terrocotta warrior, hanyangling, huaqing with night show

Question

I have 4 full days in Xian in Oct. Here is my itinerary. Wondering if they are realistic

Day 1 - tour around the city (muslim quarter, drum tower, bell tower, giant wild goose pagoda etc)

Day 2 - terracotta warrior, hanyangling, huaqing and the Song of Everlasting Sorrow show

Day 3 - Huashan

Day 4 - rest of xian city - city wall bike ride, beilin museum (we need to leave for airport at 8pm)

Wondering if it is abvisable to cramp so muhc in Day 2. We plan to take a private tour to save time.

Answer

Your 4-day itinerary in Xi’an is ambitious but feasible, especially since you plan to take private tours which can save travel and waiting time. However, Day 2 is quite packed and will involve a lot of transit, so careful planning is necessary.

Here’s a breakdown of your proposed itinerary:

Day 1 – Xi’an city tour: Visiting the Muslim Quarter, Drum Tower, Bell Tower, and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in one day is realistic. Using a private driver or guided tour will help you move efficiently between sites. Allow time for exploring the Muslim Quarter’s food streets and small shops.
Day 2 – Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling, Huaqing Palace, Song of Everlasting Sorrow: This is the most ambitious day. Consider the following:

The Terracotta Warriors museum can take 2–3 hours to explore properly.
Hanyangling Mausoleum is about 1 hour from central Xi’an and may take 1–1.5 hours to tour.
Huaqing Palace is near the Hot Springs and also about 1–2 hours including transit.
The “Song of Everlasting Sorrow” evening show is a performance with limited seating, so booking in advance is essential. The show usually starts around 7:30 PM.

With a private driver, it is possible to do all these in one day, but you will spend significant time in transit (Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing are about 1 hour apart by car). You may need to skip or shorten the time at one site to ensure you arrive at the night show on time.

Day 3 – Huashan: Huashan is a full-day trip from Xi’an (about 1.5–2 hours by car or train). Arrive early to make the most of the trails. Avoid cramming other activities on this day.
Day 4 – Xi’an city wall & Beilin Museum: A relaxed day is feasible. The city wall bike ride can take 1–2 hours, and Beilin Museum about 1–1.5 hours. This allows plenty of buffer time to get to the airport by 8 PM.

Recommendations to make the itinerary smoother:

Consider skipping Hanyangling if you want a more relaxed Day 2 and focus on Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Palace, ensuring you enjoy the Song of Everlasting Sorrow show without stress.
Start Day 2 very early (around 7:30–8:00 AM) to maximize time at sites.
Book tickets for all major attractions in advance to avoid lines, especially for the night show.
Use a private driver or tour guide to manage timing efficiently and avoid delays with public transport.

In summary, your itinerary is possible, but Day 2 is quite intense. If you prefer a less rushed experience, consider trimming Hanyangling or reducing time at one of the other attractions.

terrocotta warrior, hanyangling, huaqing with night show

More Xi'an Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions