Follow the Yellow River to Hukou
Hukou Waterfall and the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor connect natural scenery with historical memorial sites north of Xi'an. Waterfall views depend on water levels and site access.
Stories of Northern Shaanxi: 5 Days
Price on request
Overview
This 5-day, 4-night route covers Xi'an, the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, Hukou and Yan'an. It heads north from Xi'an to the Yellow Emperor's mausoleum, Hukou Waterfall and Yan'an, then returns for Huaqing Palace, the Terracotta Army and the old city streets. It suits history-minded travellers who are comfortable with longer drives and a full programme of natural scenery, memorial sites and ancient-capital sights.
Highlights
Modern history in Yan'an
Nanniwan, Yangjialing and Zaoyuan form the Yan'an section, combining northern Shaanxi scenery with revolutionary historical visits.
From the Terracotta Army to Chang'an nights
The Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace and Datang Everbright City each tell a different chapter of Xi'an's history, and a Hanfu dress-up adds a hands-on element.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Xi'an | Dedicated Pickup and Free Time
Arrive in Xi'an on your booked flight or high-speed train. A private vehicle meets you at the time and place confirmed in advance and takes you to the hotel, where you check in yourself and have free time. Pickup staff will contact you beforehand, and a 24-hour service contact is provided. No meals or group sightseeing today, and no guide accompanies you during free time.
Day 2Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor and Hukou Waterfall
After breakfast, visit the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor; the electric shuttle is optional and costs extra. Continue to Hukou Waterfall, where the CNY 40 per-person internal transport charge is mandatory and payable separately. Lunch and dinner are included. Stay in the Hukou area tonight, rather than returning to Xi'an.
Stops: Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor · Hukou Waterfall
Day 3Nanniwan, Yangjialing and Zaoyuan | Return to Xi'an
After breakfast, head toward Yan'an, stopping for photographs at Party Emblem Square in Nanniwan. Visit the Yangjialing and Zaoyuan revolutionary sites; headsets for the two sites cost CNY 30 per person in total, payable separately. Lunch is included and dinner is at your own expense. The Yan'an Nursery show is optional at extra cost; those not attending wait for the group before the shared return journey. Drive back to Xi'an for the night.
Stops: Nanniwan · Yangjialing Revolutionary Site · Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site
Day 4Huaqing Palace, Terracotta Warriors, Hanfu Experience and Datang Everbright City
After breakfast, visit Huaqing Palace and the Mount Li area. Lunch is a Qin-style banquet or an equivalent buffet, followed by the Terracotta Army. Complimentary audio headsets are provided at Huaqing Palace and the Terracotta Army; electric shuttles and the Mount Li cable car cost extra. Choose one complimentary show, Legend of the Camel Bells or Xi'an Eternal Love, and enjoy a Hanfu costume experience (makeup and styling not included). Complimentary activities that are unavailable or declined are not replaced. XR and The Immortal Legion are optional paid experiences; those not taking part wait as agreed. Explore Datang Everbright City for about 60 minutes before the shared hotel transfer; if you stay longer, make your own way back. Dinner is at your own expense.
Stops: Huaqing Palace and Mount Li · Terracotta Warriors · Legend of the Camel Bells or Xi'an Eternal Love; one complimentary show · Hanfu experience; makeup and styling excluded · Datang Everbright City
Day 5Da Ci'en Temple, Xi'an Museum, Bell and Drum Towers and Muslim Quarter | Departure
After breakfast, visit Da Ci'en Temple; climbing the pagoda is optional and costs extra. Visit Xi'an Museum (or Zhang Xueliang's former residence if the museum is closed), then enjoy free time at Bell and Drum Tower Square and in the Muslim Quarter. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense. Sightseeing usually ends around 14:00, followed by departure transfers. Guests on earlier high-speed trains may leave for the station around noon and miss part or all of the square and Muslim Quarter. Confirm your train, and which visits you will still make, before booking.
Stops: Da Ci'en Temple · Xi'an Museum; Zhang Xueliang's former residence if closed · Bell and Drum Tower Square and Muslim Quarter; may be omitted for early departures
Included and not included
Included
- Return economy flights or second-class high-speed train seats between Changsha and Xi'an; select the transport option when booking.
- Dedicated 24-hour transfers at agreed locations and local tour coach, with one seat per person.
- Four nights in twin rooms: three in Xi'an and one in Hukou. Confirm the economy category or paid upgrade when booking.
- Four breakfasts and four main meals: lunch and dinner on Day 2, and lunch on Days 3 and 4.
- Main admission to listed attractions; one of two complimentary shows, Hanfu experience and the specified headsets at Huaqing Palace, the Terracotta Warriors and Xi'an Museum.
- Local licensed Mandarin-speaking guide for coordination and commentary.
Not included
- Mandatory Hukou internal transport, CNY 40 per person, payable separately.
- Transport within the Yellow Emperor Mausoleum, Huaqing Palace and Terracotta Warriors sites, Mount Li cable car, Da Ci'en pagoda climb and headsets at the two Yan'an sites cost extra.
- The Yan'an Nursery show, the XR experience and The Immortal Legion are optional paid activities; Hanfu makeup and styling cost extra.
- Single-room supplement, personal expenses and meals not listed as included.
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