6 Days Private Beijing Xi'an Tour

Welcome to take this private Beijing Xi’an tour to experience the charms of China’s two famous ancient capital cities and witness the most iconic attractions. Your private guide and driver will greet you outside Customs at Beijing airport and then escort you to the hotel in downtown for check-in. You can take a good rest at your hotel, relieving fatigue from the long-time flight journey.

Today, your trip begins with a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest urban city squares, located in the heart of Beijing. Having a photo stop at the vast square with a lot of important buildings around. Afterward, you will stroll across it to the north end, where the Forbidden City sits.

Covering an area of about 74 hectares, the Forbidden City is the world's largest and best-preserved wooden imperial palace complex which boasts splendid Chinese ancient constructions and numerous historical relics. You could get some insights into China's feudal hierarchy and have a glimpse of the luxurious life of the royal family from the intricate lay-out and gorgeous decorations. Following the guide, you will learn about many interesting stories behind this giant palace complex.

For example, you may find that some doorsills were removed in Forbidden City though they are very important in old Chinese architecture. So who removed them and why? It’s China’s last emperor Puyi. When he first time got a bicycle at 16, for a better cycling experience in the palace, the young emperor ordered to remove all the doorsills.

The afternoon sightseeing will take you to the Yonghe Temple first. It was once the mansion of a prince during the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911 AD) but later it became the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Beijing. It boasts the world's tallest wooden sculpture of Maitreya Buddha, about 18 meters (59 ft.) high. Then we will head to the Temple of Heaven, which is considered the dwelling of heaven in ancient times and mainly used for emperors to pray for harvests. Besides appreciating the beautiful architecture, you can also see many retired locals exercising or entertaining in the surrounding park.

► Dinner Suggestion:
Try Peking Duck at Si Ji Min Fu (Qianmen branch) for dinner! In a city teeming with time-honored restaurant options, the one we recommend has only a history of just over a decade, however it is so loved that it has quickly risen to prominence and now includes twenty branches. Si Ji Min Fu stands out for offering high-quality dishes at wallet-friendly prices, making them accessible to a wider range of diners. The restaurant's signature Peking Duck boasts crispy skin and is best enjoyed the moment it is served. For ultimate experience, you will want to spread sweet bean sauce on every pancake to be savored, before wrapping the duck meat, condiments and sliced scallions into it. The result is a perfectly balanced, non-greasy bite that will give you endless aftertaste. Also known as "Siji Minfu Restaurant Peking Roast Duck" in English, this establishment has garnered positive reviews on TripAdvisor. Average cost per person: CNY 130 / USD 18.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

This morning, you will travel to China’s most symbolic attraction, the Great Wall. We have selected the most beautiful Mutianyu Great Wall section with 26 Watchtowers densely distributed. The round-way cable car ride is included. Originally built as a military defense system, the Great Wall protected central China for centuries. You will be amazed by wandering along the man-made architectural wonder built on the mountain ridges and the stunning natural vistas nearby.

On the way back to the downtown area, you will drive by the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium), the main venue of the 29th Olympic Games. The driver will make a stop here for you to admire the marvelous building at close quarters.

Then we will go to experience Beijing's old customs and authentic cultures at Hutongs, a particular expression in Beijing meaning old alleys or lanes. Visiting by a traditional rickshaw, you will have a chance to dive deep into local people’s daily life. A special home visit to a local family will add more fun to your Beijing trip.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

The morning excursion will be extended to the Summer Palace. It is the existing largest royal garden in China, and was once used as a temporary palace and summer resort by the royal family. Absorbed the architectural styles of South China, North China and even foreign countries, the garden got the reputation of the "Museum of Imperial Garden". You can also admire the typical Chinese architecture here.

Then you will take a high speed train to Xi'an. Our local guide will meet you at the exit of railway station and then transfer you to the hotel.

● Alternative: High speed train from Beijing to Xi’an usually takes 4.5 to 5.5 hours. We will try best to book the shortest duration for you. While, if you do not want to take the train, we are glad to arrange a 2-hour flight for you instead. Please talk to your travel consultant.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

The whole morning will be devoted to the Terracotta Army Museum, which is reputed as the eighth wonder of the world. Constructed as an accessory pit of the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 – 210 BC) more than 2,200 years ago, its discovery in the year 1974 shocked the world. Here you can not only witness the large-scale underground armies but also view the ancient weapons and bronze chariots and horses.

Then you will be guided to visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, built during 707 – 710 AD in the Tang Dynasty. Besides admiring the old 13-floor pagoda and enjoying a serene time here, your guide will also show you around Xi’an Museum inside with rich collections.

Today’s last stop is the ancient City Wall of Xi'an, which is the largest and best-preserved old city wall in China. Standing on it, you could have a nice bird's eye view of the city, experiencing the captivating blend of tradition and modernity. It is also possible to cycle on the ancient city wall. If you feel interested, your guide would be very happy to help you with the bike rental at a small charge. Go cycling on the wall and enjoy golden sunset view, what a marvelous experience!

► Dinner Suggestion:
In Xi'an, known as the "City of Buns," you can find a diverse array of bun sandwiches. Ingredients sandwiched can be meat, vegetables, and even Cold Noodles (Liang Pi), but the most popular is undoubtedly meat and with it the sandwich is called Rou Jia Mo, which means “meat in a bun”. This iconic Xi'an delicacy boasts a 2,000-year history. Among the many vendors, Ziwu Road Zhangji Rou Jia Mo (there is a branch just 10 minutes’ drive from your hotel) is a must-try, reputed to have served every Xi'an local. Often called "Chinese hamburger," Rou Jia Mo is filled with meat only, unlike its Western counterpart which has many ingredients layered at once. Handcrafted and baked on the spot, it enjoys crispy skin and a soft inside with savory meat juices. And the eatery we recommend just exemplifies the local culinary prowess. Average cost per person: CNY 30 / USD 4.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

In the morning, you will visit the oldest also the largest Muslim mosque in Xi’an, the Great Mosque. The 1,300 years old mosque perfectly combines the traditional Chinese architectural style with the original Muslim style, featuring exquisite buildings and sacred religious atmosphere. After the visit, you will have a chance to linger over the nearby Muslim Quarter. Inhabited by a large Muslim population, the quarter offers the most bustling local Muslim market with tasty street food. You can taste some delicious local snacks and experience a very local vibe here.

After that, we will drive to the Han Yang Ling Museum, a mausoleum of Emperor Jingdi (188 – 141 BC) and his empress in the Han Dynasty. It offers a quiet place for you to explore ancient history at a short range by walking over the pit areas on the glass to look down directly at the relics in the pit.

Your Beijing Xi’an tour comes to an end here and your guide will see you off at the airport. Hope you will enjoy traveling with us!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast