D1 Qianling Mausoleum & Famen Temple Tour (Lunch)
Your private tour guide will meet you at your hotel in Xi’an in the morning, and then drive you west of Xi’an to visit Qianling Mausoleum, the tomb complex of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Zhi, and Empress Wu Zetian, the only woman in Chinese history to officially rule as emperor.
Qianling Mausoleum is particularly famous for its grand layout, impressive stone sculptures and inscriptions dating from the Tang Dynasty. The mausoleum complex is considered one of the best-preserved imperial tomb complexes from the Tang Dynasty. Several important tombs belonging to members of the royal family and high-ranking officials are located around the main mausoleum, providing valuable insights into the burial customs, architecture and culture of the Tang Dynasty.
After the visit, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Famen Temple, one of the most important Buddhist sites in China. Located in Fufeng County near Baoji, Famen Temple has a history of more than 1,700 years and is particularly renowned for the discovery of a sacred Buddhist relic believed to be a finger bone of the Buddha.
The Famen Temple Cultural Scenic Area combines historic temple buildings with a modern cultural complex. Numerous precious Buddhist artifacts were unearthed from an underground palace beneath the temple’s pagoda, including gold, silver, jade and silk objects dating mainly from the Tang Dynasty. These discoveries provide an extraordinary glimpse into the religious and artistic culture of imperial China.
After exploring Famen Temple, drive back to Xi’an. You will arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, marking the end of today’s tour.
D2 Xi’an City Tour: Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, City Wall & Forest of Steles (Lunch)
The Terracotta Warriors were created to accompany Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China, in the afterlife. Thousands of life-size terracotta warriors, horses and other figures have been unearthed from the archaeological pits. During your visit, explore the excavation halls and museum exhibitions to admire the remarkable craftsmanship of the figures and learn more about the Qin Dynasty and the discovery of this extraordinary archaeological site.
After lunch, return to central Xi’an and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, located within the Da Ci’en Temple complex. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the pagoda is closely associated with the famous Buddhist monk Xuanzang, who traveled to India and brought Buddhist scriptures back to China. Standing about 64 meters high, the seven-story pagoda has become one of the most recognizable landmarks of Xi’an and an important symbol of the city’s Tang Dynasty heritage.
In the afternoon, continue to the Xi’an City Wall, one of the most impressive and best-preserved ancient city walls in China. Originally built during the Ming Dynasty on the foundations of earlier fortifications, the wall surrounds the historic city center. Visit its major gates, including Changle Gate (East Gate), Yongning Gate (South Gate), Anding Gate (West Gate), and Anyuan Gate (North Gate), and take a walk along the historic fortifications to appreciate the unique combination of ancient architecture and modern Xi’an.
Your final stop is the Forest of Steles Museum, an important collection of ancient Chinese stone inscriptions. The museum houses thousands of steles and stone inscriptions dating from the Han Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty. In addition to their historical and literary importance, these works are highly valued for their exquisite Chinese calligraphy and stone-carving art.
In the late afternoon, your guide will transfer you back to your hotel. End of your Xi’an tour.