day one Depending on what time you arrrive in Xi'an, you might want to take a stroll around the city to get yourself acquainted with this bustling metropolis. Most impressive are the well-preserved city wall and the Bell Tower, the latter being the central-most point of Xi'an. Just south of the Bell Tower is Shuyuanmen, a traditional street full of antique and craft shops. You will be treated to a dumpling and noodle-making lesson. ( Hyatt Regency Hotel - Deluxe Room or Sheraton Hotel - Deluxe Room) (D)   day two Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi chose Xi'an as his capital in the third century BC. This bellicose tyrant, the first to unite the various kingdoms of ancient China, is known to us for his Terracotta Warriors. This morning you can view the molded soldiers, officers, horses and wagons, which form part of this famed underground amry. Also China's capital at the height of the Silk Road, Xi'an hosted a diverse range of foreign communities and ideas. After lunch, we will compare its Buddhist Big Goose Pagoda with Xi'an's Great Mosque, which stands in the midst of a thriving Muslim quarter. (B, L, D)   day three Xi'an's well-presented History Museum will help you trace China's history from the third millenium BC to the demise of the Tang dynasty in the tenth century. Visitors with a strong interest in East Asian art history might also like to visit the Beilin Museum and the Yanglin Museum. The former houses stunning Tang dynasty Buddhisty statuary and famous carved calligraphic stellae (of perhaps limited interest to those not interested in calligraphy). The latter, located at a Han dynasty tomb where archaeological excavations are on going, displays the tomb's comprehensive collection of beautiful funerary figurines. (B, L, D) Please note that B, L, D denotes Breakfast, Lunch Dinner. City tours are done on a private basis only. Visitors interested in a group tour of China, should view our monthly Imperial Tour itinerary