Xi'an, Terracotta Army & the Silk Road · 5 days
Capital of thirteen dynasties and the eastern start of the Silk Road. The Terracotta Army deserves half a day, not two hours.
Xi'an, Terracotta Army & the Silk Road is a private tailor-made route in Shaanxi, running 5 days, best from Apr–May, Sep–Oct. China Custom Tours (chinacustomtours.hk) arranges a dedicated vehicle and a Cantonese- or Mandarin-speaking guide; the vehicle serves your party only and there are no shopping stops.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Best season
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Region
- Shaanxi
- Group size
- 4–12, private
- Shopping stops
- None
- Arrival cities
- Any Chinese city with an airport
Xi'an, Terracotta Army & the Silk Road private tour
Xi'an served as capital for more dynasties than almost any other Chinese city and was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. The Terracotta Army, 40 km east, was found by farmers digging a well in 1974. The Ming city wall is intact and cyclable at 13.7 km. Mount Hua makes a strong day extension.
| Duration | 5 days |
|---|---|
| Best season | Apr–May, Sep–Oct |
| Region | Shaanxi |
| Suits | Families, elderly parents, first visits |
| Shopping stops | None |
Last updated 2026-10-13 · maintained by the China Custom Tours editorial desk
How this route runs.
Arrive Xi'an
Terracotta Army · Huaqing Palace
City wall · Stele Forest · Pagoda
Mount Hua or Shaanxi History Museum
Departure
The full day-by-day detail, including stops, driving times and hotel options, is sent with your personalised itinerary.
What you see along the way.
The largest pit. Go in the morning for better light and fewer people.
China's most intact city wall — rent a bike and ride the 13.7 km loop.
Where Xuanzang translated the sutras he brought back from India.
Yangrou paomo, roujiamo, liangpi and persimmon cakes.
One of the five sacred mountains, with the plank road and east-peak sunrise.
Itemised, with nothing hidden.
Included
- Private vehicle and driver throughout
- Licensed guide (Cantonese or Mandarin)
- 4 nights hotel accommodation
- Admission to the Terracotta Army, city wall, Stele Forest, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Mount Hua
- Fuel, tolls and driver/guide expenses
Not included
- Flights to and from Xi'an (bookable on request)
- Meals and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Mount Hua cable car tickets (if required)
Questions about Xi'an, Terracotta Army & the Silk Road.
Do I need to book the Terracotta Army?
Yes, real-name booking is required and we suggest a week ahead in peak season. We book and schedule a morning entry to avoid the tour groups.
Is Xi'an easy to combine with Dunhuang?
Yes. There are direct flights to Dunhuang (about two hours) and rail connections via Lanzhou. We often build a 10–12 day Xi'an plus Hexi Corridor itinerary.
Is it good for children?
Yes. The Terracotta Army and the city wall appeal to children more than you might expect, and we provide simple historical context.
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Rebuild this route around your dates.
Send us your dates and group size — a draft itinerary and a clear price within one working day.