China Tours Including Xian

Step back in time with China tours including Xian, the cradle of Chinese civilization. Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, cycle along the ancient city walls, and stroll through lively markets filled with local flavors. Pair Xian with Beijing, Chengdu, or other highlights to experience a journey that combines imperial history, vibrant traditions, and unforgettable cultural discoveries.

11 trip ideas

Summary  |  Detail
  • Xian Ancient City Wall

    Xian Explore: Terracotta Army and Mount Huashan

    Xian – Mount Huashan
    • Walk or bike along Xian’s 600-year-old Ancient City Wall, enjoying panoramic city views and a glimpse into historic fortifications.

    • Watch the dazzling music fountain show at Great Tang Everbright City, combining lights, water, and lively entertainment for all visitors.

    • Explore the Terracotta Warriors, each uniquely detailed statue telling stories of Emperor Qin’s army, history, and ancient craftsmanship.

    • Taste local street food along the lively Muslim Street, savoring traditional snacks while immersing in the bustling cultural atmosphere.

    • Hike Mount Huashan’s dramatic trails, discovering steep cliffs, breathtaking scenery, and ancient Taoist temples perched on the mountainside.

    • Enjoy the quiet charm of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, strolling through its serene gardens and appreciating Tang Dynasty architecture.

    4 days

  • Sichuan opera

    Xian & Chengdu Discovery: Culture & Creatures

    Xian – Chengdu
    • Climb Xian’s Bell Tower to enjoy panoramic city views and appreciate the historic architecture surrounding this iconic landmark.

    • Savor delicious street food while wandering the vibrant Muslim Quarter, tasting local specialties and experiencing bustling cultural streets.

    • Marvel at the life-sized Terracotta Warriors, exploring Emperor Qin’s ancient army and learning about their historical and artistic significance.

    • Explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its peaceful temple gardens, soaking in serene surroundings and Tang Dynasty architecture.

    • Visit Chengdu Panda Base to watch playful pandas and cubs interact, climb, and enjoy their naturalistic habitats up close.

    • Watch a captivating Sichuan Opera performance, highlighted by the mesmerizing art of rapid face-changing and colorful theatrical displays.

    • Explore Wuhou Shrine, discovering Three Kingdoms heritage, ancient architecture, and historical relics that reveal China’s rich cultural past.

    6 days

  • Terracotta Army

    Chengdu & Xian: Pandas and Cultural Relics

    Chengdu – Xian
    • Visit Chengdu’s Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, observing adorable pandas during feeding time and learning about their conservation and daily life.

    • Discover the serene Buddhist heritage at Wenshu Temple, exploring its ornate halls, tranquil courtyards, and spiritual atmosphere.

    • Marvel at Xian’s Terracotta Warriors, over 8,000 life-sized statues meticulously crafted to guard Emperor Qin’s eternal mausoleum.

    • Walk or bike atop Xian’s Ancient City Wall, enjoying panoramic city views and a glimpse into the city’s historic fortifications..

    • Visit the historic Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty landmark housing Buddhist scriptures and showcasing ancient Chinese architecture.

    4 days

  • Yunnan Bai Minority

    China Essentials: Shanghai, Yunnan, Chengdu, Xian & Beijing

    Shanghai – Kunming – Dali – Lijiang – Chengdu – Xian – Beijing
    • Cruise along the Huangpu River, enjoying the glittering city skyline and beautifully illuminated bridges during a relaxing evening ride.

    • Marvel at the towering limestone pillars of the Stone Forest, exploring its unique geological formations and breathtaking natural scenery.

    • Wander through lively markets in Dali Old Town, discovering local handicrafts, sampling street foods, and experiencing traditional Bai culture.

    • Ride a cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, taking in panoramic alpine views and the snow-capped peaks above.

    • Visit the Panda Base during active feeding hours, watching adorable pandas play, climb, and interact in their naturalistic environment.

    • Witness thousands of life-sized Terracotta Warriors, learning about Emperor Qin’s army, history, and the incredible craftsmanship of ancient China.

    • Walk along the Great Wall at scenic Mutianyu, enjoying panoramic mountain views and the historic fortifications stretching across the horizon.

    • Enjoy authentic Peking Duck and explore Beijing’s Hutongs, immersing yourself in traditional streets, local culture, and culinary delights.

    14 days

  • Shaolin Kung Fu

    Beijing, Luoyang & Xian: Ancient Capitals of China

    Beijing – Luoyang – Xian
    • Visit Tiananmen Square and then explore the grand Forbidden City, experiencing centuries of imperial Chinese history and magnificent architecture.

    • Walk along the Mutianyu Great Wall, taking in breathtaking mountain views and enjoying the surrounding scenic landscapes.

    • Discover the Shaolin Temple, learning about Zen Buddhism, martial arts history, and the origins of legendary Kung Fu.

    • Marvel at the Longmen Grottoes, admiring thousands of intricate Buddhist carvings and the impressive Vairocana Buddha statue.

    • Visit Xian’s life-sized Terracotta Warriors, exploring the fascinating ancient army and Emperor Qin’s remarkable burial complex.

    • Snack your way through the Muslim Quarter’s lively night streets, sampling local delicacies and experiencing authentic cultural flavors.

