Self-Launched Xi'an Explorer: Terracotta Warriors & High-Speed Train to Beijing
4 days · Xi'an, China
Exodus Travels charges £650
No-markup version: ~£193 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the guided group add-on and explore ancient Xi'an on your own terms. This self-launched version of the Exodus Xi'an Pre-tour covers the same iconic ground — the Terracotta Warriors, the Grand Mosque, the Muslim Quarter night markets, and the city walls — before catching the same high-speed train to Beijing. By booking accommodation, activities and transport independently, you can experience everything the group tour offers at a fraction of the price. Prices are approximate estimates per person based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Xi'an — City Walls & Night Markets
Xi'an
Arrive at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport or Xi'an North Railway Station. Take the airport metro (Line 14) or a shared shuttle bus into the city centre for around £3–5 — far cheaper than a private transfer. Check into your accommodation near the Bell Tower, which puts you within walking distance of most sights. The afternoon is free: head to the ancient City Walls and hire a bike (around £3–4/hr) to cycle a full circuit of the 14km perimeter — a spectacular introduction to the city's scale. In the evening, wander into the Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) for Xi'an's famous street food: lamb skewers, rou jia mo (Chinese 'hamburger'), and biangbiang noodles.
🚌Metro Line 14 from airport to city centre (~£3), or airport shuttle bus (~£5)
🛏Han Tang Inn (or similar well-rated hostel/guesthouse near Bell Tower) — approx £15–20/night
- →Arrive and check in near the Bell Tower area
- →Take the metro or airport shuttle bus into the city (approx £3–5)
- →Hire a bike and cycle the Xi'an City Walls (approx £3–4/hr bike hire, wall entry ~£7)
- →Explore the Muslim Quarter night market for dinner (budget £5–8 for street food)
Xi'an City Tour — Grand Mosque, Bell Tower & Muslim Quarter
Xi'an
Today mirrors the Exodus guided city tour but done independently. Start at the Bell Tower (entry ~£4) and Drum Tower (entry ~£4) at the heart of the city — both are easy to visit self-sufficiently with the excellent English-language signage. Head west into the Muslim Quarter to visit the stunning Great Mosque of Xi'an (entry ~£5), one of the largest mosques in China and a remarkable fusion of Islamic and Chinese architecture. Explore the surrounding lanes packed with craft stalls, spice vendors and tea houses. In the afternoon, pick up a self-guided audio tour of the old city via a GetYourGuide-listed local guide for deeper context, or simply wander freely. Return to the Muslim Quarter in the evening when it buzzes with bazaar energy.
🚌Walking and city bus/metro (£1–2 per journey)
🛏Han Tang Inn (or similar) — approx £15–20/night
- →Visit the Bell Tower and Drum Tower (entry ~£4 each)
- →Explore the Great Mosque of Xi'an (entry ~£5)
- →Wander the Muslim Quarter bazaars and food lanes
- →Optional: book a local walking tour via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£15–20pp)
Terracotta Warriors & Final Evening in Xi'an
Xi'an
An unmissable day. Take public bus No. 306/914 or the tourist shuttle from Xi'an Railway Station directly to the Museum of the Terracotta Army (~45 mins, £1–2 each way). Entry to the mausoleum complex costs around £18–20 — book online in advance to avoid queues. Explore all three excavated pits at your own pace: Pit 1 (the vast army of ~6,000 figures), Pit 2 (cavalry and archers), and Pit 3 (the command post). An audio guide is available for hire on-site (~£4) and is well worth it. Return to Xi'an by early afternoon and spend the final evening cycling the city walls once more at sunset or browsing the Tang West Market for souvenirs. Pack your bags ready for the early morning train departure.
🚌Public tourist bus from Xi'an Railway Station to Terracotta Warriors (~£1–2 each way)
🛏Han Tang Inn (or similar) — approx £15–20/night
- →Take public bus 306/914 from Xi'an Railway Station to Terracotta Warriors site (~£1–2 each way)
- →Entry to Museum of Terracotta Army (~£18–20, pre-book online)
- →Hire on-site audio guide (~£4)
- →Visit all three excavated pits including the 'command post' Pit 3
- →Optional: final sunset bike ride on the City Walls
High-Speed Train Xi'an to Beijing
Xi'an to Beijing
Check out and make your way to Xi'an North Railway Station (metro Line 2, ~20 mins, £1). Book your high-speed train ticket in advance via the Trip.com or 12306.cn apps — the G-class trains cover the ~1,200km to Beijing West in around 4.5–5 hours, with stunning views of the North China Plain en route. Tickets in second class cost approximately £40–55 depending on how far in advance you book. On arrival at Beijing West, take the metro (Line 7 or 9) into central Beijing. This is exactly the same journey included in the Exodus itinerary, just booked independently.
🚌High-speed G-train Xi'an North to Beijing West (~£40–55 second class, pre-book on Trip.com or 12306.cn)
🛏Not included — arrange Beijing accommodation separately
- →Check out and take metro Line 2 to Xi'an North Railway Station (~£1)
- →Board G-class high-speed train to Beijing West (~4.5–5 hours, ~£40–55 second class)
- →Arrive Beijing West and take the metro into central Beijing (~£1–2)
Self-launched vs. Exodus Travels
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus Travels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£193 | £650 |
| Duration | 4 days | 4 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £457 per person (70%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus Travels-style trips? Check them out here.~£193
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 & High-Speed Train to Beijing cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £193 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 Travels?+
Yes — Exodus Travels charges around £650 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £193 — a saving of roughly £457 (70%) 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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