4-Day Classic Xi’an Tour Package with Terracotta Warriors & Tang Dynasty Show
Tour Overview
Xi’an is the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties and the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. Over four days, follow the story from Qinshihuang’s Terracotta Warriors to the underground museum of Emperor Jing of Han, then from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda closely associated with the monk Xuanzang and Buddhist scripture translation to the illuminated streets of Datang Everbright City.
Designed for cultural explorers and history enthusiasts, this private tour covers must-see landmarks and hands-on cultural experiences not commonly included in standard Xi’an tours: make your own miniature Terracotta Warrior, dress in Hanfu for an evening walk, and browse the calligraphy shops of Shuyuanmen.
With a private guide and driver throughout, you can explore Xi’an at a comfortable pace without joining a group.
Travel destinations: Harbin, Yabuli, China Snow Town
Suitable for: Winter scenery lovers, first-time skiers, photographers, families with teenagers
Tour type: Private
Tour at a Glance
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Day
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What to See and Do
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1
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Arrive in Xi’an, optional Yongxingfang food walk
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2
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Terracotta Army, Hands-on Terracotta Warrior making, Daci’en Temple, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Datang Everbright City, Optional Hanfu experience
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3
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Xi’an Museum, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi’an City Wall cycling, Shuyuanmen Cultural Street, Bell & Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter side alleys, Tang Dynasty dinner show
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4
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Hanyangling Museum, departure
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Highlights of This Tour
Make your own Terracotta Warrior – Mold and refine a miniature warrior under an artisan’s guidance, then take your handmade figure home as a unique Xi’an souvenir, a hands-on experience not included in many standard Xi’an tours.
Enjoy a night tour at Datang Everbright City in Hanfu – Dress in traditional Hanfu, stroll through Tang-style streets after dark, and take photos among illuminated buildings and live performances.
Xi’an Museum, Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Shuyuanmen Street – Discover Xi’an’s quieter cultural side in a national first-grade museum, a Tang Dynasty pagoda quieter than the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and a traditional street lined with shops selling Four Treasures of the Study.
Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Banquet – Feast on Tang-style music and dance performances while tasting a variety of beautifully crafted dumplings.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Xian Arrival
Welcome to Xi’an! Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport or high-speed railway station and transfer you to your hotel, helping you with check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the ancient city at your own pace.
Optional Night Activity: Take an evening food walk through the Yongxingfang Food Street. Try local foods such as roujiamo (Chinese-style burger) and lamb paomo (lamb soup with torn flatbread), and join a bowl-smashing ritual for good luck.
- Day 2: Xi’an Terracotta Army and Downtown HighlightsSee Qin’s Warriors, Craft Your Own Terracotta Figure, Experience Tang-style Nightlife
Follow your guide to the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. Home to world-famous terracotta warriors, it is often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will take you through Pits 1, 2, and 3 to see life-sized terracotta figurines, warhorses and chariots, and share the stories behind the army.
Life-sized terracotta warriors in Terracotta Army Museum After lunch, visit a Terracotta Army workshop and make a small warrior by hand. Under the guidance of a master, you will experience the process from kneading the clay to pressing it into the mold and shaping the details. Take your piece home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Return to the city center and visit the Daci'en Temple. Admire one of Xi'an's landmarks - the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which has seven stories and stands 64.5 meters tall. It was built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to house the scriptures and Buddha statues brought back from India by Xuanzang, a Buddhist translator and traveler.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda and statue of Xuanzang You can choose to climb the pagoda or just walk around the temple grounds depending on your energy level (Pagoda entry costs extra).
Walk to the nearby Datang Everbright City (lights on at 8:30). The pedestrian street comes alive with dazzling lights, Tang-style buildings, street performances, and tourists dressed in traditional Hanfu, giving you a sense of travelling back to the Tang Dynasty.
Watch free performances, such as the “Tumbler Lady” swaying like a human roly-poly, and “Secret Box of the Tang Court,” where actors in Tang costume quiz the crowd. Your guide will take you there and set a meeting time, leaving you free to see the area at your own pace.
Tumbler lady at Datang Everbright City Optional Activity: Hanfu experience — rent a Hanfu outfit near Datang Everbright City (about CNY 150-300/day, including basic makeup and styling). Dress up in traditional Hanfu, stroll through the lit streets, and take photos against the Tang-style buildings and night scenery. Your guide can assist with the reservation.
After the tour, your guide and the driver will take you back to the hotel.
- Day 3: Xi’an City ExplorationExplore Xi’an’s Cultural Heritage, Old Streets, A Tang Dinner Show
Start today’s visit at Xi’an Museum. Its collection spans different periods of Xi’an’s history, some of which date from the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties. Trace Xi'an's history as an imperial capital across more than a thousand years.
Tang Dynasty artifacts at Xi’an Museum You can also visit the nearby Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a multi-eaved Tang Dynasty brick tower that is far more secluded than the bustling Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Next, head to the Xi'an City Wall - a 13.7 km Ming-era fortification enclosing the old city. Walk a stretch to take in the gates and watchtowers up close, then cycle along the wide, flat rampart with views of tiled rooftops on one side and modern buildings on the other.
Descend the wall and walk to the Shuyuanmen Cultural Street, a cultural quarter dedicated to the "Four Treasures of the Study". Along the stone-paved street, browse stores selling ink, brush, paper, inkstones, calligraphy, paintings and seal engraving. You may see the masters writing with a brush and engraving seals on the spot.
Walk around the Bell and Drum Tower Square and capture the iconic Bell Tower and Drum Tower from afar.
Continue to the Muslim Quarter. Your guide will lead you beyond the main street into the side alleys such as Sajinqiao and Dapiyuan. Explore the old streets and experience the lively daily life. Finish before 18:30 and then head to the Tang Dynasty Palace.
Enjoy the "The Female Emperor of the Tang Dynasty" show with a dumpling banquet. Lasting approximately 1.5 hours, it starts at 19:30 and ends around 21:00. Watch the music and dance performances while savoring a variety of dumplings. It is popular among international travelers.
Your guide and the driver will then take you back to the hotel.
Dumpling Dinner with various shapes and fillings - Day 4: Hanyangling Museum and Xi’an DepartureDiscover Han Dynasty Burial Culture
Your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the Hanyangling Museum. This is the burial site of Emperor Jing of the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC - 8 AD) and his empress. Construction began in 153 BC and was completed in 126 BC. It is currently one of the most complete imperial mausoleums of the Han Dynasty.
Go down into the underground museum to see the Han Dynasty terracotta figures, which are about one-third life-size (roughly 60 cm tall) and do not have arms. Your guide will explain the burial customs and rituals of the time.
This offers a striking comparison with the Terracotta Warriors: first see the Qin Dynasty’s military formation, then explore the Han Dynasty’s imperial tomb and its burial figures to discover the differences between the two dynasties.
Hanyangling Museum pottery figurines After the visit, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport or high-speed train station. This marks the end of your 4-day private Xi’an tour. Hope to see you again on your next journey through China!
Departure Tip: We recommend booking a flight after 2:00 p.m. to allow enough time to visit the Hanyangling Museum.
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 4-Day Xi'an 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.
