Arrive Xi'an
Bell & Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter, city wall sunset.
Meals: D4-star hotel, South Gate/Bell Tower
Xi'an · Luoyang
Twin Ancient Capitals: Xi'an & Luoyang 5D4N
Two 13-dynasty capitals linked by a 1.5h bullet train: Qin-Tang grandeur in Xi'an, Northern Wei grottoes and China's first Buddhist temple in Luoyang. April peony season is the jackpot.
Route snapshot
5 days
Xi'an → Luoyang
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Group size
2–6 travelers
Activity level
Moderate
Pace
Moderate pace
Route
Xi'an → Luoyang
History loversHanfu enthusiastsPhotographers
Highlights
- Terracotta Army + 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow' show
- Vairocana Buddha at Longmen Grottoes
- White Horse Temple international halls
- Hanfu night at Luoyi Ancient City
- Shaanxi History Museum + Everbright City
April for the peony festival (book 1 month ahead), or September-November.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
- Day 2
Terracotta Army & The Everlasting Sorrow
Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace, outdoor night show on Mount Li (Apr-Oct).
Meals: L/DSame as the previous night - Day 3
Museum & Everbright City
Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Everbright City night.
Meals: L/DSame as the previous night - Day 4
Bullet Train to Luoyang
Afternoon light on the Longmen Grottoes' great Buddha; Hanfu night in Luoyi Old Town.
Meals: L/D4-star hotel, Luoyi Old Town/new district - Day 5
White Horse Temple · Departure
China's first Buddhist temple; peony gardens in April, then departure.
Meals: L—
What the route looks like across four seasons
Use these seasonal notes to choose the travel window that matches the scenery you want.
Luoyang peony season
Every April the city blooms — peony gardens pair perfectly with the grottoes.
What’s included
- Hand-picked hotels with daily breakfast
- Private vehicle with driver
- English-speaking local guide
- Admission tickets to listed sights and experiences
- Intercity rail/flight tickets as stated
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 local emergency support
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Single-room supplement
- Personal expenses and optional activities
- Gratuities for guide and driver (optional)
- Hanfu rental & styling (about CNY150-300, optional)
Questions travelers ask
When is the best time to take this tour?+
April for the peony festival (book 1 month ahead), or September-November.
Is the Song of Everlasting Sorrow on year-round?+
It runs roughly April to October and cancels in rain (refundable); we confirm the season schedule before booking.
Guest feedback
What travellers said after this route
Quotes are shown as written, in the traveller’s own words.
“The quote we were given was the price we paid. No surprise supplements, no “optional” extras that turned out to be mandatory. That kind of transparency is rarer than it should be.”
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