Xi'an Tour: Terracotta Warriors, Cave Homes, Hanyangling Museum

Terracotta Warriors, a cave dwelling, an emperor's tomb, and lunch in one guided morning and afternoon

This 8-hour private tour of Xi'an covers the Terracotta Warriors Museum, traditional cave homes, and the Hanyangling Museum (the tomb of Emperor Jingdi), with a professional English-speaking guide, private transfer from your hotel, and lunch at a local restaurant. The guide explains the history and craftsmanship of each site, and you can ask questions as you move through them. Maximum 12 people per booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Xi'an cultural highlights

• Visit Terracotta Warriors Museum
• Tour traditional cave homes
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Hanyangling Museum (Tomb of Emperor Jingdi)

The Experience

The day starts at the Terracotta Warriors Museum, where your guide walks you through thousands of life-sized clay soldiers arranged in formation underground. These figures were buried with China's first emperor over 2,000 years ago, and the museum explains what they reveal about Qin Dynasty life, military power, and beliefs about the afterlife. The craftsmanship—each face and armor detail hand-carved—is what historians and archaeologists study to understand how advanced the empire was.

After the museum, you visit a traditional cave home where a local family still lives. These dwellings, carved into loess soil in Shaanxi Province, were common decades ago and some people still inhabit them today. Your guide explains how the design keeps homes cool in summer and warm in winter, and what daily life looks like inside. Lunch follows at a local restaurant, giving you a break before the afternoon.

The final stop is the Hanyangling Museum, also called the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi, located about 25 kilometers north of Xi'an. This is China's only underground museum, built as a joint tomb for Emperor Liu Qi of the Western Han Dynasty and Empress Wang in 153 AD. The site combines ancient burial chambers with modern museum technology and spans 20 square kilometers. Your guide and driver handle all transport between stops, and you return to your hotel at the end of the day.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide who explains the history and details of each site.
• private transfer service from and to your hotel.
• lunch at a local restaurant.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Lily's Private Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide who stays with you all day to answer questions as they arise, rather than following a group schedule or managing separate bookings for each site.

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Top questions

What exactly is inside the Terracotta Warriors Museum?

The Terracotta Warriors Museum holds thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots buried with China's first emperor over 2,000 years ago. Each figure was hand-carved with individual details in armor and facial features, and the museum displays them in formation as they were arranged underground. Your guide explains the history of the Qin Dynasty and what these figures reveal about ancient military organization and beliefs about the afterlife.

Do I actually go inside the cave homes, or just look at them from outside?

You visit a traditional cave home where a local family currently lives, so you go inside and see how people arrange their daily life in these dwellings. The guide explains how the design keeps the temperature comfortable year-round and answers questions about what it's like to live this way.

How far is the Hanyangling Museum from Xi'an city center?

The Hanyangling Museum is located about 25 kilometers north of Xi'an at Zhangjiawan Village. Your private driver handles the transport, so you don't arrange it yourself.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food should I expect?

Lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour. If you have specific dietary requirements, let the operator know at the time of booking so they can arrange something suitable.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The Terracotta Warriors Museum and Hanyangling Museum both involve walking through galleries and outdoor areas. Wear comfortable shoes, and let your guide know if you need a slower pace. The tour is wheelchair accessible, with accessible transportation and surfaces at all sites.

Can I bring young children or a baby on this tour?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available in the vehicle. The tour operates in all weather, so dress appropriately for the season.