1 Day Xian Highlights Tour

Morning | Airport Pick-up & Drive to Lintong

Upon arrival in Xi’an, you will be warmly greeted by your professional English-speaking guide and driver at the airport. Sit back and relax as you drive approximately 1 hour to Lintong, an area rich in Qin Dynasty heritage.

En route, stop at a local Terracotta Making Factory, where skilled artisans demonstrate the traditional production techniques used to create terracotta figures. Learn about the selection of clay, sculpting methods, firing process, and the symbolic meaning behind different warrior ranks and expressions—an excellent introduction before visiting the original site.

Late Morning | Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Next, visit the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

Explore Pit 1, Pit 2, and Pit 3, where thousands of life-sized Terracotta Warriors and Horses stand in battle formation, each with unique facial features, armor, and posture. Your guide will explain the military structure of the Qin Dynasty, burial beliefs, and the historical importance of China’s first emperor.

You will also admire the remarkably detailed Bronze Chariots and Horses, showcasing advanced craftsmanship and engineering from over 2,000 years ago.

Midday | Local Lunch

Enjoy a Chinese-style lunch at a local restaurant, offering a chance to relax and sample authentic regional flavors.

Afternoon | Da Ci’en Temple & Big Wild Goose Pagoda

After lunch, drive back to Xi’an city (about 1 hour) and visit Da Ci’en Temple, a renowned Buddhist complex dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

Within the temple grounds stands the iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built to house sacred Buddhist scriptures brought from India by Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka). Learn about his legendary pilgrimage along the Silk Road and the pagoda’s role in the development of Chinese Buddhism. The peaceful atmosphere provides a meaningful contrast to the grandeur of the Qin imperial sites.

Tour End | Airport Drop-off

After the visit, you will be transferred back to Xi’an Airport. Service ends.