terracotta army tourist attraction

The Terracotta Army: A Complete Guide with Pictures & Infographics

The Terracotta Army was constructed to accompany the tomb of China's First Emperor as an afterlife guard. There are thousands of detailed life-size terracotta soldier models represent the guard troops of the first emperor — Qin Shihuang. They were molded in parts, fired, then assembled and painted.

The Terracotta Army Museum in Xi'an is a must-see. It is considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world , and one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century. Find out all about the Terracotta Army: facts, how and why they were made, museum location, tours...

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Quick facts about terracotta army, what to see inside the terracotta warriors and horses museum, why and how were the terracotta warriors made, how was terracotta army discovered, the history of the terracotta army, terracotta warriors' categories, terracotta army's facial shapes, terracotta army's hairstyles, terracotta army's dressing.

• Did Terracotta Warriors Hold Weapons?

How to Book Terracotta Army Tickets?

• 1-DayXi'an Highlights Tour
• 3-Day Beijing to Xi'an by High-Speed Rail
• Attraction name: The Qin Tomb Terracotta Warriors and Horses
• Chinese: 秦陵兵马俑 Qínlíng Bīngmǎyǒng /chin-ling bing-maa-yong/
• Features: hundreds of life-size terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots in battle array
• Construction: 246–206 BC. With the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang it took 720,000 builders. 
• Time needed: half a day
• Suited for: history and Chinese culture enthusiasts
• Physical requirements: indoor sightseeing; wheelchair-accessible lifts and corridors are provided

The museum mainly consists of three vaults and an exhibition hall: Vault One, Vault Two, Vault Three, and The Exhibition Hall of the Bronze Chariots. (Vault one is usually crowded with tourists. According to our experienced guide, the best views are from the front of the vault around the corners . See the Terracotta Army Tourist Map below.)

The vaults are arrayed as the buried army was in strict accordance with the ancient directives on the Art of War: facing east towards the ancient enemies of Qin State (and towards the entrance), with Vault One on the right flank, Vault Two on the left flank, and Vault Three a command post at the rear.

Pit 1 - 2,000 Warriors Displayed

Pit 1 is the largest and most impressive - the size of an airplane hangar. It is believed to contain over 6,000 terracotta figures of soldiers and horses , but less than 2,000 are on display. All the most impressive Terracotta Army pictures were taken in Pit 1.

All soldiers and horses face east in a rectangular array, each one either armed long spear, dragger or halberd. The vanguard appears to be three rows of infantry who stand at the easternmost end of the army. Close behind is the main force of armored soldiers holding weapons, accompanied by 38 horse-driven chariots.

On the southern, northern, and western side there stand one row of figures serving as the army's defense wing. Standing in front of such a grand ancient army array, one would feel the ground shake to the footsteps of the advancing soldiers.

Every figure differs in facial features and expression , clothing, hairstyle, and gestures, providing abundant and detailed artifacts for the study of the military, cultural, and economic history of that period.

This vault opened to visitors in 1979. It measures about 210 meters long and 62 meters wide and the bottom of the pit varies from 4.5 meters to 6.5 meters below ground level. Ten earthen walls were built at intervals of 2.5 meters, forming 9 circling corridors.

Pit 2 - Uncovers the Mystery of the Ancient Army Array

Excavation and restoration is still ongoing at vaults two and three.

Excavated in 1976, Pit 2 stands about 20 meters north to Pit 1. As the highlight of the whole mausoleum, it uncovers the mystery of the ancient army array . It consists of four units, measuring 94 meters east to west and 84 meters south to north and 5 meters deep., forming a 6000 sq. meter built-up area.

The first unit contains rows of kneeling and standing archers; the second one is a chariot war array; the third unit consists of mixed forces with infantry, chariot and trooper standing in rectangular array; and the last one includes numerous troopers holding weapons. The four units form a rigorous battle array.

Pit 3 - Represents the Command Post

Vault Three is the smallest one. There are only 68 terracotta figures, many of which are without heads. It's obvious that Vault Three represents the command post, as all the figures are officials .

The Exhibition of Bronze Chariots

The two bronze carriages displayed in the hall were discovered 20 meters from the west side of the Tomb of Qin Shihuang in December 1980, and were elaborately restored before exhibition.

The carriages have about 3,400 parts each and were driven by four horses. The second one is 3.17meters long and 1.06 meters high. The bronze horses vary from 65 cm to 67 cm high and 120 cm long. Each weighs 1,234 kg in total.

They were mainly made of bronze, but there were 1,720 pieces of golden and silver ornaments, weighting 7 kg, on each carriage. The carriages were so well-made, and so vivid, that they boast being the best-preserved and having the highest rank among the earliest known bronze relics in China. These chariots are the biggest pieces of ancient bronzeware ever found in the world.

First Emperor Qin (/chin/), from whom China gets its name, ordered the creation of this army of terracotta statues.

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How to Make a Terracotta Warrior

You will find that some terracotta figures are without heads, but their bodies are complete. Studies of their portions have revealed that the heads, arms, and torsos of the figures were created separately and then assembled .

It is believed that most warriors' heads and arms were produced in molds as separate modules. After assembly, clay was applied to the surface of the sculptures so that artists could model the faces and hairdos individually.

Then, the figures were fired in kilns to make the clay hard and durable. Afterwards, they were painted with bright colors.

As a result, every figure looks different and unique, just like real people do. After 2,000 years of erosion and humidity, most figures have lost their original vivid color.

The Terracotta Army figures' excavation is regarded as one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century . It had lain underground for more than 2000 years before farmers digging a well in 1974 uncovered what is now considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world.

The first part of the Terracotta Army site to be discovered was named Vault One. In 1976, two other vaults were uncovered about 20 meters away, and were named Vault Two and Vault Three.

The tomb is a treasury for the Chinese people and for the whole world. In December 1987, UNESCO selected the Tomb of the First Emperor (including the Terracotta Army Vaults) as a World Cultural Heritage Site .

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The excavated terracotta figures fall into three major categories : infantry, cavalry, and charioteers.

In the three pits, approximately 8,000 life-size, vivid in battle formation were revealed in the course of excavation - a whole army, which would accompany its emperor into immortality.

The infantry can be further divided into subcategories, including officers of high, middle, and low rank, light-armed and heavy-armed foot soldiers, and standing and kneeling archers.

The charioteers can be further divided into two subcategories: chariot drivers and chariot warriors.

Every figure differs in its facial features and expression, clothing, and hairstyle in accordance with its rank.

Analyses show that the facial shapes of the terracotta figures can be roughly classified into eight types , and each shape resembles a Chinese character: 目, 国, 用, 甲, 田, 由, 申, and 风. For example, '目'-shaped faces look relatively narrow and long, and have small features.

Hairstyles in ancient times were not only part of people's lifestyles but also a reflection of their social status. The hairstyles of the terracotta warriors are different based on their ranks and arm of the services.

The hairstyles of the figures can be roughly divided into two types. The first type includes figures wearing their hair in a bun on the right side of the head. The other type depicts figures wearing their hair in a plait and forming a bun at the top of the head that was then covered with a cloth cap.

Bands, ribbons, or pins were used for typing up their hair.

The clothing of the terracotta figures is different. You can tell the rank and arm of military service of each figure from its dressing. Let us take some figures as examples:

The general wears two layers of robes beneath an armored tunic that protects his chest, back, and shoulders. He wears square-toed shoes, which are lightweight and curve upwards at the front. Only one general was found in Pit 1 and two in Pit 2.

Armored warriors wear robes covered by turtleneck, heavily armored capes designed to protect their chests, backs, and shoulders.

Cavalrymen wear pillbox hats, neck scarves, and light body armor to the front and back. Their shoes are soft and round at the toes so as not to injure their mounts.

Chariot drivers have extra protection for their outstretched arms and hands that need to control the horses'reigns. They wear helmets to protect the back of their necks.

Did Terracotta Warriors Hold Weapons? 

Yes . Many of the figures originally held real weapons of the time, such as bronze swords, longbows, arrows, spears, dagger-axes, and other long-shafted weapons. The weapons were treated to make them resistant to rust and corrosion, so that, even after being buried for over 2,000 years, they are still sharp.

The Terracotta Army Museum has carried out real-name ticketing to control tourist traffic. People can book a ticket through its offical website.

According to the epidemic prevention and control requirements, the maximum number of visitors to the Terracotta Army each day is no more than 8,000.

Tickets are in high demand. If you want to visit it, booking in advance is recommended. 

We have developed some beyond ordinary activities in Xi'an, including to discover a mysterious place to have a close experience with a Terracotta Warrior. Contact us if you want to add these activities to your itinerary.

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More Popular Terracotta Army Tours

No visit to Xi'an, or even China, is complete if you don't visit the Terracotta Army. See our more popular tours to explore this ancient wonder:

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• 3-Day Xi'an Tour with Must-see Attractions and Unique Experiences

See more our Xi'an tours or contact us to tailor-make a tour to meet your requirements.

Further Reading

• FAQs About the Terracotta Warriors
• Who Built the Terracotta Army and Why - the First Emperor's Army
• The Original Colors of the Terracotta Army
• How the Terracotta Army Was Made and Its Composition
• How to Get to the Terracotta Army from Xi'an
• How to Visit Terracotta Army )
• 10 Amazing Facts You Probably Don't Know about the Terracotta Army

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Terracotta Warriors – Tickets, Opening hours, Highlights, and Tips

The Terracotta Army (兵马俑), also known as the Terracotta Warriors, is a collection of thousands of life-size ceramic statues representing soldiers, horses, chariots, and other military figures that were buried with the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, in 210-209 BCE. They were discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers who were digging a well in Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi province , China.

The army of terracotta warriors is considered one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries of the 20th century and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. The warriors were created to accompany Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife, and their production involved a massive workforce of artisans and laborers. Each figure is unique, with different facial expressions, hairstyles, and clothing, reflecting the diversity of the ancient Chinese army.

The terracotta warriors are organized in battle formations, and their impressive size, attention to detail, and historical significance make them a popular tourist attraction in China. They provide valuable insights into ancient Chinese military tactics, weapons, and culture and have also been used to study the evolution of ceramic technology in ancient China.

Today, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum in Xi’an displays the largest group of the terracotta army, with over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, and 670 horses, and it continues to attract millions of visitors every year.

Table of Contents

Basic information, location and transportation, the first pit of the terracotta warriors, the second pit of the terracotta warriors, the third pit of the terracotta warriors.

• Warriors on Chariots (车兵俑)

Standing Archer Warriors (立射俑)

Kneeling archer warriors (跪射俑), infantry warriors (武士俑), military officer warriors (军吏俑), cavalry warriors (骑兵俑), charioteer warriors (驭手俑).

• Chariot Horses (车马)
• Saddled Horses (鞍马)

Vlog about Terracotta Warriors

Recommended route, useful tour tips, interesting facts.

The museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located in the suburb of Xi’an. The specific address is Qinling North Road, Lintong District, Xi’an. It was built near the site of the original discovery to protect and preserve the delicate terracotta sculptures. Because of its relatively remote location, you can only get there by bus.

There are three express buses to the museum. They set off every half an hour from Qinfeng Station (秦风发车场), Great Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta 大雁塔), and Drum Tower (Gulou 鼓楼). The one-way ticket costs 30 RMB and the return ticket costs 60 RMB without a discount. The operating time is from 8.00 to 13.00, and the last return from the tourist spot is at 16.00.

Or you can take bus 305 or tourist line 5 on the opposite side of the train station. It leaves every 10 minutes and costs 8 yuan to and 10 yuan back. However, it does take longer than the express buses.

Three Pits of the Terracotta Warriors

The First Pit of the Terracotta Warriors, located in the south, is an impressive archaeological site measuring 230 meters in length from east to west and 62 meters in width, covering an area of 14,260 square meters. At the eastern end of the pit, there are 210 warrior statues dressed in full armor, organized in rows of 68 figures each, forming a rear guard phalanx. The central part of the pit features 38 rows of chariots and infantry, representing the main body of the army.

