Our most recommended things to do in Shanxi Province

Guided Xi'an Bus Tour of Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army

1. Guided Xi'an Bus Tour of Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army

Discover the artifacts from one of the world’s most significant archaeological excavations on this trip from Xi’an. Depart from Xi’an and enjoy a ride to the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, which is home to over 7,000 terracotta warriors, which are over 2000 years old. Pay a visit to a Terracotta Warriors Replica factory to see how the Terracotta Warriors are made in ancient times. Then see the over 7,000 terracotta warriors, terracotta horses, and numerous bronze chariots and weapons, and learn about China's first emperor, for whom the warriors were built. See artifacts from the first unified empire in Chinese history while learning about the rise of the empire. Enjoy a lunch and then get transfered back to your downtown hotel.

Xi’an Night Great Tang Dynasty Show option Dumpling Dinner

2. Xi’an Night Great Tang Dynasty Show option Dumpling Dinner

Xi’an earned its fame as the former Chinese Capital City for 13 dynasties, including during the Tang Dynasty when China was the most powerful empire and Chang’an (the former name of Xi’an) was the biggest international metropolis in the world. The Great Tang Dynasty Show recreates the grand feel of that period with dancing and a musical show. You can also enjoy a dumpling dinner at the theatre (depending on option chosen). You will be picked up from your hotel by a premium car if the transfer option is selected. You will receive the booking information at least one day before the show starts, including your full name, date of show, starting time of the show, the address of the theatre in English and Chinese, and emergency contact number. The shows usually starts at 7:530 PM and you are suggested to get there 30 minutes in advance. After finding your seat with help from the staff, get ready to appreciate an amazing show filled with Tang history and culture. There are five scenes in total of the Tang Dynasty Show telling you the story of the Dynasty's only ever Empress, Wu Ze Tian. Through her life story, the audience will also get to learn about the culture, military history, and religion of the Tang Dynasty. You can also choose to have a dumpling dinner before the show.

Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors Private Tour with Flavour Lunch

3. Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors Private Tour with Flavour Lunch

The unexpected unearthing of the Terracotta Warriors, a hoard of legendary life-sized clay soldiers intended to fill an emperor’s elaborate mausoleum, is renowned as one of the world’s greatest archaeological events. On this 2.5-hour tour, experience the wonder of these ancient artifacts and gain a deep understanding from your expert tour guide about the First Emperor’s vision for his afterlife and his unification of China, which shaped the nation as it is known today.  You will be collected from your accommodation in Xi'an downtown area and driven to the Terracotta Warriors Museum in a comfortable air-conditioned coach. Your unforgettable tour begins in Pit 1 of the museum, which is the largest of the excavated pits and home to around 6,000 soldiers. Then, head to Pit 2 and 3, where the cavalry and infantry units and officers are located. The famous Bronze Chariot Pit, where two painted bronze chariots are on display, will not be forgotten.  Your expert tour guide will give you a comprehensive introduction to Imperial China’s distinctive approach to funerary art as well as the celebrated sculptures of their scale, both in terms of each individual sculpture’s height and of the group as a whole. If you select the lunch option, you will be treated a traditional local style Chinese set meau meal at "Da Qin Xiao Yan," a restaurant with a special Qin culture themed restaurant before being transferred back to your accommodation. 

China (with VPN), Hong Kong and Macau: eSIM Data Plan

4. China (with VPN), Hong Kong and Macau: eSIM Data Plan

Enjoy a high-speed data pack to stay connected with your friends and family on WhatsApp and seamlessly check up on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter throughout your trip to China. Access all these Apps and websites without being restricted by the Chinese firewall or using a VPN, providing you with connectivity if you are going to China, Hong Kong, or Macau. This data plan comes with an eSIM and you don’t have to switch SIM Cards between your devices anymore. Simply scan the eSIM profile then follow the simple steps of installation and you can get connected to the Internet once you arrive. The eSIM data service is only supported on eSIM enabled devices. Please check if your devices have eSIM functions before you place the orders. All iPhone model launched beyond iPhone XS can support eSIM. For Android, if you are unsure, please check with the guideline photo for eligibility. If you can not connect to the internet after install this eSIM, please follow the Self Help Troubleshooting Guide in your GYG voucher. APN (Access Point Name): ctm-mobile Local operator info: China - China Unicom Hong Kong: csl Macau: CTM

