4-Day Thousand-year-old capital and grotto tour (Xi'an - Luoyang)

• Terracotta Warriors and Horses--Da Ci'en Temple--Big Wild Goose Pagoda--Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City

We will drive about 40 kilometers to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses. These Terracotta Warriors were built by China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to protect him in the afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size terracotta figurines, horses and chariots were buried underground for over 2,000 years until they were discovered in 1974. 

Standing in front of these spectacular statues, you will be awed by the ambition of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the skill of ancient Chinese artisans. 

Before visiting the Terracotta Warriors Museum, you will also have the opportunity to experience traditional culture by making a miniature Terracotta Warrior under the guidance of a local potter.

After lunch, we will return to downtown Xi'an and visit the Da Ci'en Temple. This temple was a famous translation site of Buddhist scriptures during the Tang Dynasty. The temple has a 64.5-meter-high pagoda, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built by the Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve the scriptures he brought back from India. 

If you are interested, you can climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (extra charge applies) for a great view of the city. 

As night falls, we will take you to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City. It is a unique Tang Dynasty cultural theme imitation complex in China, where you can enjoy rich singing and dancing performances and charming night scenery.

• Shaanxi History Museum--Small Wild Goose Pagoda--Ancient City Wall--High speed train to Chengdu

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast

In the morning we will visit Xian Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda . Items on display at the Xi'an Museum include Shaanxi history and culture, ceramics, bronzes, calligraphy and painting, and stone carvings. The most distinctive part is the Shaanxi history and culture area, which shows the historical changes and cultural inheritance of the Shaanxi region from ancient times to modern times.

Then we will go to the Ancient City Wall, which is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. You will pass through the Hanguang Gate, as if traveling back to the prosperous scenes on the ancient Silk Road. On the city wall, you can rent a bicycle (extra charge applies) for a leisurely ride and enjoy the panoramic view of modern Xi'an.

Then we will also take you to visit the bustling Muslim Quarter to taste the authentic local snacks and experience the different cultural atmosphere.

In the Afternoon, you will take a high-speed train to Luoyang. Your tour guide will wait for you and help you to transfer to the hotel.

• Shaolin Temple--Pagoda Forest-Shaolin Temple Wushu Training Center-Shaolin Kung Fu school

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, You will visit Shaolin Temple, the holy land of Chan and the cradle of Kung Fu. Here you can gain insight into the essence of Buddhist culture and have the opportunity to observe the monks in their daily lives and meditation practices.

Don't forget to visit the famous Pagoda Forest, the largest existing pagoda forest in China, where each pagoda carries the ashes or skeleton of an important monk.

In addition, you will enjoy a wonderful Kung Fu performance by Shaolin Monks at the Shaolin Temple Wushu Training Center.

Afterwards, you will head to one of the most popular Shaolin Kung Fu schools in Dengfeng to participate in a Kung Fu training program that will last for about 2 hours. A professional Kung Fu instructor will personally guide you and help you master some real Shaolin Kung Fu skills.

Not only can you learn Shaolin Kung Fu, but if you're interested, you can also learn Emei Kung Fu.

After the training, you will return to Luoyang.

Tips:

1. The Kung Fu training can be customized to fit your schedule and interests.
2. Please bring your own sportswears as they are not provided by the Kung Fu school.

• Luoyang Museum--the Longmen Grottoes-High speed train to Xi'an

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will start your day with a visit to Luoyang Museum. It has a collection of Chinese artifacts since the Neolithic period, including historical artifacts, calligraphy, pottery, paintings, and more. The "Special Treasure" is especially worth seeing for its collection of tri-colored glazed pottery from the Tang Dynasty and other fine bronzes.

Then you will take a 20-minute drive to the Longmen Grottoes, an iconic attraction in Luoyang that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Longmen Grottoes is truly a large museum of stone sculpture. Both an artistic ex- pression of Buddhist culture and a reflection of the politics, economy, and social culture of the time.

You will visit the main caves (such as Fengxian Temple, Guyang Cave, and the three Bingyang Caves) to admire the treasures of Chinese Buddhist art and sculptures.

After the tour, you will proceed to Luoyang Railway Station to take the high speed train to Xi'an (less than 2 hours).