Things to do in Shanxi Province

Discover the artifacts from one of the world’s most significant archaeological excavations on this trip from Xi’an. Pickup starts from 07:30 to 09:00 based on your hotel location. 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. If you choose option Terracotta Army Museum Ticket Only (Ticket-only), then no pickup or drop-off service is offered. You just get yourself a skip-the-line ticket to the Terracotta Warriors to avoid possible long ticketing quques and sold out tickets on holidays.

The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, renowned as the eighth wonder of the world. The terracotta figures are life-sized, typically ranging from 175 cm (5.74 ft) to about 200 cm (6.6 ft) (the officers are typically taller). They vary in height, uniform, and hairstyle in accordance with their portrayed rank. Originally, the figures were painted with ground precious stones, intensely fired bones (white), pigments of iron oxide (dark red), cinnabar (red), malachite (green), azurite (blue), charcoal (black), cinnabar barium copper silicate mix (Chinese purple or Han purple), tree sap from a nearby source, (more than likely from the Chinese lacquer tree) (brown), and other colors including pink, lilac, red, white, and one unidentified color. However, in Xi'an's dry climate, much of the color coating would flake off in less than four minutes after removing the mud surrounding the army.

We do not offer cheap low-end group tours that waste time. We only provide pure historical and cultural experience. All the tours we provide are immersive experiences of history and culture, with absolutely no factory - shopping stops! You have the flexibility to choose your tour style from the following options: A: Meeting the guide at the entrance statue of the Terracotta Army- mini group without hotel pickup. B: Mini group tour with hotel pickup and drop off C: Upgrading to have a private guide to follow your pace If your booking is "Meet Guide at the Terracotta Entrance WITHOUT Hotel Pickup", you need to go to the Terracotta Army Museum on your own and come back hotel on your own. Please meet your guide under the white statue of Emperor Qinshihuang in the Terracotta Parking Lot. (We will send you a picture of the meeting point.) - The meeting time for the morning tour is 9:00 am. - The meeting time for the afternoon tour is 3:00 pm. If your booking is "Mini Group Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off", you will meet your driver in your hotel lobby at 8:00 am or 2:00 pm. After the Terracotta tour, your driver will drop you off at your hotel around 1:00 pm or 7:00 pm, depending on your hotel pickup time. If your booking is a Private Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop - off, you will have a private guide and a private driver who will completely follow your pace. How to get to the Terracotta Warriors Museum on your own (when the booking is: meet at the Terracotta entrance without hotel pickup)? - Option 1: Take a DIDI taxi. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes from a downtown hotel to the meeting point, and the cost is 80~150 CNY. - Option 2: Take the subway and public bus. It takes more than 2 hours to reach the Terracotta from a downtown hotel. - ROUTE: Take Xi'an Subway Line 1 or Line 6 to FANG ZHI CHENG Station. Then transfer to Line 9 and get off at "HUA QING CHI" Station. Exit from Exit C, and you will see the bus station. (The cost is 8 CNY per person.) Change Bus 613 for only 1 stop, which takes about 18 minutes. You will arrive at the Terracotta Parking Lot. It's a 3 - minute walk to the meeting - point statue. (The cost is 5 CNY per person.)

Welcome to the world of the Terracotta Warriors! This product offers high-quality visiting services for the Terracotta Warriors, with a super-professional team of guides, drivers, and customer service. We provide various group tour formats for the Terracotta Warriors to meet different needs. If you choose the "Meet Guide at Terracotta Entrance Statue" option, please meet the guide under the white statue of Emperor Qinshihuang in the Parking Lot of Terracotta Army. How do you reach the entrance of the Terracotta Army? 1) DIDI taxi (cost 10~20USD/per car) : It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach the meeting point. 2) METRO ROUTE (cost 1.5 USD/per person): Please take metro line 1 or line 6 to FANG ZHI CHENG station. Then change to line 9 to HUA QING CHI station. Exit from EXIT C, then transfer to take a public bus, either the No. 613 or No. 602. It's only one stop, and it takes about 18 minutes to reach the entrance of the Terracotta Museum. Please walk to the parking lot to meet the guide at the white statue of Emperor Qinshihuang. If you choose the "Small group tour with hotel pickup and drop off" option, you will enjoy private hotel pickup and drop off service. For the morning tour, the hotel pickup time is 8:30 am. Our driver will hold a sign with your name and meet you in your hotel lobby. It takes around 1 hour to drive to the Terracotta Warriors museum. During the Terracotta guided tour, you will visit Pit 1, Pit 2, Pit 3 and also the newly - opened new discoveries exhibition room to learn more about the Emperor's tomb project. You will return to the hotel around 1:30 pm. For the afternoon tour, the hotel pick - up time is 2:00 pm and the hotel drop - off time is around 7:00 pm, depending on the traffic. If you choose 8-hour day tour: Your group guide and driver will take you visit top 3 highlights and bring you back hotel at the end. NOTES: Please provide your name and passport number when booking for Terracotta tickets to book in advance. 1) The Terracotta ticket fee is NOT included in the tour and needs to be paid during the tour: 120 CNY per person. 2) We will contact you soon once you make a booking. Please note the correct phone number when booking. 3) It is not easy to get a taxi during rush hour. 4) It takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach the METRO station meeting point by subway. It takes at least 2 hours to reach the Terracotta ENTRANCE meeting point by subway and bus. Please meet the guide on time. 5) You may get a Xi'an metro DAY PASS (15 CNY per person) at every metro station.

