Terracotta Warriors

Beijing Xian Essentials

SG12: 6 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an
Tour Type: Small Group of max 18, guaranteed departures
Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned coach
Accommodation: 5 nights at good 5-star hotels

Highlights:
  • Must-see sights in China - Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army.
  • Meet and interact with a local family in Hutong alleys and get to know their lifestyle.
  • Cycling on the Ming Dynasty City Wall of Xi'an, or touring by electric car.
  • Enjoy local gourmet food, Peking Opera & Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.
From USD1069 per person Free Inquiry
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Day 1 Arrival in Beijing
Welcome your arrival anytime at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Welcome to China! Once you retrieve your luggage and go through customs at Beijing Airport, you will easily spot your guide warmly greeting you with a banner bearing your name. A comfortable car will then take you to the reserved hotel. After checking in, we suggest you have a good rest to recover from the long haul flight.

Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing - the former Sheraton
Day 2 Beijing
Visit Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City including Treasure Gallery; enjoy a la carte welcome lunch with authentic Peking Duck; further explore royal culture at Yonghe Temple and Temple of Heaven; watch Peking Opera and see their artistic face painting. (B+L)
In the morning, you will meet other group members at the hotel lobby. Here starts your exciting trip as your guide takes you for a walk across Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square, where you will get past surrounding landmark buildings, such as the Monument to the People's Heroes, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and the Great Hall of the People. It is also the entrance to the marvelous Forbidden City, your next stop.

The Forbidden City has been the ancient imperial palace complex for more than 500 years, from Ming Dynasty to Qing Dynasty (1368 – 1911 AD). Apart from the grandeur inside the forbidding walls, the surrounding moat is also drawing people’s attention. 52 m (56.9 yd) wide, 4.2 m (13.8 ft) deep, the serene moat was part of the Forbidden City’s fortification. Its width set just enough distance to protect people on the city wall from deadly arrows shot from below. For anyone who wanted to sprint swimming across the river, he would either exhaust his explosive strength, which normally carries a human up to 50 meters, to get limp and vulnerable, or be entangled in the water weeds grown at its bottom. In each case, the moat contributed to making the Forbidden City truly “forbidden”.

While touring in the Forbidden City, in addition to the most significant sites, we will also visit the Treasure Gallery, which is missed by most tours of other travel agencies. Located at the northeastern corner, it is where you can see the most expensive and private treasures left by royal households. A representative is a gold wine goblet named “Jinou Yonggu”, designed by an emperor, the meaning of which implies the hope of permanent existence of Qing Empire. It was regarded by later Qing emperors as one of their few heirlooms.

Around noon time, enjoy an a la carte lunch with Peking Roast Duck (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a famous local restaurant. While eating the duck, try to eat more crispy skin than meat, just as local expert foodies do.

Then visit Yonghe Temple (Yonghe Lamasery) and then Temple of Heaven. The lamasery was used by the Qing government to unite Tibetan Buddhists, or people of Mongolian, Tibetan, and Manchu ethnic minorities for political reasons, while the Temple of Heaven is a royal altar complex where emperors worshipped heaven for good blessings.

You will spend this special evening in a prestigious theater appreciating Peking Opera, China’s most far-reaching drama form that has gained international fame. Singing and dancing are two major elements of the art. But unlike western operas, some dances you will watch here are actually more like acrobatics, which is what makes Peking Opera distinctive. Today, apart from enjoying a colorful show, we will also arrive earlier to watch the artists wear heavy makeups, which, along with those difficult dances, will make the whole scene even more dramatic. After the show, we will escort you back.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte welcome lunch
Forbidden City, Beijing
Forbidden City, Beijing
Temple of Heaven, Beijing
Temple of Heaven, Beijing
Day 3 Beijing
Visit Mutianyu Great Wall by round-trip cable car and toast for Great Wall challenge with red wine; drive by Olympic Bird's Nest; then take a rickshaw ride through Hutong alleys and visit a local family in a traditional courtyard house. (B)
Today, you will be picked up from hotel and taken to visit the grand Mutianyu Great Wall, the most beautiful section of the Great Wall of China. The round-way cable car will be reserved. You will have a vigorous morning climbing the winding and majestic wall, and be rewarded with stunning vistas. Most interestingly, your guide will invite you to clink glasses filled with red wine for this moment. As the Wall area is protected from commercial pollution, restaurants are very limited in terms of both number and quality, so we suggest you have some fast food as lunch around the site.

