Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors in One Trip: Beijing to Xi’an by High-Speed Train
They are 1,000 km apart, but China’s two most famous sights fit neatly into one trip. A bullet train links Beijing and Xi’an in a little over four hours, and a private car at each end takes care of the parts the train cannot.
The Route at a Glance
| Leg | How | Time | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing hotel ⇄ Mutianyu Great Wall | Private car, 10-hour day | ~1.5–2 h each way | from US$159 per car |
| Beijing → Xi’an | G-class high-speed train, Beijing West → Xi’an North | ~4 h 15 min fastest, 4.5–6 h typical | Second class about ¥465–580 pp |
| Xi’an North Station → hotel | Private transfer or Metro Line 2 | ~40 min by car; 23 min by metro to the Bell Tower | from US$55 per car |
| Xi’an hotel ⇄ Terracotta Warriors | Private car, 10-hour day with the City Wall | ~1 h each way | from US$159 per car |
A Five-Day Plan That Works
- Day 1 · Beijing: arrive, settle in, evening walk around Wangfujing or the hutongs.
- Day 2 · Great Wall: leave by 08:00 for Mutianyu, take the cable car up, and be back in the city by late afternoon. See Mutianyu vs Badaling if you are still choosing a section.
- Day 3 · Imperial Beijing: Forbidden City and Tiananmen in the morning, Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace after lunch.
- Day 4 · Train day: a mid-morning G train puts you in Xi’an by mid-afternoon. Cycle or stroll the City Wall at sunset (ticket ¥54) and eat in the Muslim Quarter.
- Day 5 · Terracotta Warriors: go early, see Pit 1 before the tour groups, and finish with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Fly home from Xi’an or take the train back.
Train or Flight?
The flight is only about two hours in the air, but both Beijing airports and Xi’an’s airport sit well outside town. Once you add check-in, security and the rides at each end, door to door is rarely quicker than the train. The train also leaves from a city station, is punctual in almost any weather and gives you a table and a view. Book second class for value or first class for a wider seat; you need the passport you booked with to board.
Terracotta Warriors: Book Before You Go
Admission is ¥120 all year and tickets are real-name: you book online with your passport number and scan the same passport at the gate, so there is nothing to collect. Spring and autumn dates sell out, so buy your ticket before you lock in the rest of the day.
Where a Private Car Earns Its Keep
Neither headline sight is on a metro line. Mutianyu is about 70 km from central Beijing and the Terracotta Army is about 40 km from Xi’an’s city walls, so the day stands or falls on the transport. With a private car you leave when you are ready, keep your bags and jackets in the vehicle, and pay one fixed USD price per vehicle that already includes tolls, parking and fuel.
Quick Answers
How long is the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an?
The fastest G trains take about 4 hours 15 minutes and most take 4.5 to 6 hours. They leave from Beijing West and arrive at Xi’an North, with roughly 20 departures a day.
How many days do I need for the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors?
Five days is comfortable: two full days in Beijing, a travel day on the train, and two days in Xi’an. Four days works if you take an early train and keep one sightseeing day in each city.
Do I need to book Terracotta Warriors tickets in advance?
Yes. The museum uses real-name booking tied to your passport and you scan the same passport at the gate. Book online before the day, especially in April, May, October and during Chinese public holidays.
Two Wonders, One Easy Booking
Private day trips in Beijing and Xi’an with fixed USD prices per vehicle. Pay a 30% deposit online and the balance to your driver on the day. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up.
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