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4 Days Xian Highlights Tour with Mount Huashan Hiking

Xian Essential Highlights Plus Mount Hua Day Trip

Your Xian tour is not complete without Mount Huashan hiking!

You really should spare out one day to take a side trip to Mount Huashan during your travelling in Xian. This mountain is one of the most beautiful mountains of China as well as the most precipitous mountain is China having the world famous hiking trail – the Plank Walk. It is only about 1.5hrs’driving (or 40min’s bullet train ride) from Xian. So take our 4 Days Xian Highlights Tour with Mount Huashan Hiking to quiet down to soak leisurely in the wonderful history and culture of the ancient capital city Xian, which is reveal recklessly in the UNESCO heritage sites of Terracotta Warriors, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall, etc., and enjoy an adventure hike on Mount Huashan to challenge the world's most thrilling hiking trails, including the Plank Walk now!

  • Type : Private Tour
  • Tour Code : CD-XHT-04
  • Price : from $512 ()
    1. 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons;
    2. 2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
  • Theme : History / Culture / Hiking
  • Physical Demands :

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

  • Worry free private tour package including private car, English speaking tour guide, flexible departure on your own and comfortable hotels;
  • Discover one of the world's greatest man-made wonders – the Terracotta Warriors, built by the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang;
  • Have a full day to challenge yourself to hike the thrilling hiking trails on Mount Huashan (cable cars are included to help you save energy and time);
  • Explore the long-lasting history and culture of ancient Xian during your visit to the Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda;
  • Hunt for Xian local food at the lively Muslim Quarter and visit the Great Mosque which is a surprisingly quiet land away from bustling snack street;
  • Ramble in the Shaanxi History Museum which depicts many historical cultural relics and extensive profound civilization of Chinese Nation.
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Itinerary Day by Day (Can Be Customized)
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Day 1 Xian Arrival

Airport / railway station pick up

Welcome to Xian! Your tour guide will meet you at Xian Xianyang International Airport (or railway station), then escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to explore this ancient capital of China.

Note: if you arrive at Xian in early and want to have some activities arranged for the rest time, please let us know in advance. There are many options available (with extra costs), including: 1) visit a local family and learn to cook Chinese dishes or making dumplings; 2) have an interesting class of Chinese calligraphy or painting in Tangbo Art Museum; 3) explore the bustling Zhonggulou Square where the beautiful Bell Towers and Drum Towers are located at.

Arrival Ideas: Xian is only about 2~3 hours flying from majority of big cities in China, such as Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, etc. You can also get to Xian by high speed trains from Beijing(5.5hrs), Shanghai (6-7hrs), Guangzhou (8.5-9hrs), Hangzhou (6.5-7hrs), Pingyao (3hrs), Zhengzhou (2hrs), and so on.

  • Welcome to Xian - Bell Tower Bell Tower

Day 2 Terracotta Warriors Visit & Leisure City Tour (B, L)

Today's highlights: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque

After breakfast, drive about 40 km to discover one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world - the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, built by the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size warriors, horses and chariots, buried in 3 pits for more than 2,000 years until uncovered by a local farmer in 1974, form an ancient military army with complete battle units of infantry, cavalry, etc. Standing in front of these figures, one can’t help being amazed not only by the ambition of Emperor Qin Shihuang but also by the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans. (Before the Terracotta Warriors Museum visit, you will have a rare opportunity to make a miniature Terracotta Warrior on your own under the instruction of a local potter.)

After lunch, return to Xian to spend a leisure time on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Just like the merchants and envoys on the Silk Road thousands of years ago, you will enter the interior of the city walls through the Hanguang Gate. There you will visit a mini museum to see the real Tang Dynasty city wall ruins from over 1400 years ago, including gateways, cross-sections of the wall, and the remains of water channels. After the museum visit, get up to the city wall to enjoy a leisure stroll and pleasant panoramic views of modern Xian. Rent a bike (extra cost: 45RMB) to enjoy a relaxing cycling on the Wall is strongly recommended. The cycling routes and duration are flexible. Feel free to discuss with your tour guide. Leave the City Wall, then go to wander leisurely around the bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, a place where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture. Don't miss the Great Mosque of Xian which is a fusion of Chinese culture and Islamic culture, a sacred religious site with huge ancient architectural complex, also a surprisingly quiet land away from the bustling Muslim streets. After the Great Mosque visit, you will be escorted back to your hotel. (If you want to stay more time at the Muslim Quarter for dinner and relaxing, or want to explore the nearby Bell & Drum Towers on your own, please let your tour guide know)

Optional activity: Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 8pm to 9pm) after (or without) a hearty dumpling dinner.

