Two-city classic private tour linking Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors and City Wall with Beijing's Forbidden City and Great Wall
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Tailor-made inquiry
Advisor proposal after consultation
The Terracotta Warriors and the three warrior pits near Xi'an
Full morning at Lintong with a guide who walks Pit 1's main phalanx, the tactical formations in Pit 2, the officer hall in Pit 3, and the bronze chariots upstairs.
Xi'an's City Wall, old lanes and food streets with a local guide
Cycle or walk atop the Ming ramparts, then follow your guide through the Muslim Quarter's biangbiang noodle and lamb-skewer stalls as the lanterns come on.
The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace in Beijing
A licensed guide unpacks the Forbidden City throne halls, the Temple of Heaven echo platform, and the Summer Palace lakefront at a pace that avoids tour-bus crowds.
Cable-car access to the Mutianyu Great Wall
Cable car up, toboggan or chair lift down at Mutianyu, the section with 22 watchtowers and fewer crowds than Badaling; your guide handles tickets and photo spots.
This 10-day private tour joins China's two old capitals, Xi'an and Beijing. In Xi'an you meet the Terracotta Warriors, walk the City Wall and the old lanes, and taste the food streets. A high-speed train then links you to Beijing for the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car. Local guides, private cars and hotel transfers are arranged throughout, with a free day in each phase.
Duration
10 days
Tour Type
Tailor-made Travel
Theme
Classic Tours
Group Size
Only Your Group
Start City
Xi'an
Activity Level
MODERATE
Route Map
Map pins show the primary places guests will visit on this route.
Your driver meets you at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport with a name sign and drives you into the Ming-dynasty city center, about an hour along the Weibei highway. After check-in the day stays open for a slow start. We will confirm the exact meeting time after booking.
Today's Highlights
A local guide walks the three Terracotta Army pits at Lintong, where 8,000 life-size clay soldiers were buried with Qin Shi Huang around 210 BC and the site has been UNESCO-listed since 1987. Stand above Pit 1's infantry phalanx, see the tactical mix of cavalry and archers in Pit 2, view the officer hall in Pit 3, then move upstairs to the bronze chariot exhibition. Afternoon at Huaqing Palace, the hot-spring imperial retreat where Emperor Xuanzong bathed Yang Guifei from 745 AD; your guide traces the surviving stone bath foundations and the beacon tower on Li Mountain behind the garden.
Today's Highlights
Optional Excursions
Create Your Own Terracotta Warrior: DIY Workshop
Create your own Terracotta Warrior in this fun 30-minute hands-on workshop inspired by the Qin Dynasty’s ancient craftsmanship. Perfect for all ages, this activity offers a unique cultural experience and memorable souvenir.
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Shaanxi Cave Dwelling Visit
Discover the traditional cave dwellings (Yaodong) of Shaanxi, a distinctive form of architecture built into the loess hills of northern China. Explore these unique homes, learn how they adapt to the local climate, and gain insight into the traditional lifestyle and rural heritage of the Loess Plateau.
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“The Code of the Empire – Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum” XR Experience
Step into the Qin Dynasty with an XR experience recreating the Terracotta Warriors and Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum. Interactive technology walks you through the ancient army and the story of China's first emperor.
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Start in the Xi'an Ring Park below the wall, where tai-chi groups and diabolo players gather every morning; your guide introduces the rampart you are about to climb. The Xi'an City Wall was raised in 1370-1378 under the Ming, runs 14 km around the old city at 12 m high with a 15 m-wide top, and you can walk or rent a bike from the South Gate for a stretch. Descend at the West Gate and take a short drive to the Bell Tower, moved to this four-street crossing in 1384, then the neighbouring Drum Tower (1380), where the guide walks you through the recreated daily drum-and-bell strike. End the evening at Sajinqiao Food Street, an off-tourist-trail lane your guide picks for biangbiang noodles, yangrou paomo and persimmon cakes.
