Xi’an to Jiuzhaigou Tour (Terracotta Warriors & Huanglong)

Upon you arrival in Xian, you will be received be your local guide and driver, who will bring you to the hotel. You can relax in the hotel or explore nearby shops on your own.

Today your tour will begin with a short drive into the suburbs to visit the Terracotta Warriors, this imposing funeral art buried in the tomb of China’s first emperor. Embrace this more than 2,000 years lost history with what is now called the eighth wonder of the world. See the more than 10,000 clay warriors and their chariots. The most amazing thing is that there are no two terracotta soldiers are identical, you will have plenty of time to take photos and try to find a pair that matches!

Then you will be driven back in your private car to Xian downtown where in the afternoon, you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the landmarks of Xian. It’s said the pagoda was built to house the Buddhist sutras brought back from India by Xuanzang, a famous monk. Here, you can enjoy the fabulous traditional Chinese architecture and take a bird’s-eye view of the city. A short drive will then take you to the final stop of the day which is Xian’s Muslim Quarters and the Great Mosque. A visit to this place will awaken your cultural awareness to this unique ethnic atmosphere.

In the evening, you can choose to enjoy an impressive Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, and an abundant dumpling buffet, before the start of the performance.

In the morning, drive to visit Beilin Museum (Forest of Stone Steles Museum), it is a treasure trove of Chinese calligraphy, historical documents, and stone carvings, housing over 3,000 steles.

Then head to visit Xi’an City Wall, one of the oldest and best-preserved city walls across China, you can choose to take a walk along the city wall or rent a bicycle. Afterward, pay a visit to Shuyuan Men ancient cultural street, where you can find some traditional Chinese arts and crafts, a good spot for souvenirs. 

Afternoon take the high speed train to Chengdu (about 4 hours train journey). Upon arrival at Chengdu, you will be picked up and assisted to check into hotel in the downtown of Chengdu. 

After breakfast, head to the Chengdu Panda Base to see the adorable pandas. Morning is considered as the best time to visit Panda center as you will catch the feeding time and the pandas are at their most active. Walk through the forested landscape, watch as giant pandas play, nap, and munch bamboo; visit the panda nursery, subadult enclosure, and adult compound; and watch informational videos on panda behavior and the challenges of working with and breeding captive pandas. 

If time is allowed, pay a visit to People’s Park, a great place to get insight the daily life of locals who come here relax, exercise, play games like Mah-jongg and chess, sing and dance, or find love matches for their loved ones. You will be arranged to have a cup of tea like locals in the open-air Heming Tea House, a great place to slow down and rest your legs.

You will take afternoon high-speed train to Jiuzhaigou (about 2 hours train ride), upon arrival at Huanglong Jiuzhai train station, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel just outside Jiuzhaigou Park (about 2 hours drive), rest and prepare for the next day. 

Often called a fairyland on Earth, Jiuzhaigou in northern part of Sichuan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning scenery and rich biodiversity. Spend a full day exploring this mystical valley, with its crystal-clear lakes, cascading waterfalls, and ancient forests that shift in color throughout the day. Highlights include the breathtaking Pearl Shoal Waterfall, vibrant Five-Flower Lake, reflective Mirror Lake, and the impressive Nuorilang Waterfall and more. 

In the evening, you may attend a Tibetan-Qiang cultural show featuring traditional music, dance, and storytelling that brings the region’s heritage to life. Overnight in Jiuzhaigou.

After breakfast, head to Huanglong Park, a 2.5-hour drive away, renowned for its vibrant ponds and stunning landscapes. The park features a variety of colorful ponds in shades of yellow, blue, green, and brown, scattered amidst lush forested mountains. We have included the ascending cable car to take you to Huanglong Temple and Wucaichi (Five-color Pond) first. From there, you will explore the park on foot as you make your way down the mountain, witnessing the mesmerizing beauty of numerous colorful lakes and waterfalls. Depending on your physical condition, you may also choose to take the cable car down after visiting Wucaichi (the descending cable car fee is not included).

After the tour of Huanglong, you will be transferred to Huanglong Jiuzhaigou train station near Songpan to catch the late afternoon train to Chengdu, concluding your journey with WindhorseTour.

Please note: The cable car at Huanglong Park is not operational from December 16th to the end of March during the winter season. If you wish to visit Huanglong during this period, please be prepared for a challenging walk up and down. Alternatively, you may choose to visit Munigou Scenic Park, which offers easier access.