From 2009 to 2022, the Museum of the Terracotta Warriors conducted the third formal excavation of the First Pit. During this excavation, over 220 terracotta figures were unearthed. These figures have been categorized based on their headgear, armor, and attire into senior military officer figures, mid-level military officer figures, junior military officer figures, and general warrior figures. Preliminary analysis and research have further subdivided the junior military officer figures into two distinct types.

Archaeologists also discovered remnants of Qin dynasty shields. These shields are similar in shape to those found on the bronze chariots but are twice the size. This is the first discovery of Qin shields in the archaeology of the Qin Mausoleum. Additionally, bronze long swords and crossbows were unearthed, providing the first clear identification of “qingmu” (a type of wood) and the preservation methods for crossbows.

Located to the northeast of the First Pit and east of the Third Pit, the Second Pit is a remarkable archaeological site in its own right. Measuring 96 meters in length from east to west and 84 meters in width from north to south, it covers a total area of approximately 6,000 square meters. Similar in structure to the First Pit, the Second Pit is notable for its more complex and comprehensive military formations, making it the most spectacular of the three pits.

The Second Pit features a multi-unit special force composed of cavalry, chariots, and infantry, including crossbowmen. Within this pit, over 1,300 terracotta figures and horses, more than 80 chariots, and tens of thousands of bronze weapons have been discovered. Notably, it includes figures of generals, saddled horses, and kneeling archers, all found here for the first time. The pit is divided into four main sections:

• Located at the eastern end of the pit.
• Features a long corridor with 60 standing crossbowmen surrounding the unit.
• The core consists of 160 kneeling crossbowmen arranged in eight rows facing east.
• The formation is designed for rotational shooting to overcome the slow reload time of crossbows, with standing and kneeling archers alternating their fire.
• Situated on the right side of the pit.
• Comprises a square formation of 64 chariots, each originally made of wood, with only the remnants remaining.
• Each chariot is drawn by four terracotta horses and followed by three soldiers: the driver in the center and two soldiers on either side, armed with long-handled weapons.

• Found in the central part of the pit.
• Consists of 19 chariots, 264 infantry figures, and 8 cavalry figures arranged in a rectangular formation.
• Each cavalry horse is accompanied by a rider holding the reins in one hand and preparing to shoot a bow with the other.
• Behind each chariot are three soldiers and additional infantry ranging from 8 to 36 figures.
• Positioned on the left side of the formation.
• Contains 108 cavalry figures and 180 saddled horses arranged in 11 rows.
• The first and third rows include six chariots each.
• Each horse is accompanied by a rider wearing a distinctive “barbarian” style outfit, holding the reins in the right hand and a bow in the left.

The Third Pit of the Terracotta Warriors, covering an area of approximately 520 square meters, is an intriguing and significant archaeological site. Located to the north of the western end of the First Pit and directly opposite the Second Pit, it is unique in its shape, resembling the Chinese character “凹” (āo), and consists of southern and northern chambers, as well as a central carriage chamber that houses a chariot pulled by four horses and four terracotta warriors. In total, the Third Pit contains around 68 terracotta figures.

What sets the Third Pit apart from the other two is its role and preservation state. Unlike the First and Second Pits, which suffered damage from fires, the Third Pit remains relatively intact, with many of the terracotta figures retaining their original paint. This has allowed researchers to study the vivid colors that once adorned these ancient warriors.

The layout and artifacts of the Third Pit suggest that it served as the command center for the armies represented in the First and Second Pits. This theory is supported by the pit’s central location among the three and its unique structure. The presence of only a small number of warriors, along with a chariot, indicates a strategic, rather than combative, purpose.

Historically, during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, military commanders often led from the front lines. However, as warfare evolved and became more complex, the Qin Dynasty developed more sophisticated tactics. By the time of the First Emperor, command structures had advanced significantly. The Third Pit illustrates this progression, representing one of the earliest known military command centers in archaeological history.

The separation of the command unit from the main army allowed for more strategic planning and improved the safety of high-ranking officers. This separation marked a significant development in military tactics, highlighting the maturation of ancient Chinese warfare strategies.

Archaeologically, the Third Pit is a treasure trove of information. Its well-preserved state provides valuable insights into the construction techniques, layout, and operational strategies of a Qin Dynasty military command post. The terracotta figures, chariots, and weapons found within offer detailed evidence of the period’s military uniforms, ceremonial practices, and command systems.

Different Kinds of Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors can be broadly classified into two main categories: soldiers and military officers. Among the officers, there are three ranks: junior, middle, and senior. Soldiers are generally depicted without headgear, while officers wear crowns, with different styles distinguishing ordinary officers from generals.

Warriors on Chariots ( 车兵俑 )

Warriors on Charioteer, also known as “Cheshi” in Chinese, were soldiers positioned on war chariots alongside the charioteer. Typically, each chariot would have two warriors, known as the left and right charioteers. The left charioteer wore long robes and draped himself in armor, wearing leg guards and a headpiece. He held long weapons like spears, halberds, or tridents in his left hand while bracing himself against the chariot with his right hand. The right charioteer had the same attire as the left one but with reversed positioning. These warriors played a crucial role in chariot warfare, though historical texts suggest differences in their weapon configurations and combat responsibilities.

Standing archer warriors are a distinctive type found in the Terracotta Army, primarily unearthed in the eastern part of Pit 2. Armed with bows and crossbows, they formed the front part of the crossbowmen units. These warriors are depicted wearing lightweight battle robes, tied with leather belts, and adorned with a high topknot hairstyle. Their footwear consisted of pointed-toe shoes, providing agility on the battlefield. The stance of these archer warriors aligns with ancient texts describing archery techniques, indicating the advanced level of archery skills during the Qin Dynasty. Their gestures, as recorded in historical texts, demonstrate the standardized shooting techniques developed during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, serving as a model for archery practices in later periods.

Kneeling archer warriors, unearthed alongside standing archer warriors in the eastern part of Pit 2, formed part of the crossbowmen units. While standing archers were positioned at the front of the formation, kneeling archers were stationed at the heart of the military array. These warriors wore battle robes draped with armor and sported a distinctive hairstyle with a topknot on the left side. Their footwear, depicted with meticulous detail, showcased the craftsmanship of the artisans, reflecting a commitment to realism. Kneeling on their right knee with the left leg bent, they held a bow in a poised position, capturing the essence of individual archery practice. Notably, remnants of red pigment on their armor highlight the exquisite preservation of these unique figures, providing valuable insights into ancient Qin military attire and practices.

Infantry warriors, representing the bulk of the Terracotta Army, were the ordinary foot soldiers with an average height of around 1.8 meters. These warriors formed the backbone of the military formation and were divided into two main categories based on their attire: robe-wearing warriors and armored warriors. Robe-wearing warriors, characterized by their flexibility and agility, were predominantly positioned at the forefront of the formation. On the other hand, armored warriors were distributed within the formation, showcasing a more robust defense. Both types of warriors wielded real weapons, exuding a sense of vigor and readiness even in their static terracotta forms.

Military officer warriors, ranking below general warriors, are classified into middle-ranking and lower-ranking categories. Their representation in the pits is minimal, with fewer than ten specimens unearthed. They are further categorized into robe-wearing generals and armored generals. Armored generals typically don double or single-layered long crowns and wear various styles of armored robes. Adorned with intricate decorations such as colorful floral knots on the chest, back, and shoulders, these warriors exude magnificence and authority, symbolizing their rank and status within the military hierarchy. In contrast to generals, military officer warriors exhibit slight differences in both attire and demeanor. While they may not possess the robust physique of generals, they stand tall with broad shoulders and solemn expressions, reflecting their thoughtful and martial nature, some displaying homesickness.

Cavalry warriors, totaling 116 specimens unearthed from Pits 1 and 2, were primarily utilized for swift maneuvers during wartime. Distinguished by their specialized role, cavalry warriors don attire distinct from infantry and chariot warriors. Adorning round caps and tight-sleeved jackets with overlapping right flaps secured at the chest, they wear snug trousers and short boots, complemented by small-scale armor. Unlike infantry and chariot warriors, cavalry warriors lack shoulder pads and armguards, emphasizing agility over heavy protection. Their compact attire facilitates swift movement, with one hand gripping the reins while the other wields a bow. This specialized attire underscores the agility required for ancient cavalry tactics. The discovery of cavalry warriors in Pit 2 represents the earliest physical evidence of cavalry in Chinese archaeology, providing invaluable insights into the attire and equipment of ancient cavalrymen.

Charioteer warriors, tasked with driving chariots, are found in all three pits of the terracotta army. Adorned in long robes and armored with chest and arm guards, they wear leg protection and neck armor. Their heads are covered with cloth turbans and long crowns, and their arms are extended forward in a gesture of holding reins. In ancient warfare, chariots were formidable weapons, and the role of charioteers was crucial, often directly impacting the outcome of battles.

Chariot Horses ( 车马 )

Each chariot in the terracotta army is led by four terracotta horses. These horses closely resemble real horses in size, with a length of about 2.10 meters and a height of 1.72 meters. The sculptures depict them with clipped manes, bound tails, raised necks, and open mouths, giving them an appearance of neighing. The two horses in the center have ears pricked forward and eyes looking straight ahead, while the outer horses have slightly turned necks, as if eager to move forward.

The terracotta horses unearthed from the pits closely match the proportions and characteristics of real horses found in the stables of Emperor Qin’s mausoleum complex. This indicates that they were sculpted based on real horses, likely reflecting the horse-breeding practices of the Qin Dynasty.

Saddled Horses ( 鞍马 )

Unearthed from Pit 2, these terracotta horses stand at a height of approximately 1.72 meters. Observing their physical features, these terracotta horses have small heads, prominent noses, short and thick necks, low manes, broad backs slightly concaved downwards, and well-developed limbs. They represent a type of horse known for its combination of strength and speed, making them suitable for both pulling carriages and riding.

Historical records from the Qin dynasty, such as the Yumeng Qin Bamboo Slips, indicate that saddled horses were primarily sourced from government stables. County officials were responsible for managing the selection and training of military horses, directly influencing the quality of these horses. The Qin Dynasty was renowned for its horse-breeding capabilities, with both central and local government establishments maintaining stables to provide horses for cavalry and chariots.

Morning: Start your day naturally and take the subway to Huaqing Palace for a visit (optional). Afterward, take a taxi to the Lishan Garden Visitor Center.

At Lishan Garden Visitor Center: Purchase tickets for the electric shuttle bus and follow the route map to visit Pit 9901 (a part of the Terracotta Army, showcasing the organization and equipment of the Qin Dynasty army), the bronze chariots and horses, and Pit 0006 (famous for its precious artifacts).

After the Visit: Take the free shuttle bus to the Terracotta Army site for further exploration. You can visit the pits in the order of 1, 2, 3 or 2, 1, 3 depending on the crowd flow.

Return: After your visit, take a bus across the street from the exit to Huaqing Pool Metro Station. Finally, take the subway back to the city center.

1. Bus. Bus No. 306 or Tourist Line 5 at Xi’an Train Station leads to the museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses. But there are fake buses even in the station. You should pay attention to the clothes of the workers. The real workers wear blue uniforms and will not greet you with enthusiasm because of the heavy workload.

2. Tourist guide. Many tourist guides are peddling at the gate of the museum. Most of them have certifications and are professional. If you want a detailed introduction and better learn about the terracotta army, you may hire one there (cost about 120 RMB).

3. Stay away during holidays. As one of the most famous tourist attractions in China, the Musem of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses is swamped by visitors during public holidays. You can barely see anything but heads and shoulders.

4. Souvenirs. The souvenirs sold in the museum are generally overpriced. You can find better and cheaper ones in the city.

What does the terracotta warriors reveal about ancient China

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Xi’an Terracotta Army Essentials: A Must-Read for First-Timers

Written by Ricky

Explore Xi’an: A First-Timer’s Guide to Terracotta Warriors

Welcome to the enchanting and amazing world of the Terracotta Army, a historical marvel in Xi’an, China.

Unearthed in 1974, this ancient spectacle opens a unique window into China’s storied past, showcasing the grandeur of the Qin Dynasty.

Discovered more than 2,000 years after they were created, these clay soldiers were commissioned by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, to guard him in the afterlife.