    8 days

  • China Top City Tour

    China Top City Tour: Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Guilin Shanghai

    Beijing – Xian – Zhangjiajie – Guilin – Shanghai
    • Walk the majestic Mutianyu Great Wall, admiring its ancient watchtowers and sweeping scenic views across lush green mountains and rolling hills.

    • Explore the vast courtyards and grand halls of Beijing's Forbidden City, once the exclusive home of China’s Ming and Qing dynasty emperors.

    • Witness the awe-inspiring ranks of the life-sized Terracotta Warriors, an ancient army crafted to guard Emperor Qin's underground tomb for eternity.

    • Cruise down the serene Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, drifting past stunning, mist-shrouded karst mountains and picturesque rural landscapes.

    • Walk the thrilling Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, a transparent pathway suspended high above a dramatic canyon with breathtaking, vertigo-inducing views.

    • Ride the world's longest cable car up Tianmen Mountain and then stroll its dizzying cliffside plank roads for unforgettable panoramic vistas.

    • Experience a Huangpu River night cruise, gliding past Shanghai's glittering skyline as illuminated skyscrapers and historic Bund buildings create a breathtaking, picture-perfect panorama of the city’s modern vibrancy.

    13 days

  • Yangtze River Cruise

    China Tour from Beijing: Xian Guilin Yangtze Cruise Shanghai

    beijing – Xian – Guilin – Yangtze River Cruise – Shanghai
    • Visit Beijing’s Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the imperial gardens of the Summer Palace.

    • Hike the scenic Mutianyu Great Wall with stunning mountain views and fewer tourist crowds.

    • Explore Xian’s Terracotta Army, an awe-inspiring underground army of ancient life-sized warriors.

    • Bike or walk on Xian’s Ancient City Wall and enjoy panoramic city views.

    • Cruise the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo through dreamy karst mountain landscapes.

    • Discover Yangshuo’s countryside by bike or scooter, passing rice fields and riverside villages.

    • Tour Guilin’s iconic Elephant Trunk Hill and the colorful Reed Flute Cave.

    • Sail through the majestic Three Gorges on a relaxing Yangtze River cruise.

    • Take in panoramic views from Shanghai Tower and stroll along the famous Bund.

    13 days

  • China Silk Road Tour

    Best China Silk Road Tour: From Kashgar to Xian

    Kashgar – Urumqi – Turpan – Dunhuang – Jiayuguan – Xian
    • Trek along the crystal-clear alpine waters of Heavenly Lake, surrounded by the magnificent, snow-capped peaks of the Tianshan Mountain range.

    • Wander through the vibrant and bustling Sunday Bazaar in Kashgar, a spectacular trading tradition that has thrived for over 2,000 years.

    • Taste the delicious, fire-roasted lamb kebabs known as chuanr, a signature flavor of Xinjiang's rich and diverse cultural melting pot.

    • Explore the ancient, sun-baked Jiaohe Ruins, an extraordinary adobe city built on a plateau under the desert's scorching summer sun.

    • Ride camels at sunset across the golden, singing sand dunes of Echoing Sand Mountain, experiencing the magic of the desert's shifting landscape.

    • Stand before the awe-inspiring ranks of the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, China's most iconic and breathtaking archaeological discovery.

    13 days

  • gansu silk road tour

    Silk Road Gansu Tour from Xian: Dunhuang, Lanzhou, Xiahe, Jiayuguan

    Xian – Tianshui – Lanzhou – Xiahe – Jiayuguan – Dunhuang
    • Explore Xian's Terracotta Warriors and walk along ancient city walls, immersing yourself in the city's history.

    • Travel to Tianshui to visit the Maijishan Grottoes and Fuxi Temple, rich in cultural heritage.

    • Discover Lanzhou's Yellow River Iron Bridge and enjoy panoramic views from White Pagoda Hill.

    • Visit Labrang Monastery in Xiahe and experience the serene Tibetan culture and scenic Sangke Grassland.

    • Visit a traditional Tibetan village to observe Tangka painting artisans and experience local culture.

    • In Jiayuguan, explore Silk Road history with visits to the Great Wall Museum and Wei-Jin Mural Museum.

    • In Dunhuang, discover the Mogao Grottoes’ Buddhist art and enjoy the lively Shazhou Night Market.

    10 days

  • Yangtze River Cruise

    Cities of Legend & the Yangtze: Beijing to Xian Chengdu Shanghai

    Beijing – Xian – Chengdu – Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise – Shanghai
    • Explore Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven with expert insights, learning about China’s rich imperial history and culture.

    • Stroll through the lakes, gardens, and ornate pavilions of the Summer Palace, soaking in beautiful scenery and historic architecture.

    • Discover the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, exploring Emperor Qin’s life-sized army and learning about their historical significance and craftsmanship.

    • Visit the Panda Breeding Center during morning feeding time, watching playful pandas interact, eat, and enjoy their naturalistic environment.

    • Enjoy a captivating Sichuan opera performance, highlighted by the mesmerizing art of rapid face-changing and colorful theatrical costumes.

    • Walk along the viewing decks of the Three Gorges Dam, admiring its massive engineering, river views, and surrounding landscapes.

    • Take a traditional wooden boat ride through ancient Zhujiajiao Water Town, exploring canals, historic bridges, and charming riverside streets.

    14 days

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