Today's Highlights
Optional Excursions
Xi'an City Wall Bike Ride
If you find yourself with some extra time, a bike ride along the Ancient City Wall is an exhilarating way to enhance your Xi'an experience. This activity allows you to pedal around one of the best-preserved city walls in China, offering a unique and active exploration of its expansive ramparts.
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Local Family Visit and Dumpling Making Experience
For an authentic taste of Xi'an’s culinary traditions, visit a local family and learn the art of making dumplings from scratch. From kneading the dough to preparing the perfect filling and wrapping each dumpling, you’ll be guided through every step of the process.
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Qinqiang Opera
Sit in the vintage theater, hear the piercing clapper opera's soaring vocals, and experience the "living fossil of Chinese opera." Pre-show exhibition covers 100 years of Qinqiang history.
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Xiaonanmen Morning Market Experience
Experience the authentic morning life of Xi’an at Xiaonanmen Morning Market, where locals gather for fresh produce, traditional snacks, and regional specialties. Stroll through the lively streets, taste local flavors, and discover the everyday culture of the city beyond its famous landmarks.
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Wander the surviving Ming-Qing quarters with your guide starting from Fenxiang Lane, an eight-hutong grid saved from 2008 demolition and now restored under timber-framed eaves. Walk north to Shuyuanmen, the brush-and-ink antique street laid out below the Confucian Temple since the 14th century; the guide names the rubbing makers and the shop that still cuts New Year woodblocks by hand. Stop in at Xiangzi Temple, a Ming-era folk museum with carved ceiling beams and a Hall of the Twenty-four Filial Exemplars your guide decodes figure by figure. Finish eating your way down Defu Lane, the local night-food street with lamb skewers, sour-cabbage dumplings and chilled fermented rice soup.
Today's Highlights
Optional Excursions
Xi’an Muslim Quarter Culinary Experience
Work through the flavors of Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, from sizzling street food and handmade noodles to traditional sweets. Sample the local favorites at your own expense.
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Xi’an Shadow Puppet Performance Experience
Discover the charm of Xi’an’s traditional shadow puppetry through a captivating live performance. Enjoy the delicate craftsmanship, expressive movements, and storytelling art behind this ancient folk tradition.
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Xi’an Calligraphy Experience
Experience the elegance of Chinese calligraphy with guidance from a local instructor. Learn basic brush techniques and write your own characters while appreciating the artistry and philosophy behind this ancient tradition.
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Dumpling Feast & Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show
Enjoy a traditional dumpling feast featuring a variety of handmade dumplings while watching a captivating Tang Dynasty music and dance performance. Experience Xi’an’s culinary heritage and the elegance of ancient Tang culture through delicious flavors, graceful dances, and traditional melodies.
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Today's temple walk begins at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 707 AD at the Jianfu Temple for the monk Yijing's Buddhist translations; the 43 m brick tower lost its top storeys in the 1556 Shanxi earthquake and still leans a few degrees, listed with the Silk Road UNESCO inscription in 2014. Walk two streets to Daxingshan Temple, founded 547 AD, where the guide unpacks the surviving Tang stone steles and the sutra translation court it shared with Xuanzang. Afternoon at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, raised in 652 AD inside Da Ci'en Temple for the 657 Buddhist texts Xuanzang brought back from India; climb the 64.5 m brick stair to the ring view. Evening light show on the 2.1 km Datang Everbright pedestrian boulevard, where the guide times the musical fountain for you.
Today's Highlights
Optional Excursions
Hanfu Photography
Dress in traditional Hanfu, add classic accessories, and have your photo taken in a historic setting - a hands-on way into old Chinese style. (Cost is calculated by the actual number of participants.)
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The Longest Day in Chang'an Theme Block
Walk a full-scale recreation of Tang Dynasty Chang'an, based on The Longest Day in Chang'an. Lantern-lit streets, Tang performances, costumed characters you can talk to and traditional snacks; you can rent Hanfu to move through it.
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Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square Music Fountain Show
Watch one of Asia's largest matrix music fountain shows at night, set against the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The water jets move in step with Tang-style music, colored lights and laser effects, changing shape across the square.
