Ancient Xi'an

Xi'an, the ancient capital of China in the heart of the country, is sandwiched in between the Weihe River in the north and the Qinling Mountains in the south. The city lies on a major rail route which runs from Lianyungang on the Yellow Sea via Urumqi in the autonomous region of Xinjiang and on to Kazakhstan. There are direct rail links with Beijing and Shanghai as well as flights to most large Chinese cities, including Hong Kong. Xi'an is one of northwest China s textile centers, where cotton grown in the artificially irrigated land in the neighboring countryside is processed. Other major industries are chemicals, pharmaceutical manufacturing and civil engineering. The city is also home to several major universities as well as art and trade schools. Xi'an probably possesses more items of archaeological interest than any other town or city in China-the most important being the world-famous Terra-Cotta Warriors supposedly guarding the tomb of Chinas first Emperor who reigned supreme more than 2,000 years ago.

Xi'an is an ancient site, and there are layers of cities of different names beneath and around it. The land is fertile, renewed yearly by the silt from the Yellow River. Both nomadic and farming people enjoyed the relatively flat landscape, ready water, and ease of travel. Long, long ago, traders' camps were erected outside the city walls, a mixture of colorful tents, utensils, bags and bundles. The traders  wares were cottons and exotic spices from India, metals and ceramics, scrolls of paintings, and seeds. Most of these were then bartered for cascades of silk in all colors and textures to take on the return journey west.

Although smaller and altogether less modern than Beijing, Xi'an retains an almost mystical charm.

Huashan Mountain

One of China's must-see mountains, Huashan is located 120 kilometers east of Xi'an, with an elevation of 2200 meters above sea level.

Huashan is famous for its breath-taking cliffs. Along the 12-kilometer-long winding path up to the top are awe-inspiring precipices  not for vertigo sufferers! There is a Chinese saying that Huashan Mountain has only one way up and down. In this case the saying is based on absolute fact!

Seen from afar, Huashans five peaks looks live five petals of a flower. Standing at the top of East Peak, one can enjoy the rising sun early in the morning. Each peak has a romantic fairy story associated with it, the telling of which is left as an exercise for the reader.

Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses

In 221 B.C., Emperor Shi Huang established Qin, the first centralized feudal dynasty in China, hence the name of the country in English. Centralization was particularly important in the Yellow and Yangtze regions because flooding periodically wiped out years of work and coordinated planning was required to build canals and avoid political as well as geographical fragmentation. After his death, the emperor was buried at the northern foot of Lishan Hill in the east of what is now Lintong county, less than an hour s drive from Xian. The tomb has been reduced to half its size after 2,000 years of water and soil erosion, but is still impressive at 76 meters in height, and covering a huge 120,000 square meters.

Archeological excavation has brought into the broad daylight thousands of life-sized terra-cotta soldiers and warriors   in fact a huge underground army  guarding the tomb of his imperial majesty. A great archeological wonder that has fascinated the world with its magnificence, sheer scale, and eerie beauty.

Hotline: (86-10) 6515 8146

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Short Itinerary:

Day 1

•      Evening train to Xi'an

       (sleeper carriage)

Day 2

•       Breakfast after arrival
•       Air-conditioned bus to
•       Huashan Mountain
•       Full day at Huashan
•       Stay at nearby hotel

Day 3

•       Tour to the Terra Cotta Warriors
•       Back to urban Xi'an
•         Dumpling dinner and the Tang Dynasty show at night

Day 4

•       Bike trip in Xi'an

Day 5

•       Morning flight to Beijing

Long Itinerary:

Day1-4

•       Same as the Short Itinerary

Day 5

•       Morning flight to Beijing
•       Air-conditioned bus to Gubeikou Section of the Great Wall
•       Lunch
•       Hiking to Jinshanling Section of the Great Wall
•       Stay at the Great Wall

Day 6

•       Enjoy the sunrise
•       Hiking to Simatai Section of the Great Wall
•       Back to urban Beijing

Land cost: USD880 per person for Long Itinerary USD680 per person for Short Itinerary (Prices may change as air-tickets are frequently discounted)

Service includes:

•      Train ticket from Beijing to Xian
•      Air ticket from Xian to Beijing
•      Lunch and dinner
•      Hotel at Xian and Huashan Mountain
•      The special Dumpling Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show
•      The entrance fee of the scenic spots mentioned in above itinerary
•      Bike rental
•      English speaking guide

Service excludes:

•       Domestic airport tax
•       Tipping for the guide & driver
•       Hotel personal expenses
•       Insurance

N.B.

Both itineraries start every Friday in June.

Bookings will be available for the whole month.

Each tour must consist of 6 or more people.