In the afternoon, you will first stop by the Olympic Stadium (Bird's Nest), to appreciate the splendid building and take memorable photos. Then we head to the Hutong area. Hutongs are ancient narrow lanes lined with traditional Chinese courtyard houses, both of which are compelling chapters to tell the history of the city. Today, you get to tour through Hutongs by rickshaw and experience authentic traditional life of Beijing’s ordinary people. To add much joy to the tour, you will also be invited to pay a family visit inside one of those courtyard houses. As it’s getting late, we will take you back.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Our Guests on the Great Wall
Our Guests on the Great Wall
The Bird's Nest, Beijing
The Bird's Nest, Beijing
Day 4 Beijing to Xi'an by Flight
Visit Panda Hall and Summer Palace; taste local flavors for lunch; fly to Xi'an and transfer to hotel. (B+L)
Make full use of this morning to visit giant pandas in Panda Hall, Beijing Zoo. As they love the cold and morning time is relatively cooler, you get to observe them when they are most active. Then we take you to travel around the royal Summer Palace garden, which is honored as “the Royal Garden Museum” due to its broad views, classic design and fine preservation.

Then bid farewell to your guide and fly to the next ancient city, Xi'an. There, the local guide and driver will welcome you at the airport and escort you to the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Xi'an
Day 5 Xi'an
Visit Terracotta Army and the discoverer’s home; have a unique experience to make your own mini clay warrior; continue to visit Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, and then enjoy dumpling dinner and Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. (B+D)
Your China group tour will continue from the World's Eighth Wonder, the Terracotta Army. You will see life-size terracotta soldiers and horses, as well as ancient weapons and chariots, all made 2,200 years ago as funeral objects for Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 – 210 BC), who founded China’s first empire. To avoid the crowds at Terracotta Army, you will set out from the hotel a bit early in the morning.

★ What Makes Us Different

► Pay a Visit to Home of the First Discoverer of the Terracotta Army
Next, we will continue our trip with a special family visit. In 1974, a group of farmers first discovered the stunning underground army when they were digging a well. Among them, Mr. Yang Zhifa is widely considered the first discoverer and even former U.S. President Bill Clinton had asked to meet him. Today, you will have a chance to communicate with Mr. Yang or his family and witness some memorable objects, such as the replica of the first terracotta warrior he unearthed, the hoe he used to dig out its head and the wooden cart used to carry it.

► Make a Mini Terracotta Warrior and Carve Your Logo On It
Today’s another highlight is to make a mini terracotta warrior by yourself. In a workshop, an instructor will show you the detailed progress step by step. For a better experience, the clay is specially taken from 7 to 9 meters (23 to 30 feet) underground, just the same as that of the original Terracotta Warriors. There are several mini molds with various poses for your choice, some with lifelike appearances and one with a cartoonish look. After the molding process, carve facial details with a knife. You can even leave your own logo on your little project, just as the ancient artisans did in the Qin Dynasty (211 – 206 BC). The whole making process lasts around 40 minutes and at last, you can take your masterpiece back home.

In the afternoon, explore the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. It is a well-preserved famous pagoda built in 707 AD during the Tang Dynasty. In the evening, the splendid Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show over a Dumpling Dinner will surely give you great enjoyment. It’s time for you to get back now; we will drive you to your hotel.

Travel Tip: Since the theater is usually not open in Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec, we will not arrange the show and dumpling dinner for tours during those periods.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Dumpling dinner
Terracotta Army, Xi'an
Terracotta Army, Xi'an
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an
Day 6 Departure from Xi'an
Connect with local people at City Wall Park and learn to practice Tai Chi from a master, then visit City Wall; taste local flavors for lunch at Muslim Quarter; take a taxi to the airport by yourself; a pleasant onward journey! (B+L)
The whole morning will be devoted to the City Wall area. The encircling City Wall Park will be your first stop. It is the best place to know about the local people's daily life and their ways of entertainment. You will also have a chance to learn to do Tai Chi boxing – the most popular school of Chinese Kung Fu exercise - from a master in the park. Then you ascend to the City Wall of Xi'an. It was an expansion project started in the early Ming Dynasty, based on the city wall of the imperial city of Tang Empire (618 – 907 AD). Through five times of large scale restorations in history, it finally became a mighty fortification, and now is the most intact and largest ancient city wall in China in existence. What's more, cycling on the Wall is a very interesting activity. You can try at your own expense if you like.

You will have lunch at the Muslim Quarter, the living quarters of Xi’an’s Muslims and a bustling food street for locals and international foodies. Apart from Liang Pi (cool skin noodles) or Rou Jia Mo (Chinese hamburger), which are most tasted local specialties, you can also try some snacks like Gui Hua Gao (steamed osmanthus cake), which is loved for its spongy texture and moderate sweetness.

