6-Day Beijing-Xi’an Train Tour

Your Beijing adventure starts this morning with a visit to the world’s largest city square, Tiananmen Square. Seriously large, even by China’s standards, Tiananment Square is auspicious, as China’s political heart, flanked by the Great Hall of the People, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and the National Museum of China. Your guide will lead you across the road the to the awe-inspiring Forbidden City. A culturally historic landmark in Beijing, the Forbidden City seems to go on and on. The detailed planning, careful construction, and symbolic representation of every part of this former residence of Chinese royalty is to be admired. Be prepared to walk in wonder. From the Forbidden City, your guide will lead you to the Summer Palace, highlighting the uniqueness of its elaborate design, beautiful gardens, and the man-made Kunming Lake. It will be easy to imagine Empress Dowager Cixi spending her summers here, overseeing the intrigue and plots that were characteristic of imperial life. Reflect on China’s opening up to the world when you explore the Bird's Nest and Water Cube – the stadium and pool constructed for the 2008 Summer Olympics. After a full day of exploring, you’ll be taken back to your hotel. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Your tour guide may adjust your itinerary due to closure of the Forbidden City each Monday.

China is home to many iconic historical structures and monuments, however few are as remarkable as the Great Wall. Today is your chance to climb the wall at the Mutianyu section and understand a little of its impressive history. A quick stop at the famous local food market Sanyuanli on the way means you can stock up on fruit and snacks for today’s trip. Every section of the Great Wall attracts interest, however the Mutianyu Great Wall is one which is less frequented. Located about 90 minutes drive from Beijing, you can sit back and enjoy being driven, while having the opportunity to ask your guide questions about points of interest along the way. The wall is accessible by cable car and a short trip up provides wonderful views of the surrounding country. It also makes you reflect on this incredible feat of construction, which involved over 800,000 soldiers and civilians. Make like a guard and walk the wall to take in the Ming dynasty guard towers and sensational views. There will be plenty to talk about on the return trip to Beijing. Your afternoon is spent visiting the Confucius Temple, first built in 1302 to honor Confucius and the philosophers who studied Confucianism over centuries. You’ll also visit the Imperial College Museum too and it’s here you’ll learn of its importance to scholars past and present who studied and took exams there to advance their careers. Finish the day’s itinerary by wandering through Wudaoying Hutong and make like a local as you visit the curious shops, cafes, and witness the lifestyle of a unique Beijing community.

Meals included: Breakfast

Every Chinese emperor constructed buildings of importance and Emperor Yongle was no exception. Responsible for the building the Temple of Heaven (along with the Forbidden City), he established it as a pivotal place of worship during his reign, a tradition continued until 1900 by subsequent Ming and Qing emperors. Your guide will explain the significance of the many elements of the temple, each of which was deliberately designed. Learn how ceremonies and rituals were performed, as the emperor and people of the day prayed for good harvests and blessings for the country. Look forward to a change in pace as you are driven to the Beijing West railway station and be checked in by your guide to travel by high speed rail train to Xi'an (on a G Series train which travels at speeds up to 350 kilometers per hour). With an afternoon of travel ahead, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery, which highlights the contrast in contemporary high speed development and the slower pace of unchanging Chinese agricultural traditions. On arrival in Xi'an, your local tour guide will be there to meet you and escort you to your hotel. Happy to share their knowledge of favourite foods and restaurants, you can make the most of your first evening in here.

Meals included: Breakfast

Few sights in China can match the magnitude and awe of the world-renowned Terracotta Army. Considered by historians worldwide to be the largest underground military base in the world, the Terracotta Army defies belief with the thousands of unique life-sized figures, including soldiers, horses, carts and weapons. On return to Xi'an, enjoy a change of pace as you explore the ancient City Wall, currently the largest and best-preserved wall of its type in China. Enclosing China’s former capital city and almost 14 kilometres long, do a full circuit on a bike (tandems available!) or simply explore on foot, taking time to peak out through the wall as guards did in the past and gain a birdseye view of the city. Spend the afternoon in contemplation at Xi'an’s Great Mosque. Beautiful gardens and a stunning complex of buildings built mid seventh century, the Great Mosque is the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in China. After just a short time here, you’ll feel you’ve stepped back in time. Follow your nose to Muslim Quarter, which is bustling with authentic eateries and souvenirs. Time to stock up on travel mementos. Ask your guide for their favouriate foodie recommendations before the final destination of the day, the famous Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. You will be returned to your hotel to relax and reflect on the day’s activities. Step out for your evening meal or dine in at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast and check out from your hotel, the tour guide will take you to the Xi'an Museum where you’ll discover over 110,000 relics of Chinese history. Finish your time in this lively city with a visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Big Wild Goose Pagoda (an optional tour), both of which are important Buddhist pagodas in Xi'an. Here you can also take a brief contemplative walk through the temples and gardens before being driven to the airport for your flight home or next destination in China.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Your tour guide may alter your itinerary as the Xi'an Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Optional tour: There may be an opportunity to enter the top of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda for a spectacular view out over Xi'an. Ask your guide if there is sufficient time to book this optional tour.

Travel Note: We love helping our customers make the most of their available travel time. Need helping planning your next destination? We can help. With a network that spans across China, we can take care of every detail and arrange your departure train or flight from anywhere while you’re in China. (A surcharge will apply).