Two Great Ancient Capitals
Both Xian and Luoyang had played important roles in the ancient China history. Both used to be the capital for 13 ancient dynasties, such as Qin, Han, Tang, etc. During this tour, you will firstly explore Luoyang which is famous for Buddhist culture, then take a high speed train(less 2 hours) to Xian to see the world famous Terracotta Warriors and other interesting sites.
Highlights of this tour
Welcome to Luoyang, one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China! Your local guide and driver will meet you at Luoyang train station or the airport and escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle. The rest of today is free for you to explore this ancient city on your own.
How to Get to Luoyang? It is available to take a flight to Luoyang from Beijing (2hrs), Shanghai (2hrs), Chengdu (2hrs), Chongqing (2hrs), Guangzhou (2.5hrs), etc., or take a high speed train to Luoyang from Xian (1.5hrs), Zhengzhou (40mins), Beijing (3.5hrs), Shanghai (5.5hrs), Nanjing (3.5 ~ 4 hours), Hangzhou (about 5.5 hours), etc.
After breakfast, start today's trip with a visit to White Horse Temple, about 50 minutes' driving from central downtown. Established in AD 68 of Eastern Han dynasty, White Horse Temple is the first Buddhist temple in China with over 1900 years history. Since then, it spreads the Buddhism throughout China and is regarded as the cradle of Chinese Buddhism. Visiting White Horse Temple permits you not only to appreciate the old architectures in the main temple, but also to enjoy different other temples with exotic styles in the International Zone, including Indian Temple, Burmese Temple, and Thai Temple.
After sightseeing in White Horse Temple, keep driving about 1.5hrs to Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and the cradle of Kung Fu. You will visit the grandiose temples and halls, admire stone carving art, learn about Buddhism culture, and observe the daily living and meditation of monks in the temple. Don't miss the famous Pagoda Forest, the existing largest pagoda forest in China. When an important monk passed away, their cremains or skeleton would be put into the underground palace, and a pagoda will be built on it. The pagoda's height, size and number of layers will be decided according to the monk's Buddhism knowledge, reputation and merits and virtues during his lifetime. You will also enjoy a magnificent Kung Fu Show in Shaolin Wushu Hall which is performed by martial monks of Shaolin Temple daily, and usually lasts for about half an hour.
After the Kung Fu experience, drive back to Luoyang for Accommodation.
Today, your tour starts from Luoyang Museum which shows each kind of perspective on ancient Luoyang. There are more than 1,000 exhibits dating back to the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618 ~ 907) and even to the earliest prehistoric times (before the 21st century B.C.) in the informative display halls, such as exquisite tri-colored glazed potteries, various bronzeware, ancient clay sculpture, treasured calligraphy and paintings, etc.
Then, you will drive to Longmen Grottoes, which contains the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art of the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (316-907). The UNESCO World Heritage site is densely scattered on the cliffs of Mount Longmen (West Hill) and Mount Xiangshan (East Mountain) – on two banks of Yi River. West Hill houses the major caves with notable displays of Buddhist sculptures and calligraphic inscriptions. The highlights include Bingyang Cave which tells a wealth of history and artistic value, Guyang Cave with over 1,000 Buddha statues and 800 calligraphy inscriptions, and Fengxian Temple – the largest cave with a 17.14-meter-tall sculpture of Vairocana Buddha.
After the tour, you will be escorted to the Luoyang Longmen Railway Station and take a high speed train to Xian. Stay overnight in Xian.
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. Rent a bike (extra cost: 45RMB) to enjoy a relaxing cycling on the Wall is strongly recommended. The cycling routes and duration are flexible. Feel free to discuss with your tour guide. 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)
Optional activity: Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 8pm to 9pm) after (or without) a hearty dumpling dinner at a local restaurant.
After breakfast, head to Da Ci'en Temple, a famous Buddhist sutra translation site during the Tang Dynasty. Giant 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 bought 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 o 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.
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Xian / Huashan / Luoyang
Xian / Luoyang Longmen Grottoes / Xian
Beijing / Luoyang / Xian
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