Xian Terracotta Warriors day trip from Shanghai private tour

See the Terracotta Army and return to Shanghai in a single day

A private day tour from Shanghai to Xian that combines round-trip flights, ground transport, and guided access to the Terracotta Warriors Museum and the Ancient City Wall. You fly out early, spend the afternoon exploring with a local English-speaking guide, and return by evening. Choose the all-inclusive package with flights and meals included, or book ground services only and arrange your own airfare.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. South Gate1h · entry included
2. Terracotta Warriors Museum2h 30m · entry included

Xian Terracotta Warriors Day Tour

• Catch early flight to Xian
• Meet local guide and driver
• Visit Xian Ancient City Wall
• Explore Terracotta Warriors Museum
• Transfer to airport for return flight
• Return to hotel in Shanghai

The experience

The day starts before dawn: you catch an early flight to Xian, one of China's four ancient capitals, arriving by mid-morning. A guide and driver meet you at the airport with a name board, then drive you to the Ancient City Wall, the largest and most complete in China. The wall encloses the old city and you can walk its length or rent a bike to ride on top (at your own cost). After that comes the main event, the Terracotta Warriors Museum, where thousands of life-size clay soldiers stand in formation, the most significant archaeological discovery of the 20th century.

The tour is built around a single afternoon, so the guide moves you between sites without dead time. You get lunch (Chinese style, included in some options) and the guide shares the history of each place as you go. The whole experience runs about 14 hours door to door, which means you leave Shanghai early and return late the same day. A private vehicle and driver stay with you throughout Xian, so there's no waiting for a group or switching between transport.

Three booking options let you control what you arrange yourself. The all-inclusive package includes round-trip flights from Shanghai, airport pickups in both cities, entry tickets, the guide, lunch and the private transfer in Xian. You show up at Shanghai airport and the rest is handled. If you prefer to book your own flights, you can select ground services only: the guide, driver, lunch and entry tickets in Xian, with no Shanghai airport transfer. A third option covers the guide, driver and transfer but not meals or entry, so you pay for those separately. Flights must be booked after 8:30 pm departures to give you enough time on the ground. You arrange these yourself using your passport, regardless of which option you choose.

What’s included

• Private English-speaking guide in Xian.
• private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for all ground transport in Xian.
• Chinese-style lunch.
• entrance tickets to the Terracotta Warriors Museum and Ancient City Wall (in the all-inclusive and ground-plus-ticket options).
• round-trip economic class flights from Shanghai to Xian and back, plus airport pickups and drop-offs in Shanghai (in the all-inclusive option only).

Options for this experience

3 options

Xian transfer with guideGuide in English or Chinese · 05:00, 09:00 and 10:00Includes only an English-speaking guide in Xian and land transfer along with flight tickets; Shanghai transfer and entry tickets are excluded. Pickup is included.

Guide and ticket for Xian, with transferGuide in English or Chinese · 05:00, 09:00 and 10:00Covers the Xian transfer, tour guide and entry tickets, while flights, the Shanghai airport transfer and meals are excluded. Pickup is included.

Flights included, all-inclusiveGuide in English or Chinese · 05:00The all-inclusive option covers a Shanghai airport drop-off and pickup, the Xian transfer, an English-speaking guide in Xian, entry tickets, flights and a lunch. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 05:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to20h before

AgesAdult (7 to 85 years) · Child (2 to 6 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by China Travel Service

Is this one for you?Book the all-inclusive option if you want one seamless booking that covers flights, pickups, meals and entry. You arrive at Shanghai airport and everything else is arranged. Choose ground services only if you prefer to book your own flights and want the flexibility to depart on a different day or airline, paying only for the guide, driver and Xian entry when you arrive.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 6 years); Infant (under 2): free.

Can I book just the Xian portion and arrange my own flights from Shanghai?

Yes. The Xian Transfer & Guide option includes the private driver, English-speaking guide, and lunch in Xian, but not the flights or Shanghai airport pickup. You book your own round-trip flights and make your way to Xian airport, where the guide meets you. A third option adds entry tickets to the Terracotta Warriors and Ancient City Wall if you want those included as well.

What is the Terracotta Warriors Museum actually like when you get there?

The Terracotta Warriors Museum holds thousands of life-size clay soldiers arranged in formation, discovered in the tomb of China's first emperor. Your guide walks you through the excavation pits to explain the construction and historical significance of each section. It's the most significant archaeological find of the 20th century and the scale of it, row after row of individual figures, is what makes it remarkable.

How much time do I spend at each site?

The day is structured around the afternoon in Xian after your morning arrival. You spend time at the Ancient City Wall first, then the bulk of the afternoon at the Terracotta Warriors Museum. The exact timing depends on your flight arrival and how long you want to linger at each stop. Your guide can adjust based on your interests. You need to leave for the airport by early evening to catch a flight departing after 8:30 pm.

Do I need to arrange the flights myself, or are they included?

It depends on which option you book. The all-inclusive package includes round-trip economic class flights from Shanghai to Xian and back. If you choose ground services only, you book and pay for flights separately using your passport. Either way, you must book flights departing Xian after 8:30 pm to have enough time on the ground with the guide.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary preferences?

Chinese-style lunch is included in the all-inclusive package and in the Xian Transfer & Guide & Ticket option. Your guide can suggest meals and help with preferences. Let the operator know about any dietary needs when you book, and mention it again when the guide calls you the night before the tour.

What happens if I want to ride a bike on the Ancient City Wall?

Bike rentals are available on top of the wall, but they're at your own expense, not included in any package. Your guide can arrange this if you want to do it. Just let them know when you meet them, or mention it when you book.