Short Kung Fu Tour from Xi’an

After finishing your breakfast in the hotel, your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel and then bring you to the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. It is about 45 kilometers northeast of Xi’an and takes about one hour to drive there. The Terracotta Warriors and Horses Site is one of the most important archaeological discoveries so far, known as “The Eighth Wonder of the World”. These terra cotta warriors and horses have been guarding the tomb of Emperor Qinshihuang for 2,000 years. Currently, there are three pits of terra cotta warriors and horses. The first to be uncovered was Pit No. 1, which was accidentally discovered by local farmers while drilling wells. It is the largest pit among the three, 230 meters long and 612 meters wide with a total area of 14,260 square meters. There are about 6,000 life-size pottery figurines buried in this pit. There are also bronze weapons unearthed in the three pits, including swords, spears, halberds, scimitars, as well as numerous crossbows and arrows. To our surprise, the swords after cleaned up are still sharp although they have been buried in the ground for more than two thousand years. It proves that the craftsmen at that time had mastered advanced metallurgical technologies.

Then you will go to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It was built in the Great Ci’en Temple by Monk Xuanzang who obtained Buddhist scriptures and Buddhist relics from ancient India during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Journey to the West, one of China’s Four Great Classical Novels, was written based on Monk Xuanzang’s story. Built in imitation of Indian Buddhist pagodas, it is a piece of material evidence that Indian architectural style was introduced into China together with Buddhism and integrated into Chinese culture. Now, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the earliest and largest existing brick pagoda in China. It has become the symbol of Xi’an, which has been printed in the center of the city emblem of Xi’an.

Then follow your guide to the Ancient City Wall. It was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as a military defense system, so it is also known as “the fortifications of Xi’an”. It is the largest and most complete city wall existing in China. Walking on the Ancient City Wall, you can figure out how this majestic military project protected the ancient Xi’an at that time. If you don’t want to walk a lot, you may rent a bike at your own expense to ride on the wall. It’s a popular way for tourists to admire the Ancient City Wall.

After visiting the Ancient City Wall, you will be transferred to the railway station and then take the estimated train G670 18:02/19:33 to Luoyang. Your guide will greet you at the railway station and transfer you to the hotel for a good rest.

City Wall

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum

After having your breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to White Horse Temple. It was the first temple built by the feudal government in 68 AD during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) after Buddhism was introduced into China, so it is known as “China’s First Ancient Temple”. The White Horse Temple is regarded as a Buddhist holy land by Buddhists around the world because from the White Horse Temple, Buddhism spread to North Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia, and later to Europe and the Americas. Given its significant position in Buddhism, Japan, Thailand, India, and Myanmar have all funded the construction of the White Horse Temple. Japan donated money to the reconstruction of the Bell Tower of the temple in 1991. The “Bell Ringing at White Horse Temple” symbolizes good luck and enjoys a high reputation among Japanese buddhists. It is the place where many Japanese wish to celebrate the New Year at..  In order to show gratitude to Japan’s generous donation, the midnight ring of the bell is set at 12 am Japanese time.

In the afternoon, we will drive east to Dengfeng to visit Shaolin Temple. It’s about 80 kilometers away from Luoyang and takes about 1.5 hours. It is a world-famous Buddhist temple and enjoys the reputation of “The Best Known Temple in the World”. You will follow your guide to visit the main architectures of Shaolin Temple, such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Buddha’s Hall, as well as the Pagoda Forest – the tomb cluster of Shaolin monks. Most importantly, you will enjoy a fabulous Shaolin Kung Fu Show which is performed by Shaolin monks and lasts about half an hour. There are five performances during a day, respectively starting at 10:30 and 11:30 in the morning and 14:00, 15:00, and 16:00 in the afternoon. This regular show has demonstrated the real Shaolin Kung Fu to tens of thousands of Chinese Kung Fu lovers. You are going to see a variety of Shaolin Kung Fu skills, such as Shaolin Fist, Shaolin Cudgel, and Shaolin Whip. You will be amazed by their powerful and neat Kung Fu skills.

After the show, you will be driven back to Luoyang. You will be transferred to the railway station or the airport according to your following tour schedule.

Shaolin Temple

Pagoda Forest

Author: Lingyun Zhou

Proofreader: Liz Lee