Focusing on China’s two great ancient capitals, Xi’an and Beijing, this 7-day itinerary links world-famous heritage sites such as the Terracotta Army and the Great Wall with several thousand-year-old mosques. It is designed for travelers who wish to gain a concise yet in-depth understanding of Chinese history and the integration of Islamic culture within it. The schedule is compact, with a high density of cultural content and curated visits to key Islamic heritage sites.
Morning Meet your dedicated driver upon arrival at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport and transfer to a halal-friendly hotel near the Muslim Quarter. The hotel will have prepared welcome amenities in accordance with Islamic practices.
Afternoon Visit the Great Mosque of Xi’an (Huajue Lane Mosque), originally built in the first year of the Tianbao reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. As the oldest of the four great mosques in China, it uniquely combines a Chinese palace-style layout with Islamic decorative motifs. With a bilingual guide, admire its distinctive architecture, focusing on the Ming-dynasty stone arch, the large wooden archway, and Quranic inscriptions in Chinese and Arabic inlaid inside the main halls.
Evening Enjoy free time strolling through the Muslim Quarter, taking in its rich folk atmosphere. If you wish, you may also visit Daxuexi Alley Mosque, another historically significant mosque in the area.
Morning Head to the Museum of the Terracotta Army of the First Emperor of Qin. With explanations from an experienced guide, gain insight into the military formation, artistic style, and craftsmanship of the Qin-era statues, and feel the impact of this so-called “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Afternoon Return to the city center to visit the Xi’an City Wall. You may choose to walk or cycle along a section of the wall. From the ramparts, enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the ancient capital’s central axis, with distant views of the Drum Tower and the urban silhouette of the Muslim Quarter.
Evening Proceed to the cultural neighborhood near the Great Mosque of Xi’an, and join a traditional handicraft workshop. Learn to create small paper-cut or woodcarved ornaments featuring Islamic-inspired patterns, and experience living intangible cultural heritage with a personal touch.
Morning Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Daci’en Temple, where you will learn about the flourishing of Buddhist culture during the Tang Dynasty and appreciate the architectural order of the site where Master Xuanzang translated scriptures.
Afternoon Stroll through the Shaanxi History Museum, focusing on the exhibition areas dedicated to Tang-era cross-cultural exchanges. Trace the early interactions between the Silk Road and Islamic civilization through curated artifacts and historical narratives.
Evening Relax in a century-old teahouse in the Muslim Quarter. While tasting traditional gaiwan tea, enjoy a performance of shadow puppetry that incorporates elements from China’s Western Regions, offering a unique blend of visual storytelling and regional culture.
Morning Depart Xi’an North Railway Station by high-speed train to Beijing West Railway Station (approximately 5.5 hours). Halal meals will be arranged on board in advance where available.
Afternoon Upon arrival in Beijing, check in to a halal-friendly hotel near Niujie in Xicheng District and take some time to rest.
Evening With your guide, explore the Niujie commercial area to get familiar with the surroundings. This historic Muslim neighborhood is home to many long-established halal shops where you can purchase traditional pastries and handicrafts.
Morning Visit Niujie Mosque, the foremost of Beijing’s four major mosques and a designated municipal cultural heritage site. Enter through the distinctive Moon-Viewing Tower and, with your guide’s commentary, learn about its west-to-east orientation and layout. Inside, admire stele inscriptions and religious texts from various dynasties that reflect the mosque’s long-standing history.
Afternoon Head to Tiananmen Square and then enter the Palace Museum (Forbidden City). Follow the central axis to visit key halls such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian) and the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong), and experience the imposing grandeur of Ming and Qing imperial architecture.
Evening Take an evening stroll around Shichahai, where traditional hutongs and lakeside views combine to create a distinctive old-Beijing nightscape. Feel the everyday rhythm of local life along the water’s edge.
Morning Travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Take a cable car up to the wall and walk along the ramparts, admiring the Great Wall as it winds across the mountain ridges and appreciating this remarkable feat of ancient military engineering.
Afternoon On the way back to the city, visit the Olympic Park, where you can see modern landmarks such as the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube, reflecting Beijing’s fusion of ancient heritage and contemporary design.
Evening Head to the halal food street near Niujie, where you will have free time to taste signature local halal dishes such as braised beef and “door-nail” meat pies, and experience Beijing’s distinctive halal culinary culture.
Morning – Choose One of Two Modules:
- Option A: In-Depth Visit to the Temple of Heaven Park Explore Temple of Heaven Park, learning about the ritual and architectural system of imperial sacrifices to Heaven. Your guide will highlight the site’s unique acoustic phenomena and their connection to ancient cosmology and ritual practice.
- Option B: National Museum of China – Focus on Cultural Exchange Visit the National Museum of China, with particular attention to exhibition halls themed around China–foreign cultural exchanges. Through selected artifacts and exhibitions, deepen your understanding of how Chinese civilization has engaged with the wider world.
Afternoon Stop by a halal supermarket in Niujie to purchase souvenirs and specialty products to take home. Afterwards, transfer with a dedicated driver to Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport for your departure. Your journey through the ancient capitals and Islamic heritage of China comes to an end, leaving you with a deeper understanding of both history and faith.
