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 R21,249
Summer Palace | Beijing | China

Classical China

9 days FROM R32,883
Guardian lion in Forbidden City | Beijing | China

Shanghai, Beijing & Beyond

9 days FROM R35,998
Shanghai Skyline | Shanghai | China

Great Wall & Warriors

10 days FROM R38,462
Group of Pandas | Chengdu | China

Great Wall & Giant Pandas

10 days FROM R36,152
Great Wall of China | China

Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai

10 days FROM R56,884
Acrobats in Beijing | China

Shanghai & The Silk Road

11 days FROM R50,054
Group of Pandas in Chengdu Panda Breeding & Research Centre | China

Shanghai to Chengdu Panda-monium

11 days FROM R47,975

Harbin Ice Festival

11 days FROM R47,513

China to Tibet

11 days FROM R85,299

China to Tibet 4-5 star

11 days FROM R87,861
Guilin | China

Fine China

13 days FROM R52,441

Beijing to Guilin and Hong Kong

13 days FROM R80,987

Beijing & Hangzhou to Shanghai

13 days FROM R88,330

Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa & Shanghai

13 days FROM R98,830
The Great Wall | China

Shanghai to the Dragon's Backbone

14 days FROM R64,159

Beijing, Chengdu, Lijiang & Dali

14 days FROM R85,117

Yin and Yangtze

15 days FROM R60,582

Shanghai & Yangtze Cruise

16 days FROM R72,223

China to Laos

16 days FROM R86,594

China to Laos 4-5 star

16 days FROM R96,345
Xian City Walls | China

Hong Kong to Beijing

17 days FROM R35,575
Group at the Great Wall on our Essentials tour | China

Essential China Adventure

22 Days FROM R42,685
Yangshuo Peaks & Bamboo Rafts | China

Essential China From Hong Kong

26 days FROM R57,225
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Xi'an Video