Beijing — Xi’an
Beijing → Xi’an
- 6 days · 5 nights
- 1 transfer
- ≈ ¥3 321
Three days of imperial Beijing and the Great Wall, then a bullet train to Xi’an and the Terracotta Army.
When to go: April–May and September–October, except 1–7 October.
Times are approximate and update when you replace a stop.
Beijing: the Forbidden City
- 08:3012:30
Photo: N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Forbidden City
Tickets are online only, by passport, released 7 days ahead.
4 h¥60 - ≈ 15 min · on foot
- 12:4513:45
Jingshan Park
The hill by the north gate: the whole Forbidden City from above.
1 h¥2 - ≈ 30 min · metro
- 14:1516:45
Hutongs and Houhai Lake
The old lanes of Nanluoguxiang, then lights on the lake.
2 h 30 minFree
The Great Wall
- 09:0015:00
Photo: Velatrix · CC0 Great Wall at Mutianyu
Quieter than Badaling. The price includes the cable car.
6 h¥160
Beijing: temples and palaces
- 08:0010:30
Photo: Shujianyang · CC BY-SA 4.0 Temple of Heaven
Come at opening time: locals dance and play jianzi in the park.
2 h 30 min¥34 - ≈ 1 h · metro
- 11:3015:30
Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0 Summer Palace
Kunming Lake, the Long Corridor and the marble boat.
4 h¥60
Bullet train to Xi’an
- 08:4513:15
Bullet train: Beijing → Xi’an
Beijing West → Xi’an North, second class.
4 h 30 min¥515 - ≈ 50 min · metro
- 14:0516:35
Cycling the City Wall
14 km along the Ming wall. Entry and bike hire included.
2 h 30 min¥100 - ≈ 20 min · metro
- 16:5518:55
Muslim Quarter
Street dinner: roujiamo and biangbiang noodles. Food is in the budget.
2 hFree
The Terracotta Army
- 09:1514:15
Terracotta Army
Three pits and a museum. Bus from the station; a guide is worth it.
5 h¥120 - ≈ 1 h · metro
- 15:1517:15
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
In the evening, a fountain show on the square.
2 h¥50
A last morning and departure
- 09:3012:00
Shaanxi History Museum
Free with booking — slots go days ahead.
2 h 30 minFree