Hi can anyone help me out? I'll be travelling to Xi'an from Beijing, most probably flying there. Will spend Saturday to Tuesday in Xi'an and return to Beijing.
Any suggestions for itinerary and accomodations?
Should I join a local tour or should just go about on my own? I'm concerned about costs--are local tours expensive? And if I were to move about on my own, will it be difficult? I don't think communication will be a problem as I can speak and read mandarin...Thanks.

Absolutely do not join a tour. Most of the sites in Xi'an are within or close to the city, except the Terracotta Warriors. The problem with local tours in China is not cost, but that they hurry you through the sites just to get you to go shopping so that they can earn a kickback. Also, local China guides love to use obnoxious megaphones on all tours. It's really ridiculous.

Many guidebooks can give you a one to two day itinerary for Xi'an. If you have four full days, you may want to consider visiting Huashan, about 100km east of Xi'an. Huashan is one of the 5 scared mountains of China, and at 2,160m (about 7,000 ft) the tallest I believe. There's a cable car now to get you up to near the East Peak. It'll take a long daytrip or an overnight one.

Rkkwan, If you don't take a tour and aren't getting a car, what is the best way to get to the Terracotta Warriors? Local bus? Taxi? Can the cabbies be trusted to drop you off and come back later to pick you up? Any idea of cost?

We have one day in Xian, other than the Warriors, any other thing we should absolutely see? Thanks.

I don't have specific details with Xi'an, but in most Chinese cities you can hire a car and driver for not too much. That's usually the best way for foreigners for short daytrips. You can do the terracota warriors in about half a day, with a stop at the Huaqing Hotsprings.

I know there are also public buses. Since the OP speakes and reads Mandarin, that may be an alternative - and definitely cheaper.

The sights within Xian can easily be visited on your own with a guidebook. We either took taxis or walked. For a day trip to the terracotta warriors, we hired a taxi for approx 250 yuan (this was a few years ago). A hotel car with English speaking guide was approx. 500 yuan at the time (per car, not per person). You pay your own admission fees.

Hey thanks everyone! I'm considering going to Huashan. Anyone has any idea on travelling there from Xi'an?
As for Xi'an, are public buses reliable and efficient for getting to the Terracotta Warriors?

Hi

4 days in Xi'an seems a bit much if you ask me. My wife and I went to China a couple of years back and we stopped by Xi'an to see the terracotta warriors. I have posted a trip report with some pictures on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com. Maybe you can find some useful info there

Regards
Gard

thanks Gard! Yes i know it's a little too long but I happen to have that much time in Xi'an..so I'm planning a day trip to Huashan. Does anyone know if it's better to get there from Xi'an city by bus or by train? Which is faster and more convenient?