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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
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