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Biking Tour with Calligraphy Class

Xian, China
From 3 hours to 4 hours
(2)
Date
Today
April 7, 2025
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Time
8:00 am
Options
Biking Tour with Calligraphy Class
Pickup included
Child
Ages: 4-6 years old
0
Adult
Ages: 7-65 years old
2
Checking availability

What You Will Do

This tour is specially designed for those travelers who only have limited time in Xi’an. It provides a chance to get close to the locals by visiting a lovely morning market, to catch a glimpse of the downtown city whilst cycling on the 640 year old wall, and to practice Chinese calligraphy with a writing brush in a quaint building. The total length of the tour is around 4 hours with a professional licensed national tour guide who knows the city and it’s people and who speaks fluent English. The tour will take place mainly on foot, on public buses for a short distance transfer and bicycles in a pretty safe environment. This tour is a great way for our guests to gain insight into this cultural and historical city!

What's Included?

  • Licensed professional English-speaking tour guide;
  • Transport by walk and public bus;
  • Bottled water
  • Teaching salary of the calligraphy master;

What's Not Included?

  • Gratuities
  • Own transfer to and from meeting point

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Itinerary

Meeting Point

1

Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang)

3 hours

Your tour guide will greet you in Grand Noble Hotel at 8:00 a.m! After a brief introduction to the tour, we will head to a crowded morning market filled with daily necessities. Like an open-aired grocery store, the shopping here is the central feature of the local’s daily life. It is the most active and lively part of the downtown shanty district. The crowds move through the middle of the street with vendors standing behind their booths, loudly selling their wares. It is bustling with people buying goods and at the same time bargaining vigorously. Immersed in this environment you may be forgiven for thinking you were in the centre of a bazaar in a Middle-eastern country. It’s the beating heart of a quiet and decrepit district nestled within the city wall. Walking from the market to a public bus station, we will catch a bus for a short ride to the next stop - Xi’an City Wall. It is the biggest and one of the best preserved city walls in China and cycling on this 640 year old wall is always considered one of the most enjoyable and unforgettable experiences in the city. You will see a large section of the city and also bump up your knowledge of this ancient city from our most devoted tour guide accompanying you on the cycle route. Following the one hour bike ride you will be guided to a quaint cultural street exuding an aura of calm. Buildings are in an ancient Chinese architectural style and the vendors trade a variety of writing brushes, papers and stone seals. Traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy works can be browsed everywhere along the street. There are galleries and antique shops as well as many interesting workshops hidden down narrow alleyways. Strolling down the street will give you an authentic taste of the culture and history of the city. But more importantly our calligraphy master is waiting to impart his knowledge and guide our hands as we practice this ancient art. So, why not join us?


Additional Information

This activity is operated by Lily's Private Tours
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults;
  • Adult pricing applies to all travelers;
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required;
  • Dress code is smart casual;

Guide Options

  • Guide - English

Customer Reviews

Amazing time with Michael!
(tripadvisor)
2020-01-08
My girlfriend and I had an amazing time with Michael for our Bike tour and Calligraphy lesson! It started with a lot of great info about the wall and the history behind it, and also getting to know our guide and friend! We won’t spoil too much of the fun but it was a long 14km ride around the wall! It was a lot of fun and by the end of the biking we were beat. Perfect for sitting down for an hour to learn some of the basics of calligraphy! The calligraphy master was very kind and we made some pretty decent pieces at first, but it wasn’t until after that that our trip was topped of by having a bowl of biangbiang noddles that Michael showed us, it was really special and Michael made the trip very enjoyable. We were sad to have to leave his company but he had many restaurant suggestions handy for us afterwards! And Michael knows all the great spots. Thanks again to Michael for an amazing day, best of luck! And to you reading looking for a trip, this is one you will not want to pass up on!
A great day in Xian
(tripadvisor)
2018-05-21
I was apparently the first person to take this tour, but I really should not be the last. We started with a trip to a morning market and my guide (Harvey - excellent) explained many of the local foods; where the food was from; and so on. A nice way to start the day, including a quick look at a nearby mosque, which looked just like a Buddhist temple. Then we made our way to the city wall, where Harvey gave me a quick history, and then we got on our bikes, literally. We did three-quarters of the wall, with stops to look at the views. Then we took a bus to a small shopping complex, where we met Mr Chong, who is apparently a noted calligrapher, and Harvey's colleague, Andy. The three gamely tried to show me the basics of calligraphy; I confess I was just terrible, which we all found pretty funny. But Mr Chong did my name in Chinese (I paid 100 yuan to have it done on special paper) and we enjoyed some local tea. The whole thing lasted about 5 hours, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Many thanks to Harvey and Andy, who were both lovely. Highly recommended.