Xi'an in One Day: Day Trip from Shanghai by Air - Terra-Cotta Warriorrs & Horses

XIAN is very beautiful place. It should truly be visited. The places here are far off from each other it almost takes 1 hour from every place to reach other place. You have here so many places to visit. There is famous temple here and along with it you have so many other beautiful places to visit.

OK - like everyone points out, this is a long day! I was picked up at my hotel at 4:30 am by an English fluent man with my name on a sign. He delivered me right to the security checkpoint at the Shanghai airport. Upon arrival in Xi'an, a different young man met me at the baggage area of the airport and we eventually drove to the Terra Cotta Warriors. Before stopping at the actual site, we first stopped at a tourist ship selling replica warriors ranging from 4" tall to life size. Every other kind of handicraft was also available, including jade, lacquer furniture, wood carvings etc. This was actually nice to see such an assortment and get the shopping out of the way early - you will not see a better selection anywhere else, so shop first! The guide was very helpful, instructive and enthusiastic throughout the day, offering helpful information and periodic 'free time' throughout the site. After the site visit, we went for a good lunch at the nearby commercial area catering to tourists leaving the site. At the conclusion I enjoyed a tea ceremony, which again was followed up with a sales pitch for loose leaf tea, tea pets, mugs, etc. Next stop was either the Wild Goose Pagoda or city wall....I elected to see the pagoda which was not disappointing (reviewed separately). I was then shuttled to the airport where I waited to catch the return flight to Shanghai and made it back without incident. My same driver from the morning (no English) greeted me at the airport and got me back to the hotel without issue. All in, it was about 20 hours of travelling but completely worth it. I would recommend this tour group to friends and colleagues visiting Shanghai in the future.

It was a privelege to have been given the opportunity to do this tour. The driver arrived just before 5.30 am at my hotel to whisk me to Pudong airport. The tour guide, Maggie, met me two and a half hours later in Xi'an. I immediately felt comfortable in her presence. Her command of English was very good. The driver was less approachable though. We made an initial stop at a factory that made Warriors. I was shown the process by a different guide and was given the opportunity to buy a photo. There were other items on sale too. After an interesting tea ceremony of which three could be tasted free of charge, we left for the Terracota Warrior 'Museums'. On arrival, we had lunch which was actually very good and there was plenty of it. Our next stop was the highlight of the day - the three pits of warriors and the bronze museum. All were very interesting in their own ways. The area is extensive and requires significant walking. It was 31 degrees the day I was there. Don't expect to see all the pits full of warriors. Only one has around a third visible to the public. The rest have not even been excavated yet. The bronze museum is excellent with several key pieces in cabinets. I bought souvenirs in the museum shop which were of a high quality. Unfortunately the time allocated here was all too little. We proceeded to a pergola and calligraphy lesson which were amazing. These were not included in the price of the tour. I believe I paid for both myself and the guide too. After scaling the city walls in Xi'an in very high temperatures for a short time at my request, we ate dinner in a local restaurant which was a superb taste. Bizarrely, this again was not included in the price of the tour. At around 7.30 it was time to head back to the airport. Maggie left us after giving a day of great commentary and good fun. Despite being booked by the agent on the last flight back to Shanghai and with an hour and a quarter delay, the driver in Pudong airport turned out at 1.30 am to see me safely back to my hotel. He went above and beyond the call. This was an expensive one on one tour and is a one off. The long day was not an issue due to how much was experienced. I wouldn't have missed seeing the Terracota warriors though for anything. It was the highlight of my two weeks in Shanghai. I thoroughly recommend this if you want to see what has been described as the next 'wonder of the world'.