Xi'an Highlights: Terracotta Warriors Private Day Tour

5. Xi'an Highlights: Terracotta Warriors Private Day Tour

This private customizable day tour will take you to visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum and two of the following highlights of Xian according to your personal interests: The Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, Banpo Museum, Shaanxi History Museum, Xian City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, The Great Mosque or the Muslim Street. Start with a pickup from your downtown Xi'an hotel lobby and a one-hour drive onboard a private vehicle. Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Marvel at the massive life-sized terracotta warriors and horses troops. Experience the wonder of these ancient artifacts and gain a deep understanding of the First Emperor’s vision for his afterlife and his unification of China. Afterward, visit two of the following recommended sites. If you cannot decide on what to see, then the Xian City Wall and the Muslim Streets will be the default. At the end of the tour, get a transfer back to your downtown Xi'an hotel.

Private Half-day tour to the Terracotta Army Museum

6. Private Half-day tour to the Terracotta Army Museum

Meet your local guide in the lobby of your Xi’an downtown hotel, heading directly to Terracotta Warriors. On the way, your tour guide will explain Xi’an’s history, culture and local's life, feel free to ask questions if you have. The Terracotta Army Museum is considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, and one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century.  Explore the massive museum with your tour guide, hear stories about the first emperor Qinshihuang. The museum mainly consists of three vaults and an exhibition hall with 8000 life size terracotta warriors all in the real battle formation, which were buried underground over 2200 years You will spend about 2 hours in the museum, then you will be transferred back to your hotel in city.

Xi'an: Guided Day Tour to Huaqing Palace & Terracotta Army

7. Xi'an: Guided Day Tour to Huaqing Palace & Terracotta Army

7:30 - 8:30, Hotel pick-up, transfer to Huaqing Palace Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby at the scheduled time, holding a trekinfini pick-up sign with your name on it. From there, you will be taken to Huaqing Palace in Buick GL8 MPV. 9:30 - 12:00, Visit Huaqing Palace & Mt. Lishan Huaqing Palace, with a history of almost three millennia, is a sprawling complex of museums, halls, towers, bridges, temples, gardens, and landmark buildings set against the backdrop of towering Mt. Lishan. Mt. Lishan rises 1,302 meters above sea level and is said to "shine like a beacon in the evening sunlight." It has been a popular tourist destination for centuries. The Beacon Tower, standing on top of Mount Lishan, witnessed the downfall of the Western Zhou dynasty in 771 BC. The Remonstrance Pavilion is the place where Chiang Kai-shek was kidnapped while hiding in a crevice in what became known as the Xi'an Incident of December 12, 1936. 12:00 - 13:00, Lunch break (not included in the tour) Lunch is not included in this tour. However, your guide can suggest local food options. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary needs, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or halal, so we can make the necessary arrangements. 13:00 - 15:00, Visit Terracotta Warriors The Terracotta Warriors and Horses are a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shihuang, the first Emperor of China. They were buried to protect the emperor in his afterlife. The warriors were discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers digging a well. Since then, an estimated 8000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses have been discovered in three pits. The Terracotta Army is one of the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century in the world. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. 15:00 - 16:00, Visit Emperor Qin's Mausoleum Located at the northern foot of Mt. Lishan, Emperor Qin's Mausoleum is the final resting place of Emperor Qin Shihuang, founder of the first unified empire in Chinese history in the 3rd century BCE. The tomb mound, begun in 246 BCE, stands at a height of 76 meters within a rectangular double-walled enclosure. The property area of 56.25 square kilometers contains nearly 200 accompanying pits with terracotta warriors and horses, bronze chariots and weapons, acrobats, strongmen and musicians, and architectural remains. The highlight of the mausoleum is the two sets of bronze chariots that were unearthed in 1980. These chariots are half the size of the real chariots and are widely believed to resemble the real imperial chariots and horses used by Emperor Qin Shihuang. 16:00 - 17:30, Transfer back to your hotel in Xi'an At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at approximately 5:30 PM.

Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors & Street Food Full-Day Tour

8. Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors & Street Food Full-Day Tour

You will be picked up at downtown Xian hotels and drive directly to start your private guided tour to explore the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the First Emperor of Qin Shi Huang Di. Our licensed tour guides will share their knowledge and the history behind the world-renowned archeological wonder. Then we will start a walking tour of the Muslim Quarter while casually tasting local food and drinks up to 5 kinds. Taste some indigenous local delicacies which won't be found anywhere else like Niuroujiamo (Muslim beef burger), Majiang Liangmian (Cold noodles with sesame sauce), Paomo (Pita in mutton or beef soup), Biang Biang Mian (Biang Biang noodles), Rouwan Hulatang (Peppery soup with beef meatballs & vegetables), Zenggao (Stiky rice and date cake), Suantang Shuijiao (dumplings in vinegar soup), Guantang Baozi (steamed dumplings with juice), Xiaosurou (Thick lamb stew), Fenzhengrou (Steamed beef with rice flour), Babaozhou (Sweet Porridge), Jinggao (sticky rice with rose jam and nuts), Fenzhenrou (Steamed beef with rice flour) and Kaochuan(Lamp and beef bekarbs) as well as some local juice and drinks.

Xi'an: Private Half-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour with Pickup

9. Xi'an: Private Half-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour with Pickup

A quick tour to explore the UNESCO listed world-heritage, Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the First Emperor of Qin, with airport and train station pickup and drop-off for people have a limited time in Xi'an. You will be picked up at downtown Xian hotels and drive directly to this historical highlight of Xi'an with no unnecessary stops at any shopping facility. Our licensed tour guides will share their knowledge and the history behind the world-renowned archeological wonder.

Private Tour to Terra Cotta Museum &Optional City Highlights

10. Private Tour to Terra Cotta Museum &Optional City Highlights

Your private guide will meet you in your hotel lobby, hop into your private vehicle heading directly to Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. On the way, your tour guide will explain Xi’an’s history, culture and local's life, feel free to ask questions if you have. The Terracotta Army Museum is considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, and one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century.  Explore the massive museum with your tour guide, hear stories about the first emperor Qinshihuang. The museum mainly consists of three vaults and an exhibition hall with 8000 life size terracotta warriors all in the real battle formation, which were buried underground over 2200 years. You will spend about 2-3 hours in the museum, then heading back to city, on the way feel free to discuss the sites you want to see in the afternoon, after lunch in the local restaurant, set off and explore. There are 4 options you can choose for the afternoon tour. 1: Big Wild Goose Pogoda Originally built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it functioned to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. Duration: 1 hour 2: Xi’an City Wall Follow your guide to climb up to the top of the 600 years old Ancient City Wall,  enjoying a great view of the city. The massive walls measure 12m high and 16m wide at the base, tapering to 12m to 14m and is 13.74km in circumference. Towers at each corner of the walls have defensive towers jutting out along the length of the walls. The surviving walls, built on Tang dynasty foundations, date to the Ming dynasty and were built during the 14th century.  3: Xi’an Banpo Museum The Banpo Site is a typical Neolithic matriarchal community of the Yangshao Culture and dates back about 6,000 years. At that time, the Banpo people used tools that were made primarily of wood and stone. Women were responsible for making pottery, spinning, doing household chores, and raising their family, while the men primarily spent their time fishing. The 4,500 square meter (about 1 acre) exhibit area of Banpo Museum is divided into two Exhibition Halls and one Site Hall. 4: Muslim market The Muslim QuarterXi'an, near the Drum Tower (鼓楼), is one of the must-visit places in Xi'an city for its old street of more than 1,000 years old. Being a symbolic site of Xi'an flavor, this street is well-known for its nearly 300 sorts of food selling here, which attracts a numerous number of foodies to please both their noses and taste buds. Also, the well-preserved folk life gives you a great chance to feel the real featured culture in Shaanxi province.

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Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 154 reviews

We really enjoyed the tour, was picked at my hotel, went to the touristic place in a very comfortable car. We skipped lines to buy the tickets, and our guide Isaac was helping us in all the QR code and identity checks (quite useful for foreigners ;-) He explained us a lot about the historical context of the site, as well as how the side has been built, which was very interesting I really recommend this tour, thanks a lot !