Beijing - Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors Day Trip & Bullet Train

Summary

Terracotta Warriors day trip from Beijing by fast train with local lunch

You’ll board an early bullet train from Beijing for a full day in Xi’an—meeting your guide right at the station, tasting hand-pulled Biang Biang noodles for lunch, wandering through rows of ancient Terracotta Warriors with stories only locals know, then returning late to your hotel with tired feet and a head full of new images.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly missed my alarm at 5:45am — not my proudest moment. But by 6:30, I was in the hotel lobby, still rubbing sleep from my eyes when our driver waved a little sign with my name. The city outside was just waking up too, kind of grey and humming. At Beijing West station, people moved in every direction but somehow our driver got us right where we needed to be. The bullet train left exactly on time (they really don’t mess around), and I found myself watching the landscape blur past — fields, factories, then suddenly mountains — for hours. I tried to nap but ended up eavesdropping on a family sharing snacks nearby; something smelled like sesame oil and made me hungry way too early.

Xi’an was warmer than Beijing that day. Our guide Li met us at the station with this big grin and easy English — she joked about how fast we’d traveled (“Faster than an emperor’s horse!”). We had a quick lunch first: Biang Biang noodles, which are so wide they almost flop off your chopsticks. I tried to say “biang” properly; Li laughed and shook her head (I definitely butchered it). The drive out to the Terracotta Warriors Museum felt short because she filled it with stories about Qin Shi Huang and how even locals still find fragments in their gardens sometimes. There’s something odd about seeing thousands of silent clay soldiers standing guard after all these centuries — it’s both eerie and sort of comforting? The air inside smelled faintly of earth and old stone.

I kept staring at one archer’s face, chipped but stubborn-looking. Li pointed out tiny details — fingerprints pressed into armor plates, different ears on each statue — things you’d miss if you rushed through alone. By late afternoon I was tired but didn’t want to leave yet. The crowds thinned a bit and there was this hush over everything except for distant schoolkids giggling somewhere behind us.

The ride back to Beijing was mostly quiet; everyone seemed wiped out or lost in their own thoughts. My legs ached in that good way you get after walking all day. When our driver dropped me off at my hotel again close to midnight, I realized I’d spent more time traveling than actually in Xi’an — but honestly, I still think about those silent warriors and that bowl of noodles whenever someone mentions China now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Beijing to Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Tour

• Pickup from Beijing hotel at 6:30am
• Transfer to Beijing West railway station
• Take train G91 to Xi'an (7:50–12:06)
• Meet Xi'an guide and driver at station
• Have local lunch or visit Terracotta Warriors
• Tour Terracotta Warriors with guide
• Transfer to Xi'an Bei station before 18:00
• Take train G90 back to Beijing (18:22–22:32)
• Meet driver at Beijing West station exit 3
• Transfer back to hotel

Top questions

How long is the bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an?

The journey takes about 4 hours each way by high-speed train.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, round-trip transfers from your centrally located Beijing hotel are included.

Will there be an English-speaking guide in Xi'an?

Yes, a professional English (or Spanish/French) speaking guide will meet you in Xi'an.

Are meals provided during the tour?

A local Biang Biang noodle lunch is included after arrival in Xi'an.

Do I need to buy train tickets myself?

No, all bullet train tickets are pre-booked by the tour operator—you just bring your passport.

Is the Terracotta Warriors Museum entry fee included?

Yes, museum entry tickets are part of the package.

How much time do we spend at the Terracotta Warriors site?

You’ll have most of the afternoon for an in-depth visit before heading back to the station.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and transfers are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Beijing, round-trip bullet train tickets already arranged (just show your passport), private transfers between stations and sights in both cities, entry tickets for the Terracotta Warriors Museum, a traditional Biang Biang noodle lunch in Xi’an with water provided, plus a friendly local guide who’ll meet you right at Xi’an station before bringing you back late that night.