Xian Half-day Daming Palace Tour with Pottery Making
Tour Overview
Spend half a day exploring the archaeological site of Daming Palace, one of the most important imperial complexes of the Tang Dynasty. Walk through former palace grounds, ceremonial spaces, and the site of broad imperial avenues while your guide explains the palace’s original layout, functions, and role in Tang Chang’an.
Traveling with children? Depending on availability, young visitors can try simulated archaeological excavation, rubbing-making, and pottery-making, giving them a more hands-on introduction to archaeology and traditional crafts.
Travel destination: Xi’an
Suitable for: Culture and history lovers, families with children
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
Explore the archaeological remains of Daming Palace through former palace grounds & imperial avenues. And learn how emperors and major court ceremonies shaped life inside this vast Tang palace complex.
Let the kids get their hands dirty: When available, children can try simulated archaeological excavation, rubbing-making, and pottery-making at the Archaeological Exploration Center — a more interactive way to learn about archaeology and traditional crafts.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Xi'an Daming Palace Exploration
Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in central Xi'an at 9:00 AM or 1:00 PM, then drive you to Daming Palace National Heritage Park for a half-day tour of one of the most important imperial sites of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Explore the vast heritage park built around the archaeological remains of Daming Palace, where Tang emperors once lived, held court, conducted state affairs, and hosted major ceremonies. For more than two centuries, the palace was one of the Tang Dynasty’s principal political and imperial centers.
Follow the heritage route through former palace grounds, ceremonial spaces, and palace gates. Along the way, your guide will explain the layout of the complex and help you understand its original scale through remains, reconstruction models, and historical records.
The resplendent and magnificent Daming Palace Continue to the site of Danfeng Gate Street, the grand avenue that once led toward the palace’s main southern gate. At approximately 176 meters wide, it was one of the broadest avenues in Tang Chang’an and formed an imposing setting for imperial ceremonies and official occasions. Your guide will explain how Danfeng Gate and the avenue functioned within the palace complex.
Travel Tip: Daming Palace covers a large area. Electric sightseeing buses are available for visitors who prefer to reduce walking.
Next, watch the IMAX film "Legend of the Daming Palace" (subject to the day’s screening schedule). Its visual reconstruction of the palace helps you better understand the scale and appearance of the original complex beyond the archaeological remains visible today.
Traveling with children? Visit the Archaeological Exploration Center where your kids may try interactive activities such as simulated excavation, rubbing-making, or pottery-making. Activities are subject to availability and vary by day.
Experience Pottery-Making Meal Arrangement: The morning tour includes lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, while the afternoon tour includes dinner.
After the tour, enjoy a comfortable private transfer back to your hotel in central Xi’an.
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.
