For centuries, Xi'an, the ancient capital China for 13 dynasties from 1067 BC, has been renowned for its restoration of the Middle Kingdom's rich cultural heritage. It is the home of the famed terracotta warriors, ancient tombs of emperors long gone, 4,000 ruins and mausoleums and more than 120,000 remnants of art and architecture. It is China's natural museum of history.

Xi'an Tour:
3 -5 August

Three days in historic Xi'an, a treasure trove of archeological wonders

Friday, August 3

Arrive in Xi'an from Nanjing. Transfer to hotel.

Meals: Special Dumpling Banquet. You will be served more than a dozen different types of dumplings, which not only taste differently but also look differently. It is a real cultural and culinary experience!

Saturday, August 4

Tour the museum of the extraordinary life-sized terra-cotta army, no two alike, buried with the emperor for over 2200 years; Circle Vision Movie; Bronze Chariot.

Evening: Tour the Paradise of Tang and Watch the Fireworks

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Sunday, Aug 5

Tour the City Wall in the morning

Xi'an/Shanghai (or another destination of your choice) in the afternoon.

Transfer to airport after lunch.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Tour Price: USD_____ based on double occupancy.

Single supplement: USD_____

Tour price includes:

1. All transfers as indicated in the itinerary

2. All sightseeing programs with admissions

3. All meals as specified in the itinerary.

4. English speaking tour guide

Tour price does not include air tickets from Beijing to Xi'an and Xi'an to Nanjing. The airfare is about $100USD for each leg.

Tour details are subject to change.

Selected sights in Xi'an.

Tour the Museum of Terracotta Warriors

In March, 1974, villagers in Xi'an accidentally discovered many broken pottery figures while sinking a well 1.5 kilometers away east of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum. After archaeological excavation and textual research, it was found that this was an oblong pit in which were buried terra-cotta warriors and horses from the Qin Dynasty (206-221 BC). In 1976, after drilling, another two pits were discovered respectively 20 meters and 25 meters north of the first one.

This new discovery stirred up a sensation across the whole world. The museum that is built on the site of terracotta warriors and the mausoleum of the emperor are listed as one of the ten most important historical sites in China and they are also placed by the UNESCO among the world's cultural heritage sites.

For more information, please visit http://www.xtour.cn/en/terra_cotta_army.asp

Tour Huaqing Hot Spring

Huaqing Hot Spring is situated at the foot of the Lishan Hills. The Springs were a popular retreat with Emperors more than 2500 years ago, many of whom enjoyed bathing in the perfectly clear mineral water. Today this is a favorite site for tourists.

Legend has it that the pools were fully established here in the Qin dynasty. The most romantic story that accompanies the history of the springs is that of the Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet; the story of the Emperor Xuan Zong and his concubine Yang Guifei of the Tang dynasty. Yang was a poor girl who the Emperor took a fancy to and promoted to the position of "lady". Legend has it that he was so enamored by her beauty that it distracted him from his daily work. The Empire was being threatened and the courtiers threatened to kill the concubine, blaming her for the Emperor's mismanagement of his nation. Desperate and madly in love, Yang hung herself to save the country and her lover's name. The springs were renamed the Huaqing or "The Fair" springs, in honor of Yang Guifei's beauty.

For more information, please visit http://www.xtour.cn/en/huaqing_springs.asp

Tour the Tomb of Emperor QIN SHI HUANG

Tour the City Wall

The city wall of Xl'an is an extension of the old Tang Dynasty structure. As a result of this wall building campaign. Xi'an's city wall after its enlargement in the Ming Dynasty stands 12 meters high. It is 12--14 meters across the top, 15--18 meters thick at bottom and 13.7 kilometers long.

For more information, please visit http://www.xtour.cn/en/city_wall.asp

Tour the Wild Goose Pagoda

Situated in the Da Ci'en Temple, about four kilometers from the urban center, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (also called the Da Ci'en Temple Pagoda) is one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China. The pagoda was originally built in 589A. D.For more information, please visit http://www.xtour.cn/en/big_goose_pagoda.asp

Visit the Provincial Historical Museum

The Shaanxi History Museum, a massive modern museum up to the national standard, is located one kilometer away, northwest of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It is a magnificent architectural complex in the Tang-dynasty style. It covers an area of 70,000 square meters, construction area being over 50,000 square meters. It collects the highlights of the Shaanxi culture and shows a development of the Chinese civilization.

For more information, please visit http://www.xtour.cn/en/shaanxi_provincial_museum.asp