Xi'an: Private Terracotta Warriors Day Tour & Custom Sights

Summary

Terracotta Army up close plus your pick of Xi’an’s living history

You’ll stand eye-to-eye with Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, then shape your own adventure: wander city walls or snack through Muslim Street with your private guide (and no shopping stops). Includes hotel pickup and drop-off for an easy start — expect moments you’ll replay long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous about finally seeing the Terracotta Warriors — you hear so much, it almost feels unreal until you’re standing there. Our guide, Ms. Zhao, met us right at our hotel in Xi’an (she waved with both hands, which made me smile for some reason) and we set off early. The drive out to the Terracotta Warriors Museum took maybe 45 minutes but I barely noticed because she told us stories about Emperor Qin Shi Huang that made him sound less like a statue and more like someone you could almost picture walking around. When we finally walked into that first pit — I actually stopped breathing for a second. The air smelled faintly of clay and dust, and there was this hush, even with other people around. Ms. Zhao pointed out little details in the soldiers’ faces that I would’ve missed; apparently one of them has a tiny mustache that’s become a bit of a local joke.

We got to choose two more spots after the warriors, which felt weirdly empowering (I’m used to being herded from site to site). We picked the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Muslim Street — totally different vibes. At the pagoda, sunlight bounced off these old bricks and monks shuffled by in saffron robes. Then on Muslim Street it was pure chaos: sizzling lamb skewers, kids darting between stalls, an old man selling pomegranate juice who grinned when I tried to say “xiexie.” Li (our driver) laughed at my accent — fair enough. Lunch wasn’t included but Ms. Zhao helped us order biangbiang noodles anyway; they were chewy and spicy and honestly worth the noodle-splattered shirt I left with.

I liked that there were no shopping stops or weird detours — just us, our guide, and whatever we felt like seeing in Xi’an that day. There’s something about picking your own route that makes you feel less like a tourist and more like you’re borrowing someone else’s city for a while. I still think about how quiet it was among those warriors — all those faces staring back through time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Terracotta Warriors and Xian highlights

• Visit Terracotta Warriors Museum
• Visit Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
• Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Visit Shaanxi History Museum
• Visit South Gate (Yongningmen)
• Visit Banpo Village
• Visit Huaqing Palace
• Visit Bell Tower (Zhonglou)
• Visit Drum Tower (Gulou)
• Visit Xian Great Mosque

Top questions

How long does the private Terracotta Warriors day tour from Xi'an take?

The tour lasts most of the day including transfers; exact timing depends on which attractions you choose after visiting the Terracotta Warriors Museum.

Can I customize which sights are included on this Xi'an day trip?

Yes, after visiting the Terracotta Warriors Museum you can choose two additional sites based on your interests from options like Big Wild Goose Pagoda or Muslim Street.

Is hotel pickup included for this private Xi'an tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select the default option.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

No, admissions range from US$17 to US$42 per person depending on your chosen sites and are paid separately.

Is lunch included during this day trip from Xi'an?

No, lunch is not included but your guide can help recommend places to eat or order local dishes along the way.

Are there shopping stops during this private tour?

No shopping stops are included; time is spent only at sites you've selected in Xi'an.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome and infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes private round-trip transfer from your Xi’an hotel, a professional local guide who helps tailor your itinerary as you go, plus all logistics handled so you just focus on exploring — admissions vary by site but there’s no pressure to shop or rush through any spot.