Day 1 Xi'an★ Meeting day (Xi'an Xianyang Airport pickup/Xi'an North Railway Station pickup + welcome dinner)
All day
On the day of the all-day activity, each family member went to Xi'an on their own. China-TravelNote specially arranged airport pick-up service.
Please report "China-Travel Note + Name" at the hotel front desk when checking in. Check-in procedures are generally available after 14:00, and tourists who arrive early can also move around freely.
High-speed rail pick-up: From 11:00 to 17:00 on the same day, staff will be arranged to pick you up at Xi'an North Station with a sign. It is recommended to arrive in Xi'an during this time.
Airport pickup: From 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the same day, staff will be arranged to pick you up at Xi'an Xianyang Airport with a sign. It is recommended to arrive in Xi'an during this time.
Welcome dinner: At 18:30 that evening, a special welcome dinner will be arranged to welcome the tourists from afar.
Day 2 Xi'an → Xi'an City Wall → Shuyuan Gate → Xi'an Restaurant Shaanxi Cuisine Museum → Big Wild Goose Pagoda → Tang Dynasty City
·morning
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll head to the Xi'an City Wall. For Xi'an locals, entering the city wall is the only way to truly enter the city! Built over 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty, the Xi'an City Wall is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. With a circumference of 13.74 kilometers, even a complete bike ride would take two hours! Here, we'll climb the wall and stroll along it, experiencing history and learning about its architecture and the layout of Tang Chang'an.
We then headed to Shuyuan Gate. Following the city wall, we arrived at a street of antiques, calligraphy, and paintings, a favorite among locals. Walking here, we inhaled the fragrance of books and ink, listened to stories about old Xi'an, and watched the elderly writing and young men carving seals. Time seemed to slow down.
At noon, we'll have lunch at the Xi'an Restaurant Shaanxi Cuisine Museum. Shaanxi cuisine, through its many twists and turns, has spawned countless renowned delicacies. Banquets like the "Shaowei Banquet" and "Zhou Bazhen" are truly eye-opening, showcasing the cuisine's generosity, grandeur, sophistication, and elegance. Here, we'll learn about the history, techniques, and characteristics of Shaanxi cuisine, explore the origins of this national culinary trend, and savor its distinctive flavors.
·afternoon
Proceed to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Over 1,300 years old, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the oldest and largest surviving square-pavilion brick pagoda from the Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang oversaw its construction to preserve Buddhist scriptures and statues brought back to Chang'an from India via the Silk Road. The pagoda was once the site where newly-minted Jinshi (imperial examinations) were inscribed, giving rise to the "Yanta Inscriptions," one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Guanzhong." The Big Wild Goose Pagoda's fountain has become a must-see attraction for tourists from both China and abroad.
In the evening, head to the Tang Dynasty City That Never Sleeps. As the lights come on, Xi'an transforms into Chang'an, a night of fireworks and lights. From the "tumbler lady" to "Li Bai" offering roujiamo (Chinese steamed buns) in exchange for poetry, to the ever-growing memes of "Fang Xuanling" and "Du Ruhui" in the "Tang Dynasty Secret Box," and to phenomenal cultural IPs like "Stone Man" and "Dunhuang Flying Apsaras," the already-popular Tang Dynasty City continues to generate buzz. With flowing robes, their hems swaying in the wind, the streets and alleys of Xi'an are filled with traditional Chinese clothing. You Xiaoxia is offering a complimentary Hanfu experience where you can choose your favorite clothing and makeup style, and relive your Tang Dynasty dreams in a single night in the thousand-year-old city that never sleeps.
In the evening, enjoy a local specialty dinner near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Day 3 Xi'an → Huaqing Hot Springs → Daqin Banquet → Terracotta Warriors → Huayin City
·morning
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll head to Huaqing Hot Springs. Located at the foot of Mount Li, Huaqing Hot Springs, once an imperial garden, still preserves the imperial family's exclusive hot springs. Strolling through the water, you'll see relatively intact historical relics from the Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Compared to the more elegant Jiangnan gardens, this area boasts a bolder character. This is also the setting for the romantic love story of Emperor Minghuang of Tang and Yang Guifei, and the site of the shocking Xi'an Incident. We'll also take you on a relaxing foot soak in the hot springs to soothe your fatigue.