Each warrior, with a distinct and lifelike face, stands in formation, as if awaiting your exploration.

This incredible collection, resembling an underground treasure, invites you on a fantastic journey into ancient history and promises an adventure for everyone!

Exciting Quick Facts About the Terracotta Army

• What’s Inside the Museum : Step into the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum and see thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots. It’s like traveling back in time!
• Why Were They Made? : Emperor Qin Shi Huang had these warriors made to protect him in the afterlife. It’s like his own ancient, secret army!
• How Were They Made? : Craftsmen in ancient China made these warriors from clay. Each one is unique – just like real people!
• Types and Looks : There are different types of warriors – generals, soldiers, and archers. They all have different faces, hairstyles, and uniforms. It’s amazing how detailed they are!
• Armed and Ready? : Yes, the warriors were found with real bronze weapons – swords, spears, and even crossbows!

Unique Design and Layout

The Terracotta Army’s burial pits, integral to Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum, showcase a unique and intricate design.

Lined up from west to east, these pits are organized in a precise grid-like formation.

At the forefront is Pit 1, a vast rectangular area that is home to over 8,000 terracotta soldiers and horses.

This pit is designed with accessible ramps on all sides.

Complementing Pit 1, Pits 2 and 3 flank it, adding to the complex’s grandeur.

Innovative Underground Architecture

Delve into the depths of these ancient pits, each extending about 5 meters below the surface.

The interior architecture is a marvel of ancient engineering, with space ingeniously divided by parallel earthen walls.

These walls are supported by robust wooden beams, a critical element in maintaining the structure’s integrity.

The roof, a layered masterpiece of wooden planks, reed mats, and soil, stands sturdy, 2 meters above the original ground level.

The pits’ foundation is solidly laid with blue bricks, creating a stable base.

Sealed Chambers of History

Envision the final arrangement within these subterranean chambers: terracotta figures meticulously placed, followed by the sealing of entrances with vertical wooden beams and compacted earth.

This created a hermetically sealed underground structure, preserving the figures in a time capsule of sorts.

The overall height from the roof to the base measures approximately 3.2 meters, encapsulating a significant part of history within these remarkable underground structures.

The Terracotta Army Experience

The Terracotta Army comprises three main pits:

Pit 1 – The First and Largest:

Discovered in 1974 by local farmers near Xi’an, Pit 1 is the largest and most spectacular, filled with several thousand unique warriors in varying poses and attire.

This pit is a bustling scene of ancient soldiers and ongoing restoration efforts are visible.

The excavation has revealed intricate details of the warriors’ ranks and formations, including a stunning array of 210 fully armored soldiers at the eastern end.

Pit 2 – Complex Military Formation:

Situated northeast of Pit 1, Pit 2 was scientifically discovered by archaeologists in 1976.

This pit is distinguished by its complex military array, featuring a diverse mix of cavalry, chariots, and infantry, including crossbowmen.

Notable for its multi-army unit composition, Pit 2 houses over 1,300 terracotta figures and horses, more than 80 chariots, and a wealth of bronze weapons.

Its four units showcase an array of battle formations, from standing and kneeling crossbowmen to chariot squares and cavalry rows.

Pit 3 – The Command Center:

Discovered in 1976, Pit 3 is located northwest of Pit 1 and is believed to have served as the command center for the other two pits.

This smallest pit, covering about 520 square meters, features a unique concave shape and houses a collection of 68 terracotta figures.

Notably, Pit 3’s warriors retain much of their original paint, offering a vivid glimpse into ancient military attire and tactics.

It’s a crucial site for understanding ancient military command structures and tactics.

These pits collectively offer a fascinating insight into the military strategies and craftsmanship of ancient China, making the Terracotta Army a remarkable archaeological and historical treasure.

Qin Shi Huang: The Genius Behind the Terracotta Army

• The First Emperor : Meet Qin Shi Huang, the mastermind behind the Terracotta Army in China! He was the first Emperor of China, over 2,000 years ago.
• Eternal Protection : Qin Shi Huang wanted to be protected even after his life, so he ordered the creation of this huge clay army.
• Unique Soldiers & Great Wall : Every soldier looks different, just like real people. He also built the Great Wall of China!
• A Lasting Legacy : Qin Shi Huang was a powerful leader who left us these amazing statues to discover and learn about China’s fascinating history.

Plan Your Terracotta Army Adventure!

• Best Times to Go : The perfect time to visit the Terracotta Army is in spring (March to May) or fall (September to November). The weather is super nice then, not too hot or too cold!
• Opening Hours : You can visit from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, but remember, no one can enter after 5:00 PM.
• Getting Tickets : Easy! Just book them on the “Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Museum” WeChat account. Check out “ The Essential Guide to Buying Terracotta Army Museum Tickets Online ” for more details.
• Ticket Cost : For 120 yuan each, you get to see the awesome Terracotta Warriors and the beautiful Lishan Garden. Set aside at least 4 hours to see everything (not counting travel time).
• Beat the Crowds : Want to explore without too many people around? Try visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon. That way, you can enjoy the amazing statues more peacefully!
• Opting For a Guided Tour for More Fun : It’s super helpful to have a guide show you around the three pits of the Terracotta Warriors. They’ll make sure you understand everything, which is way better than exploring on your own. This fun tour takes about 1.5 hours, and it’s better than using an electronic guide.
• Exciting Shuttle Ride : After checking out the warriors for about 2 hours, jump on a free shuttle bus at Parking Lot 1. In less than 5 minutes, you’ll be at Lishan Garden, a really special place and the home of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
• Discover Lishan Garden’s Secrets : Lishan Garden is huge! Don’t miss out on cool spots like the 9901 Burial Pit and the Bronze Chariot and Horse Museum. Buying a 15 yuan ticket for the electric car is a smart move to see everything without getting tired. Keep your shuttle ticket for getting around.
• Wrapping Up Your Tour : After another 2 hours in the garden, head back to the entrance. You can catch a bus or a quick 20-minute taxi ride to the Huaqing Pool Metro Station.
• Stay Cozy : Remember, the Terracotta Warriors Museum can get chilly in the winter, so wear warm clothes to stay comfortable during your adventure!

Tourist Map

Getting to the Terracotta Warriors is Easy and Fun!

• Hop on the Metro : When you get off at Huaqingchi Station on Line 9, just follow the signs to find the bus. Buses 613 or 602 will take you straight to the Terracotta Warriors. Don’t worry about missing your stop – the bus driver will tell you when to get off. The ride costs only 5 yuan and takes about 20 minutes.
• Traveling from Xi’an : If you’re in Xi’an city center, first take the metro to Huaqing Palace. Then, you have two choices: catch a quick taxi for about 30 yuan or hop on bus 602 or 613 following the signs. The bus is super affordable at 5 yuan, and there’s one every ten minutes. Let’s go on an adventure!

Recommended Hotels to Stay near Terracotta Army:

Fancy Option: Stay in style at Xi’an Hua Qing Palace Hotel & Spa  Just a stone’s throw from the Terracotta Warriors, indulge in lavish rooms and spa bliss. Perfect for a luxurious, culturally-rich retreat. ($250-500/night)

Middle Option: Check into Meihao Hotel (Xi’an Linyi Terracotta Warriors and Horses Huaqing Palace) for a cozy stay near historical wonders. Modern amenities meet easy access to the Terracotta Warriors, making it an ideal spot for cultural enthusiasts. ($100-250/night)

Budget Pick: Opt for Super 8 (Xi’an Lintong Huaqingchi) . A smart, wallet-friendly option, offering clean rooms close to the Terracotta Warriors. Ideal for history buffs on a budget. ($30-80/night)

Curious about where to stay in Xi’an? Check out this post for top recommendations: Where to Stay in Xi’an: A Complete Guide for 5 Perfect Areas to Stay!

Other Attractions in Xi’an:

Explore beyond the Terracotta Army to discover the diverse and rich cultural heritage of Xi’an.

• Bell Tower: Behold the majestic Bell Tower in the heart of Xi’an, a stunning symbol of the city’s ancient history and cultural legacy.
• The Ancient City Wall : Marvel at the grandeur of Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall , a testament to the city’s historical significance.
• Drum Tower : Experience the rhythmic beauty and architectural splendor of Xi’an’s iconic Drum Tower .
• The Muslim Quarter : Wander through the vibrant lanes of the Muslim Quarter , a hub of culture, history, and delicious food.
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda : Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda , an ancient symbol of Xi’an’s Buddhist heritage and architecture.
• Datang Never Sleeps City : Step into Datang Never Sleeps City for a lively experience of Xi’an’s Tang Dynasty grandeur.
• Mount Huashan : Embark on an adventure to Mount Hua, known for its breathtaking views and thrilling hiking trails.
• Shaanxi History Museum : Dive into the rich past of Xi’an at the Shaanxi History Museum, a treasure trove of ancient artifacts.
• Go on a Food Tour : Discover Xi’an’s delicious flavors and local cuisine on an exciting Evening Food Tour by TukTuk .

Wrapping Up Your Terracotta Army Adventure!

You’re almost done exploring the amazing Terracotta Army! Here are some cool tips to make your trip even more fun.

• Remember the Adventure : Bring your camera to snap photos of the cool soldiers. You’ll have these cool memories forever!
• Taste Xi’an’s Yummy Food : Try some local snacks after your tour. It’s a tasty way to learn more about Xi’an!
• Grab a Fun Souvenir : Don’t forget to pick up a mini terracotta warrior or something else neat to remember your trip.

Use these tips for an awesome end to your Terracotta Army visit!

Q: What is the best way to get to the Terracotta Army from downtown Xi’an?

A: The best way to reach the Terracotta Army from downtown Xi’an is by taking a bus or a taxi.

The most convenient bus is the Tourism Bus No. 5 (306) from the Xi’an Railway Station, which takes about an hour.

Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available, offering a more direct but costlier option.

Q: Are there English-speaking guides available at the site?

A: Yes, English-speaking guides are available at the Terracotta Army site.

Visitors can hire them at the entrance or pre-book through a tour company.

These guides provide detailed insights and historical context, enhancing the overall experience.

Q: How much time should I allocate for a visit to the Terracotta Army?

A: Visitors should allocate at least half a day (3 to 4 hours) to fully explore the Terracotta Army.

This includes time spent viewing the main pits, exhibition halls, and any special exhibits or interactive experiences available on the day of the visit.

Q: Can I take photographs inside the pits?

A: Photography is allowed inside the pits of the Terracotta Army, but flash photography is strictly prohibited to protect the ancient artifacts.

It’s recommended to check for any specific photography rules on the day of your visit, as regulations may change.

Q: Are there facilities for children and elderly visitors at the site?

A: The Terracotta Army site is equipped with facilities for both children and elderly visitors.

These include rest areas, wheelchair rentals, and accessible pathways.

There are also designated play areas and interactive exhibits that are engaging for children.

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This is very informative. How much is roundtrip, business class ticket from Beijing to Xi’an?

The cost of a roundtrip business class ticket for high-speed trains from Beijing to Xi’an is approximately $257 USD. This offers a comfortable and speedy journey, taking about 4 to 5 hours each way depending on the specific train service chosen. For those looking for a luxurious and efficient way to travel between these two historical cities, this would be a suitable option.

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Terracotta Army in Xi'an

The Terracotta Army (officially named Emperor Qin's Mausoleum Site Museum) is a large collection of statues of warriors and horses located in Lintong District, 40 km northeast of Xi’an. There are more than 8,000 terracotta warriors, 130 chariots, 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses.

Most Important Terracotta Army Facts

• Who Built It : Emperor Qin Shi Huang
• Why it was built: to protect the emperor and his mausoleum 
• How many years to build it: 39 years, between 247 and 208 BC.
• How many warriors are there: about 8000
• Height of soldiers : the height of generals is between 1.8 meters and 1.97 meters (between 5.9 feet and 6.4 feet). The height of a terracotta soldier is around 1.7 meters (5.5 feet).

15 Interesting Facts About the Terracotta Army You Didn't Know

Why and When Was the Terracotta Army Built

The terracotta army was built to protect Emperor Qin Shihuang in his afterlife. The tomb started to build when Qin Shihuang ascended the throne when he was 13 in 247 BC .

