Compact 3-Day Xi’an Itinerary: Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple, Terracotta Army & Flights

Day 1: Arrival & Xi’an City

Xi’an, China on August 24, 2025

10:00am

Flight MU2104 Beijing Daxing to Xi’an Xianyang

Fly from Beijing Daxing Airport to Xi’an Xianyang Airport, flight time approx. 2h10m.
Variable, 2h 10m

12:30pm

Airport shuttle 306 to city center

Take bus line 306 shuttle from airport to downtown Xi’an, cost CNY25, duration about 1 hour.
CNY25, 1h

1:30pm

Check-in Green Inn Hotel

Settle into Green Inn Hotel near historic city center for convenient access to sightseeing spots.
Variable, 30m

2:00pm

Lunch at Subway (if Ganesha Indian Restaurant closed)

Grab a foot-long sandwich from Subway within 500 meters of the hotel for a quick and reliable lunch option, open 10am-10pm, average cost CNY30.
CNY30, 1h

3:15pm

Visit Xi’an City Wall

Explore the well-preserved ancient city wall by walking or biking. Open 8am to 9pm; ticket price CNY54.
CNY54, 2h

5:30pm

Bell and Drum Towers

Tour these iconic landmarks in the city center; combined entry CNY40, open 8:30am to 10pm.
CNY40, 1h 30m

7:00pm

Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square

Enjoy the vibrant nighttime fountain and light shows, free to enter and great for evening relaxation.
Free, 1h

8:30pm

Dinner at Pizza Hut (if Indian Restaurant closed)

Order from Pizza Hut located within 500 meters from the square offering affordable pizza and fast food, open till 10:30pm, approx. CNY50.
CNY50, 1h 30m
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Day 2: Longmen Grottoes & Shaolin Temple

Luoyang and Dengfeng, China on August 25, 2025

06:30am

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy an early hotel breakfast included with your stay to prepare for full-day excursion.
Included, 30m

07:15am

Train to Luoyang Longmen Station

Board high-speed train G6377 from Xi’an North to Luoyang, journey takes 55 minutes; ticket cost CNY85.
CNY85, 55m

8:20am

Bus 75 or taxi to Longmen Grottoes

Take local Bus No.75 (CNY10) or taxi (~CNY50) to Longmen Grottoes; bus preferred for budget travelers, around 30 minutes.
CNY10, 30m

9:00am

Explore Longmen Grottoes

View thousands of Buddhist carvings along the Yi River; site open 8am-6:30pm, ticket CNY90.
CNY90, 2h

11:15am

Travel to Shaolin Temple

Take taxi to Dengfeng Shaolin Temple (approx. 1.5 hours, CNY50), the fastest mode for timetable adherence.
CNY50, 1h 30m

12:45pm

Lunch near Shaolin Temple

Try affordable Henan local food at eateries near the temple open 11am-2pm, cost CNY40 on average.
CNY40, 1h

1:45pm

Shaolin Temple & Kung Fu Show

Visit historic Shaolin Temple and watch an authentic Kung Fu show; open 8am-5pm, entrance plus show CNY100.
CNY100, 2h

3:45pm

Return to Luoyang Station

Taxi back from Shaolin Temple to Luoyang Station for the train to Xi’an, taxi cost ~CNY50, 1.5 hour ride.
CNY50, 1h 30m

4:30pm

Train G6388 Luoyang to Xi’an North

High-speed train back to Xi’an, ride takes 1 hour, ticket cost CNY85.
CNY85, 1h

6:00pm

Dinner: Subway or local option

If Ganesha Restaurant closed, have a quick dinner at Subway about 500 meters from hotel, open till 10pm, cost ~CNY30.
CNY30, 1h 30m
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Day 3: Terracotta Army & Departure

Xi’an, China on August 26, 2025

07:30am

Hotel Breakfast

Early breakfast included in your hotel stay to start the last sightseeing day refreshed.
Included, 30m

08:15am

Bus 306 to Terracotta Army

Take bus line 306 from Beidajie Bus Station to the Terracotta Army Museum, cost CNY7, travel time 1 hour.
CNY7, 1h

9:15am

Terracotta Army Museum visit

Explore the world-famous Terracotta Warriors site; opens 8:30am-5:30pm, entrance fee CNY150.
CNY150, 3h

12:30pm

Lunch near Museum

Grab lunch nearby, local restaurants open till 2pm, average cost CNY40.
CNY40, 1h

1:30pm

Return bus 306 to city

Bus back to Xi’an center, 1 hour, fare CNY7.
CNY7, 1h

2:45pm

Shaanxi History Museum

Visit this comprehensive museum of regional history; entry is free with advance online reservation. Open 9am - 5:30pm.
Free, 2h

4:45pm

Return & Pack

Head back to hotel to rest and pack for your evening flight.
Free, 2h

6:15pm

Early Dinner: Subway or Pizza Hut

Choose Subway or Pizza Hut within 500 meters from hotel for a fast meal before departure, open till 10:30pm, costs ~CNY40-50.
CNY50, 1h

7:15pm

Airport Shuttle Bus 306

Take shuttle bus 306 to Xi’an Xianyang Airport, fare CNY25, journey about 1 hour to reach for your flight departing at 7:50pm.
CNY25, 1h
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