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Your driver takes you to Xi'an North Station for a second-class high-speed train to Beijing West, about 4 h 20 min along the Weihe and Yellow River valleys through Henan and Hebei; seats are pre-booked and numbered. A Beijing driver meets you at the platform for the transfer to a Wangfujing or Chang'an Avenue hotel. After check-in your guide outlines the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven days ahead so you can flag any changes; the evening stays free.
Today's Highlights
Optional Excursions
First Class High-Speed Train Upgrade between Bejing and Xi’an
Upgrade from Second Class to First Class for a more relaxed journey between Beijing and Xi’an. Enjoy wider seats, more personal space, and a quieter carriage environment for a comfortable high-speed train experience.
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Business Class High-Speed Train Upgrade between Bejing and Xi’an
For the highest level of comfort, upgrade to Business Class on your Beijing–Xi’an high-speed train journey. Enjoy spacious reclining seats, a premium cabin environment, enhanced privacy, and priority boarding.
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Join a morning tai-chi session in the cypress grove inside the Temple of Heaven, the Ming-Qing imperial altar begun in 1420 under the Yongle Emperor and UNESCO-listed in 1998, where the emperor read prayers for harvest at the round Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Your guide walks the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar before the transfer west to the Summer Palace, the 290-hectare lakeside garden Qianlong built in 1750 and Empress Dowager Cixi rebuilt in 1888. Boat or walk along the 728-metre Long Corridor, then climb toward the Tower of Buddhist Incense; try on silk Hanfu robes near Suzhou Street for photos. Late afternoon moves to a local teahouse for a gongfu tea ceremony, then the Tong Ren Tang hall on Wangfujing, founded in 1669 under the Kangxi Emperor, where the guide walks you through the traditional-medicine cabinet still using Qing-era prescriptions.
Today's Highlights
Optional Excursions
Summer Palace Kunming Lake Cruise
Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace. Admire the beautiful views of Longevity Hill, traditional architecture, and peaceful imperial landscapes while experiencing the charm of Beijing’s historic royal garden from the water.
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Marvel at the Art of Chinese Acrobatics
Enjoy a spectacular evening of Chinese acrobatics featuring incredible displays of strength, balance, and agility. Watch skilled performers present thrilling stunts, aerial acts, and graceful movements, showcasing the beauty, precision, and magic of this traditional art form.
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Cross Tiananmen Square, 44 hectares flanked by the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Mao Memorial Hall, with your guide before entering the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate. The imperial palace was built 1406-1420 under the Yongle Emperor, holds 980 surviving buildings and about 8,700 rooms on 72 hectares, and became a UNESCO site in 1987. Follow the central axis the guide lays out: Hall of Supreme Harmony for enthronements, Hall of Union and Peace for the twenty-five imperial seals, then the inner-court Dragon Throne. Sideways rooms cover Qianlong's garden, the imperial theatre and the daily-life collections; guide pauses at the corner towers before the north exit at the Gate of Divine Might.
Today's Highlights
Optional Excursions
Jingshan Sunset Over the Imperial City
Enjoy panoramic views of Beijing at sunset from Jingshan Park, watching the Forbidden City glow in the evening light while taking in the city’s historic rooftops and skyline from one of the best elevated viewpoints in central Beijing.
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Peking Duck Experience (Reservation Assistance)
Have a traditional Peking Duck meal at an established Beijing restaurant. Your guide can help with recommendations and reservations; you pay for the meal directly. A straightforward way to try the city's signature dish.
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A Taste of Niujie’s Muslim Heritage
Explore the flavors of Niujie, Beijing’s historic Muslim quarter, and sample authentic local specialties while discovering traditional food shops, street-side snacks, and the distinctive culinary heritage shaped by the city’s Muslim community.
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Hutong Rickshaw Ride
Take a traditional rickshaw ride through Beijing’s hutongs. Relax as you travel along narrow alleys, admire courtyard homes, and experience the history, culture, and authentic charm of old Beijing’s traditional neighborhoods.