The construction of the Emperor Qin Shihuang Tomb lasted 39 years and was completed in 208 BC .

Complete guide of Terracotta Army - Why and When it was Built .

What to See - Exhibit Vaults Inside the Terracotta Army Museum

There are four highlights in the museum, including three pits and the Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall . All are about 1.5 km east of the tomb of Emperor Qin. Pit 1 is the biggest and most crowded. Warriors and horses were designed and stationed as if to safeguard the tomb, facing east toward enemies.

The military organization is in accordance with ancient tactics. Every warrior differs in facial expression, clothing, hairstyle, and gestures. The position in which they are standing shows rank and level.

Vault 1 – More than 2,000 Warriors

As the largest and most impressive vault , vault 1 covers an area of 14,260 square meters, 230 meters long from east to west, 62 meters wide from north to south, and 5 meters deep. It’s assumed that vault 1 contains more than 8,000 terracotta warriors and horses, of which only 2,000 have been unearthed.

Vault 2 - The Greatest Variety of Warriors

Covering an area of about 6,000 square meters, warriors in pit 2 are in complex combat formations, consisting of cavalrymen, archers, chariots, horses, infantry, general warriors, standing archers, and kneeling archers. There are over 1,300 terracotta warriors and horses, about 80 chariots, and thousands of bronze weapons . It can be divided into the following four sections.

Vault 3 – A Command Center and the Best-preserved

Vault 3, the smallest, covers only 50 square meters. It’s a command center , consisting of high-ranking officers and a war chariot .

There is one chariot, along with 4 horses and 68 warriors . The battle formation here is different from in the other two pits, with 68 warriors lining the corridor.

Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall

There are two large-scale bronze chariots and horses here, discovered in 1980. They were encased in large wooden coffins for over two thousand years, without any corrosion. In October 1983, the exhibition hall was opened for visitors. The Bronze Chariots and Horses are the biggest ancient items of bronze-ware ever found in the world.

What Is the Story Behind the Terracotta Warriors?

There are some popular stories in ancient China about building the grand underground Terracotta Amy for Emperor Qin Shihuang. It is said that he was the first emperor to substitute  actual human sacrifices with pottery figures in feudal society, he ordered his subordinates to build a large-scale mausoleum to perfect his afterlife .

The son of Emperor Qin - Qin Ershi was afraid that the artisans would reveal the secrets of the tomb, the workers were buried alive  and become funerary objects.

Here are Stories About the First Emperor of China .

How to Make the Terracotta Warriors

The production of terracotta warriors and horses is basically divided into 6 steps . Pottery figurines are made of molds. After the clay sculpture is completed and dry in the shape, carved in detail with ears, mustaches, hair, clothes, and weapons, then fired in a kiln, Glazing, and colored with different pigments.

During the excavation of the Terracotta Warrior figures, archaeologists found there were many names carved on the bodies of pottery figures . Until now, there 85 names have been discovered and recognized. We can distinguish them as Gong Bing, Gong Jiang, etc.

This great discovery proved that the terracotta warriors were made by craftsmen with certain skills, recruited from all over the country. They engraved their names on their works to evaluate the quantity and quality.

Learn 6 Steps to Make Terracotta Army

Popular Terracotta Army Trips

Want to get to know the history of China? Go to Xi'an. Want to get to know about Xi'an? Not miss Terracotta Army! Please see our more popular trips to explore this ancient wonder:

• 4 Days Xi'an Highlights with Mt. Hua Experience Trip -- cycling around Ancient City Wall get views of the sunset, taste local snacks at Muslim Quater, and Walk along the cliffside on the Mt. Huashan
• 2-Day Xi'an Highlights Trip : Experience more of Xi'an — the capital of 13 ancient dynasties — to explore China's ancient culture.
• China Essence Experiences (Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai) — Visit China's classic sights in this 8-day tour — our BEST-SELLER.

We have developed some special activities in Xi'an, including discovering a mysterious place to have a close experience with a Terracotta Warrior. Contact us if you want to add these activities to your itinerary.

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How to Get to Terracotta Army and Travel Tips

1. Transportations: A. Take direct Bus No. 306 from Xi’an Railway Station (no English-speaking steward on the bus) and get off at the Terracotta Warriors (Bing Ma Yong) stop. The bus runs from 07:00 to 19:00 and it takes about an hour to get to the destination. B. Take Bus No. 307 at the South Gate of the Tang Paradise, Big Wild Goose Pagoda or Banpo stop and get off at the Terracotta Warriors stop. C. Book Private Xian to Terracotta Warriors Transfers.

2. Suggested visiting time : 2-4 hours

3. To avoid the crowds, you are advised to begin your trip at 08:30 . It’s highly recommended not to visit in July or August , for that is summer vacation and the site will be crowded with students on holiday.

4. You are highly recommended to rent an audio guide if you visit the Terracotta Army Museum by yourself, which can help you understand the history. (Rent: CNY 40 per person; deposit: CNY 100)

More Articles about Terracotta Army

• Why the Terracotta Army was Built
• How the Terracotta Warriors Was Made
• 15 Interesting Facts about the Terracotta Army
• Terracotta Army History

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Army of Terracotta Warriors

Top choice in Xi'an

The Terracotta Army isn't just Xi'an's premier sight: it's one of the most famous archaeological finds in the world. This subterranean life-size army of thousands has silently stood guard over the soul of China's first unifier for more than two millennia. Either Qin Shi Huang was terrified of the vanquished spirits awaiting him in the afterlife or, as most archaeologists believe, he expected his rule to continue in death as it had in life.

Whatever the case, the guardians of his tomb – who date from the 3rd century BC – today offer some of the greatest insights we have into the world of ancient China.

The discovery of the army of warriors was entirely fortuitous. In 1974 peasants drilling a well uncovered an underground vault that eventually yielded thousands of terracotta soldiers and horses in battle formation. Throughout the years the site became so famous that many of its unusual attributes are now well known; in particular the fact that no two soldier's faces are alike.

The on-site wrap-around theatre gives a useful primer on how the figures were sculpted. You can also employ a guide (low/high season ¥150/200) or try the audio guide (¥40, plus ¥200 deposit), although the latter is somewhat useless, being difficult to understand and not very compelling.

After this, visit the site in reverse, which enables you to build up to the most impressive pit for a fitting finale.

Start with the smallest pit, Pit 3 , containing 72 warriors and horses; it's believed to be the army headquarters due to the number of high-ranking officers unearthed here. It's interesting to note that the northern room would have been used to make sacrificial offerings before battle. In the next pit, Pit 2 , containing around 1300 warriors and horses, you can examine five of the soldiers up close: a kneeling archer, a standing archer, a cavalryman and his horse, a mid-ranking officer and a general. The level of detail is extraordinary: the expressions, hairstyles, armour and even the tread on the footwear are all unique.

The largest pit, Pit 1 , is the most imposing. Housed in a building the size of an aircraft hangar, it is believed to contain 6000 warriors (only 2000 are on display) and horses, all facing east and ready for battle. The vanguard of three rows of archers (both crossbow and longbow) is followed by the main force of soldiers, who originally held spears, swords, dagger-axes and other long-shaft weapons. The infantry were accompanied by 35 chariots, though these, made of wood, have long since disintegrated.

Almost as extraordinary as the soldiers is a pair of bronze chariots and horses unearthed just 20m west of the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang . These are now on display, together with some of the original weaponry and a mid-ranking officer you can see up close, in a huge modern museum called the Qin Shi Huang Emperor Tomb Artefact Exhibition Hall (秦始皇帝陵文物陈列厅, Qǐnshǐhuángdìlíng Chénliètīng).

You can take photographs, although signs forbid using flash photography (widely ignored) or tripods.

Among rather tacky souvenir offerings, you can get your own warrior statue personalised with your own face (¥100) or have a photo taken next to a fake warrior (¥10). You can also pick up all manner of terracotta ornamentation – from warrior paperweights to life-size statues – from the souvenir shop in the theatre building. There's also a Friendship Store for jade, jewellery and so forth.

The Army of the Terracotta Warriors is easily reached by public bus. From Xi'an train station take one of the air-conditioned buses, either 914 or 915 (¥8, one hour), which depart every four minutes from 6am to 7pm. Take the bus to the last stop; the buses also travel via the Huaqing Hot Springs and the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang (which is included in the Terracotta Army). The car park for the vehicles is a 15-minute walk from the site, but you can take an electric buggy (¥5) instead if you want. If you want to eat here, there's a good cafe in the theatre building; and after you exit to walk back to the car and bus park, you will take another route past a whole assortment of restaurants and fast food, including a McDonald's. Buses head back to town from the parking lot.

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How To Visit the Terracotta Army In Xi’an, China

Last Updated August 26, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Attractions & Experiences » How To Visit the Terracotta Army In Xi’an, China

Going to see the Terracotta Warriors is like having something like the Taj Mahal or the Great Pyramid on your bucket list for the longest time and to be able to cross it off sounds trivial but what you’re often not prepared for is just how massive and incomprehensible an ancient wonder like this actually is when you see it in person.

I’m going to try to my best to describe our first day in Xi’an and the visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum (also known as Emperor Qin’s Mausoleum).  Despite all the “ooh”s and  “wow this is amazing”s, it really was our private guide, Michael, that completed the experience for us.  His retelling of stories, crystal clear picture of the history and careful pointing out of little fine details made us feel like Terracotta Army pros when we finished.

Read more about China

• Where to stay in Beijing – a neighborhood guide
• Top things to do in Shanghai
• Shanghai neighbourhood guide
• Xi’an Teracotta Warriors itinerary

Want to pick up a bit of Mandarin before you go?

• Rosetta Stone Mandarin is a great online language program that simply works. I’ve used it to learn Japanese as well and it’s great at getting you right into everyday language instead of being stuck on the nuances of grammar and rules.

In This Article

Souvenir Shop Fun

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The word Terracotta actually derives from an Italian word which means “baked earth”.  What astounded me the most during my visit was the magnitude of Emperor Qin’s mausoleum and how each soldier had to be meticulously and uniquely crafted.  

It also fascinated me how the despite the Chinese never talked to the Egyptians, both civilizations had similar ideas of the afterlife and an Emperor wanting to be buried with treasures, entertainers, officials and an entire army.

From the parking lot there’s a 10 minute walk to the main entrance to the complex.  It’s a nice stone winding path that looks recently done to improve the landscaping.  Contrast this to the way out that we took which was entirely different with a bombarding of souvenir shops and restaurants.

Once in the Terracotta Warriors Museum,  you really don’t see much except the buildings for Pit #1, Pit #2 and the building that houses the bronze chariots.

Cue the dramatic music.  The first pit was by far the most exciting and heart-stopping of our entire tour of the museum.  As the first pit to be discovered, the building that covers over it is much older but has the largest collection of terracotta warriors assembled in battle formation.

Fun facts that’ll blow you away:

• Not a single soldier was found intact in this pit.
• At the end of the Qin Dynasty, warlord Xiang Yu found out about the tomb and raided the pits for their weapons and set the area ablaze.  Since the pits were protected by wooden beams across the columns, those burned to cinders and collapsed on the soldiers below.
• Every year they can only reassemble 20-30 soldiers.  With a total of 6,000 warriors in this pit, it’ll take 200 years to finish it all.
• There’s paint on every single one of these soldiers to start with but because of oxidation they disappear in minutes so most of them have been left in the ground to preserve the colors.  That being said, Johnson & Johnson has developed some sort of lotion that’ll help preserve the paint so they’re slowly starting to incorporate that technology in.
• Every soldier’s face is different.
• The horses of this dynasty were a lot smaller because these ones came from Mongolia.  Subsequent dynasties brought on much larger stallions from outside the kingdom.
• To keep the tomb a secret, all the craftsmen that sculpted these soldiers were killed thus none of the art was passed on to later generations.
• For the longest time, farmers knew there was something in this area but were always spooked off because of superstitions.

The back side of Pit #1 directly led us into Pit #3.

The scale of the third pit is dramatically smaller but housed in an enclosed and I would say more modern “museum-esque” facility, it was interesting to see a completely different layout.  Archeologists speculate that this pit was meant to be the command headquarters for the other two pits.

