A Shaanxi Province tour in Xi’an and Mount Hua to surpass all expectations.
Visit the Wild Goose Pagodas (both big and small), the spectacular terracotta warriors and the UNESCO approved world-class Shaanxi History Museum, experience the cultural folk arts of Chinese shadow and wood puppetry, see the World Heritage terracotta warriors and make one for yourself in a craftsman-guided workshop, climb peak to peak on China’s sacred ‘Western Mountain’.
The best tourist destinations and experiences.
Airport/station pickup. Xi’an meet-up. Xi’an sightseeing.
DAY
Airport/station pickup. Xi’an meet-up.
Today is meet up day. Arrive in Xi’an, enjoy airport/station pick-up service and get checked in at the hotel.
Xi’an sightseeing.
Arrive early for a head start on this historic 2000+ year-old city’s endless attractions. Convenient places to visit include the Ancient City Wall – walk on the ramparts surrounding the Tang Dynasty Daming Palace. Huimin Jie ‘Muslim street’ is also just a subway ride and short walk away.
Whatever you choose, don’t forget: Xi’an is a culinary Mecca. This is your chance to try all types of delicious, weird and wonderful foods: Biangbiang noodles, pulled mutton baked-bun sandwiches, Youpu noodles, lamb broth bread dimple soup, spicy meatball soup, deep-fried persimmon pastry, Hulu whole roast chicken, the local ‘ice peak’ orange soda... the list goes on.
Breakfast. Little Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an museum. Heritage folk arts wood puppetry performances and puppeteer meet. Shuyuanmen pedestrian bazaar. Siheyuan’ quadrangle dwelling ‘Fu brick tea’ tasting. Master artist calligraphy works. Great wild goose pagoda. Nightscape city views at Daming Buyue town.
DAY
Breakfast. Little Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an museum.
Eat breakfast, then set out for the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an museum.
The Lesser Wild Goose Pagoda stands within the museum grounds in an elegant Tang Dynasty Yuanlin landscaped garden courtyard. Inside the museum, exhibits such as those on the old Xi’an ‘Datang 108 warehouse’ city layout and hitching post culture will change the way you see the city streets and help you notice interesting details in the days to come.
Heritage folk arts wood puppetry performances and puppeteer meet.
While we’re delving into the past, get to know ancient entertainment. The museum also has live intangible heritage folk arts performances. Watch shadow and wood puppetry, and go backstage to learn some tricks from the wizards behind the curtain after the show.
Shuyuanmen pedestrian bazaar. Siheyuan’ quadrangle dwelling ‘Fu brick tea’ tasting. Master artist calligraphy works. Lunch.
Leaving the museum behind, follow the streets to a pedestrian bazaar known as Shuyuanmen. Enter a traditional ‘Siheyuan’ quadrangle dwelling, then take a seat for a tasting of a local specialty - Fu Brick tea. Enjoy the tea as we enjoy some traditional handicraft art – Chinese New Year’s picture painting. Before we go to lunch there’s also a treat for Calligraphy enthusiasts in the group. See a display of the authentic works of master artist Mr. Yu Zuoren.
Head to lunch.
Great wild goose pagoda. Nightscape city views at Daming Buyue town.
After lunch, stand before the Great Wild Goose Pagoda.
Over 1000-years-old, an ancestral temple of Chinese Vajrayana Buddhism - the pagoda is a major Xi’an landmark with plenty of culture and stories behind it. Ask questions and learn all there is to know about this .
Take a break from the ancient and visit the “most happening” district of Xi’an – Daming Buye City. Enjoy the best nightscape views in the city, plus all manner of enthralling street performances.
Return to the hotel and rest.
Breakfast. Old Xi’an City Wall Fortifications climb. Chinese royal banquet lunch (etiquette, cosplay and historically accurate food - immersive cultural experience). Qinshihuang Mausoleum Site Museum. Eighth Wonder of the World – the Emperor Qinshihuang’s terracotta warriors. DIY terracotta warrior figurine crafting experience. Check in.
DAY
Breakfast. Old Xi’an City Wall Fortifications climb.
Eat breakfast at the hotel then set out for Day Three.
First is a morning light climb on the 600-year-old Xi’an City Wall Fortifications. Either walking or on two wheels, follow the guide along the ramparts and learn a little about the thousand years that transformed this capitol from “Chang’an” into “Xi’an”.
Expect something cool – our next experience will be a lunch to remember.
Chinese royal banquet lunch (etiquette, cosplay and historically accurate food - immersive cultural experience).
Enjoy a high-end meal in style at the Qin Culture themed restaurant. The restaurant recreates a true-to-life experience of attending an ancient Chinese royal banquet. Dress in ancient-era clothing, dine according to the etiquette of the age, and eat a course of sumptuous Chinese cuisine.
Finish lunch, then set off to see the sight Chinese put before the Great Wall as the Eighth Wonder of the World – the Emperor Qinshihuang’s terracotta warriors.
Qinshihuang Mausoleum Site Museum. Eighth Wonder of the World – the Emperor Qinshihuang’s terracotta warriors.
The Qinshihuang Mausoleum Site Museum the China’s largest relic site museum. The museum was built to house the approximately 6000 life-size ‘Binmayong’ soldiers, discovered in 1974. Each clay-sculpted warrior is different, their features unique, all the way down to facial expressions (you can use binoculars to check them out!)
DIY terracotta warrior figurine crafting experience. Hotel check-in.
Once again, we’ve organized something special.
After the traditional museum browsing experience, take part in a DIY terracotta warrior figurine crafting experience. Using the same clay that was used to create the ancient warriors you just saw, follow the instructor, working step-by-step with your own two hands to craft a little ceramic Qin soldier of your own to keep!