3 Days Xian Family Tour with Chinese Calligraphy & Hanfu Experience

Nihao! Welcome to Xi’an, which served as the capital for 13 dynasties! Upon your arrival at the airport/train station in Xian, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Xi’an. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can have a good rest for the jet lag or explore by yourself around your hotel.

As the sun sets, it is highly recommended to explore the local life around the bustling and lively Muslim Quarter (Muslim Street). The Muslim Quarter, over 1,000 years old, is located just behind the Drum Tower, about 430 meters west of the Bell Tower in downtown Xian. The Bell Tower and Drum Tower in the evening light are breathtaking sights to behold. Both ancient structures that date back to the Ming Dynasty (600 years ago) are beautifully illuminated, providing the perfect backdrop for capturing amazing Xian landmark photos where ancient history meets modernity in perfect harmony. Before entering Muslim Street, you may have the chance to view the music fountain and square dancing near the Bell & Drum Tower Square (Zhongulou Square), immersing yourself in the colorful nightlife of Xian like a local.

The Muslim Quarter (Muslim Bazaar) is a paradise mixed with mouthwatering local snacks and unique Muslim culture. Xian is the Starting Point of the Silk Road and Muslim Quarter is one of the must-visit attractions for you to find the Silk Road marks. Don't miss the Great Mosque, an architectural gem that beautifully blends Islamic and Chinese design styles. To watch the Shaanxi Shadow Play, a visit to Gao's Grand Courtyard is highly recommend. Besides, as one of the best-preserved traditional residential courtyards in Xi'an, Gao's Grand Courtyard (open from 8:30am to 22:30pm) itself is worth a visit, too. At the Gao's Grand Courtyard, you can attend cultural classes in either Chinese calligraphy or painting (optional). Calligraphy and paintings have been valuable treasures of Chinese culture throughout the ages. With the guidance of interpreters, you can practice Chinese calligraphy or create your own paper-cutting works, which will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of Chinese folk culture.

Optional Cultural Experience:
Watching Shaanxi Shadow Play is one of the top things to do in Xi'an (inside Gao's Grand Courtyard). Listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Shadow Puppetry is an ancient entertainment/movie that dates back to the Western Han Dynasty (206BC - 8AD) over 2,000 years ago. It is said that shadow play originated when the favorite concubine of Emperor Han Wudi (156BC - 87BC) died. Han Wudi was heartsick of his empress Li, so an advisor Shaowen invented a way to see the late Empress' spirit through shadows. By the way, Emperor Han Wudi’s father is Emperor Han Jingdi (188BC-141BC), the one buried in the Hanyang Mausoleum (you will visit it on Day 4).
Chinese Shadow Play (Shadow Puppetry, Lighting Play) is a type of folk drama that tells stories and legends through the manipulation of cut-out figures made of animal skins or cardboard. You can see the puppeteers hiding behind the translucent screen while controlling the shadow puppets and humming local tunes to tell stories. Accompanied by the sound of traditional percussion and string instruments, the Shaanxi Shadow Play has a strong local flavor. Contact us if you need help with ticket booking and more.

Arrival Ideas:
Xi'an is well-connected by air and train. The city is served by Xian Xianyang International Airport, which offers domestic and international flights. You can easily reach Xi'an by air from major cities in China as well as from international destinations. Additionally, Xi'an is a major transportation hub with high-speed train connections to cities such as Beijing (4-5.5 hours), Shanghai (6-7 hours), Guangzhou (8.5-9 hours), Hangzhou (7-8 hours), Pingyao (3 hours), Chengdu (4 hours), etc, allowing for convenient travel.

After breakfast, head to admire “the Eighth Wonder of the World” - the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (world Heritage), then explore the Ancient City Wall in downtown Xian. Today, you will enjoy three cultural activities - Terracotta Warriors DIY for the pottery experience, a local family visit for Xian food culture, and Chinese Calligraphy Class for Chinese folk culture.

In the morning, drive about 40km (about 1hour) to the Terracotta Warriors Museum (Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses). Here, you can see the Terracotta Warriors and Horses: an army of around 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses, and 150 cavalry entirely made of baked clay or terracotta. This Terracotta Army has silently stood guard over the soul of China's First Emperor, Qin Shihuang (259BC - 210BC), until an accidental local farmer digging a well in 1974 struck upon one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world. Upon stepping into this "underground military museum", you will encounter two awe-inspiring shocks. The first is the magnitude of the archaeological marvel before you: thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots arranged in battle formations. The second shock is that the faces of thousands of Terracotta Warriors are still vivid, despite the passage of more than 2,000 years. Each figure is unique, with distinct postures, hairstyles, and armor, making them seem to come back to life in the next moment. During your visit, an knowledgeable guide can take you to highlights of the museum, including Pit One, Pit Two, Pit Three and provide valued explanations and insights that you might not get from simply observing the sculptures on your own.

