Xi’an is often called the birthplace of Chinese civilization; it’s also the capital of Shaanxi Province and the eastern end to the Silk Road. With so much historical and cultural significance, a day tour of Xi’an is a great way to explore the city and dive into China’s ancient past. Top of many tourists lists is the Terracotta Army. This is made up of more than 8,000 pottery soldiers, horses, and chariots in total, and features on most tours so whatever itinerary you select, you won’t be disappointed!
Located in north-central China, Xi’an is a popular tourist destination with foreigners and locals alike, with day tours allowing you to navigate the best bits of the city and make the most of your time here. Below we’ve selected three of the best tours of Xi’an taking into account many important considerations, such as value for money, previous guest reviews and itineraries.
FROM: £74/per person
Over ten hours, navigate Xi’an’s must-see attractions: the Army of Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an City Walls, the Wild Goose Pagoda and the Muslim Quarter. At the Xi’an City walls, you can wander on foot or explore by bike. With the final stop at the Muslim Bazaar, you can leave the tour here to explore the bazaar at your own pace with other great sites of the city: the Great Mosque and the Bell and Drum Tower Square all within walking distance of the Bazaar. All entrance fees to sites are included in the tour price.
From £70/ per person
This eight-hour experience tours the east of Xi’an. First, you’ll be introduced to Emperor Qin Shihuang at the Mausoleum of the first emperor of the Qin dynasty, before seeing the Terracotta Warriors and their horses. This tour is great for those interested in delving a little deeper into history, as it then moves on to the Banpo Museum where you can immerse yourself further in the history of the area. Built at the base of the archaeological site, on display are artefacts excavated from the prehistoric Banpo village and the museum features several reconstructed houses, designed to resemble the Neolithic settlement.
From £105/ per person
Like the other tours listed, this eight-hour tour visits the must-see Terracotta Warrior site. From here, you’ll head to the region’s traditional Yaodong cave dwellings and visit and learn about the local farmer’s lives. The final stop on this tour is the Hanyangling Museum, also known as the tomb of Emperor Jingdi. Located north of Xi’an in Zhangjiawan Village this Museum wows with its combination of modern technology, ancient civilization, historical culture and garden scenery. This tour has the benefit of flexibility, with departure times set by you and all entrance fees are included in the price. The price varies depending on the number of people in your group.
