Xian

A city that can boast a truly illustrious past Xian is one of China’s most famous cities and has been for millennia. Close by the incredible Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, the emperor who united China’s warring factions, stands sentinel, still guarding him well into the afterlife - with 2,000 years of being imperial capital for 11 dynasties, it is no surprise that new relics and ruins are being discovered around the city all the time.

In the city itself you’ll find magnificent Ming Dynasty city walls, ancient towers and the atmospheric Muslim Quarter. Xian was also the terminus of the legendary Silk Road - new religions, ideas and philosophies were traded here, bringing the influence of the western world into the middle kingdom. The glory days may have ended in the 10^th century but Xian has so much to offer in terms of culture and history behind its modern façade.

Popular Tours Visiting Xian

Wonders of China

16 Days from
holiday price

2,845pp

China is a land of many wonders – ancient and modern, natural and man-made. This hugely popular tour is a comprehensive journey through China’s most iconic sights from the magnificent Great Wall to the mighty Yangtze River.

Ancient China

18 Days from
holiday price

2,845pp

With thousands of years of fascinatingly diverse history, China is one of the world’s oldest and most monumental civilisations. Encounter millennia-old culture and religion with visits to some of China’s greatest and most intriguing ancient sights.

Grand Tour of China

26 Days from
holiday price

3,545pp

This wide-ranging tour has China’s top destinations covered, with time to soak up the sights. Whether you are looking for history, character and culture, the modern and marvellous, or a straight-up combination of the two, then this is the itinerary for you.

View all Xian tours

Five Reasons To Visit Xian

The Terracotta Warriors
Considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20^th century, the ranks of unique terracotta warriors are a magnificent sight

Xian’s City Walls
Built during the Ming dynasty, this is best preserved, longest and largest old military defensives systems in China

The Muslim Quarter
A maze of atmospheric alleyways around the Grand Mosque, where Islam was first introduced to China, is full of bustling market stalls and speciality foods

Hanyangling Mausoleum
The tomb of Emperor Jing and Empress Wang of the Western Han Dynasty, full of everyday artefacts dating from the 2^nd century BC

Bell and Drum Towers
Exquisite Ming Dynasty towers that have become the symbols of the city – inside you’ll find displays of old drums and bells