Ancient Capitals & Kung Fu
This tour takes you into the heart of ancient China in Xi'an, Luoyang, and Shaolin. You will witness the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, marvel at the Longmen Grottoes' intricate carvings, and immerse yourself in the legendary birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu while savoring the delicious local cuisine and experiencing the living cultural heritage.
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Suggested 6-Day Xi'an Tour
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1-3 Xi'an |
Terracotta Warriors, Qin Relics Handling, Hands-on Warrior Restoration, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Huaqing Palace |
| 4-5 Luoyang |
Shaolin Temple, Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple |
| 6 Xi'an |
Departure |
Xi'an, Luoyang & Shaolin Tour Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Pilgrimage to Shaolin Temple
Experience Shaolin Temple, the legendary birthplace of kung fu, celebrated for its long history, Buddhist influence, and traditional wushu.
Experience the Terracotta Army
Gain insight into the staggering scale of the Terracotta Army, learn about the first restored Warriors, and handle Qin relics in the Conservation Laboratory.
Discover Luoyang's Treasures
Witness the exquisite artistry of the Longmen Grottoes carvings and discover the White Horse Temple, China's first Buddhist temple.
Uncover History through Living Heritage
Engage with the fascinating convergence of Shadow Puppetry's age-old craft and the lively cultural mosaic of the Muslim Quarter.
Roam the Ancient City Wall
Wander the Ancient City Wall for breathtaking cityscape views and a glimpse of China's remarkably preserved military architecture.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Outstanding Tour of Xi’an with Crystal, The Best Guide!
We loved our tour of Xi’an with Crystal. She is a top-notch guide and we are so happy and grateful she was our guide. She speaks excellent English and she taught us to say phrases in Mandarin. She is so knowledgeable about the city of Xi’an and all its historic and cultural places. Crystal taught us all about the city of Xi’an, its history, and the important dynasties here. We loved seeing the Terracotta Army, it was incredible. We will always remember riding bikes on the city walls. Crystal brought us to the most delicious restaurants and we ate very delicious food! We are vegetarians and Crystal ordered for us and made sure all the dishes aligned with our dietary needs. The Dumpling Banquet was so tasty! She also bought us local fruit to taste as well as sweets and treats wherever we went. Crystal took great care of us and really taught us a lot about China. We loved our time with her. Crystal is a remarkable guide because she is friendly, warm, flexible and helpful. The best thing about her is she has a sense of humor and loves to make sure her guests are having fun. Thank you, Crystal! more
Mar 2025, TeamDufortio Connecticut
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China highlight
Merwin was the best in our trip . Thank you sooo much for your tour and your continued support and follow up. Definitely recommend it to all more
Mar 2025, Mohammad
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Xi’an experiences
We had a great experience in Xi’an with our very knowledgeable guide Mervyn. We saw all the highlights of this ancient city and enjoyed some fabulous food due to our guide’s recommendations. Highly recommend more
Mar 2025, janng2016
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Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and schedule.
Welcome to Xi'an! Your journey begins with a warm greeting from your knowledgeable tour guide at the train station or airport.
Enjoy a seamless transfer to your hotel in a private car. During the ride, your guide will offer an insightful overview of Xi'an's fascinating past and present.
Enjoy a relaxing one-hour private ride with your guide to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum.
Enter the Terracotta Warriors Museum via tram, and witness three captivating pits that display the concealed power of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's extensive military force. Your guide will provide insights into their fabrication and safeguarding, emphasizing the precise workmanship, lasting strength, and the former colorful brilliance of these historical sentinels.
Get up close with the first restored Warriors, learn the restoration story, handle Qin Dynasty relics in the Conservation Laboratory.
Explore the Huaqing Palace, a Tang Dynasty retreat famous for its hot springs and the love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, and optionally, enjoy the popular 'Everlasting Regret' show.
Discover the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a 43-meter-tall architectural marvel built during the Tang Dynasty, and explore its intricate design within the Jianfu Temple complex.
Explore the breadth of Xi'an's history at the Xi'an Museum, where a rich assortment of artifacts from multiple dynasties is displayed, including pottery, calligraphy and paintings.
Experience breathtaking panoramic views of Xi'an from the Ancient City Wall. This impressive defensive structure, boasting towering walls, ramparts, gates, and watchtowers, is a testament to China's well-preserved ancient military engineering.
Relax at Shengxia Theatre in the Muslim Quarter and enjoy a cup of tea while immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Qin Opera, Shadow Puppetry, and Huayin Laoqiang.
Enjoy a private transfer to the train station for a high-speed train journey to Luoyang. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and escort you to Shaolin Temple.
Delve into the rich history of the Shaolin Temple complex by tram, exploring time-honored halls, exquisite pagodas, and the iconic Forest of Pagodas, each element narrating tales of Chinese martial arts and Buddhist philosophy.
Experience a dynamic half-hour Kung Fu demonstration, showcasing the rich martial heritage of Shaolin monks through their skillful deployment of a wide variety of ancient weaponry.
After the tour, a comfortable private transfer will be provided to your Luoyang hotel.
Explore the sacred grounds of White Horse Temple, China's premier ancient temple, and immerse yourself in its profound heritage.
Visit the Longmen Grottoes, an impressive assemblage of ancient stone-carved art. The grottoes feature over 110,000 stone works, which exhibit a wide variation in size, from small 2-centimeter figures to large 17.14-meter sculptures.
After your Luoyang tour, you'll be transferred to the railway station for a high-speed train to Xi'an. Upon arrival in Xi'an, your guide will meet you and ensure a comfortable transfer to your hotel.
Make the most of your remaining free time to enjoy a final exploration of the city, before your guide's arrival for your airport or train station transfer.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
We recommend internationally recognized hotels for a seamless travel experience.
Tour Price
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned car with big windows and ample space
- English-speaking local guides
- Activities, hotels, high-speed train tickets(first class), and meals listed in the itinerary
- A 24/7 helpline is available throughout your trip
Tour Code: xa-6