After Pit #3 we took a break and headed to the souvenir store.  While we didn’t buy any of the ridiculously expensive replicas on sale, we did get to meet one famous farmer.  We also had a chance to pose with our very own warriors.

While Pit #2 may not rival the first one in terms of the number of combined warriors what I liked most about this one was that it gave us a closer look at the archers and their formation of one group nocking and the second group shooting.  Most of the site has been left unexcavated but you get a more complete view of how the wooden beams were laid out after completion of this pit.

This being a more modern pit also has an exhibition hall where you can get up close with real samples of soldiers and weapons from the pit.

There is one large building completely dedicated to the prized bronze chariots discovered in an encased wooden box in 1980.  It took two and a half years to restore them and eventually they were put on display here.  There are two of them and this one below was meant to be a chariot for the Emperor’s family.

After spending a good 4 hours at the Terracotta Warriors Museum which was mostly my doing because I was SO SLOW at taking photos and video, we left at 2PM and made our way back into Xi’an to have lunch, explore the Banpo Neolithic Village and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda area.

These are always fun to spot in China. The below is a sign we saw in an elevator with some interesting stick figure warning signs.

• Terracotta Warriors Museum = 150 RMB (Mar – Nov), 120 RMB (Dec – Feb)
• Banpo Neolithic Village Museum = 65 RMB (Mar – Nov), 45 RMB (Dec – Feb)
• Again, I was so glad we had Michael (details can be found in our entire journey in China ) to take us around.  Not only was he incredible knowledgable about the history but he was also completely accommodating in our request to not do any tourist traps.  In fact, he told us where to stay away from and when I wanted to buy a few magnets, he was able to tell me exactly how much they were actually worth.  He was also really good with the roads so he knew all the shortcuts to help shave off time to get to and from Terracotta Warriors Museum.  Michael’s English was also the best of any guide I’ve had in China.
• Allocate the most time at Pit #1.  Pit #2 and #3 aren’t as spectacular but still worth the time to explore.
• Don’t waste time taking photos in those paid stores you find in Pits #2 and #3.  Instead, head over to the souvenir store and there you’ll find a bunch of life-sized soldiers you can pose with in front of a fake background of Pit #1.
• Regarding the buying of Terracotta Warrior replicas – The prices at the museum are ridiculously high.  While they do provide an actual certificate and supposedly use the same sand as the real soldiers to create the clay, I didn’t think it was worth the money.  Instead, wait until you get to the Muslim Quarter back in Xi’an and do some hard bargaining there.  For a medium size  warrior (8″ ish), the museum was selling them for close to $50 while we got ours in the market for around $10 USD.  Even in the market though, they started off at 210 RMB and we worked our way down to 80 RMB for a pair.
• We barely spent an hour here.  While it was interesting to learn the history of these neolithic remains of their dwellings, it was vastly less impressive than the Terracotta Warriors.  That being said, Michael said it made more sense to do this afterwards since the big tour buses will typically try to do this in the morning on their way up to Terracotta.  I’ll defer to Michael’s judgement on this one.
• Pick up some street vendor food outside of our hotel in the morning
• Picked up by Michael at 8:45 AM
• 1 hour journey to the district of Lintong (Usually it takes 35-40 minutes by car but took longer because of highway construction)
• Start exploring the Terracotta Warriors Museum from 10:15 AM – 2PM
• Eat lunch at a local noodle restaurant to try Biang Biang Noodles
• Banpo Neolithic Village
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Dinner at a local restaurant near our hotel
• Accommodations:   ibis Xi’an Bell Tower East Hotel

For more on the rest of this trip throughout China where we start in Shanghai and work our way up to Xi’an, make sure to read the full itinerary that chronicles our journey to see the Terracotta Warriors starting from Shanghai.

What you should read next

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Terracotta Army

About a one-hour drive outside the ancient capital of Xi'an lies one of China's most impressive claims to fame, the Terracotta Army, also known as the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. This underground, life-size terracotta army was constructed by China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the 3rd century BCE to serve as his guardians during the afterlife.

The buried army remained undisturbed underground until its accidental discovery in 1974 by a local farmer. Since then, it has become known as one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Terracotta Army, officially named Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Museum, is no doubt a must-see for all visitors to Xi'an.

Highlights and Travel Tips

The Qin Emperor's terracotta figures, remarkably well-preserved despite being over 2,000 years old, testify to the power of the man for whom they were molded to protect. This site is a stunning archaeological find of monumental scale, an amazing display that every visitor to China should see. Although the tomb complex itself where the emperor is believed to be interred is largely unexcavated, the thousands of surrounding warriors, horses, and chariots alone are a wonder to behold.

The Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses consists of three main pits that are very close to each other. Pit 1 is the largest and composed of several corridors crowded with thousands of imposing, life-sized statues, each with their own individual faces, hairstyles, and uniforms. Northeast of Pit 1 lies Pit 2, which is smaller but contains a variety of figures, including infantry, crossbow team, cavalry, and chariots, that once guarded the emperor's tomb. Northwest of Pit 1 lies Pit 3, which contains the intricately designed statues of higher-ranking officers and a chariot led by four horses.

After passing through the main entrance (remember to keep your ticket, since you will be asked to show them when you entering the pits later), there is a 15-minute walk to the main pits. While there are golf carts to take you there for a small added cost, we suggest you walk since the path winds through a beautiful and shady green park and there are no stairs involved.

Once you arrive at the main pits, we suggest visitors follow this sequence of visiting: Pit 2 - Pit 3 - Pit 1, so that you can save the most massive pit for last. The Terracotta Army Museum is one of the most popular attractions in China, so be prepared for long lines and crowds when visiting, although the lines move quickly. We suggest you go early to avoid the crowds. (Read more tips for avoiding the crowds when traveling in China here .)

Excavation is still undergoing, so while you are visiting, you may see some half-restored figures and ruins with broken parts, as well as workers in the process of restoring statues. A zoom lens is a must if you want to take close-up photos of the warriors in the pits, since you will be kept at some distance from the pits.

All signs have English descriptions, providing some basic information about what you are seeing, but it is advisable to hire a professional guide since the place is large and full of history beyond the basic descriptions provided.

After finishing you visit, there is no tram service back to the parking lot. You have to walk about a kilometer through a commercial area with many restaurants and souvenir shops and stalls. Be careful when buying expensive or valuable things, since some shops could be commission-based.

Accessibility Information

The path from the entrance to the main pits is flat with optional golf cart rides available. Ramps can be found at most places where there are steps. Restrooms are also accessible to wheelchair users. There might be some steps inside the museums but they are manageable with a little help.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices

Opening hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm (March 16 to November 15) / 8:30am - 4:30pm (November 16 to March 15) Entrance fee: 120 CNY Average time for this activity: 2 hrs

How to Get There

The site of the Terracotta Army Museum is approximately 40 km from Xi'an city center but can easily be reached by bus or car. There is an affordable tourist bus that leaves from Xi'an Railway Station at regular times throughout the day; the bus costs 7 CNY and takes about an hour to reach the museum site. You can also take a taxi from Xi'an for about 150-200 CNY. If you have a tight schedule, then a private car or an organized tour is recommended.

How to Reserve a Ticket Online

The official ticket booking site for the Terracotta Army Museum is: http://order.bmy.com.cn:88/ticket/index.htm . Please note that the online booking system only accepts Chinese ID cards. Passport holders must buy tickets upon arrival at the site of the Terracotta Army Museum.

Explore Further

Around 1.5 km to the west of Terracotta Army Museum lies the Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Park (Lishan Garden) where the actual tomb of Qin Shi Huang is located. While most visitors skip this park, it is included in your Terracotta Army ticket and can be reached by the free shuttle bus from the Terracotta Army Museum.

This park consists of several smaller pits (filled with civil official figures, bronze birds, stone armor, acrobatic figures, etc.) and the Exhibition Hall of Historical Relics of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum, which showcases some relics excavated from the nearby pits. Be aware that some of the pits are not open to the public. These pits together with the exhibition hall normally take another two hours to visit.

Nearby the Terracotta Army Museum, there are some shops that make and sell replicas of the terracotta warriors as well as other souvenirs. Some shops allow people to mold their own idol-sized clay warriors, which can be an interesting activity for children.

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Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum – One of the Eight Wonders in the World

Terracotta Army, aka Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, is a complex  of thousands of life-sized terracotta   statues of soldiers, chariots  and  horses . An important part of the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang , it is the mirror of the real troop of the Qin Dynasty and was constructed to guard Qinshihuang (the first emperor in Chinese history) in his afterlife .

These terracotta sculptures in the pits are so vivid that you may feel they were created by uncanny workmanship. Terracotta Army was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1987. It was also praised to be the Eighth Wonder of the World and one of the great discoveries in archaeological history in the 20th century, making it a must-see for any   Xian tours .

Quick Facts  

• Type: World Cultural Heritage, Historical Site, Specialty Museum
• Period:  Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC)
• Time Needed: about 3 hours
• Opening Hours: March 16th–November 15th (Peak Season): 8:30-17:00; November 16th–March 15th the next year (Off Season): 8:30-16:30
• Ticket: RMB 120 per person in low season (Dec. 1 – Feb. 28), CNY150 per person in high season (March 1 – Nov. 30)
• Highlights: the Eighth Wonder of the World; vivid life-size terracotta warriors; exquisite bronze chariots and horses
• Best Seasons : All Seasons
• Commended for:  history lovers, Chinese culture lovers
• Location: in Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province; about 40 kilometers (24.9 miles) northeast of Xi’an downtown

What to See in the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum

There are three major pits for the Qin Terracotta Army, covering over 20, 000 square meters (5 acres) in total. Nearly 8,000 pieces of terracotta warriors are unearthed from the three pits, all being the same size of a real man and horse. Meanwhile, the bronze chariots and horses, and Qin weaponry are also very stunning to see.  Usually, 3 hours is recommended to explore the four main exhibition areas , which are the Exhibition Hall of the Bronze Chariots, Pit 1, Pit 2, and Pit 3.

• No.1 Pit – the largest of the three pits

In No.1 Pit, apart from the life-size t erracotta w arriors , chariots  and  horses, bronze swords, hooks, crossbow machines, halberds  and so on  have  also  been unearthed . At the east end of this pit, there are 210 terracotta warriors in different facial expressions, dress styles, and hairstyles, lining up in three rows, like the forward force on standby. Behind that, it is the main part composed of 6000 armored terracotta soldiers, holding long weapons such as a spear, dagger-ax, and halberd. They lined up with 35 chariots in a 38 rows. On both north and south sides, there is a row of terracotta guard warriors to prevent the side from being attacked. The warriors and horses in this pit are neat with complete equipment, which are the expressive representation of the mighty army of Qin Shi Huang.

• No.2 Pit  – with more kinds of warriors

  On the northeast side of the No.1 Pit is the No.2 Pit, 96 meters (105 yards) long from east to west and 84 meters (92 yards) wide from north to south. The layout of the terracotta troop is more complicated and the types of terracotta warriors are more complete, including standing terracotta archers, kneeling terracotta archers, terracotta warriors leading the horses, terracotta infantry, and cavalry. Totally, there are more than 1,300 terracotta warriors and horses, more than 80 chariots, and tens of thousands of bronze weapons in No.2 Pit.

• No.3 Pit  – the smallest, constitutes command post  

No.3 Pit is 25 meters (27 yards) from the west end of No.1 Pit, with an area of about 520 square meters (622 square yards). It’s the smallest out of the three pits, but it hadn’t been completed. There is a chariot in front of the door with 68 terracotta soldiers inside. Judging from the layout, No.3 Pit seems to be the general headquarters, commanding the whole army.

• Bronze   C hariots and H orse s   E xhibition H all

If you want to see more about the chariots and horses, the Exhibition Hall next to No.2 Pit will feast your eyes. You can witness the bronze chariots, bronze horses, and various Qin weapons in a close distance.

In December 1980, archaeologists excavated two large painted bronze chariots with horses on the west side of the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. This is an earlier discovery of the large and well-preserved bronze chariots. There are four horses driving in front of each chariot, and a terracotta figurine that drives the chariot. The chariots and horses were lifelike and beautifully decorated, and a large number of gold and silver items were used as ornaments and components. They are known as the Best of Bronzes.

