Cyclists on the old city walls in Xian

Trips and Tours to Xi'an

About Xi'an

Known as Chang’an in ancient times, Xi’an’s illustrious history spans more than 3,000 years having served as the capital city for 13 dynasties throughout the ages. After its decline in the 10th century, the city fell into obscurity until the discovery of Emperor Qin’s army of 2,200-year-old Terracotta Warriors in 1974. Now firmly on China's tourist trail, Xi'an provides visitors with a wealth of historical heritage and a world-renowned star attraction.

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Xi’an itself is surrounded by a well-preserved city wall, which was reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty (14th century). Since Xi’an is relatively flat, there are no steep inclines on the impressive walls, making it plenty wide enough for an elevated and enjoyable stroll or bike ride without risk of getting mown over. Other drawcards in Xi’an include the spectacularly lofty Big Wild Goose Pagoda - constructed around the 7th century to store translations of Buddhist sutras from India, the smaller Little Wild Goose Pagoda, the Bell Tower and also Drum Tower. The Shaanxi History Museum boasts a large and impressive collection of artefacts both ancient and modern, tracing Xi’an’s history from its early beginnings.

As the final point on the legendary Silk Road, Xi'an became a melting pot of cultures and religions, which can be felt today in the buzzing Muslin Quarter, home to several mosques and a colourful market. The Great Mosque in Xi'an is the largest mosque in China with an intriguing blend of Islamic and Chinese architecture. Founded in the 8th century, the mosque features an Arab-inspired minaret, pagodas, a large prayer hall and attractive gardens.

Xi'an Tours

Here are some popular itineraries that include a visit to Xi'an. Alternatively, if you would like to include a visit to Xi'an on a bespoke touring itinerary to China, take a look at our tailor-made holiday planning section.

The Gate of Heavenly Peace | Beijing | China

China Express

8 days FROM R24,560
Summer Palace | Beijing | China

Classical China

9 days FROM R35,081
Guardian lion in Forbidden City | Beijing | China

Shanghai, Beijing & Beyond

9 days FROM R39,008
Shanghai Skyline | Shanghai | China

Great Wall & Warriors

10 days FROM R41,108
Group of Pandas | Chengdu | China

Great Wall & Giant Pandas

10 days FROM R40,030
Great Wall of China | China

Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai

10 days FROM R67,825
Acrobats in Beijing | China

Shanghai & The Silk Road

11 days FROM R53,393
Group of Pandas in Chengdu Panda Breeding & Research Centre | China

Shanghai to Chengdu Panda-monium

11 days FROM R52,448

Harbin Ice Festival

11 days FROM R50,684

China to Tibet

11 days FROM R90,983

China to Tibet (4-5 Star)

11 days FROM R93,727
Terracotta Warriors | Xi'an | China

Mysteries of China

12 days FROM R87,920
Terracotta Warriors | Xi'an | China

Mysteries of China (4-5 Star)

12 days FROM R102,429
Guilin | China

Fine China

13 days FROM R57,621

Beijing to Guilin and Hong Kong

13 days FROM R86,391

Beijing & Hangzhou to Shanghai

13 days FROM R94,224

Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa & Shanghai

13 days FROM R105,424

Secrets of the Silk Road

14 days FROM R136,514

Secrets of the Silk Road (4-5 Star)

14 days FROM R141,138
The Great Wall | China

Shanghai to the Dragon's Backbone

14 days FROM R70,235

Beijing, Chengdu, Lijiang & Dali

14 days FROM R90,794

Yin and Yangtze

15 days FROM R64,621
Tiger Leaping Gorge | China

Beijing to Yunnan & Hong Kong

16 days FROM R127,470

Shanghai & Yangtze Cruise

16 days FROM R77,046

China to Laos

16 days FROM R92,369

China to Laos (4-5 Star)

16 days FROM R102,771
Xian City Walls | China

Hong Kong to Beijing

17 days FROM R37,155
Group at the Great Wall on our Essentials tour | China

Essential China Adventure

22 Days FROM R44,225
Yangshuo Peaks & Bamboo Rafts | China

Essential China From Hong Kong

26 days FROM R58,975
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