6 Days Beijing Xian Group Tour by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China, for the 6-day Beijing and Xian group tour! When you arrive at the airport, your professional guide will pick you up from the exit gate and then send you to the well-selected hotel to check in. The rest of the day is free on your own.

   Go for a walk in Houhai Lake by yourself. Take Metro Line 8 and exit at Exit A2 of Shichahai Station. Experience the style of old Beijing hutongs and modern nightlife. Bars and livehouses are distributed along the lake shore.

   There are many authentic Beijing snacks hidden in the surrounding Yandaixie Street and the northern section of Nanluoguxiang. You are recommended to try Zhajiangmian (noodles served with bean sauce) or Luzhu (Beijing-style stewed offal).

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
2. Day 2: Beijing City Exploration
   Understand the Royal Stories of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

   After breakfast, first visit the largest public square in the world - Tian'anmen Square. It is a symbol of China! Then you pass through Tiananmen Gate - it's the site where the proclamation of the People's Republic of China was declared - and enter the Forbidden City.

   As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palace Museum is the world’s largest preserved wooden imperial palace covering 72 hectares with nearly 9,000 rooms. This was once the residence of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties!

   

   Visit the Meridian Gate, Hall of Supreme Harmony and the imperial living quarters to learn some interesting facts such as why there are no birds resting on the roof? In addition to appreciating the buildings that symbolize the royal authority, you will also feel the wisdom of ancient Chinese craftsmen:

   1142 dragon heads are distributed on the White Marble platform of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, not only for decoration but also for excellent drainage system in rainstorm; There is a row of small beasts on the roof and they are actually signs of fire and lightning protection. How amazing!

   In the afternoon, head to the Temple of Heaven. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, emperors came here to used this site to perform prayers which they believed would bring them successful agricultural results. The most striking structure is the Prayer Hall for Good Harvests - a round, three-storey building covered with blue glazed tiles and standing a golden spire in the top middle.

   After that, transfer you to the Summer Palace, once the summer retreat for royal family to escape the heat and cool off. It was built in imitation of West Lake in Hangzhou and later rebuilt by Empress Dowager Ci Xi (1835-1908). The palace features pavilions, lakes, bridges, temples and corridors.

   

   Speaking of corridors, the Long Corridor is a must see here. 728 meters long, it has more than 14000 colored paintings on its beams, depicting things from myths and legends to historical anecdotes.

   Take a leisurely stroll or choose to take a boat tour of Kunming Lake (self paid, extra fee on site). Today you will pay visit to a Pearl Factory. There are opportunities to learn about the pearl arts and also purchase fine products. After that, drive you back to your hotel.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
3. Day 3: Great Wall Adventure
   Hike Ming-Era Watchtowers, Admire Beautiful Valleys and Rolling Mountains

   Today is a highlight of hiking the Mutianyu Great Wall, the most beautiful part of the Great Wall of China. Unlike the crowded Badaling section, Mutianyu is quieter and surrounded by more green vegetation (over 90%) on rolling mountains.

   Here are some features of this Great Wall section:

   • It is the longest among all sections of the Great Wall - 5,400 meters;
   • It has the most watchtowers compared to other Great Wall, up to 23;
   • The section from the No.19 to No.20 enemy building is known as the "Hero Slope" with a steep slope of about 70 degrees!

   If you want to save effort, take the cable car and it will take 6-8 minutes to reach No. 14 tower which will help you save about an hour of mountain climbing. Your guide will help you purchase a cable car ticket on site (about 100 yuan for one-way and 140 yuan for round trip) and you don't need to queue up, you can take it directly.

   It is the easiest and most beautiful way to hike westward from No. 14 to No. 20 (essence section), then return along the same route and take the cable car down the mountain.

