📜 Introduction.
Exploring Luoyang and Xi’an, China’s ancient capitals, was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to dive deep into the country’s millennia-old history.
Coming from Beijing, the first stop of my one-month trip across China, I took an overnight train departing from Beijing Fengtai Station at 8.47 PM and arrived in Luoyang the next morning. I spent only half a day here before continuing my journey to Xi’an.
From the spectacular Longmen Grottoes to the incredible Terracotta Warriors, passing through temples, pagodas, and ancient city walls, this detailed itinerary will guide you step by step through some of the most iconic sites of China’s ancient capitals.
⚠️Disclaimer: Some of the websites below are affiliate links or require a promo code for receving a discount. If you book through them or use my personal promo code at the time of subscription or reservation, I’ll earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you), and you’ll get a discount or a special promotion too. It’s a win–win!
Please be aware that affiliate links may expire and promo codes may reach their usage limit. If you find that a link or code no longer works, kindly let me know. I’ll be happy to share an updated one (if available) directly with you.
Day 1: A Morning in Luoyang.
The day started early, arriving in Luoyang at 7.25 AM. After storing my luggage and grabbing a quick breakfast, I visited the Guanlin Temple, location of general Guan Yu’s tomb.
From there, I picked up my luggage and took a taxi to the Longmen Grottoes. Besides being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is also one of China’s most impressive collections of Buddhist rock carvings. Thousands of statues sculpted into the cliffs depict the spread of Buddhism during the Wei and Tang dynasties. Around the site, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, a visitor center, and even a free luggage storage area.
After lunch, I took a short taxi ride (about 10-15 minutes) to Luoyang Longmen Station. Then, I boarded a high-speed train to Xi’an, arriving roughly an hour and a half later. This allowed me to visit two China’s Ancient Capitals in only one day!
Reaching Xi’an in the late afternoon marked the start of a new adventure. After checking into my hotel, I took an evening walk along the Ancient City Walls. The illuminated towers and bastions contrasted beautifully with the modern skyline. I ended the day with a simple noodle dinner near my hotel for less than €3!
- h 07.25 – Arrival at Luoyang
- h 08.30 – Visit to Guanlin Temple
- h 11.00 – Visit to Longmen Grottoes
- h 15.30 – Train from Luoyang Longmen to Xi’anbei (Xi’an North)
- h 16.45 – Arrival at Xi’an
- h 18.30 – Walk along the Ancient City Walls
- h 20.00 – Dinner
Day 2: Terracotta Warriors Museum and Musical Fontaine Show.
I dedicated the second day to one of the world’s most legendary archaeological sites: the Terracotta Warriors Museum. On my way to the metro station, I stumbled upon what looked like a tourist bus and afor just a few yuan, it took me directly to the Terracotta Warriors Museum.
The site is divided into four main excavation pits. Each pit is housed inside a massive hangar, showcasing thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, each with a unique face. The first pit was designed to defend Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum. The second resembles a military camp. The third served as the command headquarters. And the fourth contains no soldiers or artifacts, but only backfilled soil.
Back in the city, I stopped by Qinglong Temple, though I could only see it from the outside as it was already late. I then visited the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, one of Xi’an’s best-known landmarks and an important Buddhist site, followed by the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a quieter and more meditative spot.
For dinner, I indulged at the famous Defachang Dumpling Restaurant, known for its wide variety of jiaozi (dumplings) in different shapes, flavours, and colours.
Afterward, I attended the Musical Fountain Show in the square in front of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This is a free light and music performance held every evening from 7.00 to 9.30 PM.
- h 07.30 – Visit to Terracotta Warriors Museum
- h 13.00 – Lunch
- h 15.30 – Visit to Qinglong Temple, Giant and Small Wild Goose Pagodas
- h 19.30 – Dinner at Defachang Dumpling Restaurant
- h 20.00 – Musical Fountain Show
Day 3: Ancient and Muslim Xi’an.
Spending my last day exploring Xi’an’s old city and its Muslim Quarter, I revisited the Ancient City Walls, the Bell Tower, and the vibrant Muslim Quarter. Moreover, I made a quick stop at the Xi’an Dà Qīngzhēnsì Mosque, one of the oldest Islamic places of worship in China, blending Chinese and Arabic architectural styles in a truly unique way. Unlike in many Muslim countries, I wasn’t required to cover my hair, though entry to the inner sacred area was restricted.
After picking up my luggage from the hotel, I boarded the 12.13 PM high-speed train to Chengdu, marking the end of this intense and unforgettable journey between China’s two great historical capitals.
- h 08.30 – Explore the Ancient City Walls and the Bell Tower,
- h 10.00 – Visit the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque
- h 12.13 – Train from Xi’anbei (Xi’an North) to Chengdudong (Chengdu East)
🛏️ Where to Stay in Xi’an.
I stayed two nights at the Qingmu Platinum Hotel, near the Bell and Drum Towers and just a five-minute walk from the metro. The breakfast was rich and plentiful, the room was clean and spacious, and the location was just perfect.
For two nights in a private double room, I paid only €67. My room didn’t have windows but featured a beautiful built-in aquarium instead!
🎁Use the refer code below to register on Trip.com to unlock your €10 discount🎁
U51IZ5
🍜 What to Eat in Xi’an.
- Roujiamo:a meat-filled sandwich, one of Xi’an’s most famous street foods
- Jiaozi: don’t miss the yummy colourful dumplings at De Fa Chang
🎫 Where to Buy Tickets.
Except for the Longmen Grottoes, I bought all tickets on-site since prices at official counters were cheaper than third-party websites.
- Longmen Grottoes: eTripChina.com (about €16)
- Terracotta Warriors Museum: on-site (about €14)
- Bell Tower: on-site (about €6)
- Xī’an Dà Qīngzhēnsì: on-site (about €3)
💡 Travel Tips.
Although I mostly used Trip.com for trains and hotels, I booked my overnight train from Beijing to Luoyang on Chinahighlights.com, as it allows special requests during booking. Travelling solo, I wanted to request a women-only cabin. Even though they said it wasn’t guaranteed, I was lucky enough to end up in one with only female passengers. The price for the night train in a 4-berth soft sleeper cabin was only €44.
You can easily reach the Terracotta Warriors Museum by public transport, taxi, or Didi. As mentioned earlier, I happened to find a tourist bus that took me there and back to central Xi’an for just a few yuan.
However, if you prefer a guided experience, platforms like GetYourGuide offer full-day tours including entrance tickets, hotel pickup, a guided visit, and even lunch with a local family for around €50.
🎈 Conclusion.
Among all the cities I visited in China, Xi’an was my favorite. Rich in history yet modern and affordable, it blends Muslim and Chinese culture in a harmonious and fascinating way.
This 3-day itinerary between Luoyang and Xi’an is a journey through imperial and spiritual China: perfect for travellers who love history and want to experience some of the country’s most iconic landmarks in just a few days, without missing a thing.
💬 And you? Which of these China’s ancient capitals would you like to visit first? Let me know in the comments!
Are you dreaming of your next trip but not sure where to start?
Book a 1:1 travel consultation or request a personalised itinerary and I will design the trip of your dreams!
✨Click the button below for my Travel Services✨