Afterwards, you will head to the airport or railway station on your own. Your guide will help you hail a taxi. Since this is a group tour, guests will have different departure schedules. If you need us to arrange private transfer or reserve the departure flight or train ticket to your onward destination, please contact your travel consultant; we will be happy to serve. Have a nice trip and hope to see you again!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Local flavor lunch
City Wall, Xi'an
City Wall, Xi'an
Try Local Food at the Muslim Quarter
Try Local Food at the Muslim Quarter
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Prices are per person on twin sharing basis; departures are guaranteed even with two persons!
Arrival DateDeparture DateDouble OccupancySingle Room Supplement 
Mar 11(Mon)Mar 16(Sat)USD1379USD349
Mar 25(Mon)Mar 30(Sat)USD1379USD349
Apr 08(Mon)Apr 13(Sat)USD1179USD379
Apr 19(Fri)Apr 24(Wed)USD1179USD379
May 10(Fri)May 15(Wed)USD1179USD379
May 24(Fri)May 29(Wed)USD1179USD379
Jun 10(Mon)Jun 15(Sat)USD1179USD379
Jun 21(Fri)Jun 26(Wed)USD1179USD379
Jul 05(Fri)Jul 10(Wed)USD1239USD419
Jul 19(Fri)Jul 24(Wed)USD1239USD419
Aug 02(Fri)Aug 07(Wed)USD1239USD419
Aug 16(Fri)Aug 21(Wed)USD1239USD419
Sep 06(Fri)Sep 11(Wed)USD1219USD409
Sep 16(Mon)Sep 21(Sat)USD1219USD409
Oct 07(Mon)Oct 12(Sat)USD1219USD409
Oct 18(Fri)Oct 23(Wed)USD1219USD409
Nov 01(Fri)Nov 06(Wed)USD1089USD359
Nov 15(Fri)Nov 20(Wed)USD1089USD359
Dec 08(Sun)Dec 13(Fri)USD1069USD349
Dec 22(Sun)Dec 27(Fri)USD1069USD349
Prices are per person on twin sharing basis; departures are guaranteed even with two persons!
Arrival DateDeparture DateDouble OccupancySingle Room Supplement 
Jan 05(Sun)Jan 10(Fri)USD1279USD299
Feb 14(Fri)Feb 19(Wed)USD1279USD299
Mar 12(Wed)Mar 17(Mon)USD1279USD299
Mar 26(Wed)Mar 31(Mon)USD1279USD299
Apr 04(Fri)Apr 09(Wed)USD1079USD329
Apr 11(Fri)Apr 16(Wed)USD1079USD329
Apr 18(Fri)Apr 23(Wed)USD1079USD329
May 02(Fri)May 07(Wed)USD1079USD329
May 16(Fri)May 21(Wed)USD1079USD329
May 30(Fri)Jun 04(Wed)USD1079USD329
Jun 06(Fri)Jun 11(Wed)USD1079USD329
Jun 13(Fri)Jun 18(Wed)USD1079USD329
Jun 20(Fri)Jun 25(Wed)USD1079USD329
Jun 27(Fri)Jul 02(Wed)USD1079USD329
Jul 04(Fri)Jul 09(Wed)USD1149USD369
Jul 11(Fri)Jul 16(Wed)USD1149USD369
Jul 18(Fri)Jul 23(Wed)USD1149USD369
Aug 01(Fri)Aug 06(Wed)USD1149USD369
Aug 08(Fri)Aug 13(Wed)USD1149USD369
Aug 15(Fri)Aug 20(Wed)USD1149USD369
Aug 22(Fri)Aug 27(Wed)USD1149USD369
Sep 05(Fri)Sep 10(Wed)USD1119USD359
Sep 12(Fri)Sep 17(Wed)USD1119USD359
Sep 19(Fri)Sep 24(Wed)USD1119USD359
Oct 10(Fri)Oct 15(Wed)USD1119USD359
Oct 17(Fri)Oct 22(Wed)USD1119USD359
Oct 24(Fri)Oct 29(Wed)USD1119USD359
Nov 07(Fri)Nov 12(Wed)USD989USD309
Nov 14(Fri)Nov 19(Wed)USD989USD309
Nov 21(Fri)Nov 26(Wed)USD989USD309
Dec 08(Mon)Dec 13(Sat)USD969USD299
Dec 22(Mon)Dec 27(Sat)USD969USD299
Price Includes
  • Domestic airfare
  • Hotel accommodation with breakfasts
  • A la carte lunches as itinerary specifies
  • Professional English-speaking guides
  • Drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
  • Entrance fees to tourist sites
  • Tips or gratuities for hotel porters
Price Excludes
  • International airfares
  • Entry Visa fees
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
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