Private Tour
2-Day Xi'an Private Tour with Must-see Attractions and Unique Experiences
Overview
Available languages
48 hours
Mobile ticket
As you admire the Terracotta Army, you may also like to know how ancient craftsmen made them, and we will unveil the secrets at a local artisan's workshop in a cave dwelling. As you seek out popular dishes in the Muslim Quarter, you may be curious about the roots of this food culture. As you glance over historical relics in museums, you may find some answers as to why China has been able to develop so quickly. Enjoy the charm of the ancient capital.
• Meet terracotta warriors from 2,200 years ago and have fun learning about them without listening to boring, repetitive information.
• Make clay warriors with a local artisan in his/her authentic cave dwelling which is disappearing.
• Challenge yourself to take a food adventure and discover traditional and trendy food that has gone viral.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Passport information is required for entrance ticket, please forward each individual traveler's full name and passport number at the time of booking.
You will receive details about the tour guide and pickup in your voucher the day before. And the tour guide will also call you through hotel or leave a message for you about the exact pickup time the night before tour.
Hotel pickup and drop off services are available within the 3rd Ring Zone of Xi'an City.
If you need to catch your onward flight or train after tour, we can transfer you to Xi'an airport or high-speed train station directly.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
The Dignified Terracotta Army, The Great Mosque and Bustling Muslim Quarter.
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
After driving for 1½ hours from Xi'an, you'll meet the terracotta warriors that you have seen in photos, books, and on television hundreds of times. Discover the army's secrets with the help of your guide. How were the warriors made? How are they preserved? What were their original colors? Then your guide will bring you even closer to the warriors as you learn how to make miniature versions from a local shokunin family at their cave dwelling. Learn traditional techniques used 2,000 years ago and try your hand at molding and carving. Have a nice interaction with the family and listen to their stories for a taste of the locals' real lifestyles. There are only a few craftsmen left who continue to work in a traditional way. Visiting their workshops is a good way to support the local community, which should be sustainably developed.
Muslim Quarter
In the afternoon, you will be driven back to the downtown area where you will visit the Great Mosque and have fun in the Muslim Quarter. Challenge yourself to take a food adventure, finding both traditional dishes and special snacks that have gone viral.
The Ancient City Wall, Big Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum / Departure
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta)
Start the morning at the Wild Big Goose Pagoda. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India.
Shaanxi History Museum
Then move to Shaanxi History Museum that is one of the top 10 museums in China. With collections ranging from the times of ape men to the Qing Dynasty before the Opium War in 1839, and from large bronze wares to exquisite golden carvings, it is a feast for your eyes. The Tang Dynasty (618–907) section is a highlight because its glory days with open-minded attitudes and cultural exchange were the main reasons for development in China.
Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang)
Later in the afternoon, ride a bike on the ancient city wall. From the top, you can enjoy views of the different areas of the city, including areas with time-honored brand-name shops to busy bar streets. Experience the essence of Xi'an and its people, and get a taste of Chinese civilization. Leave Xi'an with sweet memories.
What‘s Included
Making clay warriors.
Bike or Eco-car fee on the City Wall.
English speaking professional guide
Transport between attractions, including pickup and return to your hotel.
Gratuities
Accommodation, travel insurance and any other personal expenses during tour.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
2-Day Xi'an Private Tour with Must-see Attractions and Unique Experiences
Pickup included
Reviews
19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Mervyn is best guide for the sites of Xi’an
Ruchel C,,May 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved our guide Mervyn - not only was she knowledgeable and friendly she was like having a friend with you along the way. She made sure we had the best views at the terracotta soldiers and handheld us everywhere even suggesting things not on the set tour like the fabulous show we saw one night and organizing the driver to take us home after the show. You have to request Mervyn - to really get to the understand Xi’an it is a must to have her as your guide
xi'an highlights in 2 days
Therese H,,Dec 4, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We particularly wanted to spend a good amount of time at the terracotta warrior sites which we did. We had a very good tour. We enjoyed the other tours such as the big goose pagoda, the Muslim quarter and the museum, etc. Our guide and driver were very good. We got to taste a lot of different foods of the area. Would recommend the tour.
Wonderful trip
Helen B,,May 30, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful two day trip to Xian accompanied by Roger, our guide. He was extremely informative and helpful at all times. We saw all the sights and had time to wander around in the evenings. We particularly enjoyed cycling all around the city walls - a beautiful experience.
Rocky Rocks! KO the Whole Thing
SQS442,,May 25, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had 2 days to see Xi'an and Rocky was the perfect guide to make sure we saw all we could see in that period of time. He was amazingly knowledgable. He loves this city and is proud to share its many amazing features. Terracota Warriors, Temple, Muslim Quarter, great food...he made it all happen. He went out of his way to get me a Starbucks which was a bit of a scavenger hunt to locate. Rocky is a friend to his clients and a loving host for his beloved city. You just cannot do better than Rocky and China Highlights for your touring of Xi'an. Rocky, you ROCK!
