[Important] Travel News for Expats: China travel is reopening! Travel with China Discovery and learn about where to visit & requirements for each destination! Read Details >
[Important] Travel News for Expats: China travel is reopening! Travel with China Discovery and learn about where to visit & requirements for each destination! Read Details >
How to visit Xian in a leisure way?
This trip is ideal for those who have brief 2 days to stay in Xian but want to explore the history and culture of the ancient capital city. It is perfectly designed to cover the Must-see attractions in Xian in a well-paced and flexible itinerary. You will discover the amazing history behind the Terracotta Warriors and step on top of the Ancient City Wall, feel the invisible heart beats of this ancient city. You can start this tour in the morning from your hotel, or let us pick up you at the airport or train station if you arrive at Xian in the morning. Feel free to ask questions to our travel consultants if you don't know where to start.
Day 1 Xian Arrival & Half Day Sightseeing ( L )
Highlights of today: Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter
Today, your local travel guide will meet you in your hotel or the airport / train station and escort you to the 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 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 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!
Continue your visit 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. This visit is followed by a relaxing wander around bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, a place where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture.
Optional activities: 1). Take a relaxing cycling on the Ancient City Wall; 2). Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 8pm to 9pm) after a hearty dumpling dinner at a local restaurant.
Visit Muslim Quarter to Enjoy Some Snacks
Day 2 Terracotta Warriors & Xian Departure ( L )
Highlights of today: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Hanyangling
After breakfast, drive about 40km 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.
After lunch, take a short visit to Hanyangling which is the joint mausoleum of Emperor Jingdi and his consort Empress Wang. Compared with the Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling is much less crowded so that you can enjoy a quiet lesson in archaeology. Here you can find many mini terracotta figures of not only warrior and horses, but also maidens and other animals. You actually walk on glass over top of the archaeological site, which gives an intriguing perspective.
The rest of the day is free for you until be escorted to catch the flight/train to leave Xian.
Terracotta Figures in Hanyanglilng Museum
Challenge yourself to hike the thrilling hiking routes on Mount Huashan.
Mount Huashan is located in Shaanxi Province, 120 kilometers away from Xian. It is not only as one of the sacred Taoist mountains in China, but also a very challenging mountain for hiking lovers. Mount Hua is famous for its lofty peaks and steep paths. Some travelers who have walked the Skywalk (Plankroad in the Sky) describe Mount Hua Hiking as the “Most Dangerous Hike in the World”. Well, this used to be true many years ago when little safe facilities were constructed, such as the cableway, tight wire, handrails. Today, it is available for most travelers to climb from the foot to the top of the mountain.
Hi Riley,
Thanks for the follow up. Again, we are so happy with the trip and the services. Tour guide very good, car and driver very good and the places we visited are really nice. Also lunch was good.
Good evening Wonder,
Sorry, I just saw your message. Our trip in Datong was very great. Everything was very good organized. I will send you a detail feedback on Monday.
Thank you very much.
Cathy
Hello Wonder!
This email is a bit late, but it is the review email! I just posted a review to tripadvisor. I think it takes a day or two load (I think it gets reviewed), but this is what it says:
"This is the second trip that my
husband and I have taken with China Discovery, and we thoroughly enjoyed
it! Our first experience with China Discovery was a trip to Yunan
Provice. This time, we went to Zhangjiajie in Hunan Provice. Each
time, our thoughtful travel consultant, Wonder, kept us informed about the
process. When we had questions, he answered them. If it required
him to reach out to a tourist site to confirm information, he did. He
kept us informed of various travel requirements, weather conditions, etc. I feel very comfortable and confident planning my trips through Wonder, and my
husband and I are planning additional trips with him as our travel consultant
in the future.
Each time we have gone on a trip, we have loved the itinerary, the food, and
the experience. In addition, our guides' English has always been superb,
and we enjoyed chatting with them to gain more cultural understanding of our
environment.
In Yunan, Tom was our guide. We went to the Yuanyang Rice terraces and
surrounding areas of Kunming. He was great! Great conversationalist,
great enthusiast for history and culture, and great guide. he even always made
sure we had extra bottles of water. We would highly recommend Tom.
As for Zhangjiajie specifically, it was great fun! Our local guide,
David, was fantastic. At one point, when he realized we really did not
like the crowds, he made a point to find quieter and more solitary locations
that would still show us the splendor of Zhangjiajie. Food choices were
great. He kept us to a schedule, but in a comfortable and appropriate
way. We really, thoroughly, enjoyed ourselves. We would highly
recommend David.
As you can tell, we had two totally different trips and both were highly
successful. Our experience with China Discovery has thus far been a
completely wonderful experience and we hope to have more in the
future."
As for the China Discovery website, you are free to use the above review, or for variety, you can use the following.
"We recently went to Zhangjiajie and it was an amazing experience! Wonder was our travel agent again -- I was so happy with my first trip with Wonder that I reached out to him again for this second trip! Wonder took the time to answer questions, inform us about travel requirements, and ensure we had a wonderful time. He patiently answered questions and gave us different quotes as the number of people and days of the trip changed. The fact our second trip planned by Wonder was so great, that it gave me confidence and comfort to plan a third trip with Wonder, which will happen later this year.
