6-Day Xi’an and Zhangye Private Tour with Muslim Culture and Danxia Landscape
Tour Overview
Travel from Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors to Zhangye’s Rainbow Mountains on this 6-day private journey along China’s ancient Silk Road. Combining ancient capital history, Muslim heritage and Danxia landscapes, the Xi’an Zhangye tour shows you both the natural and cultural highlights of Northwest China.
In Xi’an, visit the Terracotta Army Museum to discover the underground army of Terracotta Warriors; walk or cycle along the ancient city wall; and savor Muslim flavors at the Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter.
Continue by high-speed train to Zhangye, where you will see rainbow-colored hills in the Danxia Geopark, hike the narrow gorges of Pingshanhu Grand Canyon and glimpse the region’s Muslim culture at Nanguan Mosque.
Travel destinations: Xi’an, Zhangye
Suitable for: History & Culture Lovers, Nature Lovers, Photographers, Muslim Travelers
Tour type: Private
Tour at a Glance
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Day
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Destination
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What to See & Do
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1
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Xi’an
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Xi’an arrival, free time, optional Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City
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2
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Xi’an
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Xi’an Museum, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter, local snacks
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3
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Xi’an → Zhangye
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High-speed train to Zhangye, Ming-Qing Street Night Market
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4
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Zhangye
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Zhangye Colorful Danxia Geopark exploration, Nanguan Mosque, Pingshanhu Grand Canyon
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5
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Zhangye → Xi’an
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High-speed train to Xi’an, Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square, Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, Tang-style night experience
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6
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Xi’an
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Ancient City Wall, Terracotta Warriors
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Highlights of this tour
See the Eighth Wonder of the World — the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang: explore Pits 1, 2 and 3 from thousands of life-sized warriors and horses to cavalry formations and the ancient army’s command center.
Photograph the Rainbow Mountains at Zhangye Danxia: take a sightseeing bus between the four major viewing platforms, immersing yourself in nature’s palette — layers of red, orange and gold sandstone, especially spectacular in the soft light around sunset.
Step into the Tang Dynasty at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda: admire the historic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, then stroll through the illuminated Grand Tang Ever Bright City for street performances.
Gain a Deeper Understanding of Chinese Muslim Culture: sample local favorites such as grilled lamb skewers while exploring the Muslim Quarter, then visit the Great Mosque to discover its blend of traditional Chinese siheyuan courtyard layout and Islamic elements.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Xi’an Arrival
Upon arrival at Xi'an, a professional local guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in a private car. Enjoy the rest of your day.
Suggested Free Time Activity:
Grand Tang Ever Bright City is Xi’an’s most famous free nighttime entertainment area. In the evening, the street comes alive with Tang-style architecture, colorful lights, street performances, photo opportunities, and local snacks.
- Day 2: Xi’an History DiscoveryExplore Xi'an's rich history on foot and savor the lingering flavors
Today, your tour guide will lead you to the Xi’an Museum complex, which comprises three parts: the museum area, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the ruins of the Jianfu Temple.
Inside the museum, you can admire numerous artifacts, including the famous Tang Sancai "Galloping Horse". It is a rare small sculpture depicting a flying horse with all four hooves off the ground. You can see a blue-glazed boy riding the horse as it soars through the air, capturing the artistic achievements of the Tang Dynasty and the prosperity of trade along the ancient Silk Road.
After the tour, get a close-up view of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. The tour guide will share the legendary story of how the pagoda’s structure, having survived numerous earthquakes, has cracked and mended itself over the years.
A close-up view of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda After lunch, visit the Great Mosque in Huajue Alley. Unlike typical mosques with domes and minarets, the mosque features a traditional Chinese siheyuan courtyard layout. However, its interior decorations — such as wood carvings and stone inscriptions — skillfully incorporate Arabic script and elements of Islamic culture.
Finally, explore the Muslim Quarter. Comprising multiple streets and alleys, this area is home to approximately 60,000 Muslims. Here, you can sample freshly grilled lamb skewers, soft and chewy steamed rice cakes, freshly made liangpi noodles, as well as specialty snacks like a steaming bowl of lamb paomo (Braised Mutton with Flatbread) or beef dumplings in sour soup (at your own expense).
Xi'an Muslim Quarter Bustling Food Street Market - Day 3: Xi’an to Zhangye by High-Speed Train
Today, you’ll leave Xi’an and take the high-speed rail to Zhangye. The whole journey takes about 6 hours. Along the way, you can admire the diverse landscapes of the Loess Plateau and the Gobi Danxia.
Take this opportunity to relax and recharge. Boost your energy for the upcoming trip along the Hexi Corridor.
Upon arrival at Zhangye West Station, a private car will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Zhangye.
Tips for Your Free Time: We recommend visiting the Ming-Qing Street Night Market, lined with wooden buildings modeled after the Ming and Qing dynasties and adorned with red lanterns hanging high. This is also a hub for Zhangye’s local snacks, so you can enjoy dinner here.
