2-Day Beijing to Xi’an Tour by Overnight & High-Speed Train
Tour Overview
Short on time but still want to see Xi’an? This two-day trip from Beijing makes it doable. You take an overnight train to save daylight hours, then wake up in Xi’an ready to go. Hit the Terracotta Army, walk the old City Wall, check out the Bell and Drum Towers and grab some local food in the Muslim Quarter.
After a full day of sightseeing, hop a high-speed train back to Beijing. No extra hotel night needed — just a solid taste of Xi’an’s history, landmarks and street food.
Travel destination: Xi’an
Suitable for: History and culture lovers, first-time Xi’an visitors
Tour type: Private
Tour at a Glance
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Day
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Destinations
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What to See and Do
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1
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Beijing → Xi’an
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Transfer to Beijing West Station and take an overnight train to Xi’an
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2
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Xi’an → Beijing
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Terracotta Army, Ancient City Wall stroll or cycling, Bell & Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter local flavors, High-speed train back to Beijing
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Highlights of This Tour
Walk or cycle on Xi’an’s 600-year-old City Wall: Enter through Yongning Gate and take in contrasting views of the historic old city and modern Xi’an from above.
Taste Xi’an through the lively Muslim Quarter: Wander food streets around the Drum Tower and try local specialty cuisine such as lamb paomo, roujiamo and skewers.
Stand among 8,000 life-sized Terracotta Warriors: Explore the massive pits of Qin Shi Huang’s underground army and see the different troop formations preserved for more than 2,000 years.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Beijing to Xi’an by Overnight Train
Your local driver will pick you up from the hotel in the afternoon and transfer you to Beijing West Railway Station for the recommended overnight train to Xi'an.
The train ride takes about 16.5 hours, and you can have dinner on board.
- Day 2: Explore Xi'an & Return to Beijing by High-Speed TrainDiscover Terracotta Warriors, Walk Historic Ramparts, Sample Local Flavors
When you arrive in Xi’an this morning, your local guide will greet you at the exit and take you to the Terracotta Army, the so-called “Eighth Wonder of the World”. These warriors sat underground for over 2,000 years until some local farmers stumbled upon them in 1974 while digging a well. Now three main pits are open, with more than 8,000 life-sized soldiers, plus horses and chariots, all lined up like they're still on duty.
Pit 1 is the largest and most spectacular, with around 6,000 warriors and horses arranged in a large military formation. Pit 2 features a variety of troop types, including infantry, cavalry, chariots and crossbowmen. Pit 3 is the smallest and is generally believed to have served as the command center of the underground army.
Pit 3 - The Command Center of the Terracotta Army After lunch, return to downtown Xi'an to visit the Ancient City Wall, one of the largest and best-preserved ancient city walls in China. The present wall was built in the Ming Dynasty more than 600 years ago as a military defense system.
Enter through Yongning Gate (South Gate) and take a leisurely walk along the wall. From the top, you can see the traditional buildings of the old city inside the wall and the modern cityscape beyond it. Cycling is another popular way to explore the wall, especially if you want to cover more ground.
Bike Riding on the Xi'an City Wall Next, head to Bell Tower and Drum Tower, two of Xi’an’s most iconic landmarks in the heart of the old city. Both were built during the Ming Dynasty and were traditionally used for timekeeping, with the bell marking the morning and the drum marking the evening.
Follow your guide to the surrounding area for photos of the towers and the historic city center. You do not need to enter both towers to enjoy some of the best views from outside.
Historic iconic Xi'an Bell Tower landmark Afterward, walk to the nearby Muslim Quarter, one of Xi’an’s most famous food streets. Home to the city's Hui Muslim community for over a thousand years, it blends Chinese street life with Middle Eastern and Central Asian flavors. You can taste various local snacks, from cold noodles and roujiamo to lamb skewers and lamb paomo.
The guide and driver will transfer you to Xi’an North Railway Station for a high-speed train back to Beijing. Upon arrival, a local driver will meet you at the exit and take you to your hotel. This ends your Xi'an journey.
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
