Xi'an Private Tour: Terracotta Warriors, City Wall & Foodie Walk

Summary

Discover Xi'an’s History and Street Food with a Local Guide

If you want to see Xi’an’s real heart—from ancient warriors to street food favorites—this private tour covers it all at your own pace with a local expert by your side.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air was cool when our guide met us right in the hotel lobby—no confusion, just a friendly smile and off we went. The drive out to the Terracotta Warriors Museum took about an hour, but it didn’t feel long. We stopped at this small workshop on the way; you could smell clay and see hands stained from years of work. A local craftsman showed us how he shapes mini warriors using the same earth as the originals. My fingers got messy trying to make one—it’s trickier than it looks, but fun.

Walking into the museum itself is something else. It’s huge—those silent rows of soldiers just go on and on. Our guide pointed out little details I’d have missed: some warriors have different ears or mustaches, each face unique. You can almost picture the workers who made them thousands of years ago. There’s a faint earthy scent in the air, probably from all that ancient clay and dust. We spent time peering into each pit, snapping photos, and listening to stories about Emperor Qin Shi Huang that you won’t find in most guidebooks.

Back in Xi’an city, we dove straight into the Muslim Quarter for lunch. It’s loud—vendors shouting over sizzling grills, steam rising from noodle pots. We tried liangpi (cold noodles), roujiamo (a sort of Chinese burger), and bocaimian (spinach noodles). The roujiamo was my favorite; crispy outside, juicy inside, with a hint of cumin that lingers after every bite. Our guide knew exactly which stalls had the best stuff—no tourist traps here.

Later we wandered up onto the ancient city wall through South Gate (Yongningmen). The wall’s massive—you can walk or even rent bikes up top if you want. From above, you get these wide views of old rooftops mixed with new buildings poking up behind them. The bricks are worn smooth in places; you can feel centuries under your feet. Our guide explained how soldiers used to patrol here, ducking into little sentry towers every so often (there are nearly 100 along the wall). By late afternoon there was a breeze coming off the moat below—felt good after all that walking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Terracotta Warriors and City Tour

• Visit Terracotta Warriors Museum
• Foodie tour in Muslim Quarter
• Explore ancient City Wall

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young kids?

Yes! The pace is flexible and there are plenty of snack breaks—just let us know if you need anything special for little ones.

Can I customize stops or spend more time at certain places?

Absolutely. Your private guide will adjust timing based on your interests—just mention what matters most to you.

Are vegetarian options available during the foodie tour?

No problem—we’ll point out veggie-friendly snacks and help order dishes that fit your dietary needs.

What’s included

You’ll get hotel pickup and drop-off in Xi’an, entrance tickets for both the Terracotta Warriors Museum and City Wall, an English-speaking private guide who knows their stuff, comfy private transport all day, plus a guided foodie walk through the Muslim Quarter where lunch is included. Just let us know if you have any dietary requests!