Plan B: There is also a Plan B, especially recommended during peak season (May to October), which is to go to accommodate at the foot of Mount Huashan (about 2 hrs' driving from Xian) so that you will have more leisure time for tomorrow's Huangshan hiking.

  • Riding on Ancient City Wall - Our Guests from USA Our guests enjoyed riding on the Ancient City Wall, Xian
  • Great Mosque Xian Great Mosque, a fusion of Chinese culture and Islamic culture
  • Terracotta Warriors Pit One - Nguyen from Canada Terracotta Warriors Pit One, Picture taken by Our Guest Nguyen from Canada in 2017
  • Muslim Quarter-20210403-Andreas from Swedan-CD-JO-210217 Andreas from Swedan visited Muslim Quarter

Day 3 Classic Mount Huashan Day Hiking (B)

Classic Mount Huashan hiking: Cable Car - North Peak - Canglongling - East Peak - Plank Road in the Sky - South Peak - West Peak - Cable Car

After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel. Then you will be escorted to Mount Hua (Huashan) by car, which will take you two hours on the way.

After arrival, take a park bus from the tourist center to the foot of the North Peak of Mount Hua (about 20mins). To save energy and time, you will take cable car up to the North Peak directly (about 10mins). At North Peak, you can get the first views of other four peaks, and watch far away. And only the fourth side of North Peak is the entrance path to other peaks which is named “Ear Rubbing Cliff” for tourists have to climb further up only by pressing the ear close the cliff. Then you will hike about 2 hours to get to the East Peak. On route, you will visit the Heavenly Ladders, Riyue Cliff, Canglong Ling, Golden Lock Pass. Spend some time to view the breathtaking landscape on the East Peak. Continue hiking about 1hour to the South Peak. You will firstly get to Nantian Gate, then get to the famous Plank Road in the Sky which is seen as the most dangerous path in the world. Well, it is dependent on you to take this fearsome path or not. It is a more than 100 meters long, 0.3 meters wide plank road built along the surface of a vertical cliff, which usually takes about 30~45 minutes to walk through and back. Keep walking about 20mins from the Plank Road in the Sky, you will get to the South Peak which is the highest peak on Mount Hua. From South Peak, you can see other four lower peaks. Then take the last hiking about 40 minutes to the West Peak. The West Peak is also called Lotus Peak because of its unique shape. This peak is formed by a huge rock. Hence, it's very steep.

Lastly, walk about 20mins from West Peak to the West Peak Cableway station to take a cable car to descend the mountain. Hanging over 900 meters above the valley, West Peak Cable Car offers breathtaking view of the peaks and valleys of Mount Huashan, which is a highlight you can't miss out.

Transfer back to your hotel in Xian. 

Important to Know: 1) you can pack some food and drink with you because the supply on the mountain is quite basic; 2) The Plank Road in the Sky may be closed temporarily because of maintainance or extreme weather, and it usually needs to queue up (possibly up to hours during peak season) to enter the Plank Road. If you are interested in experiencing the Plank Road in the Sky, usually you need to depart from Xian early, control well your hiking pace on the mountain and sometimes need to change your visiting route. Please tell your travel consultant or tour guide in advance.

  • Cliffy Mount Hua - view from East Peak Cliffy Mount Hua - view from East Peak
  • Huashan Landscape - Chess Pavilion Huashan Landscape - Chess Pavilion
  • The thrilling Plank Road in the Sky on Mount Hua The thrilling Plank Road in the Sky on Mount Hua

Day 4 Xian Half Day Sightseeing & Departure (B)

Today's highlights: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum

After a little bit rest and fresh up, head to Da Cien Temple, a famous Buddhist sutra translation site during the Tang Dynasty. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the most famous building in the temple. The pagoda, rising to a height of 64.5 meters, was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve classic scriptures he brought back from India during the early Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang was the prototype character for Tang Seng in the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. (Note: It costs an extra 30 RMB if you want to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda) After (or before) visiting the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, you will be provided a free experience of trying on the Hanfu which is the solemn costume of the emperors and their families, the ministers and the noble in the ancient dynasties of China. Seize this rare opportunity to take some photos to record this unique memory!

