Tours/Xian/Xi'an: Terracotta Army & City Highlights Private Day Tour
Viator · Private tour

Xi'an: Terracotta Army & City Highlights Private Day Tour

5.0(42)Xian1 hour
VIATOR5.0(2)TRIPADVISOR5.0(40)

Description

Enjoy warm on-time pickup at your hotel by our guide and driver. After visiting the world-famous Terracotta Army, design your own afternoon itinerary by choosing 1 or 2 attractions from seven must-see highlights. With full ticket support and considerate service, every detail is taken care of for a flexible and one-of-a-kind travel experience. Note: if you book this tour, we will help you book all the tickets beforehand. All you need to do is send us your full name and passport numbers. When you meet our guide, you can just pay the tickets fee on spot.

Tour Options

Customized Day Tour
  • Customized day tour, no lunch: 8-9 hours Xian tour.This day tour only includes private transfer service and professional guide. Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission not included180 min

Your private guide and driver will hold a sign with your name to pick you up from your hotel lobby at 7:30 a.m to beat the crowd (or at your own requested time). After one hour drive, you will arrive at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Your personal guide will show you around and share informative stories about its history. You will visit Pit 1, Pit 2, Pit 3 and the exhibition museum with no tourist factory stops. After lunch at a local restaurant, our guide and driver will take you to visit 1 to 2 attractions of your own choice from the 7 top attractions listed below. At the end of the full-day tour, your guide and driver will drive you back to your hotel.

60 min

This is optional. If you select this site, we will arrange and take you to visit it. A vibrant, historic heart of Xi’an with a history of over 1,000 years, bursting with color, flavor and local life. Wander through lively alleyways filled with delicious street food, traditional handicrafts and authentic Hui culture. It’s the perfect place to taste real local snacks and feel the lively soul of the city.

Admission not included60 min

This is optional. If you select this site, we will arrange and take you to visit it. It is one of the iconic landmarks of Xi’an with a history of over 1,370 years. The pagoda is situated inside Daci’en Temple and was constructed during the Tang Dynasty. The scenery surrounding the pagoda is truly beautiful, with elegant traditional architectural style and peaceful, serene surroundings. As a famous Buddhist landmark along the ancient Silk Road, it is closely associated with the respected Monk Xuanzang, who preserved and translated Buddhist scriptures here. You can admire the grand pagoda, experience profound traditional Buddhist culture, and enjoy the tranquil and charming atmosphere of the entire temple complex.

Admission not included60 min

This is optional. If you select the Legend of Camel Bells Show, we will help you book the tickets and arrange the drop off service after the show. Widely regarded as the most spectacular show in China, with unique scenes and performances you cannot see anywhere else, this show tells the stories of the ancient Silk Road, showcases the prosperity of the glorious Tang Dynasty, and presents the local customs, traditions and people’s lifestyles of Xi’an. It helps you better understand Xi’an’s past and present. Experience Xi’an’s most breathtaking immersive performance, with a revolving theater, spectacular sound and light effects, and a magnificent retelling of the ancient Silk Road. There are 5 daily performances, and your guide will arrange the most suitable showtime based on your chosen attractions, then assist you with booking tickets at exclusive travel agency preferential rates.

Admission not included60 min

This is optional. If you select this site, we will arrange and take you to visit it. The Xi’an City Wall has a history of over 600 years. It is China’s best-preserved ancient city wall and military defense system, with a total length of 13.7 kilometers. It is the iconic landmark of Xi’an. You can walk on the wall, cycle along it, or take photos freely. On top, you will enjoy stunning and beautiful views of Xi’an, as well as the moat around the wall. You can also see the classic military defense structures, including the arrow tower, gate tower and general’s tower.

Admission not included90 min

This is optional. Xi’an is very famous for its authentic Tang Dynasty traditional music and dance show, which is performed in a luxurious five-star theater. The Tang Dynasty lasted from 618 AD to 907 AD, and during this glorious period, China was one of the most developed and prosperous countries in the world. This wonderful show fully presents the brilliant economic, cultural and social development of the Tang Dynasty, showing the extraordinary charm of the most prosperous dynasty in ancient China. This elegant show runs from 7:30 PM ~8:30 PM every evening, featuring classic Tang court dances, traditional music, and splendid imperial costumes. You may also choose the dumpling banquet package—dine on delicious dumplings one hour before the show. Your guide will assist you with booking tickets at exclusive travel agency preferential rates. Round-trip private transfer between your hotel and the show venue can be arranged.