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Authentic Beijing Hutong Breakfast Experience (paid on-site)
Explore Beijing's hutongs over a local breakfast. Try traditional favorites such as dumplings, buns, douzhi and jiaoquan, and see how the old alleyways start their day. Breakfast is paid on-site.
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A private car drives about 75 km north-west to the Mutianyu section, built on the earlier Northern Qi wall in 550 AD and rebuilt under the Ming in the 14th-16th centuries; the 2.5 km restored stretch carries 22 double-roofed watchtowers and sees far fewer tour buses than Badaling. Cable car to Tower 14, then walk the ramparts with your guide toward Tower 20, counting crenellations and describing the beacon smoke signals. Descend by toboggan slide, chair lift, or on foot if your knees allow. Back in Beijing by about 17:00.
Today's Highlights
Optional Excursions
Mutianyu Cable Car & Toboggan Upgrade
Upgrade your Mutianyu Great Wall experience with a cable car ride up and a toboggan slide descent. Reach the Great Wall comfortably, enjoy panoramic mountain views along the way, and end your visit with an exciting ride down the hillside.
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Mutianyu VIP Experience
A premium way to see the Mutianyu Great Wall: priority access, a private shuttle, and a round-trip cable car over the mountains, followed by a complimentary tea break after you've walked the Wall.
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After breakfast your driver transfers you to Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) International Airport, timed to your flight; allow about one hour for PEK and one and a half for PKX in normal traffic. Your guide confirms the drop-off point and luggage pick-up the evening before so you only have to think about the checklist. If your flight is late, the driver can hold your bags at the hotel and take you out later, and an optional stop at the Wangfujing snack street can be added.
Today's Highlights
The Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors need real-name advance booking, so send passport details early. The Forbidden City closes on Mondays, so the plan shifts if needed, and Tiananmen Square opens at security screening times. Mutianyu uses a cable car up and a toboggan or walk down, so wear grip shoes.
Private air-conditioned cars with English-speaking drivers cover all airport, station and city transfers in Xi'an and Beijing, plus the Lintong, Mutianyu and Summer Palace day trips. The Xi'an to Beijing leg is a reserved-seat high-speed train of about four hours, with drivers meeting you at both station ends.
Late-Model Vehicles (2022+)
All vehicles are 2022 or newer models — modern, safe, and meticulously maintained.
Daily Deep Cleaning
Every vehicle is sanitized and detailed before each use.
Professional Drivers
Licensed, uniformed drivers with 5+ years of tourist transport experience.
Full Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive commercial insurance for all vehicles and passengers.
Onboard Amenities
Complimentary water, Wi-Fi, phone chargers, and tissues on every ride.
Climate Comfort
Dual-zone climate control ensures perfect temperature year-round.
We usually arrange a 5-seater for 1–2 guests, a 7-seater for 3–5 guests, and a 12-seater for 6–9 guests, and so on. All vehicles have ample luggage space. Photos are for reference only. Vehicle brands and models may vary by destination.
Have a specific restaurant or dietary need in mind? Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, and other requests can be accommodated with advance notice.
Heritage Restaurants
Historic establishments with decades of culinary tradition — where locals celebrate.
Local Family Kitchens
Home-cooked meals with local families — authentic recipes passed down generations.
Street Food & Night Markets
Guided tastings through iconic food streets with a local foodie guide.
Farm-to-Table Fresh
Seasonal dishes with ingredients grown on-site, set against scenic backdrops.
Fine Dining & Michelin
Award-winning restaurants with tasting menus, wine pairings, and unforgettable culinary artistry.
Dining Preferences & Dietary Requirements
Share dietary needs, restaurant preferences, or food interests before travel so the advisor can confirm practical arrangements.
A licensed local guide leads the Xi'an days in English and a separate Beijing guide covers the capital, with specialist entry guides at the Terracotta Warriors and Forbidden City. Pace is moderate with mostly flat walking, and guides time each site around crowd peaks and your ticket slots.