In addition, our guide in Zhangjiajie, David, was fantastic. He made a point to ensure that in each event, we had every opportunity to enjoy ourselves. At one point, he realized we did not like the crowds associated with the most popular lookout points in Zhangjiajie, so he made a point to take us to more quiet, solitary locations that still provided us with the splendor of the park. He took care of every entrance and made sure everything was as seamless as possible. It was amazing. His english was fantastic and he took the time to ask questions and listen to answers. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were very happy to have had David as our guide!"
Also, I have some pictures for you! They should be attached. You are free to use these on your website. (They might have gone to the bottom of the email chain)
Thanks, Wonder! We are looking forward to our upcoming Yunan trip also.
take care
Hi Jack,
My trip with China discovery was outstanding! It was the first time I have ever used a travel agency and I would definitely use them again. Very easy to organise the trip with lots of flexibility. Everything that they promised to do was done. The tour guides were excellent - very knowledgeable and again willing to adapt based on personal interests. I went to Guilin and Zhangjiajie - both destinations were stunning - lots of variety packed into the both parts of the trip. I had an amazing trip and would recommend to anyone who likes the outdoors!
Dear Wonder,
How are you? Hope you are well. You organised a very nice trip for me to Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou way back in 2014.
You requested a review from me but I loaded to the wrong website. I came across the review today unexpectedly in my computer system and I would like to send it to you, to be used by your website. This is because I was very pleased by the trip that you organised for me. I was a lone female traveler but I still remember the lovely tour guides you found for me, especially the one at Chengdu.
I truly had a wonderful holiday and great memories.
I am now back in the UK. I certainly will use your tour service again if I ever travel to China the next time.
Take care in the pandemic.
Best wishes
Siang
( Dr Yih Siang CHEN)
6 Days/ 5 nights Chengdu/ Jiuzhai Valley Tour
I went on a 6 days / 5 nights private tour to Chengdu / Jiuzhaigou in
October 2014.I spent 2 days in Chengdu and the rest in Jiuzhaigou valley.
Since it was my first trip to China and I was a single female traveller,
understandably, I was initially apprehensive before the tour. However, all my
initial reservations disappeared once my tour began. I have decided to go on a
private tour because I could not find a group tour which can come up with the
itinery that I wanted.
From the onset, it was a pleasure to deal with Wonder. He made me a detailed
itinery, specific to my wishes , down to the hotels that I preferred. I must
say that he has honoured and stuck to our contract throughout my tour. He also
phoned my tour guides on a daily basis just to make sure the itinery went on as
planned and to make sure that I was ok.He was contactable at all times and any
problems were sorted out very quickly and efficiently. He was also very
accommodating and was willing to make changes in my itinery at very short
notice whenever possible.I have found him to be reliable and trustworthy.
The tour guides were all very professional and knowledgeable. I was very happy
with them.They spoke fluent English and were very knowledgeable about the
places that we visited. They took care of everything, from meeting me at the
airport, check- in into hotels, arranging for meals, transport, tickets for
shows and checking in for my return flights. I was impressed that they would go
out of their way to make my tour comfortable, hassle free and really tried to
give me a memorable hoilday. They were prepared to work till late evenings. As
a matter of fact, they would wait for me while I watched some shows in the
evenings and one of them was even so kind to buy me an adaptor which I had lost
in a hotel.
In Chengdu, I visited the Panda Research Centre, Jinli Street,Sichuan Museum
and a silk factory at my request. i was not obliged to visit any factories
throughout my tour.
Then, I flew on to Jiuzhai Valley and had another 3 days of private tours; 1
day in Huanglong Park and 2 full days in Jiuzhai National Park.I was glad that
I flew return to the valley because the roads up there are really winding and
being prone to travel sickness , it would have been a disaster for me to be
sick.
I was met by another tour guide there. I am really glad that I took a private
tour because I had my personal tour guide who walked with me at my pace
throughout the Jiuzhai National park. She knew all the scenic spots and
pathways by heart and made sure that I did not miss any important spots.Because
she knew all the places so well, we could cover most of the scenic spots on
foot in detail.She would walk with me and explain every lake, waterfall and
other spots. She explained in detail all about the history, myths, customs and
religion of the tribes there. It was an eye opener for me.I am sure I would not
be getting all these explanation if I had gone in a group tour.Most group tours
tend to be rushed but I was not rushed at all. I had ample time to take all the
photos that I wanted , time to have meals and some shopping for souveniers and
even short rests at beautiful spots where I could linger and just soak up the
magnificent natural beauty.
Jiuzhai Valley is an extraordinary , beautiful park. It is my personal opinion
that 2 full days are required to do the park justice. It is difficult to rush
through the scenic spots in a day especially when there are massive crowds and
queues everywhere.It was worth it to pay the hefty entrance fee for 2 days.