How Many Terracotta Warriors are There? How Tall are They?

As of 2007, there are over 8,000 terracotta warriors have been unearthed from the tomb of the first Qin emperor, together with 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, represesting the armies of Qinshihuang. All the warriors are in life-size, vary in height, hairstyle, and facial features. Generally, most warriors are 180-190 cm in height, the highest ones can reach to 200 cm. But, these height data are measured with their base at the foot and hairdressings included. The net heights of these warriors are similar to the modern people, ranging from 170 cm to 180 cm.

Recommended  Xian Tours including the Terracotta Warriors and Horses:

For most people who travel in Xian , no matter the duration of their planned trip, visiting the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum should top their Xian tour bucket list. Below are 5 of our most recommended Xian Tours with the Terracotta Warriors and Horses :

• 3 Days Xi’an Private Trip: History Exploration & Tang Costume Experience
• 4 Days Xian Classic Tour with Mt. Huashan
• 7 Days Xian In-depth Culture Tour

Interesting Facts about Terracotta Warriors and Horses

• The construction lasted  for 39 years

The Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, including the terracotta warriors and horses, had been constructed for around 39 years since the he took the throne of the Qin State when he was 13 years old. More than 100,000 people were recruited from various places for the construction. To the unification of China and even his death, it hadn’t been completed. It was forced to stop in 208 BC because of the peasants’ uprising.

• I t was once damaged at the end of the Qin Dynasty

At the end of the Qin Dynasty, it was wartime with endless battles and uprisings. In that period, the terracotta army was buried after being flooded. There are some traces in the pits to prove what it suffered. Xiang Yu, the leader of one most powerful forces, was suspected of setting the fire. He captured the capital of the Qin Dynasty and fired the Epang Palace. But some scholars think it isn’t him who did that.

• E ach terracotta  soldier is not the same

Each of the terracotta warriors and horses is unique. In particular, every terracotta warrior has a unique face with different facial features. How amazing it is! Thus, the terracotta army was doubted to be made with real men; but it’s not true. The incredible workmanship deserves its great honor and reputation.

• T he T erracotta W arriors and H orses used to be colored

Do you know the terracotta warriors and horses turned out to be colorful? It is reported that the terracotta warriors and horses were in bright colors when they were made. However, due to the fires, floods, and natural erosions underground in the about 2,200 years, more than 95% of them have fallen off. Some colorful ones lost their colors only a few minutes after being unearthed and exposed to air. The technologies during the excavation time could not solve this problem, which is one of the reasons why the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang has not been excavated on a large scale.

• T here is a No.4 Pit

A few people know that there is also a No.4 Pit between No.2 and No.3 Pits. However, there is no terracotta warrior or horse but the backfilled soil. It is supposed that this is because the construction was forced to shut down for the turmoil of uprisings and wars.

History of the Terracotta Army

When were the Terracotta Warriors made?

This underground army was designed to guard the mausoleum of China’s first emperor – Qin Shi Huang, who unified China in 221 BC. According to archaeological data, these warriors were made from 246 BC to 208 BC, and the construction of the mausoleum involved over 700,000 conscripted workers, and lasted for about 40 years.

Why the Terracotta Army was made?

The terracotta soldiers were related to the change and development of the burial rites in ancient times. In slave society, the rulers wished to live a luxurious life after their death in another world as much as they enjoyed during their lifetime, so sacrificial offerings and some other articles for use were buried for the dead. Burying a lot of living slaves was also in great vogue among the royal families and lords. In the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), the living slaves were replaced by the terracotta figures gradually. Later in the middle and late Warring States Period (about 475-221 BC), terracotta figures came to be rife for the burial objects.

The Terracotta Warriors and Horses is not only a component part of the Qin burial system but reflects an aspect of the Qin culture as well. Such a Terracotta Army showed the power and strength of the country at that time.

How the Terracotta Warriors were made?

Of course, these warriors are not made of real people. The material for the making of terracotta warriors and horses was the yellow soil and white quartzite gravel taken from the northern foothills of the Lishan Mountain. After sieving and washing, something impure was removed and the soil was then ground into fine granules. After mixing up with a suitable amount of water and yellow earth, it was churned and pounded into a mold-clay of neither soft nor hard. Then molding was the main step in the making process. The makers and sculptors combined molding and sculpting together, made them part by part, and then fixed them up into a whole piece. Afterward, they were put into the kiln to be fired and painted when taken out of the kiln. With regard to the minute parts of the terracotta figures, methods like sculpting, molding, kneading, patching, carving, painting, and so on were used in turning them out.

To make the terracotta warriors morn stable for better safekeeping, the lower parts of the figures were made solid and heavier while the upper parts hollowed and lighter. For instance, the feet and legs of terracotta figures were made solid with the belly and arms hollowed. The terracotta horses were made in the same way. Particularly, every figure was made on a square board so that the space contact with the ground was widened; thereby the center of gravity as well as the figure was more stable.

Establishment of the  Museum

To protect and preserve these rare relics, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum was built on the very site of the No. 1 Pit as approved by the State Council in 1975. The museum was brought to completion in 1979 and opened to visitors on October 1st the same year.

When and How Were the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Discovered?

In March 1974, a farmer of the Xiyang Village, Yanzhai Township, Lintong District dug a well in the south of the village, and several broken terracotta warriors in life-size were found. After the excavation by the Shaanxi Provincial Archaeological Team, the terracotta warriors and horses have reappeared. This is how the No. I Pit was discovered. Later in 1976, No. 2 and 3 Pits were excavated one after another.

How to get to Terracotta Army ?

• Metro Line 1 + Metro Line 9 + Lintong Tourist  Bus 613

From Xi’an downtown, you can take the Metro Line 1 first to the terminal Fangzhicheng Station, then transfer to Metro Line 9 to get off at Huaqingchi (Huaqing Palace) Station. Coming out from the Exit C and walking forward, you’ll the bus stop to transfer to Lintong Tourist Bus 613, which will take you to the Terracotta Army.

• Metro Line 1 + Tourist Bus Line 5/Bus 306

Take Xi’an Metro Line 1 to Fangzhicheng Station. Come out from the Exit B, walk north for a few distance to the Fangzhicheng Bus Station. You can find the getting-on spot of Tourist Bus Line 5 or Bus 306 in front of the bus station, which will take you to the Terracotta Army directly.

• Airport Bus Lintong Line + Tourist Bus Line 5/Bus 306/Bus 307

From Xi’an Xiyang International Airport, you can find the bus Lintong Line at T3 Terminal. Take the bus and get off at the Lintong Campus of Xi’an University of Science and Technology. Then transfer to Tourist Bus Line 5/Bus 306/Bus 307 to the destination.

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Visiting Tips

• The guide service in Chinese, English or Japanese are available with an extra expense.
• To protect these relics, don’t touch them. No flash when you take pictures.
• You cannot step into the pits. Remember to take a telescope or telephoto lens for your camera to watch the Terracotta Warriors and Horses more clearly.
• At the entrance of the site, there are sometimes enthusiastic people who will lead a wrong way for you. These men are the frauds, and you would be instructed to take the so-called shuttle bus to a false “terracotta warriors and horses pit”. Stay away from these persons and ignore them.
• In the East Square of Xi’an Railway Station or near the Fangzhicheng Bus Station, there are some fake Tourist Bus Line 5. The staffs of the real buses wear uniforms with armbands, and you need to line up in front of a sign to board the bus.

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Related Reading:

• Best Time to Visit Terracotta Warriors
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• Master of Terracotta Warriors and Horses May Not be Qin Shihuang?

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Terracotta Army Travel Guide – What We Would Have Liked to Know Before Visiting

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Everything you need to know before visiting the Terracotta Army in Xi’an.

The Terracotta Army also known as the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is undoubtedly the main draw of Xi’an and a main attraction in all of China.

During our 2 week backpacking trip to China, we visited the Terracotta Warriors in a budget-friendly way. Here’s our travel guide:

Is the Terracotta Army Worth Visiting?

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The Terracotta Army is absolutely worth a visit! It is one of the largest tombs in the world and on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987.

It’s one of China’s main tourist attractions and dubbed the “8th Wonder of the World”.

Yes, the place is crowded – but it’s crowded for a reason.

We – as well as everybody we have met in China – thought the Terracotta Warriors were fascinating.

Getting to the Terracotta Army with Public Transport

We went from our hostel to the Terracotta Army with public transport. We took

• Metro Line 1 to Fangzhicheng
• Metro Line 9 to Huaquin Pool
• Bus 612 to the Terracotta Warriors

We paid 12 RMB. The journey took almost two hours. The Xi’an metro is super straight forward and eventually, we also managed to find the right bus stop.

We stayed at Xi'an Desti Youth Park Hostel Bell & Drum Tower and can 100% recommend it. The location of the hostel is excellent.

Other Options to Get from Xi’An to the Terracotta Army

Taxi : You can take a taxi but the drivers are quite scammy so we avoided taking taxis in China .

Bus : Theoretically, there should be direct tourist buses from downtown Xi’an to the Terracotta Army. To be honest, we couldn’t really figure out the system. Additionally, we read about bus scams where buses pretend to be public but overcharge you and maybe even drive you to a shop.

We just rocked up to the ticket office on the day of our visit and bought tickets on the spot.

We paid 120 RMB per person.

We went first thing in the morning around 9 am. Apparently, that’s also when all the tour groups go so it was outrageously crowded.

We heard the advice to go later in the day when all the tour groups have left.

All the major signs were bilingual and we always found English-speaking staff as well.

There’s a but coming… But there was not a lot of English signage explaining the sights. To be honest, there was not a lot of signage at all. And even if there was, it was too crowded to read peacefully.

We absolutely recommend you read up on the basics before you go or hire an English-speaking guide.

There are three halls or pits and one museum.

360 Degree Cinema

We recommend you start with the movie in the 360° cinema – especially if you’re like us and you don’t conduct the most thorough of research before you go.

It’s completely free and bilingual in Chinese and English.

During our visit, we were surprised at how empty it was compared to the rest of the site.

The Three Halls

The first hall or pit is not only the most famous one but also the largest one with more than 3000 warriors.

The best (and most crowded) photo spot is right at the entrance. Turn right to get closer to the Terracotta Warriors. When you take a look at their faces and bodies, you’ll notice that they are all different from each other.

Further towards the back, you can also spot some (surprisingly small) horses.

The second hall or pit showcases some of the actual excavation work.

The highlight of this hall is the statues displayed in individual glass cases. They include kneeling and standing archers, generals, and a horse. The beauty of these displays is that you can get close to the terracotta statues.

The third hall or pit is also dubbed the command centre.

It’s the smallest of the three pits. Here, you can see the commending staff and some horses.

Honestly, most of the information here was in Chinese so we didn’t get that much out of it.

Your entrance ticket also includes the entrance to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor as well as a free shuttle bus.

We had read that it takes around an extra two hours to visit and decided against it for time reasons.

Visiting the Terracotta Army is an easy half-day trip. We arrived at 9 am, stayed for 2-3 hours, and were back in downtown around 2 pm.

This is China, of course, you can eat and drink at the Terracotta Army. There were no bag checks and we could easily bring in some water and light snacks.

Additionally, you can get drinks and snacks just next to the main halls.

And of course, there’s also a whole shopping strip including restaurants and whatnot your way out.

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Sidewalk Safari | Part-time Travel Blog

What's it like to visit the terracotta army + 8 fun things to do in xi'an.

Guerrilla Tourism Defined

Visiting the Terracotta Army by Public Transportation

An Introduction to the Terracotta Warriors in Pit 3

An Active Archeological Dig in Pit 2

Getting the Shot by Applying Guerrilla Tourism Tactics

The Star Attraction in Pit 1

Is the Terracotta Army Worth Visiting?

What Are Some Other Fun Things to do in Xi'an?

1. Eat Your Way Through Xi'an's Muslim Quarter

2. Pop by Xi'an's Bell Tower

The bell tower in xi'an sits in the middle of a very busy traffic circle. fortunately, you buy your ticket and gain access to the bell tower through the underground passage connecting the metro and various points in the city center.  the bell tower has impressive painted columns. when we visited, there was a display of period furnishings and artwork being exhibited. historically, the bell was struck at dawn to mark the sunrise., 3. visit xi'an's drum tower.

