Packed 3-Day Xi’an to Zhangjiajie Itinerary with Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple, and City Highlights

Day 1: Arrival and local Xi’an

Xi'an, China on August 24, 2025

09:00am

Arrival by G91 Train

Arrive in Xi’an via G91 train, then take public bus number 216 from Xi’an North Railway Station to the city center to save costs (about CNY5, 30 min). Check in at Green Inn Hotel near Ganesha Indian Restaurant.
CNY5, 30m

10:30am

Breakfast at Ganesha Indian Restaurant

Enjoy a hearty Indian breakfast at Ganesha Indian Restaurant, located near your hotel, offering vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Opens at 8:30am.
CNY30, 1h

11:30am

Visit Xi’an City Wall

Take bus 601 from your hotel area to Xi’an City Wall, the ancient fortifications surrounding the city, open 8:00am-9:00pm. Rent a bike or walk on top for great views.
CNY54, 2h

1:30pm

Lunch at Defachang Dumpling Restaurant

Sample traditional Xi’an dumplings at Defachang, famously affordable and delicious. Open 10:00am-9:00pm.
CNY40, 1h

2:45pm

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Take bus 606 to visit this iconic Buddhist pagoda dating back to Tang dynasty. Open 8:00am-6:30pm.
CNY50, 1h 30m

4:30pm

Explore Muslim Quarter

Explore the vibrant Muslim Quarter, try street food snacks, buy souvenirs, and see the Great Mosque (closes at 6:00pm).
Free, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Ganesha Indian Restaurant

Return to Ganesha Indian Restaurant for dinner to enjoy a comfortable meal after the day’s walk.
CNY60, 1h 30m
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Day 2: Longmen & Shaolin

Luoyang / Dengfeng, China on August 25, 2025

06:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Early breakfast at hotel to prepare for full day trip.
Included, 30m

07:00am

Train to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes

Take the fastest bullet train from Xi’an to Luoyang Longmen (G353, approx. 1h 5min). From Luoyang station, take bus 75 or taxi to Longmen Grottoes.
CNY90 train + CNY10 bus/taxi, 1h 30m

08:30am

Visit Longmen Grottoes

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site with thousands of Buddha statues carved in limestone cliffs. Open 8:00am-6:30pm.
CNY90, 2h

10:30am

Travel to Shaolin Temple

Take bus 38 or taxi from Luoyang or arrange via local travel operator to Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng (approx. 1.5h). Cheapest is taxi sharing or small bus (~CNY50 per person).
CNY50, 1h 30m

12:00pm

Lunch near Shaolin Temple

Grab lunch at a local restaurant near Shaolin Temple offering traditional Henan cuisine, open till 2:00pm.
CNY40, 1h

1:00pm

Visit Shaolin Temple

Discover the birthplace of Kung Fu with the Shaolin Monastery and watch a martial arts performance if time permits. Open 8:00am-5:00pm.
CNY100, 2h

3:30pm

Return to Xi’an

Take shuttle or bus back to Luoyang and then train to Xi’an. Total return trip around 3 hours, arriving by 7:00pm.
CNY140, 3h

7:30pm

Dinner at Muslim Quarter

Enjoy dinner at the Muslim Quarter, trying local specialties such as lamb skewers and flatbread. Open until late.
CNY50, 1h
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Day 3: Xi’an Highlights

Xi'an, China on August 26, 2025

08:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a filling breakfast at your hotel before your last day in Xi’an.
Included, 30m

09:00am

Terracotta Army Museum

Take bus 306 or book shuttle to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, one of China’s most famous archaeological sites. Open 8:30am-5:30pm.
CNY150, 3h

12:30pm

Lunch near Museum

Eat lunch at a nearby local cafe offering northern Chinese dishes, open till 2:00pm.
CNY40, 1h

1:30pm

Xi’an Museum or Shaanxi History Museum

Visit the Shaanxi History Museum to learn about the region’s rich history, open 9:00am-5:30pm, closed Mondays. Free entry but reservation required.
Free (reservation needed), 2h

3:30pm

Rest and pack

Return to hotel to rest and prepare for your evening flight.
Free, 3h

5:00pm

Early Dinner at Ganesha Indian Restaurant

Have an early dinner at Ganesha Indian Restaurant near your hotel before heading to airport.
CNY60, 1h

6:00pm

Transport to Xi’an Xianyang International Airport

Take airport bus line 304 from city center to airport, cheapest option at CNY25, approx 1h travel time to catch your 7:50pm flight to Zhangjiajie.
CNY25, 1h
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