The Tracks of Marco Polo Tour

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Xian, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Xian)

Day 2

Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: Ancient City Wall, Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Great Mosque, Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Reallove Restaurant

- Ancient City Wall: The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defences still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre. You can walk, rent a bike,rickshaw or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side. If the weather is not good for biking on the city wall, we will substitute a visit to the Bell Tower. Your guide will be very glad to take you the Bell Tower after you have been to look at the city wall.
- Shaanxi Provincial Museum: The history of Shaanxi is said to be the history of China, and this museum is quite simply one of the nation's best. Four major galleries in large, Tang-style buildings house a vast and impressive collection, beautifully displayed. Most of the item labels are in English, although some other information on the exhibitions is not, but your guide can help here. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Great Mosque: In the heart of Xian's Muslim quarter, close to the city centre, this is one of the largest Islamic mosques in China. Remarkable for the combination of Chinese architecture with Islamic practice, the courtyards align from east to west facing Mecca. The pavilions, halls and gateways are wonderfully decorated, and this is an active place of worship for the Hui descendants of Silk Road traders and travelers.
- Reallove Restaurant : Real Love Restaurant is located opposite the east gate of Small Wild Goose Pagoda and is one of the finest restaurants specializing in Shaanxi cuisine. It has become popular for its elegant environment and excellent service.
- Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory: Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory manufactures the copies of terra-cotta warriors and horses of Jing De porcelain. It has become a popular spot for foreign tourists looking for special, quality souvenirs.For the clients coming from China Highlights, you will have the chance to see the making process and have a try on your own hands. This only happens in Xian with China Highlights. Do not miss it!
Tel: 029-83577031
Address: No.2 East Chanhe bridge, Hua Qing Rd., Xian.

Day 3

Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: The Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Bell Tower, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- The Terracotta Warriors and Horses: Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. 1.5 hours from Xian, there is also an excellent museum and film about the history of the vaults. Photos (no flash) are allowed. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Bell Tower: One of the oldest and best-preserved Bell Towers in China, the ancient wooden tower stands on a huge brick base in the city centre. There are many legends attached to its past, and traffic is no longer allowed through the vast archways, which form the pedestrian access to the tower. There’s also an interesting exhibition of ancient musical instruments, with regular free performances.
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda: A major Buddhist site, the simple, elegant brick Pagoda stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Ci'en Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India. The Temple complex has several large halls with some great Buddhist statues and murals.
- A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant(Qinling Branch): A Wa Village Restaurant was established in 2004, mainly specializes in Hunan and Sichuan cuisine. It provides delicacy by using the material from xancin, obtaining a nationwide reputation from customers. It would be a nice choice to dine while traveling the nearby Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses.

Day 4

Place & Transport: Xian to Lanzhou, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Lanzhou), Zhongshan Iron Bridge, Waterwheel Garden, White Pagoda Mountain, Gansu Provincial Museum
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Zhongshan Iron Bridge: The iron bridge was built in the Qing Dynasty and renowned as the "first bridge on the Yellow River under the heaven".
- Waterwheel Garden: It is located at the western of Binhe Road.Neighboring the Zhongshan Bridge to the east, the sculpture of Yellow River Mother to the west, the White Pagoda Park to the north and the Baiyun Guan to the south, the Waterwheel Garden is one of the most important tourist sights in the line of Binhe Road.
- White Pagoda Mountain: It is located in the White Pagoda Hill at the northern bank of the Yellow River.It has its name after the white pagoda on top of it, which was originally erected in the Yuan Dynasty. Towering and lofty, the White Pagoda Hill connects the undulating mountains giving an imposing view of nestling the Jingcheng city.
- Gansu Provincial Museum: It is located in the Xijin xi road, Qi li he District, Lanzhou.Gansu Provincial Museum is one of the most famous provincial comprehensive museums in China.
- Quanshunlou Restaurant: Quanshunlou Restaurant specializes in pasta and roast mutton cooked in the north western style.