Day 1-3: Stopover at Singapore Changi Airport and arrived at Xianyang International Airport (32km to Xi’an City) & stayed in Xianyang City first (before going to Xi’an City centre!)
Above: Travel Tip: We stayed in homesay (RMB100 per nite), 3km from the Xianyang International Airport (西安咸阳国际机场), which is actually 32km from Xi’an City centre.
Many people are unaware that Xianyang City is a historical city in itself and there are many historical sites to visit. Its history is much older than Xian!
Do you know that Xianyang 咸阳市 is the capital of Xin Dynasty when Qin Shi Huang 秦始皇 defeated 6 other states and unified China? You can visit the Shaanxi provincial museum (Qin & Han) near the Xianyang airport (20 minutes by car) to have a good overview of the history of the two dynasties. please do not get confused with another Shaaxi provincial museum in Xian City centre!
Above: Our home stay and early breakfast, typical roujiamo 肉夹馍， Chinese burger
Immersion in Xianyang’s Rich History
Visit to Shaanxi Museum (陕西历史博物馆) Afternoon: Tombs of Zhou Kings (周王陵) & Jiang Ziya (姜子牙) Overnight: Xianyang
Our first day was dedicated to exploring the Shaanxi Museum, where we marveled at artifacts from the Qin (秦) and Han (汉) dynasties. In the afternoon, we visited the Tombs of the Zhou Kings and Jiang Ziya, delving deep into the history of these significant figures.
Day 3: Journey to Baoji
Date: April 22, 2024 (Monday) Morning: Train to Baoji (宝鸡) Afternoon: Neighbourhood walk and Cooking LessonOvernight: Baoji
We traveled to Baoji, known for its rich bronze ware heritage. The afternoon was spent exploring the local neighborhood, followed by a delightful cooking lesson with Elaine, learning to make traditional Chinese dishes.
Day 4: Bronze Ware Museum and Zhuge Liang’s Tomb
Date: April 23, 2024 (Tuesday) Morning: Visit to Bronze Ware Museum (青铜器博物馆) Afternoon: Visit to Zhuge Liang Tomb (诸葛亮墓) at Qishan (岐山) Overnight: Baoji
We spent the day immersed in the ancient art of bronze ware at the museum, followed by a visit to the tomb of the legendary strategist Zhuge Liang at Qishan.
Day 5: Exploring Emperor Yan’s Tomb
Date: April 24, 2024 (Wednesday) Morning: Visit to Emperor Yan’s Tomb and Temple (炎帝陵庙) Afternoon: Return to Xi’an Overnight: Xi’an
The morning was dedicated to Emperor Yan, a revered figure in Chinese mythology. His tomb and temple offered a deep dive into ancient legends. We then traveled back to Xi’an for the night.
Day 6: Zhou Yuan Tour
Date: April 25, 2024 (Thursday) Activity: Day tour to Zhou Yuan (周原) Overnight: Xi’an
We embarked on a day tour to Zhou Yuan, an ancient site that provided a fascinating glimpse into early Chinese civilization.
Day 7: Huangdi Tomb and Hukou Waterfall
Date: April 26, 2024 (Friday) Morning: Visit to Huangdi Tomb (黄帝陵) Afternoon: Long tour to Hukou Waterfall (壶口瀑布) and Village Overnight: Xi’an
The day began with a visit to the tomb of Huangdi, the legendary Yellow Emperor. We then ventured to the spectacular Hukou Waterfall, one of the most magnificent natural wonders in China, followed by a visit to a nearby village.
Day 8: Exploring YunCheng
Date: April 27, 2024 (Saturday) Morning: Train to YunCheng (运城) Afternoon: City walk Overnight: YunCheng
We took a morning train to YunCheng and spent the afternoon exploring the city on foot, soaking in the local culture and history.
Day 9: Emperor Shun Tomb and Temple
Date: April 28, 2024 (Sunday) Morning: Visit to Emperor Shun Tomb and Temple (舜帝陵庙) Afternoon: City walkOvernight: YunCheng
Our exploration continued with a visit to the tomb and temple of Emperor Shun, a legendary ruler in Chinese history. The afternoon was spent wandering through the city’s streets.
Day 10: Hancheng and Historical Sites
Date: April 29, 2024 (Monday) Morning: Train to HanCheng (韩城) Afternoon: Visit to Old Street Overnight:HanCheng
We traveled to HanCheng and explored its ancient streets, experiencing the charm of this historic town.
Day 11: Sima Qian Temple and Yu Temple
Date: April 30, 2024 (Tuesday) Morning: Visit to Sima Qian Temple (司马迁祠) and Yu Temple (禹庙) Afternoon:Return to Xi’an Overnight: Xi’an
The day was dedicated to the legacies of Sima Qian, the great historian, and Yu the Great, the legendary founder of the Xia Dynasty. We returned to Xi’an in the evening.
Day 12: Xi’an City Walk and Wild Goose Pagoda
Date: May 1, 2024 (Wednesday) Morning: City walk Afternoon: Visit to Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔) Overnight:Xi’an
We enjoyed a leisurely city walk in Xi’an, followed by a visit to the iconic Wild Goose Pagoda, an architectural marvel with a rich history.
Day 13: Panpo Site Museum
Date: May 2, 2024 (Thursday) Activity: Visit to Panpo Site Museum (半坡博物馆) Overnight: Xi’an
Our journey into ancient history continued with a visit to the Panpo Site Museum, where we learned about the Neolithic Banpo culture.
Day 14: Laozi Tour and Cai Shenye
Date: May 3, 2024 (Friday) Morning: Day tour to Laozi (老子) Afternoon: Visit to Cai Shenye (财神爷) Overnight:Xi’an
We embarked on a day tour exploring the life and teachings of Laozi, the father of Taoism. The afternoon was spent visiting the Cai Shenye temple, dedicated to the Chinese God of Wealth.
Day 15: Shaanxi Historical Museum
Date: May 4, 2024 (Saturday) Activity: Visit to Shaanxi Historical Museum Overnight: Xianyang
We revisited the Shaanxi Historical Museum to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of China’s history.
Day 16: Departure
Date: May 5, 2024 (Sunday) Morning: Visit to Xuanzang’s Tomb Evening: Flight to Singapore
Our journey concluded with a visit to the tomb of Xuanzang, the famous Buddhist monk. We then headed to the airport for our flight to Singapore, reminiscing about the incredible experiences and historical insights we had gained during our trip.
Reflections
This journey through China was an unforgettable experience, filled with ancient legends, stunning landscapes, and a profound appreciation for the country’s rich cultural heritage. Each site we visited added a new layer of understanding and awe for China’s historical depth. We hope this itinerary inspires you to embark on your own adventure and discover the wonders of this ancient land.