4. Watch the Swifts Dart About Xi'an at Sunset

5. Check out the Gates to Xi'an After Dark

6. Have a Craft Beer at Xi'an Brewery

7. Experience the Xi'an Fountain Music Show

8. Explore the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Summing Up: Is Xi'An Worth Visiting?

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Xi’an & Terracotta Warriors | Facts, History, & More

The Terracotta Army in Xi’an, aka the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, is a huge collection of life-size terra cotta sculptures in battle formations, reproducing the mega imperial guard troops of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 – 210BC), the first emperor of the first unified dynasty of Imperial China

In 1974, farmers digging a well near Xi’an, China accidentally uncovered one of the world’s most spectacular architectural finds.  Surprise — a life-sized terracotta soldier! But wait there’s more…much to their amazement, archeologists unearthed an entire Terracotta Army of some 7,000 warriors, chariots, and horses.

The Terracotta Warriors — each with different facial features, weapons, and poses — were commissioned by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang Di , to guard his tomb before he died in 210BC.  Although no one knows how much remains undiscovered, the entire necropolis is estimated to cover over 20 square miles (56 sq. km).

And talk about a thankless job. It’s estimated that it took a staggering 700,000+ workers nearly 40 years to complete construction. Their reward?  To keep the location of the tomb secret from grave robbers, the emperor had all of the workers buried alive!  And I’m guessing they didn’t get overtime pay either.

Today, tourists flock to Xi’an (pronounced “Shee-ahn”, sometimes spelled “Xian”) mainly to see the Terracotta Army but there’s a lot more to do and see in this pleasant city, especially for fans of history.  It’s easy to walk or bike around the city itself, but your best bet is to join a tour to see the outlying tourist attractions (including the Terracotta Warriors which are 20m/30km east of Xi’an).

Today, Xi’an’s status as a hot tourist destination has brought a flood of rural migrants into the city looking for work (and has also resulted in begging and pollution problems).  Still, the city is considered to be one of China’s most pleasant cities as well as the most popular city for foreign students to study Chinese outside of Beijing.

Xi’an is also a great place for buying souvenirs, paintings and antiques (both real and fake).  From Beijing, you can either take a one-hour flight or an overnight train (about 12 hours).

Terracotta Warrior Facts & Histor y

Although the brutal rule of Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di was short, he left China with two of its most famous tourist attractions:  The Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall of China 1.0.  Oh yeah, he also unified China and standardized writing and currency throughout the country.  Not too shabby for a heartless egomaniac.

Although no records exist of terracotta soldiers, they were built over two thousand years ago.  So far, three rectangular vaults have been found and are today protected by giant hangars (for a long while, photography was prohibited although they’ve since loosed up the rules, as long as you don’t use a flash).

Xi’an served as capital of the Shaanxi province for more than 1100 years and 13 imperial dynasties, including some of China’s most important dynasties.  In fact, the fertile plains of Shaanxi is considered ground zero of early China civilization, the axis of power around which the Chinese universe revolved.

The history of the region goes waaay back. Neolithic tribes established the first permanent settlements in China more than 6,000 years ago.  Xi’an — known then as Chang’an (City of Eternal Peace) — is believed to be the largest and most prosperous city in the world at its peak.  During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the city was the eastern terminus of Silk Road — linking China to central Asia and Europe — and considered the center of the civilized world in Asia.

As the destination of thousands of Silk Road traders, the population was unusually diverse, with people from around world, including Muslims (you’ll still find a large Muslim population and many mosques).

Because the Tang was a tolerant dynasty, a creative explosion of different cultural influences were allowed to mix and blossom.  The result was that Tang period was a golden age in China for religion as well as Chinese music & art — including ceramics, calligraphy, painting and poetry.

Top Xi’an Attractions

• Take a stroll around Xi’an’s towering 40 foot high City Walls, one of the Xi’an top tourist attractions.  Or better yet, rent a bike (near South Gate of wall) and take in the cityscapes on the 500 year old walls in about an hour.
• Considered one of best museums in China, the Shaanxi History Museum houses over 100,000 relics unearthed in the province.
• Originally constructed in 742AD, The Great Mosque —a blend of Chinese and Arabic architecture — is one of the oldest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in the country.
• Grab a snack and some gifts in the markets in the fascinating Muslim Quarter , home to some 60 thousand Muslims (which actually isn’t that big of a population compared to the 10 million Han Chinese in the city).

• Located about 2 hours southwest of Xi’an, the Panda Reserve at Zhouzhi in the Qingling Mountains is home to eight non-Kung Fu pandas (and one baby)—in addition to golden monkeys, black bears and leopards.
• Take a day trip to Huashan (75m east of Xi’an) for some fresh air to see one of China’s five holy Taoist mountains — a mist-covered mountain home to several temples a cave dedicated to Laozi, author of the Tao Te Ching.

If you’re planning a trip to Xi’an, you’ll want to do your research on the best ways to travel between Beijing and Xian .

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Terracotta Army | Facts, History, Discovery, Significance, What to See

The Terracotta Army , an awe-inspiring archaeological marvel, stands as a testament to the ancient grandeur of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Located in Xi'an , Shaanxi Province, this extraordinary site showcases an army of life-sized terracotta warriors and horses that have stood guard over the emperor's tomb for more than 2,000 years.

The Terracotta Army Museum in Xi'an is a must-see. This guide dives deep into the fascinating world of the Terracotta Army, exploring its facts , history , significance , and discovery . It also provides practical information for those planning to visit this extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage site. By understanding their story, one can truly appreciate the marvel that the Terracotta Army represents, standing as silent witnesses to the passage of time and the immortality of art.

Magnificent Terracotta Army

Terracotta Army Brief Facts

Chinese Name: 兵马俑 (Bīng Mǎ Yǒng)

English Translation: Terracotta Army, Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Features: Thousands of life-size terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots in battle array

Type: World Heritage Site, Historical Site, Museum, Cultural Landmark

History: Constructed in 246–206 BC, discovered in 1974

Construction Purpose: To accompany and protect the first emperor of China - Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife

Opening hours: Peak Season (March 16 to November 15): 08:30-17:00 Low Season (November 16 to March 5): 08:30-16:30

Location: Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army Museum, 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Xian

Time needed: Half Day

Suited to: History and Chinese culture enthusiasts

Physical requirements: Indoor sightseeing, moderate walking, wheelchair accessibility available.

Who Discovered the Terracotta Army?

The discovery of the Terracotta Army is an intriguing tale of accidental unearthing that took place in 1974 in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. The story begins with a local farmer named Yang Zhifa and his brothers, who were digging a well in a rural area called Lintong.

While digging, they stumbled upon fragments of terracotta figures. Initially, they believed it to be an ancient kiln site, as pottery shards were not an uncommon find in the region. However, as they continued to excavate, they realized they had come across something extraordinary.

The local authorities were informed of the discovery, and archaeologists were called in to investigate the site. They soon uncovered a vast underground complex, containing thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, chariots, and other artifacts.

The sheer scale and intricate craftsmanship of the terracotta warriors astonished the world. The archaeological site, now known as Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Museum , attracts millions of visitors each year.

Excavating Terracotta Army in 1970s

Terracotta Army

For more ideas , check out our Top Terracotta Army Facts>>

What Is the Story Behind the Terracotta Army?

The story behind the Terracotta Army is a fascinating one that dates back over 2,000 years to ancient China. It revolves around the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang , who wanted to protect and preserve his power and rule even in the afterlife.

Qin Shi Huang ascended to the throne at the age of 13 and unified the warring states of China, establishing the Qin Dynasty. As a powerful ruler, he had a grand vision of creating an elaborate burial complex that would accompany him into the afterlife. This complex included the famous Terracotta Army.

The Terracotta Army was built to guard Qin Shi Huang's tom b, which was constructed to replicate his empire. It is estimated that around 8,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers, along with chariots, horses, and other figures, were meticulously crafted by skilled artisans. Each warrior had unique facial features, hairstyles, and armor, reflecting the diversity of the Qin Dynasty's military forces.

The warriors were positioned in massive underground pits, arranged in battle formation to protect the emperor's tomb from potential threats. These clay soldiers were believed to come to life in the afterlife and serve the emperor just as they did during his reign.

The Man Behind the Army: A Glimpse into Qin Shi Huang's Life and Reign

Qin Shi Huang, originally named Ying Zheng, was th e first emperor of a unified China . He ascended to the throne of the Qin state at the young age of 13 in 246 BC. Through political alliances, innovative strategies, and military conquests, he consolidated the warring states into one united empire by 221 BC and took the title of the First Emperor.

His reign marked significant progress in administrative efficiency and cultural unity. He standardized units of measurement, currency, and the writing system to facilitate communication and commerce across the empire.

One of the most famous aspects of Qin Shi Huang's life is his elaborate burial site, known as the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor , located in Lintong, Shaanxi Province. This site is most famous for the Terracotta Army , a vast collection of life-size terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots, intended to protect the emperor in the afterlife. He also initiated the construction of the Great Wall to protect the nation from northern invaders.

Despite his significant achievements, Qin Shi Huang's rule was also marked by tyranny and oppression. He carried out large-scale book burnings and buried scholars alive to suppress intellectual discourse. His death in 210 BC led to a quick end to the Qin dynasty, as rebellions broke out and the country fell into chaos until the rise of the Han dynasty.

Qin Shi Huang

Territories of the Qin Empire

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What Was Special About the Terracotta Army?

Scale and Lifelike Detail : The sheer scale of the Terracotta Army is breathtaking. The soldiers, numbering in the thousands, were created life-sized and intricately detailed. Each warrior has distinct facial features, hairstyles, and attire, representing the diversity within Qin Shi Huang's real-life army.

Representation of the Army: The warriors were arranged according to the military hierarchy of the time, providing a detailed overview of the military structure during the Qin Dynasty. The statues include not just soldiers, but also horses, chariots, and officers, forming a complete picture of the military organization.

Craftsmanship and Technique: The level of craftsmanship and the techniques employed in creating the Terracotta Warriors is remarkable. The warriors were crafted using terracotta clay and baked in a kiln. The use of interchangeable molds for various body parts, followed by detailed hand finishing, allowed for mass production without sacrificing individuality.

Historical Significance: The Terracotta Army offers valuable insight into the military, cultural, and technological aspects of the Qin Dynasty. The statues reveal details about military hierarchy, weaponry, and armor used during that period. Furthermore, the discovery provides a unique snapshot of the artistic and technological advancements of ancient China.

Archaeological Importance: The Terracotta Warriors site is of immense archaeological importance. Beyond the pits housing the warriors, the site features other structures and a variety of artifacts that shed light on the life and reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

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What Are Terracotta Warriors Made of?

The Terracotta Warriors , also known as the Terracotta Army , are made primarily of terracotta clay. The statues were created by skilled artisans during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The process involved molding the clay into different parts of the body, such as the head, torso, arms, and legs, which were then assembled and further refined. Once the sculptures were complete, they were fired in kilns to harden the clay and make it durable. The statues were also painted with vibrant colors, although much of the paint has faded over time.

Make a Miniature Terracotta Warrior

Terracotta Warriors

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What to see in the Terracotta Army?

A. location and layout of the site.

The A rmy of Terracotta Warriors Site is located in Lintong District, Xian, in the Shaanxi Province of China. They were found buried on the eastern side of the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. This site is approximately 40 kilometers northeast of the city center of Xian, formerly known as Chang'an, is one of the oldest cities in China and the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals, having held the position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history.

Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army Museum

Map of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army Museum

The Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army Museum , which houses the main pits containing the warriors, is divided into three sections: Pit 1, Pit 2, and Pit 3 , each with its own significance and exhibits.

B. Main Pits and Their Contents

There are three main pits that house the majority of the Terracotta Warriors:

Pit 1: The Showcase of Warriors

This is the largest of the three pits, with a size equivalent to that of an airplane hangar. It measures 230 meters in length and 62 meters in width, while its depth varies between 4.5 to 6.5 meters from the current ground level. The pit covers an area of approximately 14,260 square meters.

