Essence of Xi'an Private Tour

Quick Facts

The Terracotta Warriors and Horses

• Featuring the earliest chromium plating technology on record, which was invented in Germany in 1937 and in the USA in 1950.
• Archaeologists found a bronze sword that was bent at 45 degrees by a life-size warrior, but when they straightened the warrior, the sword sprang back to a straight shape.
• The bronze weapons are still shining and sharp despite having been buried for over 2,000 years.
• About 15,000 people visit the museum every day, which is 5.6 million per year.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

• It was the center of Buddhism and culture on the Silk Road.
• It existed as the earliest, largest scale quadrangle brick pagoda, and it was rebuilt four times from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) to the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).

Activities

Taking 1½ hours to drive there from Xi'an, the Terracotta Army was discovered accidentally in 1974. This incredible army of over 7,000 soldiers, archers, horses, and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210 BC.

Our recommended visiting sequence is Pit 1 – Pit 2 – Pit 3 – Bronze Chariot Pit – the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang.

• Pit 1: This is the largest pit and it is estimated to house around 6,000 figures and some weapons.
• Pit 2: This middle-sized pit has the most army units with archers, chariots, mixed forces, and cavalry.
• Pit 3: It is the smallest pit and represents the command post.
• The Bronze Chariot Pit exhibits two painted bronze chariots in a large scale. Our ticket also includes Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Park with the Museum of Terracotta Acrobats, Museum of Terracotta Civil Officials, Museum of Stone Armor, and Museum of Bronze Chariots and Horses.

After visiting the museum, your guide will bring the warriors close to you as you learn how to make warriors from a local shokunin family rather than a factory.

Get to know traditional techniques used 2,000 years ago and try your hand at molding, carving, and painting. Have a nice interaction with the family and listen to their stories for a real life experience.

There are only a few craftsmen who continue to work in a traditional way. Visiting their craft shop is a good way to support the local community, which should be sustainably developed.

In the afternoon, head to see the Chinese-style architecture combined with dozens of Buddhist historic statues and murals at Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is also the symbol of Xi'an City.

The rest of the day will be free to spend at your leisure. Your guide will see you off at the airport or railway station when it's time to say goodbye. Enjoy 5,000 years of Chinese history in 2 days.