any item not mentioned in the itinerary;

√ Single Room Supplement.