Following is an educational visiting to Shaanxi History Museum. Ramble in the modern exhibition halls to appreciate relics, such as porcelains, paintings, currencies from Zhou to the Tang periods (1100 BC to 907 AD). (Note: Shaanxi History Museum may be replaced with other activity or attraction because of crowding tourists during July ~ early September and China’s National Day during Oct.1-Oct.7. You may check details with your travel consultant.)

The rest of the day is free for you until be escorted to catch the flight/train to leave Xian. Tour ends.

  • Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Our Customer Myra Our Customers visited Big Wild Goose Pagoda
  • Collections in Shaanxi History Museum Collections in Shaanxi History Museum

The quotation for this trip is from $512 Per Person

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
3. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 6.85. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.

What's included?

  • Professional licensed English-speaking guide;
  • Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;
  • Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (4-star standard);
  • Necessary vehicle transfers as listed in the itinerary;
  • Airport (and train station) pick up and drop off;
  • Luggage Transfers: between airports (railway station) and hotels;
  • All meals as listed( “B” for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; “L” for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; “D” for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.);
  • Accident insurance;
  • Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

What's excluded?

  • China visa;
  • Personal expenses;
  • Accommodation not listed in the itinerary;
  • Single Room Supplement;
  • Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary;
  • Recommended optional activities;
  • Flights or trains not listed in the itinerary;
  • Excess Baggage Charges;
  • Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc.

Check What our delighted customers are saying about our services

Hi Mr Wang,

Thanks! I had a weekend away to Xi’an, China to celebrate my birthday. It was an exciting weekend and it was certainly something off the beaten trail for most of my friends. The itinerary you have suggested provided good coverage of the city’s rich history. From the fascinating Terracotta Army to the City Walls to the sacred Mount Hua, to the Muslim Quarter to the Drum & Bell Towers, there’s an interesting story from every historical era in Xi’an. I managed to hike up Mount Hua from North Peak to West Peak, but I didn’t get to do the dangerous plank walk as it was closed.

The hotel Eastern House was very accessible too with food places within steps and its proximity to the Drum Tower is a plus. The room was very clean and comfortable.

At this point, I have to quickly mention our amazing tour guide Betty Jiao Yan who was assigned to us as part of our private tour package. She made our time feel so very special and I wonder if Xi'an would have been as awesome without her. She had such a positive and caring nature and when we had to say goodbye, we felt very sad. It was strange to miss a guide after only knowing her for 5 days! Luckily we still keep in touch on WeChat. Our driver Mr Ma was very polite, punctual and accommodating, making our travel a pleasant experience

Anne

Anne‚ Singapore, January 25, 2024

Hi Jack,

Thanks. The Harbin and Snow Town trip was excellent and very enjoyable. We are now in Japan skiing, and will send our feedback upon our return on 31st Jan.

Best wishes

Leong

Leong‚ Singapore, January 24, 2024

Hi Rita,

From my end, everything is remarkable! Jane is amazing! She really make us feel welcome.

All the hotels were amazing too! My parents also very impressed.

I will definitely reaching out again, next time when I visit China. There’s many more places I want to visit.

Best regards,

Jefry

Jefry‚ Indonesia, January 21, 2024

Dear Rita,

We are home. Thanks for arranging this nice trip. Everything worked out nicely except the smoking room problem in Chengde.

Thanks again.

John

John‚ USA, January 19, 2024

Hi Rita,

In response to your enquiries, we had a wonderful experience with the tour arrangements in both Guilin and Yangshuo. Both the tour guide and driver were very professional and handled the arrangements well.

I am surely recommending any friends or relatives who are interested in travelling to China in future to use China Discovery. Also, will be looking at other destinations for ourselves too.

Thanks once again for the wonderful experience.

Kwan

Kwan‚ Malaysia, January 18, 2024
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"China Discovery is very professional agent in China...last January 2024, I contacted Vivien again to Huangshan and she has shown her professional as an agent with quick response and keep contacting me..." read more »
Reviewed on February 17, 2024
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Thitikorn C
"China Discovery is very professional agent in China...last January 2024, I contacted Vivien again to Huangshan and she has shown her professional as an agent with quick response and keep contacting me..." read more »
Reviewed on February 17, 2024
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How Our Teams Serve you at China Discovery

"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.

Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

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After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.

Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.

