Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing-Xian by overnight train

   Our local driver will pick you up from hotel lobby in later afternoon by holding a name board and transfer to Beijing West Train Station for the overnight train Z19/20:40-8:31+1(or a train with similar schedule) to Xian.

   Accommodation: Soft sleeper train  (4 berths shared in 1 cabin)

2. Day 2: Xian
   Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum (Breakfast+Lunch)

   AM: When your arriavl to Xian in the morning, our tour guide and driver will greet you at exit of Xian train station. If you would like to have breakfast firstly, please feel free to ask tour guide to bring you to a restaurant around (cost on your own).

   Your adventure begins with Big Wild Goose Pagoda. On the way to the attraction spot, your guide will introduce the history and culture of this ancient city for you to catch a glimpse of reason why so many well-known relics were discovered on this land. Big Wild Goose Pagoda was originally built to hold Buddhist sutra and figurines of the Buddha that Xuanzang brought back from India in Tang Dyansty, 652 A.D. Now there is a big square divided into North Square and South Square, surrounding the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The design of the buildings and statues is in Tang style, showing people the ever glory of that great time. It’s busier in the evening when many activities with Tang elements held by local amateur.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Next, visit Shaanxi History Museum which is one of the biggest and most famous museums in China. The museum houses the cultural heritage unearthed in Shaanxi Province. Although it’s a provincial Museum, the collection of relics here is at national level from both quantity and quality as Xian had been Capitals for more than 13 dynasties in ancient China. Following the tour guide, walk and stop at those priceless exhibits to learn the hidden history and splendid civilization of China.

   Finish the tour in early afternoon and check in at local hotel for rest.

   Accommodation: Xian

   

3. Day 3: Xian
   Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Banpo Neolithic Village (Breakfast+Lunch)

   AM: Please be ready for the tour today at hotel lobby after breakfast. The first stop is Terracotta Warriors Museum, located30 km east of the Xi’an City. Known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World”, it was found by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. Now it has turned into one of the most important attractions in China and the No.1 attractive site in Xi’an. The museum includes Pit 1(the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. You will stay in the museum for 2-3 hours. Listening to the explanation from the expert tour guide, you will learn the hidden story of those live-sized sculptures and history of their owner: First Emperor of Qin who is also the first emperor of China.

   Noon: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

   PM: Afterwards, go to Banpo Neolithic Village (1 hour visiting time). This New Stone Age site, dating from approximately 5,000 to 4,000 B.C., is one of the most complete examples of a Neolithic agricultural settlement in the world. Finally, return to hotel.

   Accommodation: Xian

   

4. Day 4: Xian-Beijing by Overnight Train
   Ancient City Wall, Small Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area, Great Mosque, Bell tower and Drum Tower Square, Muslim Quarter (Breakfast+Lunch)

   AM: Today’s first stop is Small Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area. Small Wild Goose Pagoda is the twin of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Both the two pagodas are important witnesses for the history of Great Tang Dynasty. Same as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda was also built to store the Buddhist scriptures brought from Ancient India by the master monk Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty. Different from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda attracts visitors with its special charms that it keeps quiet and peaceful in the bustling downtown area, has precious value on architecture and Chinese garden aesthetics. Inside of Small Wild Goose Pagoda, you will pay a visit to Xian Museum to learn about the city’s history and appreciate some exquisite relics unearthed in local area.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   

   PM: After lunch at a local restaurant, continue your exploration on Xian Ancient City Wall. Built in the Ming Dynasty, 1370 A.D., it is not only the unique and intact city wall that has survived in China but also the biggest and most complete military system of defense in the world. Walking or riding a bike (optional with cost on your own) on the 600-year-old wall is definitely a life-time experience.

   Next, head to Bell and Drum Tower Square locates in the very center of the city and is considered as the symbol of this old capital. Walking forward, you will come to Muslim Quarter where you will find many special local products and authentic local snacks. You can enjoy preserved meat, casserole, various noodles, and purcahse some Terracotta Warriors imitation as souvenirs. In the hidden lane of busy Muslim Quarter,  Great Mosque stands quitely and peacefully. It’s a major spot for religious activities among the Muslims in Xi’an. It possesses much traditional Chinese architectural elements in its design. For example, you will see Chinese pavilions with painted beams and engraved ridgepoles.

   After the tour, depart with the guide and driver at Xian train station for overnight train Z20/19:21-06:58+1 back to Beijing.

   Accommodation: Overnight train (4 berths shared in 1 cabin)

   

5. Day 5: Beijing Arrival

   Upon arrival in Beijing, meet Beijing local driver at the exit of Beijing West Train Station and finally end the whole tour with hotel drop-off.