Worth every penny! - OK - like everyone points out, this is a long day! I was picked up at my hotel at 4:30 am by an English fluent man with my name on a sign. He delivered me right to the security checkpoint at the Shanghai airport. Upon arrival in Xi'an, a different young man met me at the baggage area of the airport and we eventually drove to the Terra Cotta Warriors. Before stopping at the actual site, we first stopped at a tourist ship selling replica warriors ranging from 4" tall to life size. Every other kind of handicraft was also available, including jade, lacquer furniture, wood carvings etc. This was actually nice to see such an assortment and get the shopping out of the way early - you will not see a better selection anywhere else, so shop first! The guide was very helpful, instructive and enthusiastic throughout the day, offering helpful information and periodic 'free time' throughout the site. After the site visit, we went for a good lunch at the nearby commercial area catering to tourists leaving the site. At the conclusion I enjoyed a tea ceremony, which again was followed up with a sales pitch for loose leaf tea, tea pets, mugs, etc. Next stop was either the Wild Goose Pagoda or city wall....I elected to see the pagoda which was not disappointing (reviewed separately). I was then shuttled to the airport where I waited to catch the return flight to Shanghai and made it back without incident. My same driver from the morning (no English) greeted me at the airport and got me back to the hotel without issue. All in, it was about 20 hours of travelling but completely worth it. I would recommend this tour group to friends and colleagues visiting Shanghai in the future.

It was a privelege to have been... - <p>It was a privelege to have been given the opportunity to do this tour. The driver arrived just before 5.30 am at my hotel to whisk me to Pudong airport. The tour guide, Maggie, met me two and a half hours later in Xi'an. I immediately felt comfortable in her presence. Her command of English was very good. The driver was less approachable though. We made an initial stop at a factory that made Warriors. I was shown the process by a different guide and was given the opportunity to buy a photo. There were other items on sale too. After an interesting tea ceremony of which three could be tasted free of charge, we left for the Terracota Warrior 'Museums'. On arrival, we had lunch which was actually very good and there was plenty of it. Our next stop was the highlight of the day - the three pits of warriors and the bronze museum. All were very interesting in their own ways. The area is extensive and requires significant walking. It was 31 degrees the day I was there. Don't expect to see all the pits full of warriors. Only one has around a third visible to the public. The rest have not even been excavated yet. The bronze museum is excellent with several key pieces in cabinets. I bought souvenirs in the museum shop which were of a high quality. Unfortunately the time allocated here was all too little. We proceeded to a pergola and calligraphy lesson which were amazing. These were not included in the price of the tour. I believe I paid for both myself and the guide too. After scaling the city walls in Xi'an in very high temperatures for a short time at my request, we ate dinner in a local restaurant which was a superb taste. Bizarrely, this again was not included in the price of the tour. <br/> At around 7.30 it was time to head back to the airport. Maggie left us after giving a day of great commentary and good fun. Despite being booked by the agent on the last flight back to Shanghai and with an hour and a quarter delay, the driver in Pudong airport turned out at 1.30 am to see me safely back to my hotel. He went above and beyond the call.<br/> This was an expensive one on one tour and is a one off. The long day was not an issue due to how much was experienced. I wouldn't have missed seeing the Terracota warriors though for anything. It was the highlight of my two weeks in Shanghai. I thoroughly recommend this if you want to see what has been described as the next 'wonder of the world'.</p>

Great tour. The sights, of course... - <p>Great tour. The sights, of course, are spectacular. In terms of the tour, the guide was excellent. Very personable and very good English. Arrangements were great. Pickup at my hotel and transfer to the airport. Pickup at Xi'an airport. Pickup back in Shanghai and return to my hotel. All were professionally handled. Highly recommend this tour.</p>

Great fantastic tour I had a... - <p>Great fantastic tour I had a private tour in shanghai as I was only one booked for that day. Kimi my tour guide was very pleasant, and very knowlegable. I enjoyed the day, which was VERY long ,tremendously. Day began with pickup at hotel at 530 AM , flight to Xian, and return to my shanghai hotel at midnite. The warriors were highlight of day,or maybe even my entire stay in China. Kudos</p>

Xian is a fascinating city. The... - <p>Xian is a fascinating city. The Terra Cotta warriors are stunning and well worth visiting. The highlight of my trip to China. The city of Xian was very beautiful and still has the 13th Century walls intact and a number of other interesting buildings from the 13th Century. A long day but very worthwhile. Air delays into and out of Shanghai Airport make the day even longer</p>

A worth place to visit - XIAN is very beautiful place. It should truly be visited. The places here are far off from each other it almost takes 1 hour from every place to reach other place. You have here so many places to visit. There is famous temple here and along with it you have so many other beautiful places to visit.

As others have stated, it is a long... - <p>As others have stated, it is a long day. They picked you up very early, in my case 4:50 am and dropped you off at my hotel after midnight. <br/> When they picked you up from your hotel, they give you your airline tickets and info on who will meet you in Xi'an. The departure time is a bit stressful as it does not give you much time at the airport in Shanghai. I literally got to the gate as they were calling to board the plane. So maybe a pick up of 4:30 would be better. My guide in Xi'an, Lucy, was great. Our first stop was store selling clay warriors. Interesting place. Some of you may be turn off by the idea but I would suggest you go. No need to buy anything but a great place to take picture with the replica warrior as you will have to pay extra at the site. I had lunch and they we visited the famous Army of Terracotta Warriors. As it was off season, it was easy to walk around the pits. There are 3 pits and the most impressive pit is the first one and it has a lot of different warriors. <br/> the Xian city walls was also interesting. I wanted to ride the bike around the wall but the smog in the city was really bad so I only walked a bit.<br/> The muslin market was interesting as well. Tried a few sweets and they were great. I was drop off at the airport in Xi with plenty of time to get something to eat. I got back to my hotel around 12:30 AM. All in all a good day trip. It was well organize and my guide in Xi'an was great</p>

Very long day, but worth doing it... - <p>Very long day, but worth doing it, if you have only 24 hours. No doubt the Terracotta Army is the highlight. I enjoyed a lot the biking along the city wall as well.</p>

Long long day, but the tour of the... - <p>Long long day, but the tour of the site was great, I did not realize it was so massive, well worth the trip</p>

driver pick up got us to airport at... - <p>driver pick up got us to airport at boarding time. Risky pick up time, too long at factory decreased time at warriors. flight back slightly delay but 30 minutes looking for driver back to ship could have been better organized.</p>