We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.

Local Tour Guides

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Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.

Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.

Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!

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Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!

Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.

Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels

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In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!

The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.

If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.

Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.

Meals & Dining

China Tour

We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.

The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.

There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.

All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!

Photo gallery of this trip

  • Welcome to Xian - Bell Tower Welcome to Xian - Bell Tower
  • Riding on Ancient City Wall - Our Guests from USA Riding on Ancient City Wall - Our Guests from USA
  • Great Mosque Xian Great Mosque Xian
  • Terracotta Warriors Pit One - Nguyen from Canada Terracotta Warriors Pit One - Nguyen from Canada
  • Muslim Quarter-20210403-Andreas from Swedan-CD-JO-210217 Muslim Quarter-20210403-Andreas from Swedan-CD-JO-210217
  • Cliffy Mount Hua - view from East Peak Cliffy Mount Hua - view from East Peak
  • Huashan Landscape - Chess Pavilion Huashan Landscape - Chess Pavilion
  • The thrilling Plank Road in the Sky on Mount Hua The thrilling Plank Road in the Sky on Mount Hua
  • Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Our Customer Myra Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Our Customer Myra
  • Collections in Shaanxi History Museum Collections in Shaanxi History Museum

Most Important Xian Travel Notes

1. What are the features of China Discovery’s private Xian tour packages?

Our private Xian tour packages let you decide where to go, when to go, where to stay and touring paces on your own. The itinerary, hotels, food, cultural programs are customized to match your requirements. Before the tour, our knowledgeable Xian experts will give reliable suggestions and propose ideal tour package for you. During the tour, our private tour guide will help you learn deep about the history and culture of Xian, and make sure everything work well throughout the tour at the same time.

2. Do you need a visa for Xian?

Xian applies to the 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption. Visitor from 53 foreign countries who hold valid travel document & connecting flights to a third country/region can enter Xian from Xian Xianyang Airport, and stay in Xian up to 144 hours without a Chinese Visa. But since Xi’an has not many international flights, and the city is usually a middle stop of a China tour, we advise you to apply for a China Tourist Visa (L Visa) before coming to China so that you can travel in a more secure and flexible way. China Discovery can provide you the invitation letter so that you can obtain the visa with bigger chance while least time.

3. Xian & Huashan weather, best time to visit and wearing ideas

Both Xi'an and Huashan have a warm temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate with distinct four seasons – warm spring, hot and rainy summer, cool and comfortable autumn, cold and dry winter. The average annual temperature of Xi'an is around 13°C / 55°F while Huashan is cooler. Because the mountain is steep and tall, the temperature drops 0.44℃ - 0.5℃ for every 100 meters’ elevation. For the low mountain area (<1000m above sea level), the annual average temperature is 9 - 14℃ (48.2 – 57.2 ℉). In high mountain area (>1000m above sea level), the average temperature is less than 8℃ (46.4℉).

The best hiking periods of Mount Huashan is April to June and September to Middle November. It’s windy and snowy during December to March of next year, which make it dangerous to walk the stairs. July and August are rainy season as well as the summer school holiday, not good time to hike Mount Huashan. Wear a pair of comfortable hiking shoes, comfortable clothes for hiking, gloves for hold on to the chains, rain gears.

4. How to Get to Xian

Xian is only about 2~3 hours flying from majority of big cities in China, such as Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, etc. You can also take international flights to Xian from more than 50 countries and regions, such as Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Sydney, Kuala, Bangkok, etc. Xian is connected by high-speed rails widely. You can get from Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Pingyao, etc. to Xian by bullet trains within 6 hours. Recommended gateways to Xian include: Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Hong Kong.

5. Where to Stay in Xian

Bell & Drum Towers Area - strongly recommended for first-timers, easy access to Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Bell Tower, Drum Tower and popular restaurants. Hotel rates are higher than other areas, but you have a lot of choices of different standards. Xincheng District - not very far from the city center as well as Xian’s main attractions, recommended for families as there are shopping center and parks to enjoy a stroll. Yanta Distict – Yanta District is on the south of the city center, also near main attractions, including Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, History Museum, etc. It has many hotels of budget class.

China Discovery only uses those hotels with convenient amenities, fine services and great reputations. Most of them are 5-star and 4-star hotels located near the Muslim Quarter (food street), Bell Tower, Ancient City Wall, where you can also get easy accesses to subway, shopping malls, banks, etc.

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