Xi’an: Terracotta Army, Pagoda & City Wall Tour with Guide

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/14

Duration8h

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Terracotta Warriors day trip from Xi’an with local stories

You’ll wander through Xi’an’s ancient pagoda with a local guide, stand face-to-face with thousands of Terracotta Warriors on this day trip from Xi’an, and stroll along the city wall as locals go about their day. With hotel pickup included and all entry fees covered, you’ll have space to notice those small moments you’ll remember long after the trip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Xi’an Historical Highlights Tour

Hotel pickup
Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Explore Terracotta Warriors Museum
Walk or bike on City Wall

The Experience

I didn’t expect to feel so quiet inside the Big Wild Goose Pagoda — but there we were, early morning in Xi’an, shoes squeaking on the old stone. Our guide Li pointed out the faded murals and told us about monks who traveled all the way from India centuries ago. The incense was faint but sweet, and outside I caught a breeze that smelled like rain on warm bricks. I tried to repeat one of the temple names in Mandarin; Li laughed (gently) at my accent and then showed me how to say it right. Still can’t get it.

The drive out to the Terracotta Warriors Museum took about an hour — enough time for Li to share stories about Emperor Qin and how they found those soldiers by accident. When we finally walked into Pit 1, it was bigger than I’d pictured (and colder too). Rows and rows of clay faces staring ahead. There’s something weirdly moving about seeing their chipped paint up close. We spent over two hours wandering around; I kept drifting back to a kneeling archer statue because his expression looked almost bored. Maybe he’d seen too many tourists already?

After lunch (nothing fancy, just noodles and tea at a spot Li recommended), we headed back toward the city wall. It’s massive — you can rent bikes if you want, but honestly I just wanted to walk and watch locals flying kites or chatting in little groups. The view from up there is this mix of old rooftops and shiny new buildings; kind of sums up Xi’an in one glance. My legs were tired by then but I didn’t really mind.

By the time we got dropped off at our hotel again, my shoes were dusty and my head was full of odd details — like how every soldier’s ears are different, or how quiet it gets inside the pagoda even when there are crowds outside. I still think about that kneeling archer sometimes.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off at your central Xi’an hotel, all admission fees for each attraction visited, transport by air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver, plus an English-speaking local guide throughout your journey.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by China Tour Search