5 Days Xian & Mt. Huashan Tours from Shanghai

Today starts with the first stop at Shaanxi Provincial History Museum. It is one of four largest museums in China(the other three are Forbidden City Museum, Shanghai Museum and Henan Provincial Museum). with an area of 70,000 square meters, it is a giant architectural complex in the Tang Dynasty style, focusing on the highlights of the Shaanxi culture and showing the development of the Chinese civilization.

Continue to Big Wild Goose Pagoda. built in 589 A.D in the Sui Dynasty, it is one of the oldest structures in China, featuring 60 meters brick made five storeys structure. As one of Xian's most distinctive and outstanding landmarks, it may be the most beautiful building left in Xian today.

After lunch, you are continue to visit the famous Great Mosque in Muslim Area. It is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China. It is a combination of Chinese architectural style and some Arabic lettering and decorations. Besides, the bustling Muslim Bazaar around it sells everything and some decent snacks. Then, you are going to climb the Bell Tower. In ancient China, every city has a bell tower and a drum tower. The bell tower was sounded at dawn and the drum at dusk each day to remind people the time.

The final attraction today is the Forest of Stone Steles. It is a classical courtyard styled structure at the site of former Confucian Temple in Sanxue Street. With an area of over 30,000 square meters, it holds a big collection of steles in China, and  the works of art of noted calligraphers of past dynasties.

Then, you are driven to Shaanxi Grand Opera House around 6:00 pm to have Dumpling dinner within the Opera House. The Tang Dynasty Dance Show showcases the costumes, music, and dancing of China Tang Dynasty(618-907). At last, you will be driven back to your Hotel.

Toady starts with the first stop, Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, It is located about 50km east of the Xian City. The museum includes Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3 as well the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. The Pit 1 is the largest of the three. The museum and the mausoleum are listed the world's cultural legacies as the UNESCO.

After lunch near Terracotta Warriors Museum, you will be driven to Xian City Wall. Built in Tang Dynasty and extended in the following dynasties, it is the most complete city wall that has survived in China as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. It is 12 meters tall, 12-14 meters wide overing 14 kilometers in length with a deep moat surrounding it.

At last, you will be transfered to your hotel in Xian.

First drive 120 kms west of Xian to Famen Temple. Built during East Han Dynasty by King Asoka of India, who came to Xian and left the fingers of Buddha to be enshrined here. In 1987, an underground vault was discovered under the base of the pagoda. A great amount of Buddhist relics were found including four finger sarira relics.

After lunch, you are going to visit Qianling Tomb, the co-tomb of Emperor Tang Gaozong (Li Zhi, 628-683) and Empress Wu Zetian (624-705), the only Empress in Chinese history. An holy way with animal and human statues standing on each side to the tombs from the southern approach. After the tour, you will be transferred bakc to your hotel in Xian.

Today, you will drive 120 kms east of Xian to tour Mount. Hua. As one of China's five holy mountains, Mount Hua is famed as the most precipitious of the five. It has an elevation of 2200 meters aboe sea level. Some of the peaks look like standing piece of papers, really precipitious. The cable car is not included. After the tour, you wii be transferred back to your hotel in Xian.

After breakfast, you are free till your transfer to Xian Airport and take flight back to Shanghai. Met and transferred to your hotel in Shanghai.