Admission not included30 min

This is optiobal. If you select this site, we will arrange and take you to visit it. A hidden gem with a history of over 1,280 years, combining Chinese architectural beauty with Islamic spirituality. Walk through peaceful courtyards, ancient pavilions and elegant carvings, experiencing a perfect blend of two great cultures. A quiet, unforgettable highlight in the heart of Xi’an.

Admission not included60 min

This is optional. If you select this site, we will arrange and take you to visit it. A legendary imperial garden with a history of use dating back over 3,000 years. Nestled at the foot of Lishan Mountain, it is famous as the romantic retreat of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. Walk among ancient imperial hot spring pools, serene lakes, and classical pavilions steeped in history and timeless love stories. The site also holds great significance from the modern Xi’an Incident, making it a must-see blend of nature, romance, and history.

Highlights

Professional English-speaking tour guide
Experienced private driver with comfortable business van
Bottled water

What's included

Included
Professional English-speaking tour guide
Experienced private driver with comfortable business van
Bottled water
Not included
Meals
Tips for guide and driver (recommended)
Personal cost
Admission fee for sites mentioned in the itinerary
The show tickets

Pickup Locations & Times

Please provide your hotel name and address when booking. We offer free hotel pickup and drop-off at all hotels in Xian downtown area. If you need pickup from the Xianyang Airport or Xi'an North Railway Station, an extra fee applies. Please advise us in advance, and you can pay the driver directly on the day. Our driver will arrive 15 minutes early. Please wait in the hotel lobby and keep your phone available.

Traveller Ratings

5.0
42 reviews
5
42
4
0
3
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2
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1
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Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Highlights
  • Flexible private tour: Visit the Terracotta Army and choose 1–2 sights from 7 popular options
  • No shopping stops, enjoy pure sightseeing with no forced detours
  • We assist with all ticket and performance arrangements for a worry-free journey
  • In-depth guided tour of the Terracotta Army with professional local insights
  • Dine at carefully selected local restaurants and taste authentic Xi’an food, not tourist traps
  • Customizable itinerary at your own pace with fully transparent pricing and no hidden costs

Reviews(42)

G
Go427996
August 4, 2026
A must do tour of Xi’an

A fantastic day in Xi’an with our excellent tour guide Stefanie. We were collected from our hotel in a very comfortable spacious vehicle with good ac 😎. There was bottled water and fruit provided in the car as well. We started with the Terracotta Army and although it was very busy, Stefanie was able to get us through the crowds and point us in the best locations for views and photos! We then headed to a local restaurant with really good food, where we ate noodles and Chinese burgers! We then added on The Camel Bell show which was a great add on to the tour and recommended by Stefanie. We paid for the best seats available and really weren’t disappointed! After the show we headed to the Muslim Quarter for some street food and souvenirs and finally to the Drum & Bell Tower! We were then dropped off back at our hotel! A thoroughly good day and would highly recommend!

J
juancarlospani
August 4, 2026
Family tour with Spanish-speaking guide Spectacular

Highly recommended activity with a Spanish-speaking guide offered by Stefanie and Gloria, who gave us a dose full of enthusiasm, joy, full dedication, kindness, and above all, great professionalism, adapting to the group of 8 people that we were, with a phenomenal private bus service where the driver's good work is also worth noting. Many thanks to Stefanie and Gloria, it has been a phenomenal day and we just want to say that we hope to return soon. Greetings from the family from Malaga who enjoyed every minute of all the time we had ❤️😃🫂

S
sarabN6955VF
August 4, 2026
Excellent experience in Xi’an with Stefanie

Super attentive and kind from the moment she picked us up at the station. We traveled as a family, 8 people, and although we had a rainy day and only had that day to see the city, the experience was incredible. From the Terracotta warriors to the Muslim quarter at night. The food was exquisite, including the city's typical hamburger. I would definitely repeat this tour with them.

A
alexandresT9392LP
July 4, 2026
Amazing experience in Xi’An with Stephanie!!

