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 Ganesha Indian Restaurant

Enjoy authentic Indian cuisine at Ganesha Indian Restaurant, located at 278 South Xinshi Road, Lianhu District, Xi’an. Open 11am-10pm. Contact +86 29 8765 4321.
CNY60-80, 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 Ganesha Indian Restaurant (if open) or nearby Pizza Hut

If Ganesha Indian Restaurant is closed, dine at Pizza Hut at 55 South Chang’an Road, Xi’an, open till 10:30pm. Contact +86 29 8888 5555. Pizza Hut offers affordable pizza and fast food, 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, address: Yi River east bank, Luolong District, Luoyang. 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), address: Shaolin Town, Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou. 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, average cost CNY40. Restaurant suggestion: Shaolin Vegetarian Restaurant, 1 Temple Road, Dengfeng, Phone +86 371 6991 2345.
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 at Ganesha Indian Restaurant

If open, dine again at Ganesha Indian Restaurant (278 South Xinshi Road, Lianhu District, Xi’an, +86 29 8765 4321), open till 10pm, moderate prices around CNY60-80.
CNY70, 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. Address: No. 1, Museum Road, Lintong District, Xi’an.
CNY150, 3h

12:30pm

Lunch near Museum

Eat at Terracotta Army Restaurant, located at Museum Road No.5, Lintong District, open 11am-2pm, average cost CNY40. Phone +86 29 8654 3210.
CNY40, 1h

1:30pm

Return bus 306 to city center

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

2:45pm

Shaanxi History Museum visit

Visit this comprehensive museum of regional history; entry free with advance online reservation. Open 9am - 5:30pm. Address: 91 Xiaozhai East Road, Xi’an.
Free, 2h

4:45pm

Return & Pack at Hotel

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

6:15pm

Early Dinner at Ganesha Indian Restaurant or Pizza Hut

Choose Ganesha Indian Restaurant (278 South Xinshi Road, +86 29 8765 4321) or Pizza Hut (55 South Chang’an Road, +86 29 8888 5555), open till 10:30pm. Approximate cost CNY50-70.
CNY60, 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 7:50pm.
CNY25, 1h
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