4-Day Xi’an Highlights Tour with Mount Huashan Hiking

Attractions: No
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Xi’an

Welcome to Xi’an! Upon arrival, be greeted by our local tour guide who is holding a sign with your name in the Arrival Hall of Airport or Railway Station. Then a comfortable vehicle (non-smoking) with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel in Xi’an downtown. Your guide will help you check in. The rest of the day is on your own to discover this beautiful city.

Attractions: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque
Meal: Not included
Hotel: Overnight in Xi’an

After breakfast, drive about 40 km to discover one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world – the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, built by the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size warriors, horses and chariots, buried in 3 pits for more than 2,000 years until uncovered by a local farmer in 1974, form an ancient military army with complete battle units of infantry, cavalry, etc. Standing in front of these figures, one can’t help being amazed not only by the ambition of Emperor Qin Shihuang but also by the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans. (Before the Terracotta Warriors Museum visit, you will have a rare opportunity to make a miniature Terracotta Warrior on your own under the instruction of a local potter.)

After lunch, return to Xian to take a wonderful stroll on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Enjoy panoramic views of modern Xian while you leisurely examine this well-maintained city wall which is 12 meters high and 18 meters wide with a total circuit of nearly 14 kilometers. Leave the City Wall, then go to wander leisurely around bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, a place where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture. Don’t miss the Great Mosque of Xian which is a fusion of Chinese culture and Islamic culture, a sacred religious site with huge ancient architectural complex, also a surprisingly quiet land away from the bustling Muslim streets. After the Great Mosque visit, you will be escorted back to your hotel. (If you want to stay more time at the Muslim Quarter for dinner and relaxing, or want to explore the nearby Bell & Drum Towers on your own, please let your tour guide know)

Attractions: Cable Car - North Peak - Canglongling - East Peak - Plank Walk - South Peak - West Peak - Cable Car
Meal: Not included
Hotel: Overnight in Xi’an

After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel. Then you will be escorted to Mount Hua (Huashan) by car, which will take you two hours on the way.

After arrival, take a park bus from the tourist center to the foot of the North Peak of Mount Hua (about 20mins). To save energy and time, you will take cable car up to the North Peak directly (about 10mins). At North Peak, you can get the first views of other four peaks, and watch far away. And only the fourth side of North Peak is the entrance path to other peaks which is named “Ear Rubbing Cliff” for tourists have to climb further up only by pressing the ear close the cliff. Then you will hike about 2 hours to get to the East Peak. On route, you will visit the Heavenly Ladders, Riyue Cliff, Canglong Ling, Golden Lock Pass. Spend some time to view the breathtaking landscape on the East Peak. Continue hiking about 1hour to the South Peak. You will firstly get to Nantian Gate, then get to the famous Plank Road in the Sky which is seen as the most dangerous path in the world. Well, it is dependent on you to take this fearsome path or not. It is a more than 100 meters long, 0.3 meters wide plank road built along the surface of a vertical cliff, which usually takes about 30~45 minutes to walk through and back. Keep walking about 20mins from the Plank Road in the Sky, you will get to the South Peak which is the highest peak on Mount Hua. From South Peak, you can see other four lower peaks. Then take the last hiking about 40 minutes to the West Peak. The West Peak is also called Lotus Peak because of its unique shape. This peak is formed by a huge rock. Hence, it’s very steep.

Lastly, walk about 20mins from West Peak to the West Peak Cableway station to take a cable car to descend the mountain. Hanging over 900 meters above the valley, West Peak Cable Car offers breathtaking view of the peaks and valleys of Mount Huashan, which is a highlight you can’t miss out.

Attractions: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum
Meal: Not included
Hotel: Overnight in Xi’an

After a little bit rest and fresh up, head to Da Cien Temple, a famous Buddhist sutra translation site during the Tang Dynasty. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the most famous building in the temple. The pagoda, rising to a height of 64.5 meters, was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve classic scriptures he brought back from India during the early Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang was the prototype character for Tang Seng in the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. (Note: It costs an extra 30 RMB if you want to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda) After (or before) visiting the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, you will be provided a free experience of trying on the Hanfu which is the solemn costume of the emperors and their families, the ministers and the noble in the ancient dynasties of China. Seize this rare opportunity to take some photos to record this unique memory!

Following is an educational visiting to Shaanxi History Museum. Ramble in the modern exhibition halls to appreciate relics, such as porcelains, paintings, currencies from Zhou to the Tang periods (1100 BC to 907 AD). (Note: Shaanxi History Museum may be replaced with other activity or attraction because of crowding tourists during July ~ early September and China’s National Day during Oct.1-Oct.7. You may check details with your travel consultant.)

The rest of the day is free for you until be escorted to catch the flight/train to leave Xian. Tour ends.