For lunch, head to the "Daqin Xiaoyan" restaurant. Our themed restaurant, steeped in Qin culture, recreates the solemnity of a Qin imperial banquet. Maids in period costumes gracefully serve each dish, while a ceremonial officer performs the Qin Dynasty's ceremonial rituals. Afterward, a maid will stamp your menu with the "Imperial Seal." The lights light up, music begins, and you can savor a delicious meal.
·afternoon
Proceed to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. The Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum took 39 years to build and employed over 700,000 workers. The mausoleum is the size of 78 Forbidden City palaces. Surrounding the mausoleum are numerous burial pits and tombs of varying shapes and contents. The mysterious terracotta warriors continue to guard the underground empire of the once-great emperor. We'll experience the majesty of Qin Shi Huang's massive army in Pit 1, observe the diverse military formations up close in Pit 2, and learn about the command center layout of the Qin army in Pit 3. Excavation of the Terracotta Warriors is still ongoing, allowing us to see the archaeologists at work up close.
After our fun, we headed to Huayin City to check in. Our accommodation at the foot of Mount Huashan allowed us to avoid the crowds during peak hours, leaving early and avoiding long lines. Dinner was a local delicacy.
Day 4: Mount Huashan → Bell and Drum Tower Night View → Xi'an
·afternoon
Today, we'll tackle Mount Huashan, the Western Peak from Jin Yong's martial arts novels. Unrivaled among the Five Sacred Mountains for its treacherous terrain, Huashan is known for its ancient legend of Chenxiang splitting the mountain to save his mother. This is also the reason for the modern-day "Sword Contest on Mount Huashan" in Jin Yong's novels. The old saying, "Since ancient times, there has only been one path to Mount Huashan," perfectly captures the mountain's unprecedented and unparalleled peril. If you're brave enough, you can even experience a true aerial walkway at the "Yaozi Flip" and "Changkong Plank Road."
China-TravelNote Special Arrangement: Go up from the west and down from the north (take the cable car up the West Peak, visit the South Peak, Middle Peak, and North Peak, and take the cable car down the North Peak. The hike on the mountain is about 3-5 hours). Experience the treacherous roads of Huashan, check in at the Huashan Sword Contest Monument, and fully enjoy the scenery of Huashan.
After enjoying the fun, we will return to the center of Xi'an [Bell and Drum Tower] to enjoy the night view of the Bell and Drum Tower. After dinner, we will return to the hotel to rest.
Huashan Tour Instructions:
There are many different hiking routes in Huashan Scenic Area. We have selected the west-up and north-down route (which offers a more complete tour and involves more walking). If you have limited physical strength, you can choose the west-up and west-down route, which will cost an additional 80 yuan. (The west-up and west-down route is relatively easy, so if you are physically exhausted, you can return early. The Huashan tour guide will only take you west-up and west-down, and will guide you in the direction of travel.)
Day 5: Small Wild Goose Pagoda (Xi'an Museum) → Xi'an Muslim Street → Xi'an North Railway Station → Xi'an Xianyang Airport
·morning
After breakfast, we'll visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda (Xi'an Museum). Built to house Buddhist scriptures and statues brought back from India by the Tang Dynasty monk Yijing, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is now open to the public alongside the Xi'an Museum. Built on the ruins of the Tang Dynasty Jianfu Temple and Anrenfang, the museum rivals the Shaanxi History Museum in its impressive collection. In addition to exquisite artifacts, it also features a sandbox model of the 108 wards of Chang'an City, recreating the splendor of the Tang Dynasty.
After a satisfying tour, we headed to Muslim Street for lunch. This is a living relic of old Xi'an life. Since the Tang Dynasty, large numbers of Muslims have settled in Chang'an, living near temples and conducting business in the streets, a lifestyle that continues to this day. Enjoy Dingjia Crispy Pork, Xiaojia Eight Treasure Porridge, Musa Clay Pot, Shijia Steamed Buns, Hua Nainai Sour Plum Soup, and Erbu Restaurant's stir-fried dishes—this is a true Muslim food street.
·afternoon
After the meal, we will arrange for everyone to be sent to the station or airport.
Arrives at Xi'an North Railway Station between 14:50 and 15:00. It is recommended to book a bus after 15:40.
Arrived at Xi'an Xianyang Airport around 15:30~15:50 and taken to the security checkpoint. It is recommended to book a flight after 17:30
