Self-Launched Xi'an Explorer: Terracotta Warriors & Ancient City
4 days · Xi'an, China
Exodus charges £850
No-markup version: ~£200 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 4-day add-on trip to Xi'an — one of China's most historically rich cities — covering the iconic Terracotta Warriors, the ancient city walls, the Grand Mosque and the buzzing Muslim Quarter night markets. This itinerary mirrors the Exodus guided version but replaces group transport and guided activities with self-bookable alternatives, cutting costs significantly while keeping all the headline experiences intact. Travel independently on the high-speed rail from Beijing, stay in a well-located budget hotel near the Bell Tower, and explore at your own pace.
Day-by-day
High-Speed Train from Beijing to Xi'an
Beijing → Xi'an
Make your own way to Beijing Railway Station (or Beijing West) and board a high-speed G or C-series train to Xi'an North Station. The journey takes roughly 4.5–5.5 hours and is incredibly comfortable, with panoramic views of the North China Plain. Book tickets in advance via Trip.com or the China Railway official site (12306.cn) — second-class seats are the sweet spot for budget travellers. On arrival at Xi'an North, take Metro Line 3 directly to the Bell Tower area (around 40 minutes, ~£0.50). Check into your accommodation and spend the evening wandering the nearby night market for a taste of Xi'an's legendary street food.
🚌Beijing to Xi'an North: High-speed G-train, ~£30–40 second class, bookable via Trip.com or 12306.cn. Xi'an North Station to city centre: Metro Line 3, ~£0.50.
🛏Han Tang Inn (Bell Tower), Ibis Xi'an Bell Tower, or similar budget hotel near the city centre — approximately £20–30/night.
- →Board high-speed train at Beijing Railway Station or Beijing West — book second-class G-train tickets in advance
- →Arrive Xi'an North Station and take Metro Line 3 to Bell Tower area
- →Check in and explore the surrounding streets
- →Evening stroll and street food dinner in the Muslim Quarter night market — try biang biang noodles and lamb skewers
Xi'an City Tour: Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Grand Mosque & Muslim Quarter
Xi'an
Spend the morning on a self-launched city tour of Xi'an's most iconic landmarks. Start at the Bell Tower (entry ~£5) and the adjacent Drum Tower (joint ticket available), both sitting at the heart of the ancient city. Head directly into the Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie), a labyrinthine neighbourhood of mosques, bazaars, and street food vendors. The Grand Mosque (Da Qingzhen Si) is one of the largest in China and one of the most architecturally unique, blending Islamic and Chinese styles — entry is approximately £4. You can book a guided walking tour of the Muslim Quarter and Grand Mosque area on GetYourGuide for around £15–20 if you'd like local context. The afternoon is free — consider visiting the Shaanxi History Museum (book timed tickets in advance online, entry ~£8) for a deeper dive into the region's 3,000-year heritage.
🚌All sites walkable from Bell Tower area. Alternatively, use Xi'an Metro or shared taxi (DiDi) for ~£1–3.
🛏Han Tang Inn (Bell Tower) or similar — approximately £20–30/night.
- →Visit the Bell Tower and Drum Tower (joint ticket ~£7, self-bookable on arrival)
- →Explore the Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) — free to wander
- →Visit the Grand Mosque (Da Qingzhen Si) — entry ~£4
- →Optional: Book a Muslim Quarter food and culture walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–20)
- →Afternoon visit to Shaanxi History Museum — pre-book timed entry tickets online (~£8)
- →Evening dinner at the Muslim Quarter night market — budget £5–8 for a street food feast
Terracotta Warriors & City Wall Cycling
Xi'an & Lintong District
The highlight of the trip. Head to the Museum of the Terracotta Army (Bingmayong) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing thousands of life-size clay soldiers guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb. Take Bus 914 or 915 from Xi'an Railway Station (East Square) directly to the site (~40 minutes, ~£0.80 each way) — the most budget-friendly option. Alternatively, book a small-group day tour including transport via GetYourGuide or Klook for around £25–35, which often includes a stop at the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum too. Entry to the Warriors is approximately £18. Allow 2–3 hours on site. Return to Xi'an in the afternoon and rent a bicycle to ride the ancient city walls (Chengqiang) — a 13.7km loop with sweeping views over the old city. Bike hire is approximately £4 for 100 minutes.
🚌Xi'an Railway Station to Terracotta Warriors: Bus 914/915 from East Square, ~£0.80 each way, ~40 minutes. Return to city by the same bus. Alternatively, book a GetYourGuide or Klook group tour including transport (~£25–35).
🛏Han Tang Inn (Bell Tower) or similar — approximately £20–30/night.
- →Take Bus 914/915 from Xi'an Railway Station to the Terracotta Army Museum (~£0.80 each way)
- →Visit the Museum of the Terracotta Army — entry ~£18, allow 2–3 hours (book tickets online in advance)
- →Optionally include the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum site nearby
- →Return to Xi'an city centre by bus
- →Rent a bicycle and cycle the ancient city walls loop (13.7km) — hire ~£4 for 100 minutes
- →Evening free: explore South Gate (Yongning Gate) area at dusk for great wall views
Departure from Xi'an
Xi'an
Enjoy your included breakfast and take a final morning stroll if time allows — the area around the Small Wild Goose Pagoda makes for a peaceful early-morning walk. Head to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport independently using the Airport Bus (Line 1) from the city centre, which departs regularly and costs approximately £5 (~1 hour). Alternatively, take a DiDi (Chinese Uber) for around £12–18 depending on traffic. Arrange your own onward flight home or connecting to another Chinese city. Booking domestic flights via Trip.com or Skyscanner typically yields the best prices.
🚌City centre to Xi'an Xianyang Airport: Airport Bus Line 1, ~£5, ~60 minutes. Or DiDi ride-share ~£12–18.
- →Breakfast and final morning in Xi'an
- →Optional: Early walk around the Small Wild Goose Pagoda (Jianfu Temple area) — entry ~£4
- →Take Airport Bus Line 1 to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (~£5)
- →Depart for home or next destination — book flights independently via Trip.com or Skyscanner
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£200 | £850 |
| Duration | 4 days | 4 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £650 per person (76%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£200
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Xi'an Explorer: Terracotta Warriors & Ancient City cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £200 per person for 4 days in Xi'an, China. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £850 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £200 — a saving of roughly £650 (76%) per person.
How long is the Xi'an, China trip?+
This itinerary runs 4 days, covering 4 day-by-day stops through Xi'an, China.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, backpacker trip through Xi'an, China, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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