Afterward, you will have time to sit down and create your own miniature Terracotta Warrior under the guidance of a local potter. With the Terracotta Warrior DIY experience, you will get more idea about how ancient people made the warriors and the culture related to the pottery. After making your own Terracotta Warrior by hand step by step, I'm sure you'll be impressed by the wisdom, craftsmanship, and techniques of the Qin Dynasty (221BC - 206BC). 

Then, visit a local family and know more about Xian food culture, you would love to communicate with them while learning to make Chinese dumplings or cook some Xian family dishes. Xi'an, located in Shaanxi Province, is famous for its delicious and unique cuisine, which includes many dishes made from wheat powder such as dumplings, Biang Biang Noodles, Roujiamo, Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup...

In the afternoon, you can relax on the Xian City Wall, the only complete ancient city wall in China. Built-in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty (over 600 years ago), it encloses the 36 square kilometers old Xian city center and is the only fortification in China still as an unbroken rectangular circuit. The wall stands between modern Xian and the old city center, witnessing the transformation from a defense system to a city playground. You can take a leisurely walk on the Ancient City Wall to resonate with the echoes of history that the stones reverberate. Nowadays, the City Wall Cycling tour has become popular with locals and tourists. You can rent a bike and cycle on the City Wall (Optional & Self-pay), which offers a panoramic view of the city - a testament to Xi'an's historical significance and modern vibrancy.

As evening falls, you won't want to miss the Largest Musical Fountain in Asia, located at the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Music Fountain is controlled by a computer, and the fountains shoot streams of water that vary in height and shape in accordance with the rhythm of music (Water Phantom of Tang). The night view is especially breathtaking when the fountain is illuminated by LED lights.

After enjoying the "dance of water", it's time to visit the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, which is located south of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and west of Tang Paradise. It is a 1,500-meter-long pedestrian street themed with Tang Dynasty culture, featuring buildings with Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) architecture and sculptures telling Tang stories. You can enjoy street performances, a variety of Xi'an food, and shopping here. It creates an immersive atmosphere to take you back to Tang Dynasty, providing a magical experience of walking through time. The best time to visit is at night, after the lights are lit up and people start to gather for fun. It is a place where people can embrace old and new cultures.

After breakfast, head to Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Big Wild Goose Pagoda) for a Hanfu Costum Experience. Hanfu is the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese, the predominant ethnic group of China for thousands of years. Hanfu is a significant symbol of Chinese civilization, and different stages of Hanfu's development correspond to different Chinese dynasties. Choose your preferred Hanfu and wear it to walk around the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda like the people from the Tang Dynasty. Traditional Hanfu fashion is in vogue now, and you will encounter many locals wearing beautiful Hanfu as you stroll through the courtyards, taking beautiful photos. Enjoy your Hanfu cultural tour inside the ancient buildings while gaining a better understanding of Hanfu, Chinese history, and culture.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda (World Heritage), built about 1,370 years ago, is one of Xian's most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of the magnificence of the Tang Dynasty. This 7-story pagoda, standing in the tranquil Da Ci'en Temple, is one of China's best examples of a Tang-style pagoda (squarish rather than round). It was completed in AD 652 to house Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang. His travels inspired one of the best-known works of Chinese literature, Journey to the West. Your guide can provide more information about Xuanzang, who set off from Chang'an (the ancient Xi'an) along the Silk Road, spent 17 years traversing 100 countries, and finally arrived in India, the cradle of Buddhism.

Following is a visit to the Shaanxi History Museum to enhance your understanding of the region's rich and diverse history. Regarded as "the Pearl of ancient dynasties and home to Chinese treasures," it has a collection of 130,000 historical artifacts, providing visitors with a miniature overview of a thousand years of Chinese history and the splendid ancient cultures of the past. Enjoy an educational visit while exploring historical relics ranging from bronze ware from the Western Zhou Dynasty and terracotta figures to gold and silverware and murals discovered in Tang tombs.

After the visit, it is time to end your 3-day Xian tour. You will be escorted to the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.

Trip Extension Ideas: If you want to explore more around China and other Asia destinations rather than return home right away, we would be glad to assist you with an extension trip. Feel free to tell us your ideas!

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Xian tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!