Upon arrival at Xi’an Airport, your local guide will greet you outside baggage claim. The drive from the airport to your hotel is your chance to get to know this vibrant city. Admire the streets lined with red lanterns, walk through the city walls, and check out the best local restaurants for dinner. Your guide and driver will drive directly to your four or five-star city center hotel. Use the rest of the day to rest, relax, or explore.

Meals included: None

Few sights in China are as magnificent and awe-inspiring as the world-famous Terracotta Army. The first day of your tour is your chance to see the Terracotta Army in its entirety. Considered by historians around the world to be the world’s largest underground military complex, the Terracotta Army features thousands of life-size terracotta figures, including soldiers, horses, carriages, and weapons. Upon your return to Xi’an, you can change your pace and explore the ancient city wall, which is currently the largest and best-preserved city wall in China. The walled city surrounds China’s former capital and is nearly 14 kilometers long, so you can cycle around the city (tandem bikes are available!) or simply explore on foot, peering through the walls like the guards of the past for a bird’s eye view of the city. Spend the afternoon meditating at Xi’an’s Great Mosque. Built in the mid-seventh century, the Great Mosque features beautiful gardens and a stunning complex of buildings, making it the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in China. Spend a little time here and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Follow your nose to Muslim Street, which is filled with authentic restaurants and souvenirs. It’s time to shop for souvenirs from your trip. Ask your guide for their favorite food recommendations before arriving at the day’s final stop, the famous Bell and Drum Tower Square. You’ll return to your hotel to relax and reflect on the day’s activities.

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and it’s time to visit the Shaanxi History Museum. Discover – and maybe even get a little fascinated by – more than 370,000 artifacts documenting ancient Chinese history. Explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of Xi’an’s two iconic Buddhist pagodas. Depending on your schedule, you may have the opportunity to go to the top of the pagoda and take in Xi’an’s 1,400 years of history. Wander through the temples and gardens to enjoy the views. At the start of the afternoon, you will be transferred to the train station to catch the bullet train to Luoyang. Upon arrival in Luoyang, your friendly local guide will greet you at your hotel and transfer you to your hotel. En route, you will take a mini guided tour of Luoyang, including learning that the city’s name derives from its sunny location on the Luo River.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Note: Your guide may make changes to your itinerary as the Shaanxi History Museum is closed on Mondays.

Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast as there is a full day of exploration ahead. Luoyang’s highlights are special and rare. The day’s sightseeing begins at the Longmen Grottoes, which are approximately 40 minutes’ drive from your centrally located hotel. First, take an escorted electric car along the Yi River to the scenic area where you will marvel at the craftsmanship of more than 100,000 famous Buddha statues. Due to centuries of continuous construction, there are different styles of Buddha statues here. You will see Buddha statues from the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-557 AD) and the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Inside the Longmen Grottoes, you will have time to explore the Ten Thousand Buddha Caves, so named for the fifteen thousand Buddha statues carved on the north and south sides. Incredibly, each statue is only about four centimeters (the smallest is only two centimeters!) Despite centuries of destruction and looting, thousands of Buddha statues have survived. The Longmen Grottoes tour includes a visit to the largest cave, the Fengtian Temple. In addition to the extraordinary natural beauty of the site, the Fengtian Temple also has some of the most exquisite carvings in China. This is where the Vairocana Buddha is located. Standing 17 meters tall, the Buddha is so majestic and impressive that you will be mesmerized by the peaceful expression of the Buddha. Before driving to Dengfeng, you will have time to hike across the Yi River to add to your wonderful memories of the day’s trip. Be sure to take at least one or two panoramic photos of the Vairocana Buddha.

Note: Today’s itinerary offers the option of a short cruise on the Ayeyawady River. A cruise is an ideal way to enjoy the beauty of the Longmen Grottoes caves and limestone cliffs. Please let us know if we can book this extra for you.

The afternoon’s sightseeing continues with the Buddhist theme, exploring the White Horse Temple. Incredibly, the White Horse Temple is known as the first Buddhist temple in China. Historians date its initial construction to around 68 AD, though it has undergone reconstruction and renovations over its 1,900-year history. The White Horse Temple is an iconic destination for Buddhists from China, India, and elsewhere. Today, you can soak up the tranquility of the thousand-year-old temple and gain a deeper understanding of its charm. You can increase your knowledge and experience by pondering the rich history shared by your local guide. From the White Horse Temple, you will continue your 90-minute drive to Dengfeng, home to the Shaolin Temple. Upon arrival in Dengfeng, check into your hotel and recharge your batteries in preparation for your next day of kung fu experience.

Meals included: Breakfast

While the highlight of the day is the visit to the Shaolin Temple, you will start the day by attending a one-hour Kung Fu class held by a local martial arts school. Marvel at the martial arts skills and virtuosity before watching a performance at the Shaolin Temple. You will have the opportunity to watch a thrilling Kung Fu performance at the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu, an inspiring martial art that has been studied for centuries. You will be impressed and excited by the athletic performances of Tongzi Kung Fu, Mantis Fist and Monkey Fist. After the performance, you will have the opportunity to continue exploring and learn about the history involved. You will walk through the mountain gate and along the paved road leading to the ancient temple complex. Like any other historic site in China, the Shaolin Temple has witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties and exudes the atmosphere of a bygone era. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in history amidst the majestic halls, bell and drum towers, colorful murals and ancient stone tablets from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Not far away, you’ll find the peaceful Pagoda Forest, a cemetery of more than 230 brick pagodas where the ashes or remains of great monks are interred. Your guide will explain that the height and size differences of the tombs reflect each monk’s Buddhist achievement or merit (the taller, the better). After a stroll through the Pagoda Forest, you’ll return to Luoyang, where you’ll catch a train or flight to your next destination.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: We love to help our customers make the most of their available travel time. Need help planning your next destination? We can help. With a network across China, we can take care of every detail and arrange your train or flight from Luoyang—or anywhere else in China. (Surcharge applies).