Because I had 2 full days, I could do a hike with my guide who accompanied me
throughout the trails to the 3 major valleys. I came away feeling satisfied and
had lots of marvellous photos to show.
I was especially pleased that on one occasion, my tour guide took me through a
small path , away from the tourist crowds. We walked at our pace and saw some
smaller lovely waterfalls and lakes. I did not have to jostle with the typical
crowds and could take my time to take some truly picturesque photos and videos.
I am convinced that if I had joined a group tour , I would not have been able
to see and explore the national park as much as I did.
My advice to travellers is to go on some fitness training before the tour. You
have to be prepared to do a lot of walking for this is the best way to see the
best views. Taking the bus to just the best scenic spots would be cheating and
would not do the park justice.The only downside of the trip was the crowds. Be
prepared for massive crowds, they can get unruly at times, especially when it
rains, so do bring a raincoat or umbrella.Also be prepared for the less than
ideal toilet facilities. Bring lots of tissues as handwash and tissues are not
provided.
Due to my excellent and friendly tour guides and Wonder's meticulous planning, I
had a fabulous holiday and a great time in China. I would highly recommend
Wonder Wang and his tour agency to all my friends and family. If I return to
China, I would certainly go through Wonder and his agency again. So, a big
thank you to Wonder and all my lovely tour guides for making my holiday a truly
memorable one!
Dr YS CHEN-PELFRENE
London, UK
"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.
Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.
Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.
We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.
Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.
Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.
Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!
Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!
Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.
Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!
In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!
The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.
If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.
Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.
We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.
The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Our guests biking on the Ancient City Wall
Xian Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Visit Muslim Quarter to Enjoy Some Snacks
Terracotta Warriors were built by the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife
Terracotta Figures in Hanyanglilng Museum
Our private Xian tour packages let you decide where to go, when to go, where to stay and touring paces on your own. The itinerary, hotels, food, cultural programs are customized to match your requirements. Before the tour, our knowledgeable Xian experts will give reliable suggestions and propose ideal tour package for you. During the tour, our private tour guide will help you learn deep about the history and culture of Xian, and make sure everything work well throughout the tour at the same time.
Xian applies to the 72-Hour Transit Visa Exemption. Visitor from 53 foreign countries who hold valid travel document & connecting flights to a third country/region can enter Xian from Xian Xianyang Airport, and stay in Xian up to 72 hours without a Chinese Visa. But since Xi’an has not many international flights, and the city is usually a middle stop of a China tour, we advise you to apply for a China Tourist Visa (L Visa) before coming to China so that you can travel in a more secure and flexible way. China Discovery can provide you the invitation letter so that you can obtain the visa with bigger chance while least time.
Xi'an has a warm temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate with distinct four seasons – warm spring, hot and rainy summer, cool and comfortable autumn, cold and dry winter. The average annual temperature of Xi'an is around 13°C / 55°F. Generally speaking, you can visit Xian all year around, as most of the attractions are located in and near city area. But the best two periods of time to visit is March to June and mid-September to early November. During this period, the weather there is neither too hot nor too cold, and the number of tourists is relatively smaller than the summer time’s.
What to wear in summer? - light, quick-dry and easy to wear clothes, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket and comfortable shoes. What to wear in winter? - double layer jacket, long underwear pants and tops, sweaters, long sleeve shirts, wool blend socks, boots, winter jacket, winter hat, winter gloves, winter scarf. What to wear in spring? - long underwear, fleece outer layer, face mask, light hat, scarf, and gloves. What to wear in autumn? - thermal warmer jacket, light hat, gloves, scarf, wool socks, fleece pants.
Xian is only about 2~3 hours flying from majority of big cities in China, such as Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, etc. You can also take international flights to Xian from more than 50 countries and regions, such as Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Sydney, Kuala, Bangkok, etc. Xian is connected by high-speed rails widely. You can get from Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Pingyao, etc. to Xian by bullet trains within 6 hours. Recommended gateways to Xian include: Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Hong Kong.
Bell & Drum Towers Area - strongly recommended for first-timers, easy access to Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Bell Tower, Drum Tower and popular restaurants. Hotel rates are higher than other areas, but you have a lot of choices of different standards. Xincheng District - not very far from the city center as well as Xian’s main attractions, recommended for families as there are shopping center and parks to enjoy a stroll. Yanta Distict – Yanta District is on the south of the city center, also near main attractions, including Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, History Museum, etc. It has many hotels of budget class.
China Discovery only uses those hotels with convenient amenities, fine services and great reputations. Most of them are 5-star and 4-star hotels located near the Muslim Quarter (food street), Bell Tower, Ancient City Wall, where you can also get easy accesses to subway, shopping malls, banks, etc.
The city area of Xian can be explored in brief two days, while the surrounding regions also have a lot of places to explore, such as Mount Hua, Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng. If time allows, you can extend your trip from Xian to above places. Each place only needs about 1 day to visit.
Xian / Mount Huashan
Xian / Mount Huashan / Xian
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[Important] Travel News for Expats: China travel is reopening now! Travel with China Discovery and learn about where to visit & requirements for each destination! Read Details >
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from north east to south west”
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