6-Day Xi’an & Luoyang Muslim Tour with Shaolin Kung Fu Show

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Xi’an

   When you arrive at the airport/train station, your private guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel to check in. The rest of the time is free for you to plan as you like.

   Free Time Activity:
   Yongxingfang is a highly representative cultural heritage street in Xi'an and a great place to experience 'the taste of Shaanxi.' Here, you can find authentic snacks from all over Shaanxi, along with rich folk experiences like shadow puppetry and bowl-breaking wine ceremony.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
2. Day 2: Xi'an's Highlights
   Explore the magnificent underground army

   The first highlight of this trip is the Terracotta Warriors, known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" — a vast underground army. The tour guide will show you the key sights: the impressive infantry formation in pit 1 (each warrior is about 1.8 meters tall with unique facial expressions); the distinctive cavalry and archer formations in pit 2; and the military command post in pit 3.

   

   After the visit, drive back to the city. If you enjoy shopping for clothes and delicate accessories like rings and earrings, the Northwest Commercial Trade Center is perfect for you, offering great value for money.

   If scheduled, you can enjoy Asia's largest matrix music fountain at the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda — lights, water jets, and music perfectly synchronized, with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda as a stunning backdrop. You can also see the bronze statue of Master Xuanzang standing in the center of the square.

   At the end of the day, take a stroll along the roughly 2-kilometer-long Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City, where you can see dazzling lights and grand Tang-style architecture. What’s more, you can appreciate the "Tumbler Lady" performance, featuring a graceful dancer in the Tang-style dress swaying like a traditional roly-poly toy.

   

   Optional Activities:  

   Try making a “mini Terracotta Warrior” and craft your own clay figurine souvenir.

   At the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, it is recommended that you try on Chinese Hanfu, the traditional attire of ancient Chinese people. Don't miss this rare chance to take stunning photos!

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
3. Day 3: Xi'an Cultural Exploration
   Marvel at the dazzling array of historical artifacts

   Begin your new day at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum. These two places are in the same scenic area and are just a few minutes' walk apart.

   You'll admire the pagoda up close while learning about the secret of how it has withstood more than 70 earthquakes and still stands tall from your well-informed tour guide.

   

   Walking into the Xi'an Museum, you'll see a lot of cultural relics: over 130,000 items including jade, seals, paintings, porcelain, Buddhist statues and stone carvings.

   Next, check out the city's most central landmarks — the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. Your guide will explain the ancient Chinese timekeeping system.

   A 10-minute walk brings you to a building that blends traditional Chinese garden design with Islamic architecture — the Great Mosque. The whole complex follows the traditional Chinese courtyard layout with pavilions and towers, but on the pavilions and the gates, you'll see beautifully carved Quran verses and Arabic patterns.

   Last, stroll along the Muslim Quarter, where you can see red lanterns hanging high and food stalls lined up on both sides. This area is really a paradise for food lovers! You can pay for yourself to taste local specialties, such as roujiamo (often called "Chinese hamburgers") and paomo (a rich and delicious meat soup with crushed bread).

   Save your appetite! We recommend ordering modestly so you have room to try more flavors.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
4. Day 4: Xi'an to Luoyang by High-Speed Train
   Discover China's famous grottoes and ancient stone carving culture

   Today, take a 1.5-hour high-speed train from Xi’an to Luoyang Longmen Station. After you arrive, your local guide will pick you up and take you directly to visit the Longmen Grottoes, one of China’s four famous grottoes.

   First, visit the Binyang Three Caves, where you’ll see the famous “Scissor-Hand” Buddha. It’s the first royal cave carved by Emperor Xuanwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty to honor his father, Emperor Xiaowen. Next, visit the Wanfo Cave (Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave), which has 15,000 small Buddha statues carved on the north and south walls, each exquisitely detailed and awe-inspiring.

   Fengxian Temple, the largest and most magnificent open-air cave in the Longmen Grottoes, is a must-see. The colossal Vairocana Buddha sits majestically at 17.14 meters tall, and it’s said that its facial features were modeled after China’s only female emperor, Wu Zetian.

   

   After leaving the Longmen Grottoes, take a 20–30 minute drive to the Guanlin Temple.

   Upon entering the temple area, the first thing you can see is the ancient architectural complex from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The main gate is adorned with 81 golden studs — nine rows of nine — which symbolized the highest rank in feudal society.

   Then, step into the central hall, the main building of Guanlin Temple, which enshrines a statue of Guan Yu (the legendary general during the Three Kingdoms period, later revered as the 'God of War'). Dressed in imperial regalia and wearing a crown, this is the only statue of Guan Yu in imperial attire, exuding unparalleled solemnity and majesty.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Luoyang
5. Day 5: Luoyang Kung Fu Show
   Trace the origins of Chinese martial arts and enjoy a spectacular performance

   After breakfast, drive to the Shaolin Temple to trace the origins of Shaolin Kung Fu. After arriving, you will not only be able to appreciate the magnificent halls and ancient stone carvings but also catch a glimpse of the monks’ daily lives and training routines.

   

   The highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the 30-minute live martial arts performance. The show opens with a spectacular display of group martial arts routines, including Shaolin Changquan, Tiger Fist and Mantis Fist.

   

   Attractive stunts like "Iron Head" and "Iron Palm" are sure to impress the audience. Worth mentioning that you will have the opportunity to be invited onto the stage for interaction; you can try performing horse steps and learning tiger fist!

   Another must-visit spot is the Pagoda Forest, the final resting place for generations of eminent monks. This site is home to over 240 brick and stone Buddhist pagodas dating from the Tang to the Qing dynasties, each with its own distinctive circular, hexagonal or square shape. As this is a sacred burial ground, please maintain silence and refrain from stepping on the bases of the pagodas.

   

   If you need a break during the tour, the temple offers specialties like huimian (Stewed Noodles) and vegetarian dishes (at your own expense).

   Optional Activity:

   Think the 30-minute show isn’t enough? You can upgrade to a more exclusive martial art performance! This special show will showcase the essence of the Shaolin “Seventy-Two Arts,” featuring breathtaking feats such as the Golden Bell Shield and the Iron Armor. Please let your tour guide know in advance if you’d like to arrange this!

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   4-Star Hotel in Luoyang
6. Day 6: Luoyang Departure

   This is the end of your journey to Xi’an and Luoyang. After breakfast, your private driver will take you to the train station. Wish you a pleasant journey!

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