7-Day Private Tour: Xi’an, Wave Valley, Hukou Waterfall, and Yucha Grand Canyon

Welcome to Xi’an, one of China’s most storied ancient capitals. Upon arrival, your private guide will greet you at the airport or railway station and escort you to your hotel by private vehicle.

During the transfer, your guide will introduce you to Xi’an’s remarkable past and vibrant present, offering a first glimpse into the city’s unique historical character. The rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, set out with your private guide for a comfortable drive to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in the world.

Take a tram into the museum area and explore the famous excavation pits, where thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots stand in silent formation beneath vast hangars. As your guide brings the site to life, you will learn about Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s vision for the afterlife, the remarkable craftsmanship of the figures, and the techniques used to preserve and restore these ancient masterpieces. You will also gain a closer understanding of the restoration process and the original painted details that once gave the warriors their vivid appearance.

You will also have the opportunity to get up close to the first restored Terracotta Warriors, learn about their restoration story, and view Qin Dynasty relics in the Conservation Laboratory.

Later, continue to Huaqing Palace, a celebrated Tang Dynasty retreat nestled at the foot of Lishan Mountain. Renowned for its hot springs, elegant gardens, and imperial associations, the site is also deeply connected to the legendary love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. In the evening, you may choose to attend the acclaimed outdoor performance The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, which recreates this enduring romance in a spectacular setting.

After the tour, return to your hotel in Xi’an.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, begin the day at the Ancient City Wall, one of the most complete and best-preserved city walls in China. Walking along its broad ramparts, you will enjoy sweeping views that reveal the fascinating contrast between Xi’an’s old quarters and its modern urban landscape.

Continue to the lively Muslim Quarter, where the aromas of local delicacies drift through narrow lanes lined with food stalls, shops, and traditional façades. Here, you can sample regional snacks and experience one of the city’s most distinctive cultural neighborhoods.

Later, transfer to the railway station and board a comfortable train to Yan’an. Upon arrival, you will be met and escorted to your hotel for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to the magnificent Hukou Waterfall, the largest waterfall on the Yellow River and one of northern China’s most dramatic natural spectacles.

Upon arrival, take a shuttle bus to the scenic area and witness the immense force of the Yellow River as its powerful waters surge through a narrow gorge, creating a thunderous cascade and clouds of mist. The landscape here is both rugged and awe-inspiring, offering a striking contrast to the imperial and cultural sites of the previous days.

For a memorable local touch, you may also don the traditional clothing of Shaanxi farmers and capture a unique photograph against the backdrop of the waterfall.

After the visit, return to your hotel in Yan’an by private vehicle.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, travel by private vehicle to Jingbian and discover the extraordinary landscapes of Wave Valley, a hidden natural wonder known for its sculpted red sandstone formations.

Begin with a walk across the Glass Bridge, where you can take in expansive views of the surrounding terrain and appreciate the scale of this remarkable landscape.

Then continue along the trails through the red valley, where layers of sandstone have been shaped by wind and water over countless years into flowing, wave-like patterns. As you walk, admire the smooth undulating surfaces, rich colors, and ever-changing textures that make this region so visually distinctive. At the end of the trail, a tranquil pond offers a beautiful reflection of the surrounding red cliffs.

You will also explore the dramatic Sky-Piercing Gorge, a narrow canyon renowned for its great height and steep walls. Its winding passageways and striking rock formations create a powerful sense of scale and offer excellent opportunities for photography.

After the tour, continue to your hotel in Jingbian.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, travel to Ganquan to explore the spectacular Yucha Grand Canyon, a striking geological landscape shaped by erosion over millennia.

Begin with Longba Gully, reached by shuttle bus, where deep channels and towering red rock walls create extraordinary patterns of light and shadow. The canyon’s narrow passages and sculpted surfaces vividly demonstrate the artistic force of nature and provide exceptional settings for photography.

Continue to Huashu Gully, celebrated for its intricate rock formations and the enchanting way sunlight filters through its winding corridors. The interplay of color, texture, and light makes this one of the most visually captivating areas of the canyon.

After the visit, transfer to Ganquan Railway Station for your train journey back to Xi’an. Upon arrival, you will be met and escorted to your hotel by private vehicle.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy some free time at leisure before your private transfer to the airport or railway station.

Your journey concludes today, leaving you with lasting memories of Xi’an’s imperial legacy and the extraordinary natural landscapes of northern Shaanxi.