Xi'an Old City, Overnight on Mount Hua & Famen Temple in

Xi'an's classic sights, plus a night at the summit of Mount Hua for sunrise, then Famen Temple and the Qianling Mausoleum.

The first three days cover the city wall, the Terracotta Army, and the southern suburbs' museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. On Day 4, take a high-speed train to Mount Hua, climb, and spend a night at the summit. The next day, watch the sunrise from the East Peak, descend and return to the city. Day 6 goes west to Famen Temple and the Qianling Mausoleum. On the last day, visit the Forest of Stone Steles and then depart. Compared with the usual five-day route, this adds a summit sunrise and the Buddhist temple and imperial tomb of western Guanzhong. Fitness demands are moderate to high.

Mount Hua's paths are icy in winter, and summit lodging is basic, so book early in peak season.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival, City Wall & Bell and Drum Towers

Xi'an（Xi'an City Wall、Bell Tower and Drum Tower、Muslim Quarter (Beiyuanmen)）

The airport to the Bell Tower takes about 1 hour. Explore the city on foot.

Stay: Bell and Drum Towers · Muslim Quarter

Day 2 · Terracotta Army & Huaqing Palace

Xi'an（Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Army)、Huaqing Palace、The Everlasting Regret Show）

Take Tourist Bus Line 5 or Subway Line 9 to Lintong (about 1 hour), then take taxis (about 10 minutes) between sites.

Reserve Terracotta Army tickets under your real name in advance.

Stay: Bell and Drum Towers · Muslim Quarter

Day 3 · Shaanxi History Museum & Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Xi'an（Shaanxi History Museum、Giant Wild Goose Pagoda / Datang Everbright City、Tang Paradise）

Take Subway Lines 2 and 4 to and from the southern suburbs. In the evening, stroll the Great Tang All Day Mall and then return to the Bell Tower.

The Shaanxi History Museum is closed on Mondays and requires advance reservations.

Stay: Bell and Drum Towers · Muslim Quarter

Day 4 · High-Speed Train to Mount Hua Summit

Mount Hua (Huashan)（Huashan West Peak Cableway、West Peak (Lotus Peak), Mount Hua、Changkong Plank Road、South Peak (Luoyan Peak), Mount Hua）

Take a high-speed train from Xi'an North Station to Huashan North Station (about 40 minutes), then a shuttle bus to the visitor center. Take the West Peak Cableway up and continue on foot.

The Changkong Plank Road requires a safety harness and a queue. Skip it if you're not feeling strong.

Stay: Huashan Summit

Day 5 · East Peak Sunrise & Descent

Mount Hua (Huashan)（East Peak (Chaoyang Peak) Sunrise、Middle Peak (Yunü Peak), Mount Hua、North Peak (Yuntai Peak), Mount Hua、Huashan North Peak Cableway）

Watch the sunrise from the East Peak before dawn, then descend via the Middle Peak and North Peak on the North Peak Cableway. Take a high-speed train back to Xi'an (about 40 minutes).

It's cold at the summit before dawn, so bring a heavy jacket.

Stay: Bell and Drum Towers · Muslim Quarter

Day 6 · Famen Temple & Qianling Mausoleum

Baoji（Famen Temple） → Xi'an（Qianling Mausoleum）

Take a chartered car or a one-day tour. Famen Temple is about 120 km away (2 hours), then Qianling is about 1 hour further. Return to the city in the evening.

The Famen Temple grounds are large. The battery cart costs extra, and the visit takes about 2.5 hours.

Stay: Bell and Drum Towers · Muslim Quarter

Day 7 · Forest of Stone Steles & Shuyuanmen, Then Departure

Xi'an（Xi'an Beilin Museum (Forest of Steles) & Shuyuanmen、Great Mosque of Xi'an）

Walk to the Forest of Stone Steles and Shuyuanmen in the morning. In the afternoon, take the subway to Xi'an North Station (about 40 minutes).

Check official announcements regarding whether the Forest of Stone Steles is closed on Tuesdays.

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