Day 1: Arrive at Xi ‘an – Bell and Drum Tower – Hui Min Street
Morning: Arrive at Xi ‘an Xianyang International Airport, take the airport bus or taxi to the city hotel to check in, have a little rest, relieve the journey fatigue.
Accommodation recommendation: It is recommended to choose hotels or homestays near the Bell and Drum Tower, such as All Season Hotel (Xi ‘an Bell and Drum Tower Branch), Hanting Hotel (Xi ‘an Bell and Drum Tower Square Branch), etc. The transportation here is convenient, close to the Bell and drum Tower, Huimin Street and other scenic spots, convenient travel, and the surrounding dining, shopping and other supporting facilities are perfect.
Afternoon: Head to the Bell and Drum Tower Square to enjoy the iconic Bell Tower and Drum Tower of Xi ‘an. The two buildings echo each other, imposing, you can climb the bell tower or drum tower, overlooking the city view, feel the charm of ancient architecture.
Evening: Taste authentic Xi ‘an food in Huimin Street, such as mutton soaked bread, cold skin, retort cake, Rou Jia mo, etc. Huimin Street is full of strong ethnic customs, lively, taste the food, while feeling the local life.
Day 2: Xi ‘an City Wall – Forest of Steles Museum – Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Morning: Head to Xi ‘an City Wall, which is the largest and best preserved ancient city wall in China. You can choose to rent a bicycle, ride around the city wall, the whole 13.7km, enjoy the scenery inside and outside the city wall, feel the historical heritage of the ancient city.
Accommodation recommendation: You can consider staying near the city wall, such as Xi ‘an City Wall Yatuo Hotel, closer to the south gate, convenient to board the city wall. Or choose a homestay near the Academy gate to experience an antique living environment not far from the Forest of Steles Museum.
Afternoon: Visit the Forest of Steles Museum, where a large collection of calligraphy inscriptions, is a paradise for calligraphy lovers. The calligraphy works in the museum cover various dynasties, and you can enjoy the authentic works of Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, Ouyang Xun and other calligraphers up close.
Evening: Head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square for Asia’s largest musical fountain show. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a Buddhist holy place in Xi ‘an. There are many imitation Tang buildings and cultural attractions around the square. Stroll among them and feel the strong cultural atmosphere.
Day 3: Shaanxi History Museum – Datang City that never Sleeps
Morning: Visit Shaanxi History Museum, which is China’s first large-scale modern national museum, rich in cultural relics, known as “the pearl of the ancient capital, the treasure house of Hua Xia”. Here, you can learn about the historical changes and cultural development of Shaanxi region through cultural relics. It is recommended to reserve tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line.
Accommodation recommendation: Recommended to stay in the vicinity of Xiaozhai, such as Xi ‘an W Hotel, Orange Hotel (Xi ‘an Xiaozhai Branch). Xiaozhai is the commercial center of Xi ‘an, convenient transportation, close to Shaanxi Libo and Datang City, and the surrounding food, shopping and entertainment is also very convenient.
Afternoon: After eating at a restaurant near the museum, take a break and continue to visit the museum or stroll around the neighborhood.
Evening: Go to Datang Never Night City, here is a pedestrian street with flourishing Tang culture as the background, bright lights at night, lively. There are a variety of performances and activities on the street, such as the Little sister show, the Tang style dance show, etc., so that you feel like traveling back to the Tang Dynasty.
Day 4: Terracotta Warriors – Hua Qing Palace
Morning: Take the subway or tourist line to the Terracotta Warriors, a world-famous archaeological site known as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Visit Pit No. 1, Pit No. 2 and Pit No. 3 of the Terracotta Warriors, appreciate the massive terracotta army, feel the strength of the Qin Dynasty and the superb skills of ancient craftsmen. It is recommended to hire a tour guide to give a better understanding of the historical and cultural value of the Terracotta Warriors.
Accommodation recommendations: If you want to stay near the scenic area, there are some hotels and homestays near the Terracotta Army to choose from, such as the All-Season Hotel (Xi ‘an Terracotta Army Shop), which is convenient for visiting the Terracotta Army in the morning. If you do not want to live around the scenic area, you can also return to the city to stay, and then go to the Huaqing Palace the next day.
Afternoon: Head to Huaqing Palace, the hot spring bath of the ancient emperors and the site of the famous historical event “Xi ‘an Incident”. Visit the Huaqing Pool, the Hall of Eternal Life, the military remonstration Pavilion and other scenic spots to understand the court culture and historical stories of the Tang Dynasty. You can also relax in the hot springs here.
Day 5: Huashan day tour
Morning: Take the high-speed train to Huashan North Station, then transfer to bus or taxi to Huashan Scenic spot. Huashan Mountain is famous for its adventure and is one of the five sacred mountains in China. You can choose to take a ropeway up the mountain, or you can climb on foot to challenge your physical strength and courage.
Accommodation recommendation: If you plan to climb Huashan at night to see the sunrise, you can choose to stay near Yuquan Yuan at the foot of Huashan Mountain, such as Huashan Inn, which is convenient to start climbing at midnight. If you do not climb at night and travel on the same day, you can choose a hotel near Huashan North Railway Station, such as Hanting Hotel (Huashan North Railway Station Branch), easy to take high-speed rail return.
Afternoon: Climb the east peak, West peak, South peak, North peak and middle peak of Huashan Mountain to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Huashan Mountain. Huashan steep peaks, beautiful scenery, along the way there are many famous scenic spots, such as the long sky trestle road, Kite turn over, so that you experience excitement and adventure.
Evening: Take the cableway down the mountain and return to the downtown hotel to rest.
Day 6: Qianling – Famen Temple
Morning: Take the tourist line to Qianling Mausoleum, which is the mausoleum of Li Zhi and Wu Zetian of Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty, and is also the unique tomb of two emperors and a husband and wife emperor in China and even in the world. Visit the Shendao, Wuzi stele, Sengji stele and other scenic spots in Qianling Mausoleum to learn about the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty.
Accommodation recommendation: Qianling and Famen Temple are far from the city, if you want to return on the same day, you can choose accommodation at the departure point (such as near Xi ‘an Railway Station), easy to take the tourist special line. If you want to stay near the scenic area, there are a number of farmhouse options near Qianling to experience the local village life.
Afternoon: Head to Famen Temple, a historic Buddhist temple known as the “first ancestor of Guanzhong Pagoda Temple.” Famen Temple is famous for its Buddha bone relics. You can visit the Famen Temple Museum to appreciate the precious Buddhist relics, such as Buddha finger relics and Tang Dynasty palace tea sets.
Day 7: Free Activities – Return trip
Morning: According to their own interests and time, free to arrange activities. You can choose to shop in the city and buy some special souvenirs of Xi ‘an, such as reproductions of Terracotta warriors, paper-cuts, shadow puppets, etc. You can also take a walk in a park or other scenic spot to relax.
Afternoon: Pack up, check out of the hotel, go to the airport or station, end the pleasant trip to Xi ‘an.
