Day01 Terracotta Army Museum - Bell & Drum Tower - Muslim Quarter

After breakfast, you may set off for the east square of Xi’an Train station. There are many direct buses to the train station from every corner of the city. Or you may consider taking the Subway Line 1 and get off at Wulukou Station, Exit B. Then walk northward around 900 meters, you will arrive at the East square. Find the tourist bus no. 5 (306), which could take you to the Terracotta Army Museum directly. The bus ticket fare is CNY7 and it takes around one hour ride. The bus operates from 08:00 to 19:00 daily.

The admission fee of Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum is CNY150 from March to November and CNY120 for other months. The museum opens at 08:30. It is recommended to arrive there as early as possible, especially during summer time. It will be filling up quickly and none of the three pits have air conditioner in order to protect the cultural relics. Although there are English information boards, the story behind the warriors is what makes them incredible, so hiring an English speaking guide is worth of it. It may cost around CNY150 for an English speaking guide.

This archeological site is divided into three pits. Pit 1 is the largest one and you can see the most figures there. Pit 2 and 3 are almost unrevealed. Besides, there is also a museum exhibiting the unearthed cultural relics. You need several hours or half a day in this site to learn the history.

After that, reverse your trip back and take Subway Line 1 and change to Line 2 at Beidajie Station, alight at Zhonglou (Bell Tower) station. Bell Tower, a stately traditional building, is located in the very center of the city. Climbing on it, you may get a good view of the city and the nearby Muslim quarter. It is recommended to buy a combo ticket for Bell Tower and the nearby Drum Tower, with a cost of CNY50. Then end your tour today at the bustling Muslim Quarter, just behind the Drum Tower. Experience the Muslim food street with a variety of food and other goods on offer.

Day02 City Wall - Shaanxi History Museum - Big Wild Goose Pagoda

The ancient City Wall includes four main gates, among which the South Gate is the most beautifully decorated one and the most popular gate for travelers ascending to the wall. Many buses and Subway Line 2 can reach Nanmen (South Gate) Station. The entrance fee is CNY54. With a total distance of around 14 kilometers, the City Wall surrounds the old part of Xi’an city. Riding bicycle on the flat top of the wall is a funning experience. The deposit of CNY200 is required for hiring each bike together with actual charge of CNY45 of a single bicycle and CNY90 for a tandem. The hire last 2 hours and if you are overtime, there are additional charges. You can return the bike at any of the four gates.

If you descend the wall from the South Gate, you may take Subway Line 2 again and get off at Xiaozhai Station, Exit F, then walk eastward around 800 meters, you will reach Shaanxi History Museum. This museum is an impressive place to fully review Chinese cultural and history. The main part of the museum is free for public. You just need show your valid passport to the ticket office to get a free ticket. Please keep in mind that the museum will be closed on Mondays.

From the Shaanxi History Museum, you could take bus no. 35, 19, 401, 34 or 24 to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Get off at Dayanta Station. The solemn ancient pagoda is inside the Da Ci'en Temple. It was original built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and was used to hold Buddhist relics and classics taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. The admission fee of Da Ci'en Temple is CNY50. If you want to ascend the pagoda, you need to pay an additional ticket fee of CNY30.

If you are not tired from the trip, you may go to the featured squares and gardens around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Otherwise, you may take bus or Subway Line 3 back to your hotel.