A One-Day Xi’an Express Itinerary : Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Palace & Song of Everlasting Sorrow

If you want to experience Xi’an’s most glorious history in just one day, this full-day itinerary is for you. From the Terracotta Warriors to the Huaqing Palace, and the breathtaking evening show “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow,” you’ll journey through 3,000 years of history in a single day.

This itinerary is fast-paced and best for those with plenty of energy. For a detailed information about the Terracotta Warriors and Lishan Garden, as well as Huaqing Palace & Song of Everlasting Sorrow, check out our in-depth articles.

Itinerary Overview: Make Every Minute Count

We’ll leave the city early and visit the Terracotta Warriors, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, and Huaqing Palace before watching the first show of “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” in the evening.

• Smart Transport: Use a mix of metro, bus, and shuttle to avoid traffic.
• Time Management: Stick to a tight schedule so you can see everything.
• Experience First: Focus on the highlights—the Terracotta Warriors and the evening show.

Detailed One-Day Itinerary

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM | Getting to the Terracotta Warriors

Take Metro Line 9 to Huaqingchi Station (40 minutes). From Exit C, Bus 613 (5 minutes) or a short taxi ride brings you directly to the entrance.

8:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Terracotta Warriors: A Mind-Blowing Wonder

Start with Pit 1—the largest and most spectacular hall. Visit Pit 3, the command center, then Pit 2 to see kneeling archers and cavalrymen. Keep to 3 hours max. For more, see our Terracotta Warriors and Lishan Garden In-Depth Guide.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Lishan Garden)

Take the free shuttle bus (5 minutes). Highlights include the Bronze Chariot Museum and the Mausoleum Mound with panoramic views. Consider the electric cart (15 RMB) to save time.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch

Options: Try Roujiamo at the Terracotta Warriors’ food street or Paomo at Laomijia Paomo near Huaqing Palace. Skip the overpriced warrior-shaped ice cream.

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Huaqing Palace: A Palace of Love and Power

See the imperial baths, including Yang Guifei’s Crabapple Bath. Visit Jiulong Lake and Furong Lake for photography. Optional: Xi’an Incident historical site.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Rest and Dinner

Recommended: Drunken Chang’an near Huaqing Palace for creative Shaanxi dishes like Hulu Chicken. Average 60 RMB per person.

Tip: You can get a foot soak in the hot spring water for 30 RMB (20 minutes) to refresh yourself.

7:30 PM – 9:20 PM | “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow”

This outdoor spectacle uses Mount Li as a backdrop and Jiulong Lake as its stage. With 700 performers, water screens, and holograms, it tells the tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. Book tickets early. Best seats: Section A middle zone (398 RMB).

9:30 PM – 11:00 PM | Back to Xi’an City Center

Options: Metro Line 9 (last train 11:00 PM) or tourist shuttle (last bus 10:30 PM, 30 RMB) to Bell Tower. Taxis are hard to get after the show.

Important Things to Remember

• Tickets: Book Terracotta Warriors, Lishan Garden, and Huaqing Palace online in advance. Tickets for “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” are in high demand and often sell out quickly.
• Energy: Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and snacks. Skip parts of Lishan Garden if short on time.

As a foreign visitor, you may not know every detail of this history, but you will feel the incredible power when technology and culture collide. You’ll be moved by the love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. That’s the magic of Xi’an—it shows the world China’s story in a way everyone can feel.

The next time you talk to friends about your trip to China, you can say that in one single day, you traveled through 3,000 years of history.