• Forest of Stone Steles Museum - In the morning, the driver will meet you in the hotel lobby at a pre-arranged time, which will be communicated to you the day before.

The first destination on our itinerary is the Stele Forest. Here, you can admire ancient stone slabs that are national treasures, featuring Chinese calligraphy and philosophies, and learn the story behind each stele. Fascinatingly, from a cursive script, you will discover an eccentric calligrapher who, whenever he experienced a stomachache, would create wild art instead of visiting the bathroom. Another notable example is a piece often regarded as the crown jewel, where the text was a collaborative effort of Confucius and two Tang (618 - 907) emperors, with some characters intentionally missing strokes to achieve balance and beauty in calligraphy. Your guide will also explain the architectural aesthetics, as the museum is located in a meticulously designed temple that once honored Confucius.

• Xi’an Banpo Museum - Next, journey back to prehistoric China at the Banpo Museum, situated on the site of a typical matrilineal clan village from the Neolithic era, 6,000 years ago. The remnants of life and daily tools and artifacts will provide insights into the dawn of Chinese civilization. This is where the renowned Painted Pottery Basin with Fish and Human Face Design, now housed in the National Museum, was discovered. There are also many potteries with similar motifs, and with your guide’s explanations, you will gain an understanding of the aesthetic preferences and vivid imagination of ancient Chinese ancestors.
• Yongxingfang - At noon, you will be taken to Yongxingfang Food Street, literally “the lane of eternal prosperity,” for a lunch break at your own expense. The food here includes local dishes and snacks from all over Shaanxi. Whether it’s the iconic Chinese Hamburger, Biang Biang Noodles, or Steamed Sticky Rice Cake, you will find it all! Your guide is available to assist you at any time.
• Great Mosque of Xi’an - We will then explore the Muslim Bazaar and escape the secular hustle and bustle to visit the Great Mosque. Unlike the typical Islamic style, this mosque features a beautiful architectural complex reminiscent of classical traditional gardens with ornate carvings. This cultural blend, born from Islamic and local traditions, offers a glimpse into China’s most inclusive era, the Tang dynasty, when the mosque’s construction began. The green-blue glazed roofs are truly remarkable.
• Xi’an Bell Tower - Continue to admire the Bell Tower, located at the heart of Xi’an. As a Ming-era (1368 - 1644) heritage site and the most magnificent of its kind in China, it stands proudly amidst the modern landscape, inviting you to capture its beauty. We will also explore the interior and climb the tower to discover Chinese aesthetics through its architectural details.

After the visit, you can choose to be escorted back to your hotel or seek insider advice from your guide on evening activities. Perhaps linger a while to see the Bell Tower illuminated in the evening. Thank you for traveling with us!

Important note: A private tour will be offered exclusively for groups of 7 or more.

• Unlimited bottles of drinking water
• Professional English speaking guide & Experienced driver with air conditioned vehicle
• Entrance fees to the sights visited
• Pick-up & drop-off from your hotel

• Gratuities to guide and driver
• Meals and accommodation

Spend a day with a local expert guide exploring the lesser-known ancient wonders of Xi’an! You are likely here because you’ve heard it was once the ancient capital of China. While Xi’an is famous for the Terracotta Warriors, there is so much more to discover. History and culture enthusiasts will be thrilled by the numerous historical sites waiting to be explored. On this tour with your knowledgeable guide, you’ll be amazed by Chinese calligraphy that combines fascinating stories with advanced stone carving techniques at Stele Forest. Enjoy a peaceful walk through the centuries-old Great Mosque, which beautifully blends traditional Chinese architecture. Admire the grandeur of the Bell Tower, located in the heart of Xi’an. And as a delightful surprise, learn about prehistoric China at the Banpo Museum, situated on the site of a Neolithic matrilineal clan village.

• We guarantee 100% No Shopping Stops in our tours. When you check some other tours, if they don’t mention no shopping, they MUST have commissioned based shopping stops as terracotta warriors factory or tea ceremony. Even you don’t see shopping related words in their itineraries or product introduction, it is indeed a shopping tour. Be sure to check out with them about the shopping stops and read reviews from their clients carefully to see what the real experience would be. By joining a shopping tour like that, your time spent on attractions will be shortened, and you will be pressured to buy overpriced items. Normally the so called terracotta warriors factory or tea ceremony is the tourist trap. You have to stay there an hour or more for those travel agents to get the commission from the factory stores. If you prefer to enjoy the tour thoroughly, you are suggested to choose a tour without any annoying shopping stops just like ours.
• We offer free pick-up within the Second Ring Road of the Xi’an city. To ensure the morning pick-up going smoothly, we suggest you choose centrally located downtown hotels. If your hotel is beyond our free pick-up range, you may need to get to a meeting point or pay extra for the pick-up. Your travel consultant is ready to help.
• Travelers will be picked up in the morning according to their hotel locations. The exact pick-up time will be confirmed the day before. Please be ready at the hotel lobby at least 5 minutes in advance, which is the maximum waiting time. For travelers who are late, please go to meet the group and pay for the taxi personally. No-show is non-refundable.
• Please provide the correct passport information for booking the real-name entrance tickets. And also please make sure to carry the same identification for entry while traveling. Otherwise, entry might not be permitted. If you forgot your passport and need to get back to fetch it, please pay for the transport and later meet the group by yourself.
• The itinerary schedule or sightseeing order may be adjusted according to the traffic on the tour day.
• Departures are guaranteed with three persons. Group Size: About 9 people. There are chances that 10% of the tour groups will exceed 9 people but we will make proper arrangements.
• Public Holidays: Please aware there will be large crowds and heavy traffic in Chinese public holidays like May Day from May 1st to 5th and National Day from Oct 1st to 7th. We will do the best to arrange the tour.
• Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
• This supplier also offers multi-day tours. Please search the supplier’s name to check its tour list.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.