Xi'an Terracotta Warriors & Ancient Capital Journey
Walk through millennia of history in one of China's oldest and most important capitals
About This Route
Xi'an, one of China's oldest and most important capitals, is home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors. As the starting point of the Silk Road, this 7-day journey will immerse you in thousands of years of history, from ancient warriors to bustling Muslim Quarter markets.
What You'll Experience:
- Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum
- Rent a bike and ride on the ancient City Wall
- Explore the vibrant Muslim Quarter for food and culture
- Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- Discover Shaanxi History Museum
- Experience a Tang Dynasty show and dinner
7-Day Itinerary
Arrival & Muslim Quarter
Morning: Arrive at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Beilin or Xincheng district. Afternoon orientation.
Afternoon: Explore the Muslim Quarter and try local street food.
Evening: Welcome dinner featuring Shaanxi cuisine.
Terracotta Warriors Day Trip
Full Day: Day trip to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum to see the incredible life-sized army.
City Wall & Shaanxi History Museum
Morning: Rent a bike and ride on the ancient City Wall.
Afternoon: Visit Shaanxi History Museum to see amazing artifacts.
Evening: Dinner in the Muslim Quarter.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Tang Dynasty Show
Morning: Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the surrounding Datang Everbright City.
Afternoon: Explore the area's gardens and temples.
Evening: Tang Dynasty show and dinner.
Mount Hua Day Trip
Full Day: Day trip to Mount Hua, one of China's most sacred mountains with breathtaking views.
Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Local Life
Morning: Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum.
Afternoon: Explore local markets and neighborhoods.
Evening: Farewell dinner with Shaanxi specialties.
Departure
Morning: Final breakfast, last-minute shopping, or a final walk on the City Wall.
Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your departure, with wonderful memories of Xi'an's history and culture.
Gallery
What Travelers Say
Jake Morrison
Portland, OR | March 2026
The Terracotta Warriors are even more mind-blowing than the documentaries suggest. Pit 1 with thousands of soldiers in battle formation is staggering in scale, but Pit 3 with the high-ranking officers has the most detailed individual faces. Our guide explained how each warrior was modeled after a real person. The on-site museum's bronze chariots are also incredible.
Amanda Reyes
Austin, TX | April 2026
Biking the Ancient City Wall at sunset was pure magic. The 14-kilometer loop on top of the Ming Dynasty fortifications gives you views of both modern skyscrapers and ancient pagodas. We rented tandem bikes and almost crashed twice because we were too busy gawking at the scenery. The south gate has the best preserved watchtower and an archery demonstration.
Tyler Brooks
Denver, CO | February 2026
The Muslim Quarter at night is an assault on your senses in the best way. Followed my nose to a biangbiang noodle stall where a guy was slapping hand-pulled noodles against a metal counter. The roujiamo—crispy flatbread stuffed with cumin-spiced pork—was the best street food I had in all of China. The Hui vendors are friendly and many speak some English.
Rachel Kim
Chicago, IL | May 2026
Big Wild Goose Pagoda's nightly music fountain show is surprisingly spectacular. Hundreds of water jets choreographed to traditional Chinese music with LED lights. The pagoda itself is beautifully preserved Tang Dynasty architecture and you can climb to the top for city views. The surrounding Da Ci'en Temple grounds are peaceful in the early morning.
Marcus Chen
Seattle, WA | March 2026
Shaanxi History Museum is free and absolutely world-class. The Tang Dynasty gold and silver collection is stunning, and the terracotta figurines show incredible detail in their clothing and expressions. We went on a weekday morning and still waited 30 minutes in line. Bring ID—they require passports for foreign visitors to get tickets.
Lauren Walsh
Nashville, TN | April 2026
The Tang Dynasty dinner show at the Shaanxi Grand Opera House was spectacular. Traditional music, elaborate costumes, and acrobatic dance told stories from the Silk Road. The dumpling banquet beforehand was an art form—dumplings shaped like butterflies, ducks, and flowers, each with different fillings. It was touristy but genuinely impressive craftsmanship.
Derek Holloway
Phoenix, AZ | May 2026
The underground museum at the South Gate shows actual excavated sections of the ancient city foundation. You're literally walking through Tang Dynasty streets 3 meters below modern ground level. Xi'an's layers of history are visible everywhere—Ming walls, Tang pagodas, and glass office towers all sharing the same skyline. Night market on Defuxiang Road is where locals actually eat.
Practical Information
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are ideal with mild temperatures. Summer is hot, while winter is cold and dry.
Getting Around
Xi'an has a good subway system. Taxis and Didi are readily available. Bikes are great for the City Wall!
Local Cuisine
Don't miss roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), biangbiang noodles, yangrou paomo, and other Shaanxi specialties.
Cultural Tips
Learn basic Mandarin phrases. Be respectful of cultural sites. Bargaining is common in markets but not in fixed-price stores.