Xi'an Terracotta Warriors and City Wall Private Charter Day Tour

Xi'an, one of the starting points of the ancient Silk Road, is a city steeped in Eastern culture. For most travelers, figuring out how to combine the world-renowned Terracotta Army with a visit to the best-preserved ancient city wall in China within a limited day is a significant challenge. Complex public transportation transfers, scattered attractions, language barriers… these problems can be largely solved with a reliable private car hire.

This guide is written just for you. We'll start from your hotel and leisurely explore this quintessential Xi'an day trip route with a full day. You don't need to worry about the route or getting lost; just bring your curiosity and camera, and let this ancient city unfold its wonders for you.

Route Summary

• Total Duration: Approximately 10 hours (hotel pick-up and drop-off)

• Total Distance: Approximately 200 kilometers (including travel between Xi'an city and Lintong District, and connections between attractions)

• Suitable Duration: 1 day (can be shortened to the minimum, but a relaxed one-day itinerary is strongly recommended)

• Suitable for: Independent travelers who want to experience the three major landmarks in one trip and avoid the hassle of transfers; families; photography enthusiasts; food seekers; first-time visitors to Xi'an seeking a short-term trip that is efficient yet in-depth.

Why choose this route?

Concentrated attractions, see the three highlights in one day.

The Terracotta Army, the City Wall, and the Muslim Quarter—these three attractions perfectly represent three dimensions of Xi'an: the imperial grandeur of two thousand years ago, the ancient city's defenses of six hundred years ago, and the vibrant, everyday life of its people. Combining them all in one day is the most time-efficient arrangement.

Complex public transportation transfers, chartered car simplifies everything.

From the city center to the Terracotta Army, it's about 50 kilometers one way. If you choose public transportation, you need to take the subway and then transfer to a bus or tourist line, taking nearly two hours in total, and often getting crowded on the return trip. While there are several bus lines between Huaqing Pool and the Terracotta Army, long queues are common during holidays, making the experience less than ideal for tourists with limited time. Chartered car is completely different—pick up at your hotel and go directly to the entrance of the scenic area, worry-free throughout the journey.

High degree of freedom, control your own pace.

The biggest problem with group tours is time constraints—if you want to stand in front of Pit 1 of the Terracotta Army for ten more minutes, the tour guide will already be urging you to the next shopping stop. Chartering a car allows you to stop and go as you please, deciding how long to stay at each attraction.

The experience is better, and the value is actually quite good.

A car accompanies you from morning till night, including driver service fees, fuel costs, toll fees, and parking fees. If shared among four or five people, the per-person cost is even lower than the total cost of a round-trip taxi, while the comfort and flexibility far exceed that of public transportation.

Detailed itinerary for a day trip to Xi'an

Morning | Terracotta Warriors · Facing the Underground Army of Qin Shi Huang

08:00 | Depart from the hotel, heading to Lintong

Your private driver is already waiting at the hotel entrance—the vehicle is clean, air-conditioned, and usually has drinking water provided.

09:15 | Arrive at the Terracotta Army, enter before the main group (3 hours recommended).

The driver will take you directly to the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum parking lot, just steps from the entrance to Pit 1.

The Terracotta Army Museum mainly consists of three burial pits. Visit in the recommended order:

• Pit 1: The largest and most magnificent, with over 6,000 life-size terracotta warriors arrayed in formation. Standing at the edge of the pit, you are greeted by a breathtakingly spectacular array—infantry and chariots are orderly, each terracotta warrior's face is unique, as if truly imbued with life from a thousand years ago. Discovered accidentally by local farmers while digging a well, it is now open to the world.

  

• Pit 2: Although smaller than Pit 1, it is known as the "essence pit." It encompasses a mixed military formation of cavalry, chariot soldiers, infantry, and crossbowmen, the ingenuity of which is truly awe-inspiring. Kneeling archers, generals, and saddled horse cavalry figures were unearthed here and are not to be missed.

• Pit 3: The smallest in area, it served as the "command center" of the entire underground military formation. Its concave structure hints at its special status.

• The Artifacts Exhibition Hall：displays precious unearthed artifacts, including two large painted bronze chariots and horses. The exquisite craftsmanship inspires awe at the metallurgical level of the Qin Dynasty.

  

During your visit, you can rent a self-guided audio tour at the official service point (approximately 10 RMB), or hire an English-speaking guide at the pit entrance to let these silent terracotta warriors "speak" in your ears. You can also book English-speaking guide services through travel agencies.

12:00 | Lunch Recommendation

After the tour, you can have lunch at a restaurant near the Terracotta Warriors and Horses scenic area.

Afternoon | Xi'an City Wall · Cycling along the Millennium-Old City Wall

13:30 | Return from Lintong to Xi'an city center, enjoy sightseeing and cycling on the city wall (2 hours recommended)

After your awe-inspiring tour of the Terracotta Warriors, we will take you back to Xi'an city by chartered car, a journey of approximately 50 minutes. The driver will drop you off at Yongning Gate (South Gate), the most famous point for climbing the city wall.

Xi'an City Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty, stretches approximately 14 kilometers and is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China.

You can experience the charm of the city wall in at least two ways: stroll along it, feeling the breeze blowing between the battlements; or cycle. The top of the wall is wide and flat; rent a bicycle (about 45 RMB/3 hours) and cycle around the entire wall—the exhilarating feeling of riding the wind will be one of the most unforgettable memories of your trip to Xi'an. There are bicycle rental points near Yongning Gate, offering single and tandem bikes, and returning them is very convenient.