Your adventure begins with a convenient hotel pick-up in the morning. A friendly local guide will greet you at your hotel lobby, and you'll be whisked away in a comfortable vehicle. As you make the approximately 1-hour journey to the Terracotta Army site, your guide will share fascinating stories and historical background about this UNESCO World Heritage site, setting the stage for the incredible experience ahead. Upon arrival at the museum complex, you'll first enter the expansive Pit 1, the largest of the three main pits. As you step inside, you'll be met with a breathtaking sight: rows upon rows of life-sized terracotta warriors stretching out before you. The sheer scale of the army is awe-inspiring. Each warrior has a unique face, hairstyle, and expression, crafted with meticulous detail over 2,000 years ago. You'll be able to observe the different ranks, from the foot soldiers to the high-ranking officers, and notice how their armor and weapons vary. The formation of the army suggests a well-organized and powerful fighting force, ready to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Next, you'll visit Pit 2, which offers a more in-depth look at the diversity of the terracotta figures. Here, you'll see specialized warriors such as archers in their crouched, ready-to-shoot positions, and the elegant and commanding general figures. Some of the artifacts in this pit are still in the process of excavation and restoration, giving you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the painstaking work that goes into preserving this ancient treasure. Pit 3 is the smallest but no less significant. It is believed to be the command center of the underground army. The layout and the types of figures found here suggest a strategic and coordinating hub, adding to the overall understanding of the military structure of the Qin Dynasty. After exploring the pits, you'll have some free time to wander around the museum's exhibition halls. Here, you can view other related artifacts, including bronze weapons that still glint with their ancient craftsmanship, and learn more about the historical context through informative displays and multimedia presentations. When your exploration of the Terracotta Army comes to an end, it's time to satisfy your appetite with a delicious local lunch. You'll be treated to a variety of traditional Shaanxi dishes and have the opportunity to taste the distinctive local flavors. Finally, after lunch, you'll be comfortably transported back to your hotel, filled with memories of an incredible half-day journey through China's ancient past and a satisfied palate from the delicious local cuisine.

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. Note: During the off-peak season (January to March), the confirmation for the Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show in Tangle Palace Theatre may be received as late as 12:00 noon on the day of the show. If you cannot wait until then, you can cancel the activity on the platform by yourself. (For example, if you book the January 5th Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show on January 1st, the confirmation for this show may be received as late as 12:00 noon on January 5th).

ITINERARY FOR THE GROUP DAY TOUR(BEST VALUED OPTION) The tour guide picks you up at your hotel in Xi'an downtown from 8:15-9:00am, then enjoy a ride to the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum (also called Xi'an Terracotta Army Museum). Afterwards, explore the museum for about 2.5 hours， which collects over 7,000 masterpieces made in China's Qin dynasty over 2200 years ago, including warriors, terracotta horses, and numerous bronze weapons. Learn about China's first emperor Qinshihuang, who firstly united the whole China and set up the first feudal empire in China. The mausoleum was built for him when he was still alive. After the visit, we will have a Xi’an local Chinese lunch at a restaurant where locals eat(Optional), taste the“Sanqin Combo”which includes Chinese Hamburger（Rou Jia Mo）‘Cold Noodles’（Liang Pi）and ‘Orange Flavor Sparkling Soda’ (Bing Feng Qi Shui). Drive back to your hotel in Xi’an downtown within the 2nd Ring Road. Option for reference: In the evening, you are suggested to watch the famous Great Tang Dynasty Show which unfold's the prosperity of Tang Dynasty before your eyes. The show tells the story of Wu Ze Tian, the only-ever Empress. Through her life story show, the audience will learn about the culture, military, and religion of the Tang Dynasty by dance and music. You can ask the guide to help reserve tickets and transfer you to the theatre. HOW TO GET THERE (THIS IS A REFERENCE FOR VISITORS WHO ONLY BOOK THE TICKETS WITH US): 1. From Xi'an downtown to Terracotta Army Museum: There are no direct public transport to Terracotta Army Museum from Xi'an downtown(Bell Tower). For self-guided tour, please follow the following instructions: 1).By taxi, usually it takes about 1 hour from Xi'an downtown to the museum and the cost is about 120RMB to 150RMB for single way. 2). Take metro line 6 to the terminal stop Fangzhicheng station（纺织城）, then change to metro line 9 to Huaqingchi station, exit the station by Exit C, then take the tourist bus 613 to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. 2. From Xi'an Airport to the museum: 1). By taxi: Xi'an Airport to Terracotta Army takes 70 minutes and costs about 200 Yuan. 2). Take metro line 14 to North railway Station(North Square) , then change to line 4 to Administrative Center station，then Change to Metro Line 2 to Beidajie station, then Change to Metro Line 1 to Fangzhicheng station, then get our of the station and take the tour bus No. 613 to Terrocotta Army Museum. 3. From Xi'an North Railway Station to the museum: 1). By Taxi: it takes 1 hour at the cost about 160 Yuan. 2). Take metro line 2 to Beidajie, change to line 1 to Fangzhicheng, then change to line 9 and get off at Huaqingchi station. Finally take Lintong Bus 613 to the Terracotta Army Museum. It takes about 2 hours totally.

