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See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
The ancient city of Xi’an is best known for the Terracotta Warriors; an international symbol of China’s long and storied history. Whilst the historical ruins, museums and cultural relics are major draws for the many tourists that visit Xi’an, the city also offers some excellent cuisine, vibrant night markets and the chance to cycle along the imposing city walls.
Arrive in Xi’an, one of China’s former capitals and one of the few cities in China to have retained its city walls; probably because they are so big that no revolutionary was willing to tackle the huge task of removing them. After your transfer to the hotel in Xian the afternoon is free. It is possible to hire bikes (optional) and cycle on the city walls to appreciate the sheer scale.
We take a guided tour of the city with the Bell and Drum Plaza at its heart, along with the Great Mosque. The Muslim quarter is a fascinating place to visit, especially in the evening as it comes alive with the bustle of the bazaars and food stalls.
Today we visit the famous mausoleum of Emperor Qin with its staggering display of Terracotta Warriors. His tomb lies covered by a grassy mound amidst green fields. Originally four armies were planned, at each point of the compass, life-size and lifelike. Three have been found and it is assumed the emperor’s successors decided enough was enough before the fourth was begun. The first pit excavated had an estimated 6,000 figures in one army. The third pit has been opened to the public, which contains the ‘command post’ for the entire operation. This is one of China’s greatest tourist attractions, and some people may find the sheer numbers of visitors rather overpowering. Upon your return to Xian the afternoon is free. It is possible to hire bikes (optional) and cycle on the city walls to appreciate the sheer scale.
Depart Xi’an and take a high-speed train (about four hours) to Beijing.
We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.
This add-on tour offers an excellent opportunity to learn more about China’s history and heritage in one of the country’s ancient capitals. The is a pre-tour add-on. Flights should be booked into Xi’an. You have a full day in Xi’an to visit the Terracotta Warriors and the city with a local guide. You’ll then be taken to Xi’an train station and travel on your own by high-speed train to Beijing where you’ll be met and in the evening can begin the main group tour.
Currently British and Canadian passport holders do not require visas for stays in China of up to 30 days for an initial period lasting to 31 December 2026.
Many other nationalities do require a visa to enter China, including US and Australian passports holders. This must be obtained prior to departure. Check with your nearest China visa processing centre for details.
The Chinese authorities may require a letter of invitation, which we can provide you with on request. This details all your accommodation bookings.
Entry requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
Three breakfasts included.
The north of China has warm (25C/77F and up), quite humid summers, and cold dry winters. If you travel between June and August, it will be hot more or less everywhere, except in the mountains. Some rain must be expected, possibly heavy. If you travel in September/October, you will probably get less rain and the temperatures will be fairly warm (around 20C) everywhere.
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
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