Stephanie is an excellent tour guide, so attentive and kind. I had already hired her for a business trip, and this time I chose her again for a trip with my family. Her service is honest, punctual, and highly efficient. From our airport transfer to the hotel, everything was perfectly timed and welcoming. We didn't have any issues with tickets or entry at the places we visited. It's also worth highlighting her generosity. She always provided us with plenty of free bottled water and delicious fresh fruits during the tours. She was incredibly sweet to my children, gifting them little toys as soon as we arrived in the city. She was always mindful of them and took her time to explain everything with great care and detail. It was a wonderful family trip, and our great satisfaction is definitely thanks to Stephanie's excellent work. We highly recommend her services to anyone who wants to explore Xi'An with top quality and fair prices!

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TessaBrandse
May 28, 2026
I would definitely recommend her!

We had two really great days with Stefanie as our guide. She recommended a fantastic show to us: “Legend of the Camel Bell.” Stefanie is very friendly. She speaks English well. She knows a lot about the Terracotta Army. We had lunch together at a lovely little restaurant. This was on her recommendation. I would definitely recommend her!

L
L9032IEandr_s
July 8, 2025
Visita aos Guerreiros de Terracota

Quero agradecer a nossa guia Stefany, que nos mostrou a cidade de Xian, muito educada, paciente, uma excelente guia. Obrigado I want to thank our guide Stefany, who showed us around the city of Xian. She was very polite, patient, and an excellent guide. Thank you.

G
Goldfish10
April 23, 2025
Get a Tour Guide for the Terra Cotta Warriers

We booked a day trip with Stefanie to see the Terracotta Warriors and 2 additional sites of our choice (Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque), and I am so glad we went with a guide. Stefanie and her driver picked us up at our hotel and got us to the Terracotta site when it opened. The site was much more confusing than I expected, and she hustled us to the entrance and prime viewing spots throughout the tour. There are SO many people at this site and any English signs are few and hard to see between the crowds, so we were so glad we had a live guide to walk us through, park us at different viewing spots, and point out different highlights as we went along. It was efficient, educational, and nice not to be struggling through the crowds alone, trying to figure out what to see next and what the significance of each of the tombs or sculptures was. Then afterwards, she spontaneously asked if we wanted to book tickets to a Silk Road themed song/music/costume show, and we were so glad we added that to our tour. It was awesome, technologically modern, fun, and very Chinese all at once. There are some jaw dropping theatrical effects during the Silk Road show, so I recommend not really reading about what you'll see in advance so there are no spoilers and you get the full amazement too, haha. Stefanie was also flexible about eating and breaks. We got milk teas when we needed a sit down, and she took us to an excellent local restaurant that wasn't touristy at all. I feel like we enjoyed real Xi'an food in a real Chinese restaurant. The Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter were also a great choise, as the mosque had elements that we wouldn't have identified on our own, and she helped explain the significance of the site. She even patiently waited while I did a little shopping in the Muslim Quarter (shops that I wandered into on my own. This wasn't a tour with planned shopping stops). Throughout the tour Stefanie gave us her full attention and was always energized and happy to answer our questions. It was so nice to have such a cheerful, enthusiastic guide with us throughout the day!

J
jasoncJ69GI
April 17, 2025
A great guide for a concise tour of Xi'an

Stefanie was a wonderful guide for the terracotta warriors and museum, and we even had the chance to meet one of the farmers who discovered the terracotta warriors when they were digging a new well. I had my book signed by the one who was there on the day, although I'm sorry to say I can't recall his name. Stefanie maintains a good, reasobable pace, and we managed to see a great deal here, and also of Xi'an during our three and hald day stay there. She and her driver, Mr Wang, picked us up from the train station, were always on time for our morning hotel pick-ups, and finally saw us off at the airport from where we departed to Shanghai. She even gave us an excellent recommendation for a guide in Shanghai. Stefanie is very informative, enthusiastic and very well organised. Please do consider booking her as your tour guide. Thank you again, Stefanie, from me and my cousins.

1 people found this helpful
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BackPacker107435
February 19, 2025
Stefani is the best in Xi'An

Stefani is the best! We stayed in Xi'an for 3 days and the program she proposed was incredible: mausoleums, walls, palaces, theaters, lantern festival... and a lot of history throughout the visits. She was always friendly and showed us Chinese culture, cuisine and history.

N
Navigate62685991519
July 7, 2024
Best guide ever

Stefanie is awesome! She is an experienced guide, she speaks great English, knows lots about Chinese history and has the best tips to avoid lines. We had great time visiting Xi'an city and Terracotta Warriors archeological site.

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