   During the day, you will visit a jade shop to appreciate some beautiful jade products. Last, return to your hotel for a good rest.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
4. Day 4: Beijing to Xi’an by High-speed Train
   Taste the Local Street Foods at Xi’an Muslim Quarter

   Explore Beijing on your own in the morning. Afterwards, take a high-speed train to Xi'an for about 5-6 hours. After arrival, the seasoned guide in Xi’an will pick you up and escort you to your hotel in the city center.

   In the evening, follow your guide to explore Xi'an cuisine hidden in alleys. First go to the Bell and Drum Tower Square to admire the landmark of Xi'an city - Bell Tower - used for timekeeping in ancient times.

   Afterward, walk for 5 minutes to the Muslim Quarter, a food paradise. Find various local specialty snacks and try some famous ones such as Biangbiang Noodles, Ice Peak (a kind of drink), Mutton and Bread Pieces in Soup, Roujiamo and so on.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
5. Day 5: Xi’an Highlights
   Stand Before 2,200-Year-Old Clay Armies, Craft Mini Warriors, Stroll Tang-Style Streets

   After breakfast, take a 1-hour drive to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. This manmade wonder can date back to 210 BC, made for China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Visit the museum and you will find each figure has its own face, all different.

   Mainly explore 3 pits: Pit 1, the biggest, houses 6000 pieces of life-sized pottery figurines and horses; Pit 2 shows cavalry and infantry soldiers; Pit 3 is where the commanders stayed. Your well-informed tour will share stories and history about how this massive underground army was discovered and built.

   Then go to a nearby factory to experience making a Terracotta Warrior. Under the guidance of a professional, you will DIY a mini warrior that can be taken home.

   

   After lunch, drive back to the downtown area and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, another landmark of this ancient city. It was built to keep Buddhist books that the monk Xuanzang brought from India.

   If you observe carefully, you will find that the pagoda is slightly tilted towards the northwest. This is not entirely because of foundation settlement, but partly due to the "wind resistance" strategy to resist the influence of the prevailing wind direction (southeast wind) in Xi'an on the tower body.

   The pagoda stands 64 meters tall and if you would like, pay extra to climb to the top and see a wide view of the whole city.

   Around the pagoda is the Datang Ever-bright City, the only walking street in China designed with Tang dynasty style buildings showing the rich Tang culture. It is a famous place to visit in Xi’an in the evening. Watch cultural shows, see the beautiful music fountain at North Square and try on traditional Hanfu clothes for great pictures. Last, escort you back to your hotel.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
6. Day 6: Xian City Exploration, Departure
   Admire Tang Tri-Colored Treasures, Cycle Ming Dynasty Ramparts, Trace Scholars' Brushstrokes in Qing-Era Academies

   Today is the last day to explore Xi'an. In the morning, visit the Xi'an Museum where there are over 130,000 cultural relics well preserved. Most of them were unearthed from important tombs of many dynasties such as the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang.

   Some must-see items include Tang Dynasty Tri-coloured Glazed Pottery of Flying Horse, Phoenix Head Pot, Cloud and Thunder Pattern Ding and Jade Cup.

   The Small Wild Goose Pagoda stands in the same scenic area. It had 15 floors originally, but the 1556 earthquake destroyed two floors and reduced its height to 13 floors. It, together with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, is an important symbol preserved in Chang'an (the name of Xi'an in the Tang Dynasty).

   

   Next climb up the City Wall. You can walk or ride a bike (optional, at your own expense) on the largest and most well-preserved city wall in China. The 12-meter-high wall provides you with a complete view of the contemporary Xi'an cityscape.

   Finally, head to Shuyuan Gate, named after the highest academic institution in Shaanxi during the Ming and Qing dynasties - Guanzhong Academy. Boasting a rich cultural atmosphere, the stalls on this street show many calligraphy and paintings. Try to learn about the four treasures of Chinese literature.

   This 6-day Beijing and Xi'an tour comes to an end here. Your guide will send you to the airport or train station for departure. Thanks for traveling with China Xian Tour! Look forward to seeing you again.

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