Licensed & Certified Guides
All guides hold national tourism licenses and have 5+ years of experience.
English Proficiency (IELTS 7+)
Fluent communication — guides can discuss history, culture, and current events with ease.
Multi-Language Available
English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean-speaking guides available on request.
Wireless Audio Headsets
Every guest receives a headset so you never miss a word, even in crowded sites.
No Forced Shopping Guarantee
Zero pressure — we never force you into souvenir shops. Your time is yours.
Local Shopping Recommendations
Want authentic gifts? We'll recommend trusted local markets and artisan shops — no tourist traps.
Our “No Forced Shopping” Promise
We guarantee zero shopping stops unless you specifically request them. If you ever feel pressured, contact us immediately for a full refund of that day's service.
Request a Specialist Guide
Interested in a specific topic? We can arrange historian guides for cultural sites, photographer guides for scenic spots, or foodie guides for culinary tours. Just let us know when booking.
Current traveler feedback should be read through the configured external review sources.
Tripadvisor Reviews
Public traveler feedback
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Selected Tripadvisor reviews
United Kingdom · Grand China rail journey
“Standing on the Great Wall at sunrise with no other tourists in sight was the highlight of our China tour. The guide arranged a home-cooked lunch in a Beijing hutong with a family who had lived there for generations.”
Italy · Ancient capitals and Hangzhou
“We picked tea leaves with a family whose ancestors farmed Longjing for generations. The tea ceremony that followed was the most memorable moment of our China trip.”
United States · Classic China private tour
“Every guide felt like a friend who happened to know thousands of years of stories. The quiet Forbidden City experience was something we will never forget.”
This China Tour Beijing Xi'an opens in Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors, City Wall and old lanes, then a four-hour high-speed train carries you to Beijing for the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall. You can run the cities in reverse if that suits your international flights.
A licensed Xi'an guide covers days one to five and a licensed Beijing guide takes over from day six, so you always have a local expert. Each handles the station and airport meet-and-greet, real-name ticket bookings and the entry timing that both capitals require.
The route includes hotel transfers, both city sightseeing phases, the inter-city high-speed train seat, a private car for the Great Wall and daily guided visits. Entry tickets, a tai chi session, Hanfu photos, a tea ceremony and a Tong Ren Tang visit are arranged by the guide.
Xi’an → Luoyang → Dengfeng → Kaifeng → Zhengzhou
THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE
Journey through Xi’an, Luoyang, and Kaifeng to discover the stories of China’s historic heartlands
Experience the rise and glory of ancient capitals through remarkable heritage sites and cultural landmarks
Advisor-designed quote
Xi'an → Terracotta Warriors (Lintong) → Xi'an
THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE
Stand in front of thousands of life-sized warriors in Pit 1, where each face, hairstyle and piece of armor was modeled two thousand years ago for the first emperor's tomb.
As you move through the pits, your guide turns rows of clay soldiers into real stories - Qin Shi Huang's drive to unify China and the archers, charioteers and officers he sent into the ground with him.
Private Tour
Terracotta Warriors → Big Wild Goose Pagoda → Datang Everbright City → Xi'an Ancient City Wall → Bell and Drum Towers → Muslim Quarter
THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE
Over two days a local Xi'an guide moves you from the Terracotta Warriors to Tang pagodas, explaining what each dynasty left as you go.
Stall-hop the Muslim Quarter and old lanes with your guide, tasting rou jiamo, tea, and sweets the way locals eat, not at set stops.
Private Tour
Terracotta Warriors → Big Wild Goose Pagoda → Ancient City Wall → Bell Tower → Muslim Quarter → Yan'an Revolutionary Site → Erdao Night Market → Hukou Waterfall
THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE
Uncover China’s rich heritage through legendary sites and stories spanning thousands of years
Explore the links between imperial history, revolutionary memories, and local identity
Advisor-designed quote