- Day 4: Zhangye Danxia Landform Geographical Park DiscoveryEnjoy the natural beauty of the Danxia landforms
Meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby in the morning, then drive to the Zhangye Colorful Danxi Scenic Spot. Take a sightseeing bus to visit the four viewing platforms. It is a great place to appreciate the dramatic colors and take photos.
A family visiting Zhangye Rainbow Mountains in Winter Viewing Platform No. 1 is the highest observation deck in the park. From here, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the rolling, colorful hills.
No. 2, situated in a flat area in the valley, offers a close-up view of the distinct rock strata and the striking patterns of the hills.
The mountains near No. 3 is particularly known for its iconic “Red Cliffs Great Wall” landscape. This spot is ideal for capturing close-ups of the colors and taking portraits.
No. 4 is widely recognized as the viewing platform with the most intense colors. The mountain textures here are as dazzling as a rainbow, especially under the sunset glow.
Return to the city center at noon for lunch, then proceed to the Nanguan Mosque for prayer. The mosque features a Chinese palace-style wooden structure and a siheyuan courtyard layout, with its main hall incorporating Arabic-style architectural elements.
Afterward, drive to Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, known as the “Chinese Colorado.” You can look down at the reddish-brown canyon peaks, or walk along the boardwalk to admire the narrow “Skyline” with rock fissures, and get up close to touch the red rock walls formed from the Jurassic to the Tertiary periods.
Our visitors are enjoying taking photos at Pingshanhu Grand Canyon. If time and weather permit, you may have a chance to catch the magnificent scene of the red rocks being dyed golden red by the setting sun in the evening.
After the tour, return to your hotel in downtown Zhangye to relax.
Travel Tips:
UV rays are quite strong in the area, so be sure to protect yourself by applying sunscreen, wearing sunglasses, and a hat.
Today's itinerary is relatively tight, so we recommend getting up early to allow for more time to explore.
- Day 5: Zhangye to Xi’an by High-Speed TrainAppreciate Xi’an’s iconic historic attractions
You’ll take a high-speed train back to Xi’an; the total journey takes approximately 6 hours (Train numbers are subject to change. Please refer to the actual ticket issued on the day.)
Upon arrival, your Xi’an guide will meet you at the train station, and you’ll then go to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square. There, you’ll see Xi’an’s iconic landmark — the Big Wild Goose Pagoda — from a distance. It is the oldest and largest surviving square brick pagoda from the Tang Dynasty, with a history spanning more than 1,370 years.
Xian Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Historic Buddhist Landmark Not far from the pagoda is an open-air pedestrian street themed around the culture of the prosperous Tang Dynasty — the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City. In the evening, you can enjoy a dazzling light show and see many people dressed in a variety of Hanfu.
Watch performers dressed in traditional Hanfu. The area has many shops, food stalls, and cultural and creative booths designed in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, making it perfect for strolling, taking photos, and shopping.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch entertaining interactive street performances, such as the "Tumbler Girl" show.
After the tour, drive to your hotel in downtown Xi’an to check in.
- Day 6: Xi’an Highlights & DepartureExplore the ancient underground military museum
Visit the Xi’an Ancient City Wall. With a total length of 13.74 kilometers, it is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient city walls in China today. Looking out from atop the wall, you can see two distinct views of Xi’an: the old city’s streets and alleys lined with blue bricks and gray tiles; the modern urban landscape dotted with high-rises.
Optional Activity: If you find walking too tiring, you can explore the city walls by bicycle; your guide will assist you with bike rentals.
Cycle on Xian Ancient City Wall After that, drive to explore the world-famous Terracotta Warriors. Pit No. 1 is the largest in area, where it is estimated to contain approximately 6,000 terracotta warriors and horses. It is the most awe-inspiring of the three pits.
A family of three at the Terracotta Army in Xian Pit No. 2 features the most complete array of soldier types. Among them, the kneeling archer sculptures are of exquisite craftsmanship and are one of the representative works of the Qin army art.
Pit No. 3 is shaped like the Chinese character "凹" and is the smallest of the three pits. However, archaeologists believe it represents the military command center of the army.
This concludes your 6-day tour of Xi’an and Zhangye. Afterwards, a private vehicle will take you to the airport or train station for your return journey. Have a safe trip!
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.
Accommodation For This 6-Day Xi'an & Zhangye Tour
For your China private tour, the choice is in your hands: you can select luxury 5-star hotels for unparalleled comfort, cozy 4-star accommodations, or value-for-money 3-star options.
All our partner hotels are handpicked for their prime locations, conveniently situated near bustling commercial areas. Every room is equipped with standard amenities like air conditioning, hot water, 24-hour showers, reliable Wi-Fi, and windows for natural light.
In some hotels, there are English-speaking staff who are committed to providing attentive service. Should you have any special requests, feel free to ask - they are always ready to assist.
