Explore the historic Xi'an city, one of the oldest cities and a capital for 13 dynasties in China's history. The start of the historic Silk Road, this city is believed to have been one of the four largest cities in the entire world from the 7th to 10th centuries. Add 3 days to any China tour to explore Xi'an's architecture, artifacts, and archeological marvels such as the Terracotta Warriors. Try your hand at calligraphy and bike along the ancient wall as you get to know the story of this city's ancient past.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive to Xi'an today via internal flight or bullet train. Meet with your guide and set out for your first day of exploring. Xi'an was once the capital city for 13 dynasties in ancient times, including the Western Zhou (11th century to 771 BC) and Tang Dynasties (AD 618-907). Xi'an was also the starting city of the Silk Road and is believed to have been one of the four largest cities in the world from the 7th to 10th century.
Explore first the downtown area, including the Bell Tower. Originally built in 1384, it sits in the center of Xi'an ancient city and is one of the best preserved of its age. Bike for a while along the the Xi'an ancient city wall originally built during the Tang Dynasty. Stop for impressive views of the old city contained within its walls on one side and the modern city that lies without to the other side.
Next visit the Forest of Stone Tablets Museum. This museum of carvings and calligraphy engraved in stone holds the largest collection of stone steles from the past 1000 years of China's history. At the site of the former Confucian Temple of Xi'an, the oldest collection dates from the Han period (206 BC to AD 220). It is an amazing collection of ancient Chinese calligraphy. Conclude your day by trying your own hand at Chinese calligraphy with ink and paper.
After breakfast this morning, drive 1.5 hours to the site of the Terracotta Warriors, which are considered one of the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century. First discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, the discovery eventually attracted archaeologists which led to the largest pottery figurine find in China's history. China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, began the work on the figurines in 246 BC at the age of 13. In the museum, see a short movie on how the warriors were made and how they survived being buried for so long.
Drive twenty minutes to nearby Huaqing Hot Springs at the northern foot of Mt. Lishanin. Huaqing Hot Spring (also called Huaqing Pool) is famed for both its spring scenery and a legendary romantic love story of Emperor Xuanzong in the Tang Dynasty. Learn its long history and enjoy the landscape here.
Return to Xian city for an introduction to the Tang Dynasty, or the "Golden Era" of China. Visit the Tang Dynasty Art Museum, where you learn about calligraphy and participate in a short lesson. Try your hand at this visual art as you practice writing Chinese characters with a brush and ink. After that, we take a short walk around the Muslim Quarter, known for its mosques, souvenir markets, and delicious food.
Enjoy a traditional dumpling dinner tonight
Day 3: Shaanxi Museum & Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
1 Breakfast
Today you first visit the Shaanxi Museum, one of the largest state museum collections in China. Built in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, the museum houses over 300,000 items including coins, metal objects, and other pieces of artwork. See also Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Built during the Tang Dynasty in honor of a famous Buddhist monk, the pagoda is about 1,300 years old and offers an amazing view of Xi'an. Explore the surrounding courtyards, including the North Square which holds the largest musical fountain in China and performs at set times of day.
After lunch, drive to Hanyang Tomb near the airport. This tomb is the best preserved and one of the largest among the Han king tombs. The buildings here are delicately decorated and carved with intricate pictures showing the grandeur of the royal family. Transfer next to the airport for your flight on to your next destination.
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$8412-3 travelers
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Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.