5 Days Beijing to Xian Highlights Tour

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Highlights: Airport or Railway Station Pick Up

Welcome to Beijing , the iconic city as well as the capital of China!

You will be met by your local tour guide at the arrival hall of Beijing Capital Airport, or railway station, then be escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

Arrival Ideas: At present, there are many international and domestic flights to Beijing. Besides, you can take a high speed train to this capital city from Shanghai (5-6 hrs), Xi'an (5.5 hrs), Guangzhou (8-9.5 hrs), etc.

Day 2 Beijing (B, L)

Highlights: Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall

After breakfast, drive to the imperial site – Temple of Heaven . It was originally used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for harvest, now becomes a bustling place for locals to take part in traditional activities, such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, etc.

Leave the city, and drive about 70km (about 1.5 h) to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Great Wall . The less-crowded Mutianyu , a well-preserved segment of Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty, lives up to all of your nice expectation. You’ll take a cable car to ascend the Great Wall, then hike the most beautiful and interesting part of Mutianyu. It's a wonderful experience to climb up its rising towers to enjoy scenic views and take brag-worthy photos of the wall wriggling along mountain ridges. After the exciting time, descend Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car. (Note: If energy permits, you can hike up or down which takes about 40 minutes to climb steps. Please tell your likes to your travel consultant.)

Next, drive back to Beijing City, and take a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to view the magnificent Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

Lastly, be escorted back to your hotel.

Recommended optional activities: Enjoy an exciting and safe toboggan ride (about 2~3mins) down Mutianyu Great Wall.

Day 3 Beijing & High Speed Train to Xian (B, L)

Highlights: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City

After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square which is now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern square was the site where the Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world’s 5 most important palaces – Forbidden City , a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties used to live in. Pass through various doorways to admire the magnificent and well preserved buildings decorated with yellow glazed tile roof, white marble base and splendid colorful paintings.

Then, get back to central city to hop on a rickshaw to experience Beijing Hutongs – small alleys made of neighboring quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to feel the old Beijing life style, meet various antique shops and small boutiques, feel the historical changes of Beijing, also pay a visit to a local family's home in the traditional Hutongs.

Your Beijing tour is now about to end. Your tour guide will see you off at the Beijing West Railway Station for a high speed train trip to Xian (about 5 hours). You will be picked up by your tour guide at Xian North Railway Station and escorted to your hotel in Xian. The rest of the day is on your own to explore this ancient capital of China.

Day 4 Xian Tour (B, L)

Highlights: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter

After breakfast, drive about 40km to discover one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world – the Terracotta Warriors and Horses , built by the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size warriors, horses and chariots, buried in 3 pits for more than 2,000 years until uncovered by a local farmer in 1974, form an ancient military army with complete battle units of infantry, cavalry, etc. Standing in front of these figures, one can’t help being amazed not only by the ambition of Emperor Qin Shihuang but also by the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans.

After lunch, return back to Xian take a wonderful stroll on the Ancient City Wall , the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Enjoy panoramic views of modern Xian while you leisurely examine this well-maintained city wall which is 12 meters high and 18 meters wide with a total circuit of nearly 14 kilometers. This visit is followed by a relaxing wander around bustling and lively Muslim Quarter , a place where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture.

Optional activities: 1) Take a relaxing cycling on the Ancient City Wall; 2) Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 8pm to 9pm) after a hearty dumpling dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5 Xian & Departure(B,L)

Highlights: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum

After breakfast, head to Da Cien Temple , a famous Buddhist sutra translation site during the Tang Dynasty. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the most famous building in the temple. The pagoda, rising to a height of 64.5 meters, was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve classic scriptures he bought back from India during the early Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang was the prototype character for Tang Seng in the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. ( Note: It costs an extra 30 RMB if you want to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda)

Next is an educational visit to the Shaanxi History Museum where you can ramble in the modern exhibition halls to appreciate historic relics such as porcelains, paintings, and currencies dating from the Zhou to the Tang dynastic periods (1100BC to 907 AD). (Note: Shaanxi History Museum may be replaced with other activity or attraction because of crowding tourists during July ~ early September and China’s National Day during Oct.1-Oct.7. You may check details with your travel consultant.)

After the tour, you’ll be escorted to Xian North Railway Station for a high speed train to Chengdu (about 3.5~4 hours) . Welcome to Chengdu, the Hometown of Giant Pandas! Upon your arrival at Chengdu East Railway Station, you will be met by local guide and then transferred to your hotel in Chengdu downtown. The rest of today is free on your own to explore this laid-back city.

The rest of today is free until you get escorted to catch your flight/train to next destination.

What’s Included

• Professional licensed English-speaking guide
• Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary
• Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
• High-speed train from Beijing to Xian (second class seat)
• Necessary transfers as listed in the itinerary
• Airport (or train) pick up and drop off
• Cable cars to ride up and down Mutianyu Great Wall
• All meals as listed( “B” for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; “L” for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; “D” for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.)
• Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

Not Included

• China visa
• Accommodation not listed in the itinerary
• Single Room Supplement
• Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary
• Recommended optional activities
• Beijing arrival flight or train on the first day
• Xian departure flight or train on the last day
• Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc
• Personal expenses.

Pricing Note

Final pricing is tailored to your travel dates, party size, hotel preferences and confirmed services. Your proposal will clearly list every included and excluded item.

Travel Tips

Pack comfortable walking shoes and clothing suited to the season. Keep your passport available on travel days, and tell your planner about mobility or dietary needs before departure.

Related Posts

When Is the Best Time to Visit China?

First-Time China Travel Guide

How to Plan a Private China Tour