Evening | Muslim Quarter: A Culinary Journey Through Western China

16:30 | Walk from the City Wall to the Muslim Quarter

After descending from Yongning Gate, it's about a 15-minute walk or a short drive by driver to the entrance of the Muslim Quarter. Located northwest of the Bell and Drum Tower Square in downtown Xi'an, the Muslim Quarter is a centuries-old Hui Muslim street, home to approximately 20,000 Hui people who live near the mosque, exuding a rich Islamic cultural atmosphere.

Recommended Foods:

• Roujiamo (Chinese Hamburger): Dubbed the "Chinese hamburger" by foreign media, it has a crispy exterior and a juicy interior.

  

• Yangrou Paomo : Tear the baked bread into small pieces and dip them into boiling lamb broth—a truly ceremonial culinary experience in Xi'an.

  

• Biang Biang Noodles: Wide, handmade noodles, topped with chili oil and minced meat sauce, offering a chewy texture.

• Persimmon cakes: with a golden and soft outer crust and a sweet filling, they are a great dessert choice.

Finally, if you still have energy, you can continue to stroll around the neighborhood a little longer; if you want to rest, the driver will safely take you back to your hotel, ending a fulfilling and enriching day.

Recommended one-day tour of Xi'an by chartered car:Xi'an Full-Day Terracotta Warriors & City Wall

Recommended vehicle types for one-day chartered car service in Xi'an

Xi'an's car rental market offers a wide variety of vehicles, ranging from 5-seater sedans to 55-seater buses. Recommendations based on travel group size are as follows:

• 2-3 people (small family/couple): A 5-seater sedan or a B-class minivan is most suitable. Sufficient space for personal luggage and a few large items, and it's economical.

• 4-5 people (family with children/group of friends): A 7-seater minivan is the most common choice for family travelers. It's spacious, comfortable, and can accommodate 2-3 standard suitcases.

• 6-8 people (large family/group travel): A 9-14 seater minivan or minibus can meet the needs, providing ample seating space for everyone and making luggage storage easier.

Regardless of the vehicle type chosen, please ensure that the rental service includes air conditioning, fuel, driver's wages, and parking and toll fees.

Xi'an One-Day Tour Budget Reference

The following prices are for reference only in 2026, all units are in RMB.

Charter Costs:

• 5-seater sedan/1-3 people: Approximately RMB 800-1000/day

• 7-seater minivan/4-6 people: Approximately RMB 1000-1200/day

• 10-seater minivan/8-9 people: Approximately RMB 1500-2000/day

Included and excluded in the price:

• Included: Driver's fee, fuel cost, vehicle usage fee (8 hours or full day).

• Excluded: Highway tolls (approximately 20-30 RMB), scenic area parking fees (approximately 10 RMB per visit for the Terracotta Warriors).

• Driver Accommodation: Day trips typically do not include driver accommodation; for extended trips, additional accommodation and meal allowances for the driver will be required. Please confirm the specific cost with the charter platform in advance.

Entrance fee to attractions (to be paid separately):

• Terracotta Army Museum: 120 RMB/person

• Xi'an City Wall Cycling: 45 RMB/person

• Food and other: Lunch costs approximately 50–100 yuan per person, and there are various options for snacks in the Muslim Quarter (each snack costs approximately 10–30 yuan).

Best seasons to travel to Xi'an

The best time to visit Xi'an is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when temperatures range from 15℃ to 25℃, offering pleasant weather and avoiding the summer peak season and crowds.

Times to avoid:

• Chinese Lunar New Year (late January to early February): Peak domestic tourism season; the Terracotta Warriors are extremely crowded.

• National Day Golden Week (October 1st to 7th): The peak tourist season of the year; travel during this time is not recommended.

• July to August: Xi'an experiences scorching summers with temperatures often exceeding 35℃, significantly diminishing the outdoor sightseeing experience.

Seasonal Features:

Spring: Flowers bloom and willows turn green; cycling along the city walls is most enjoyable.

Summer: It's recommended to schedule activities in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun. The Muslim Quarter is perfect for evening strolls and dining.

Autumn: Clear skies and soft sunlight make it the best season for photography.

Winter: Fewer tourists, but temperatures are low (0℃–10℃); cycling along the city walls can be quite cold.

Route optimization suggestions

Can I go in the opposite direction?

Yes. If you are staying on the east side of the city center, or would like to visit the Muslim Quarter during the day rather than in the evening, you could adjust your itinerary as follows: Morning: Muslim Quarter (breakfast + exploring the alleyways) → Noon: City Wall → Afternoon: Terracotta Warriors. However, please note that the Terracotta Warriors are still quite crowded in the afternoon, and you may encounter the evening rush hour on your return trip.

Could this be extended to 2-3 days?

Absolutely, and even more comfortable:

2-day itinerary: Day 1: Terracotta Army + Huaqing Palace (near the Terracotta Army, where you can enjoy the Tang Dynasty royal hot spring ruins and the "Song of Everlasting Regret" performance); Day 2: City Wall + Muslim Quarter + Bell and Drum Towers.

3-day itinerary: Add Shaanxi History Museum (one of China's top museums) or Mount Hua.

Other charter bus guide routes recommended

Besides a day trip to Xi'an, we can also recommend:

Beijing Family Chartered Tour: Great Wall Day Trip

Chengdu Panda Base and Old City Day Trip (Chartered Car)

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