Small-Group Xian and Terracotta Warriors Tour with Lunch

For this 9-hour tour meet in the lobby of the Bell Tower Hotel in Xian a little before 8am.

Once your local guide and driver have picked you up from the meeting point, begin the 1-hour drive to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. During the journey, your guide will introduce you to the history, culture, and traditions of Xian, as well as the origin of the Terracotta Warriors. You will also be taught a few Chinese words, your guide helping with pronunciation, so you can practice your skills throughout the day. 

Upon arrival at the museum, see the 8,000 full-sized Terracotta Warriors contained in three burial pits. The museum building has been built on the original excavation site, so you'll see them just as they were found. A large number of real bronze weapons are also preserved, some of which were chrome-plated by ancient Chinese engineers and have remained rust-free for more than 2,000 years.

Spend about two hours at this world-famous museum, then drive to visit the First Chinese Emperor's Mausoleum. The Terracotta Warriors were buried for this emperor, to guard him in the afterlife. It’s said that it took 700,000 people about 40 years to build the mausoleum. To preserve his body, the ancient Chinese poured mercury into his underground palace.

From here, you'll be driven to a tasty local restaurant for lunch. Your guide will help order several of their authentic local specialties so you can get a taste for Xian. There will be a mix of meat and veggie dishes, so don’t worry if you’re a vegetarian—there will be plenty of food for everyone.

After lunch, make the hour-long drive back to Xian to visit the 600-year-old city wall. At some 8-miles (13-kilometers) long and 59-feet (18-meters) tall, it is one of the best preserved and longest city walls in China. Walk along the wall for a bird’s eye view of this ancient capital city.

From here, head back to the starting point to end your tour, but before you say goodbye, be sure to ask your local guide for tips on other things to see and do in Xian. Arrive back at the Bell Tower Hotel around 5pm.