2 Days Essence of Xi'an Heritage Sites

After breakfast, you may find your way to a station of Metro Line 1 and take it bound for Fangzhicheng. At Fangzhicheng station, you will find tourist bus No.5 (306) after you leave the station from Exit A and walk north about 100 meters. The bus will take you to the Terracotta Army Museum in about 90 minutes and the ticktes fare is CNY5. The first one departs from 08:00 and the last one is 19:00. If your start point is Beikezhan, the north railway station, you can take Metro Line 2 bound for Weiqunan and transfer to Line 1 at Beidajie. If your hotel is in downtown Xi'an, it could be easy to find Metro Line 2 as it runs between the north to the south along the center of the city. If you start from Xi'an Railway Station, you will walk east about 1.7 kilometers and take bus No. 914 at Sanfuwan Bus Station. After about 100 minutes, you will arrive at the museum. The ticket fare is CNY13 and the bus departs every 30 minutes, which is longer than 306. It is recommended to take bus No.5 (306) as it is state-run and departs more frequently.

The admission fee of Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum is CNY120, including the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. The museum opens at 08:30. It is recommended to arrive there as early as possible, especially during summer time. It will be filling up quickly and none of the three pits have air conditioner in order to protect the cultural relics. Although there are English information boards, the story behind the warriors is what makes them incredible, so hiring an English speaking guide is worth of it. It may cost around CNY200 for an English speaking guide.

This archeological site is divided into three pits. Pit 1 is the largest one and you can see the most figures there. Pit 2 and 3 are almost unrevealed. Besides, there is also a museum exhibiting the unearthed cultural relics. You need several hours or half a day in this site to learn the history.

After that, reverse your trip back and take Metro Line 1 and change to Line 2 at Beidajie Station, alight at Zhonglou (Bell Tower) station. Bell Tower, a stately traditional building, is located in the very center of the city. Climbing on it, you may get a good view of the city and the nearby Muslim quarter. It is recommended to buy a combo ticket for Bell Tower and the nearby Drum Tower, with a cost of CNY50. Then end your Xi'an city tour today at the bustling Muslim Quarter, just behind the Drum Tower. Experience the Muslim food street with a variety of food and other goods on offer.

The ancient City Wall includes four main gates, among which the South Gate (Yongningmen) is the most beautifully decorated one and the most popular gate for travelers ascending to the wall. Many buses and Subway Line 2 can reach Nanmen/ Yongningmen (South Gate) Station. The entrance fee is CNY54. With a total distance of around 14 kilometers, the City Wall surrounds the old part of Xian city. Riding bicycle on the flat top of the wall is a funning experience. The deposit of CNY200 is required for hiring each bike together with actual charge of CNY45 of a single bicycle and CNY90 for a tandem. The hire last 2 hours and there are additional charges if you are overtime. You can return the bike at any of the four gates before 20:00.

If you descend the wall from the South Gate, you may take Subway Line 2 again and get off at Xiaozhai Station, Exit F, then walk eastward around 800 meters, you will reach Shaanxi History Museum. This museum is an impressive place to fully review Chinese culture and history. The main part of the museum is free for public. You just need show your valid passport to the ticket office to get a free ticket if you have reserved before. We are happy to help you with the reservation. Please keep in mind that the museum is closed on Mondays.

From the Shaanxi History Museum, you could take bus no. 19, 401, 34 or 24 to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Get off at Dayanta Station. The solemn ancient pagoda is inside the Da Ci'en Temple. It was original built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and was used to hold Buddhist relics and classics taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. The admission fee of Da Ci'en Temple is CNY50. If you want to ascend the pagoda, you need to pay an additional ticket fee of CNY30.

If you are not tired from the trip, you may go to the featured squares and gardens around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the south, you will find Great Tang All Day Mall, it is a popular free attraction site among both travelers and locals. The featured structures and interesting performances at night will show you a vivid image of the life in Tang Dynasty (618AD to 907AD). Otherwise, you may take bus or Subway Line 3 back to your hotel to end this Xi'an city tour.