Time-Smart Essence Xi'an Tour
Round Day Trip from Beijing to Xi'an by Flight
This tour is designed for people who are keen to see the entombed Terracotta Warriors but have very limited time. A two-hour flight takes you to the ancient capital city where your guide will show you the highlights and deliver you back to Beijing on the same day.
Tour Highlights
- Be amazed by the Terracotta Warriors and Horses
- Enjoy cycling on the Ancient City Wall to hear history's echo
Suggested Itinerary
You will start the tour with an early flight from Beijing Capital International Airport to Xi'an. Upon arrival, meet your tour guide and begin your sightseeing with the most essential highlights of Xi'an.
See the incredible underground army of over 7,000 soldiers, horses, chariots, and archers that has been guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb since 210 BC.

After lunch at a popular local restaurant, walk on the Ancient City Wall or ride a bike to see great views of the city on either side. Built in the 13th century, the walls, ramparts, gates, and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses of China that still stand firm today.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Beijing and end the memorable tour.
Trip Notes
Snacks in Xi'an
Xi'an is a paradise of wheaten food. If you have some free time on the day, it is a fun to forage snacks at local food street. Usually we recommend Muslim Quarters that serve more Muslim food and Yongxingfang Food Street where gathers traditional food of Shaanxi Province and it is nearby East Gate of the City Wall.
These snacks are recommended: Shaanxi Sandwich (La Zhi Rou Jia Mo), Cold Noodles (Liang Pi) Dumpling Stuffed with Hot Gravy at Jia Brothers' Restaurant (Jia San Guan Tang Bao) Bread Soaked in Mutton Soup (Yang Rou Pao Mo) Various Noodles
More Trip Information
Want to learn more about this trip? Please click here to see details about traveling in China, booking, payment and responsible travel.
Tour Price
Price includes:
What Our Customers Said
Xian 3 day tour
A real cultural&historical impressive 3 day trip to Xi'an, despite the shortening of the actual trip by some days to Covid!However, even with all the challenges, which laid ahead before and during the trip, the flexibility of everyone involved (especially my guide Jenny & my agent Zac) was the key to a memorable journey.This wasn't my first good experience with China Highlights and won't be definitely my last one as you can really take your mind off from the daily grind during those days and just enjoy the scenic spots! moreOct 2022, Karl Kirchheimer
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Hua Shan Hike
Mervyn took me from Xi'anbei Station to the top of Hua Shan east peak, where I stayed overnight to watch the sunrise.It's a magnificent place, best appreciated on days like this without too much crowd, and Mervyn was a fantastic guide.It's not easy being a foreigner travelling around China in these days of covid, but Mervyn made all of that seem easy. And she was a helpful and encouraging presence on the way up, pointing out places of interest and pulling out cans of red bull for when the going got tough!Highly recommended! moreSep 2022, Paul R
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Xian 2022 Trip
Went on a family vacation to Xian and thanks to #chinahighlights my kids and I had a truly enjoyable time. #Christy arranged our tour and #Helen was our tour guide. #Helen did a great job of leading us around the Muslim Quarter, the Terra-cotta Warriors, walking up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, bell and drum towers, riding on the Xian city wall, visiting the Shaanxi History Museum and watching the Legend of the Silk Road show. She was especially knowledgeable of the areas history. The kids and I enjoyed the paper cutting and making terra-cotta warriors out of clay activities as well as watching the Shadow Puppet Show. Despite the COVID restrictions and excessive bureaucracy that now exists for foreigners traveling in China, #Helen did a great job meeting the unique needs of my family and I highly recommend her services. moreJul 2022, Bryan Stanfield
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Xi'an Bliss
We highly enjoyed our trip to Xi'an organised by China Highlights and with fantastic support from our guide Helen. Helen stitched together thousands of years of Chinese history throughout our visits to the terracotta warriors, the Xi'an museum and the ancient city walls. Helen gave us many superb food recommendations, in particular Xi'an's thick spinach noodles and the famous Muslim street. The trip was made very straightforward and we were supported at every step of the journey which gave us great peace of mind, even with COVID restrictions. The tour around the city walls by bike was a particular highlight. Helen also recommended the Nearwall bar which is a fantastic place for coffee and craft beer enthusiasts. China Highlights have been very flexible and responsive. We look forward to visiting again with family and friends in future. moreJul 2022, Michael H
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2.5 days in Xian
Helen helped with a quickly arranged Covid test at a local centre to smooth future travel. Next day was the Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Mosque. Amazing history and not too crowded with plenty of time to explore with excellent local restaurant for dumpling lunch . Helen went through loads of background info at each site adding to the experience and assisted with bartering at the markets. The final day required a late switch of museum and to the little wild goose pagoda which Helen organized efficiently and also played museum guide, I’m not sure what she doesn’t know about Chinese history. Helen was also helpful with our individual onward travel plan changes and our obsession with coffee. moreDec 2021, David P
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The best Xi’an experience I could only recommend
Susan (绒绒), my guide for 2 days, explained everything very pleasant in very good English. She has a huge historical know-how and could introduce me into all cultural and historical events connected to the visited places. To complete this journey, always accompanied with a delicious local food. Many thanks to Susan (绒绒), her driver and Chinahighlights for this fantastic experience moreOct 2021, luismK2514FG
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Our tour guides were Ann (Zhangjiajie), Ivy (Beijing), Lily (Xi'an) and Cecile (Chengdu). Each one of them was fantastic - attentive to our needs, organized, and made sure all of the details were taken care of. Each one of them adapted to our family's needs as things came up and also adapted to changing conditions -(weather, illness, unexpected closures, delays, etc) so we maximized our time and got the most out of every day. Every guide was knowledgeable and personable. moreJul 2021, christinajeanne
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Fabulous Xi’an.
The support from Christy before the trip was superb. The itinerary was perfectly designed to meet my wishes. I loved every single bit of it. Mervyn, my guide was knowledgeable, kind and friendly and brought an added something to the trip that you just don’t get when you do it all yourself. This was my third itinerary with China Highlights and it didn’t disappoint. moreMay 2021, CSA100
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