Terracotta Army & Big Wild Goose Pagoda Private Day Tour

Stand before thousands of terracotta soldiers, then climb a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple

A private day tour of Xian visiting the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, with hotel pickup, lunch and an English-speaking guide. You'll see the thousands of life-sized clay figures buried over 2,000 years ago, then explore the Tang Dynasty temple and learn its history before returning to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Terracotta Warriors Museum2h · entry included
2. Big Wild Goose Pagoda1h · entry included
3. Tang Dynasty Show2h · entry included

Visit Terracotta Warriors and Pagoda

• Hotel pick up at 9:00am
• Visit Terracotta Warriors Museum
• Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Optional Tang Dynasty Dinner show

The experience

Eight to nine hours covers both of Xian's marquee historical attractions in a single day. Hotel pickup starts at 9:00am and takes you first to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, the largest on-site museum in China. Thousands of life-sized terracotta figures stand in formation exactly as they were arranged more than 2,000 years ago (soldiers, horses, chariots) a burial army for an ancient emperor. The scale and precision of the figures make clear why this is called the Eighth Wonder of the World.

After the museum, the tour moves to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built during the Tang Dynasty roughly 1,300 years ago. The guide walks you through the site and explains its history and significance. Lunch is included during the day, and the private vehicle means no waiting for other groups or coordinating schedules with strangers.

The Tang Dynasty Dinner Show is available as an optional add-on in the evening. The performance includes dinner (you can choose local dishes or a Dumpling Banquet) and takes place in a local theater, with musicians and dancers performing traditional Chinese music and court customs from the Tang period. This is booked separately and paid at checkout.

What’s included

• Lunch.
• entrance fees to the Terracotta Warriors Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
• private vehicle transport.
• personal English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (7 to 11 years) · Infant (under 7): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lily's Private Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover both major sites in a single day with your own guide and vehicle, moving at your own pace rather than syncing with a group schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 11 years); Infant (under 7): free.

What exactly is the Terracotta Warriors Museum and why is it so famous?

The Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum holds thousands of life-sized clay figures created over 2,000 years ago as a burial army for an ancient Chinese emperor. Each figure is individually sculpted with distinct features and armor, arranged in formation exactly as archaeologists discovered them. It is the largest on-site museum in China and one of the most significant archaeological finds in the world.

How long do you spend at each attraction?

The tour allocates substantial time at both sites within the eight to nine hour total. The Terracotta Warriors Museum is the primary focus, and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda visit includes time to explore the temple grounds and hear historical context from your guide.

Is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda a place you can climb, or just walk around?

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a Tang Dynasty Buddhist temple where you walk the grounds and learn its history from your guide. The structure itself dates back roughly 1,300 years and stands as a significant religious and architectural landmark.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Lunch, entrance fees to both museums, private vehicle transport, and an English-speaking guide are all included. The Tang Dynasty Dinner Show in the evening is optional and booked separately at checkout. Gratuities are not included.