If you prefer on your own pace, we provide easy, stress-free service for reserving your Terra cotta entrance tickets on line before you travel. If your booking is subway group tour, you will meet your guide at HUA QING CHI station, exit C out, subway line 9. If your booking is Van group tour, you will meet guide in hotel lobby, ticket, hotel pickup and guide are all inclusive. If you choose " 5-hour Tour with Private Transfer", you will see your private driver in lobby. Tickets, hotel pickup & drop off are all inclusive. If your booking is " Ticket+Guide" Your guide will lead you take subway or taxi to Terra cotta warriors. (guide hotel pick up is included and the transportation is NOT included). After warriors museum visit, you can optional choose stay longer or stay with guide come back downtown. If your booking is "5-hour tour: ticket+guide+hotel transfer", it means your tour is stress free with private guide and driver service all along. If your booking is 8-hour full day tour, you will visit Terracotta Warriors, City wall and pagoda top 3 highlights in one day, all ticket, private guide, lunch and transfer are all inclusive. NOTE: Pls provide your name and passport number on booking for tickets booking in advance.

in Xi'an, represent one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls. It was built under the rule of the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a military defense system. It exhibits the "complete features of the rampart architecture of feudal society". It has been refurbished many times since it was built in the 14th century, thrice at intervals of about 200 years in the later half of the 1500s and 1700s, and in recent years in 1983. The wall encloses an area of about 14 square kilometres. The Xi'an City Wall is on the tentative list of UNESCO's World Heritage Site under the title "City Walls of the Ming and Qing Dynasties". Since 2008, it is also on the list of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of the People's Republic of China. Since March 1961, the Xi'an City Wall is a heritage National Historical and Cultural Unit.

The Great Wild Goose Pagoda, also known as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, is an iconic symbol of ancient Chinese architecture and Buddhist culture, located in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. Originally built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty by the Buddhist monk Xuanzang, who had just returned from his seventeen-year journey to India to collect sacred texts, the pagoda served as a place to house the Buddhist scriptures and figurines he brought back. Standing at a height of 64.5 meters (212 feet), this magnificent structure is a prime example of traditional Chinese pagoda architecture. The original seven-story structure was later expanded to ten stories during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. However, due to natural disasters and wars, it was reduced to its current seven stories. The Great Wild Goose Pagoda is not only a religious monument but also a testament to the architectural prowess of ancient China. Constructed primarily of brick and wood, the pagoda features intricate carvings and designs that reflect the artistic tastes of the Tang Dynasty. Its exterior is adorned with arched doorways and windows, while the interior holds precious Buddhist artifacts and historical inscriptions. Visitors to the pagoda can climb the narrow staircases to reach the upper levels, offering panoramic views of Xi'an city and the surrounding landscape. Each level provides a glimpse into the history and significance of Buddhism in China, with displays of statues, murals, and ancient texts. The Great Wild Goose Pagoda is not just a static monument; it remains a vibrant center for Buddhist worship and cultural activities. Regularly, Buddhist ceremonies and festivals are held here, attracting both locals and tourists alike. It stands as a living link between the past and present, connecting modern-day visitors with the rich spiritual heritage of ancient China. In recognition of its historical and cultural importance, the Great Wild Goose Pagoda was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 as part of the Silk Road: Chang'an-Tian Shan Corridor Route. This designation ensures its preservation for future generations, allowing people worldwide to appreciate its beauty and significance.