Fun trip
irishsusan,,May 15, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We spent two days with Robbie our guide and his driver. No problems with any part of the tour. The visit to the Terracotta Warriors was definitely a highlight, even thought this was my second visit. We also enjoyed spending time with a local family, learning how to make dumplings. Being picked up at the airport and dropped off at the train station was so helpful, no worries about transportation.
Wonderful tour of Xi'an through China Highlights. Our tour guide Susan Yang was outstanding!!
juliohcepeda,,May 3, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My girlfriend and I arrived in Xi'an from Shanghai by air and we were picked up at the airport by Susan and a driver. We were driven to our hotel and in the morning of April 12th, we were picked up to visit the Terracotta Warriors, Pits 1,2 and 3. This was a fascinating tour mainly because I had seen an exhibition of these warriors in my home town of Memphis, Tennessee 23 years ago and they had impressed me tremendously. After touring the 3 pits we went to a museum on site and saw many more artifacts of the Qin dynasty. Then we visited a cave where we were able to make our own warriors using clay and mud from the area under the supervision of an expert. This was also a wonderful experience. In the afternoon Susan accompanied me to tour the City Wall even though there was a persistent drizzle. We entered through the North gate and came out through the East gate. We walked about 4.5 miles on the very wide wall. I loved this experience. Then we visited the Muslim quarter where I saw all kinds of exotic food in street stands and I even bought a suitcase that I needed for my souvenirs and a silk pajama. In the evening I toured the Bell Tower which is located in the center of the city and I took many pictures of the city lights from the top of the tower. This was magnificent. I couldn't go to the Drum Tower because they close it at 8 pm. The next morning we visited the Shaanxi Province History museum which I loved because it has artifacts from the bronze age and covers all the dynasties from the Zhou, Han, Qin,Tang emphasizing the period when Xi'an was the capital of China after being unified by emperor Qin Shihuang in 220 BC. The only issue was the excessive number of people. We had to push in order to be able to see the artifacts. Finally we visited the Wild Goose Pagoda and I went to the top of it (7 floors by stairs). I enjoyed the view of the city from the top, took many pictures and enjoyed every minute of this experience. Susan was an outstanding tour guide explaining us everything that was in Mandarin and interpreting for us when we wanted to communicate with Chinese people. Susan made our tour so pleasant even though the weather was rainy all the time.
Great trip with Yuan in Xi'an
amy l,,Apr 30, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing few days in Xi'an visiting the Terracotta warriors, booking signing and photo with the farmer who found the terracota army in his field, giant goose pagado, traditional dance show and home made dumplings making. Our trip to Xi'an was made even more memorable with our fantastic knowledgeable, caring and sincere tour guide Yuan. He was amazing in asking us what our preferences were, understood we liked to take our time taking photos and showed plus explained to us traditional dumpling making. His English was very fluent, he is well travelled and a caring guide. I would highly recommend his outstanding service and when planning on visiting Xi'an again I would definitely go back and ask him to be our personal tour guide again. Thanks so much for a great time in Xi'an and making it memorable Yuan.
beautiful trip
Fernando T,,Apr 21, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We just got back from China with my lady three unforgettable weeks all perfectly organized by Lucia from Chinahighlights. Highly recommended Enterprise We visit Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Shangri la, Lijiang, Dali, Kunming, Guilin and Shanghai An unforgettable and unique trip. I want to thank Lucia especially for her dedication to organize the trip and all the guides and drivers who accompanied us during the trip: lidia, Hu, Luna, Vicky, Lee, Frank, Lia, nelida and Luisa.
The Terracotta Warriors were amazing!
Christian W,,Apr 8, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellente agency which organized our short trip to Xian very well. In the 2 days we saw apart from the Terracotta Warriors, also the city wall of Xian, where we went for a bicycle tour and visited the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Due to an own chaffeur and well timed schedule, we didn‘t have to hurry, there was enough time for a relaxed lunch and to do some shopping. During the whole trip, we had a german speaking tour guide, who spoke the language very well and answered all our questions. Before we booked this trip we had some doubts about the language skills of the tour guide but she exceeded our expectations. In conclusion, we can only recommend China Highlights. It offers an individual tour, without any hurry and high-skilled and very helpful tour guides.
Amazing trip to Xi'an! Nothing but good
schlegelv11,,Mar 25, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My boyfriend and I recently did the 2 day tour of Xi'an and it was FANTASTIC. I admit I was nervous booking through a company I didn't know about, but I have to say, China Highlights sure does know how to put together a great tour. Special shoutout to our tour guide, Sophia, who was such a wonderful tour guide. She made sure that we knew where we were going the whole time, was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and helped us find the good deals and local spots. The hotel picked was fantastic and it was very cheap to also have a driver who took great care to pick us up and make sure we got to our flight on time. I cannot emphasize how much I would recommend this tour, and especially Sophia, to other people!
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