You are warmly welcomed by your English-speaking guide for the day at your hotel in downtown Xi’an. As this tour is exclusively operated by public transport, our drivers today will enjoy a day off. The morning starts with a Tai Chi lesson at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda (closed on Tuesdays), almost hidden in the surrounding parkland. Guided by a local master, early morning movements are seen as the best start of the day.

Xi’an’s Old Town is encircled by its city wall, and these fortifications are some of the most complete and well-preserved. Via a leisurely walk along the wall’s thick stone contours, we end up at the Beilin Museum , a themed museum focusing on the display of stone steles, epigraphs and stone sculptures from past dynasties. Next is a Xi’an icon of immaculate proportions. At nearly 40 metres tall, The Bell Tower is one of the largest and best-preserved of its kind in China. En route from these centrepieces to more lively regions of Xi’an, we enjoy a Chinese-style lunch at a local restaurant

The afternoon is reserved for the Muslim Quarter. Located near two of Xi’an’s most famous attractions, the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower, Xi’an Muslim Quarter also draws tourists from around the world. Home of the Grand Mosque, an impressive building and the largest mosque in China, it dates back to 742 AD and was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1985.

Soak up the atmosphere of this district that has become known for its street food and restaurants while also gaining a deeper understanding of local Islamic culture.

We then have some free time to browse the bustling bazaar which sits between the Drum Tower and Great Mosque. After exploring the Muslim Quarter’s vibrant grounds, you head back to the subway or local bus for a local transport back to your Xi’an hotel.