It is estimated to contain over 6,000 terracotta figures, but fewer than 2,000 are currently on display. All soldiers and horses within this pit face east, arranged in a rectangular formation. Each figure is armed, showcasing the weaponry of the time, including long spears, daggers, and halberds. The vanguard is comprised of three rows of infantry standing at the easternmost end of the formation, while closely behind is the main force, 38 columns of infantrymen and chariots. On the left and right sides and at the western end, there is a row of warrior figures each facing north, south, and west, respectively, serving as the flank guard of the formation. The impressive arrangement of these warriors and horses provides a realistic glimpse into the formidable Qin military force.

View from Pit 1

Pit 2: The Unveiling of the Ancient Army:

Located about 20 meters to the north of Pit 1, Pit 2 exhibits a distinct L-shape or "curved ruler" shape, providing a unique and strategic military formation. Spanning 124 meters in length and 98 meters in width, the pit covers an area of approximately 6,000 square meters. The pit sits about 5 meters below the current ground level.

It consists of four units. The first unit houses rows of kneeling and standing archers, ready for battle. The second unit features a chariot war array, offering a rare glimpse into the chariot warfare tactics of the Qin Dynasty. The third unit presents a mixed force of infantry, chariot riders, and troopers standing in a rectangular formation, suggesting the versatility of the Qin army. The final unit includes numerous troopers armed with weapons. Excavation and restoration work is still ongoing in this pit.

This pit is notable for its complex layout and variety of military figures, including standing and kneeling archers, cavalry, charioteers, and infantry. The strategic arrangement of the soldiers in Pit 2 showcases the advanced military tactics employed by the Qin Dynasty. Despite its smaller size compared to Pit 1, Pit 2 offers a richer diversity of the army, revealing even more about the ancient military strategy and mysteries of the ancient army array.

View from Pit 2

Pit 3: The Command Center

With a layout that resembles an concave shape, the pit 3 measures 28.8 meters in length and 24.57 meters in width. It sits approximately 5.2 to 5.4 meters below the current ground level, covering an area of 520 square meters. It is estimated to contain over 72 terracotta figures and horses.

Believed to be the command center, Pit 3 is the smallest but contains the highest-ranking figures. Here, you'll find officials, generals, and a beautifully decorated chariot, providing an insight into the command structure and hierarchy within the Qin Dynasty's military.

View from Pit 3

C. Exhibitions and Artifacts within the Museum

Aside from the pits, there several other exhibition halls that showcase a range of artifacts. These include remnants of the palatial structures, ancient utensils, pottery, and other artifacts that provide a broader perspective of the rich history and culture of the Qin Dynasty.

For more ideas , check out our How to Visit Terracotta Army>>

D.Mausoleum Site Park of the First Qin Emperor and Surrounding Area

Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang

Bronze Chariots Museum

How to Book Terracotta Army Tickets?

To visit the Terracotta Army, it's essential to book your tickets in advance due to the museum's maximum daily capacity of 65,000 people. Once this limit is reached, ticket sales will be stopped for the day.

The Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum has implemented a real-name reservation system. This means that all visitors (including those who are entitled to policy-free tickets and visitors from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign countries) must book their tickets under their real names. Booking can be done through the official website or the WeChat public account of the museum.

It's recommended to book your tickets well in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to ensure you won't miss this incredible historical site. Alternatively, you might consider attending a guided tour for a more enriching and hassle-free experience. Tours typically include the reservation process in their service, allowing you to focus on the incredible history and legacy of the Terracotta Warriors.

Our Guests in Terracotta Army

Explore Terracotta Army with Asia Odyssey Travel

For a complete, immersive experience of the Terracotta Warriors , touring with a reputable travel agency like Asia Odyssey Travel can be an excellent choice. Asia Odyssey Travel offers guided tours that not only take care of the reservation process but also provide you with knowledgeable guides to enlighten you about the historical and cultural significance of this unique archaeological site.

If you're looking to extend your stay in Xian into a longer vacation, Asia Odyssey Travel also offers a range of inspiring ideas through our China tours from Xian . Our professional travel consultants are ready to assist you in customizing a tailor-made Xian Tour at the best local price.

Book your tour today and prepare to be awed by the grandeur and splendor of the Terracotta Warriors.

Related Terracotta Army Articles

Qin Shiuang was the owner of the Terracotta Army, but he definitely did not make those terracotta warriors and horses on his own. Hundreds of ancient potters we...

There were usually three steps for ancient potters to make terracotta warriors. Firstly, make the models of every part of soldiers respectively. These models in...

Like most other renowned ancient mausoleums, there are also countless amazing facts, unanswered questions, and secrets about the Terracotta Army. Even though th...

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How to Visit Terracotta Warriors...

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Visiting Terracotta Warriors - Top Terracotta Army Tours 2024/2025

The large collection of terracotta soldiers, located in Lintong District, northeast suburb Xian, turns Xian one of the world’s most renowned tourist destinations, attracting more than ten million visitors each year, including many world leaders and celebrities. Ancient people of Qin Dynasty took 39 years to built this burial army to protect Emperor Qinshihuang in his afterlife, while currently, it remains as an extricable puzzle all curious about. Admittedly, the large area of the pits, great numbers of different kinds of soldiers, well-laid battle positions, vivid life-size figurines in different facial expressions and gestures and amazing art handicrafts perfectly explain why the Terracotta Army is praised as “the Eighth Wonder of Ancient World” and listed as UNESCO Cultural Heritage not long after it was found.

Most travelers get to Xian mainly for visiting the Terracotta Warriors, to see the masterpieces of over 2,200 years' history and to catch a glimpse of ancient Chinese culture and history during that period. You can fly to Xian from cities abroad or in China, and take a high speed train, bus for arrival. 1 day, 2 days, 3 days or more is all suitable for a Terracotta Army tour. To discover Xian deeply, we recommend you travel the army with top landmarks in Xian and expand trip to Huashan, Luoyang and more destinations to enjoy different landscape and culture of China.

Terracotta Army Xian Location Map

• Xian Terracotta Army Tours
• Beijing+Terracotta Army
• Shanghai+Terracotta Army
• Top Side Trips

Highlights: Airport Pickup, Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Great Mosque, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian Museum

This is the most classic Xian itinerary. Our tour guide picks up you at the airport/train station on the 1st day and drop you off on the departing day - worry free vacation! With 3 days, you can enjoy all the best highlights of the ancient capital Xian at an enjoyable pace - contast impression of the life-size warriors of Terracotta Warriors and the mini terracotta figures of human and animals in Hangyangling; enjoy a leisure stroll or biking on the Ancient City Wall...

Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter(snack street)

This trip is ideal for those who have brief 2 days to stay in Xian but want to explore the history and culture of the ancient capital city. It is perfectly designed to cover the Must-see attractions in Xian. You will discover the amazing history behind the Terracotta Warriors and step on top of the Ancient City Wall, feel the invisible heart beats of this ancient city. You can start this tour in the morning from your hotel, or let us pick up you at the airport or train station if you arrive at Xian in the morning.

Highlights: Snack Street, Terracotta Warriors, Local Family Visit, Make Dumplings

Xian, used to be the capital of China, has accumulated more than 3,000 years' history and culture. During this tour, you will not only explore the solemn imperial culture, but also go deep to the living of local people - see like local, do like local, and eat like local. The best highlight is the unique visit to a local family and learning to make dumplings in their home.

Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower

This Xian Day Tour is suitable for those who are already in Xian and looking for a classic Xian day tour, or those who have a day layover in Xian, or come to Xian from Luoyang, or arrive at Xian in the early morning from Beijing. A short brief day to explore the best highlights of Xian, including a memorable visit to Terracotta Warriors, leisure stroll or biking on the Ancient City Wall, exploring Muslim Quarter and around.

Highlights: Landmark Attractions, Leisure Pace, Bullet Train Beijing to Xian

Beijing and Xian together had been ancient capitals of China for more than 2,000 years. They are two cities of World Heritage Sites - Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors. Visit these two ancient hearts plus a cozy high speed train experience, you will not only explore the long history of China, but also be amazed by the high-tech trains, discovering how the time-honored country is like in recent days.

Highlights: Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Warriors

This is the briefest trip to travel Beijing and Xian two great destinations together. All regular attractions are cut out, only the best highlights are included. There are four fabulous World Heritage Sites covered in the trip. You will also experience the fast bullet train transfer from Beijing to Xian.

Highlights: Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Mutianyu Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Shaanxi History Museum

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Highlights: Pingyao Ancient City, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors and Horses

This 8 day Beijing Xian tour with Pingyao ancient city gives you a quick but full overview of China's ancient city. In this travel, you will be amazed by traditonal Chinese art forms and discover the historical and cultural essentials of China.

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jade Buddha Temple, Terraccota Warriors, Ancient City Wall

This 4-day trip is the well-designed tour package taking you to explore all essences of Shanghai and Xian at a budget price. The comfortable overnight high speed train which usually departs after 10 P.M. will help you save one night accommodation cost during the tour, at the same time transfer you from Shanghai to Xian efficiently.

Highlights: Terraccota Warriors, Ancient City Wall, The Bund, Shanghai World Financial Center, Yu Garden

Transfer in the fastest way from Xian to Shanghai by flight and see the most classic tourist attractions in 5 days. During the trip, you’ll explore Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Xian Ancient City Wall in Xian, see the modern face of Shanghai from the 100th floor (474m) of “the Eye of Shanghai” - Shanghai World Financial Center, also The Bund and Nanjing Road in Shanghai.

Highlights: Maglev Train, The Bund, Terracotta Warriors, Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Nanjing Road, Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda

This tour all about CONTRAST of Shanghai and Xian - modern and ancient, future and past, West and East, skyscrapers and old architecture... In 5 days, you’ll not only learn the Chinese history but also hear the stories about the development of China in the two destinations. After tour in Shanghai, you will take a direct flight from Shanghai to Xian.

Highlights: The Bund, Shanghai World Financial Center, Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Spend one extra day to the heaven on earth - Suzhou during your Shanghai Xian tour. In 6 days, you’ll appreciate different styles of Chinese architectures in Jiangnan Area and North China. Also, profound history and splendid culture will present if you take this amazing tour.

Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Mount Huashan, Huashan Plank Walk

Your Xian tour is not complete without Mount Huashan hiking! You really should spare out one day to take a side trip to Mount Huashan. It is only about 1.5hrs’driving (or 40min’s bullet train ride) from Xian. So take our 4 Days Xian Highlights Tour with Mount Huashan Hiking to quiet down to soak leisurely in the wonderful history and culture of the ancient capital city Xian, and enjoy an adventure hike on Mount Huashan to challenge the world's most thrilling hiking trails, including the Plank Walk now!

Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Mount Huashan Hiking

Have watched the videos of the breathtaking hiking at the Plank-road in the Sky on Mount Hua for many times? Don't let your feet be hindered by the timidity. It's time to challenge this exciting hiking to Mount Hua, only about 1 hour's driving from Xian City. During this tour, you will stay a night at the foot of Mount Hua so that you can get into the mountain in the early morning to get rid of crowds. And certainly you won't miss out the Ancient City Wall and Terracotta Warriors in this tour, the two greatest historical sites in Xian.

Highlights: Airport Pickup, Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Shaanxi History Museum

Xian and Luoyang used to be two greatest ancient capital cities of ancient China. They boast long-lasting history, presence of classic Chinese culture and beautify sceneries. If you are travelling to Xian, you shouldn’t let slip Luoyang. This 6 Days Tour takes you to explore the all the bests in this region. You will not only visit 3 famous World Heritage Sites (Terracotta Warriors, Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple), but also go to hike Mount Hua which is known as one of the most beautiful mountains in China.

Highlights: Luoyang Longmen Grottoes, Xian Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Snack Street, Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Many travellers try to figure out how to combine Xian and Luoyang in their short break stay in Xian, now the operation of the high speed bullet trains make it possible to have a round trip to Luoyaong from Xian in a single day. Our 4 Days Xian Highlights Tour with Sidetrip to Luoyang starts from the pick up at the airport or railway station, then takes you to explore the best attraction of Xian, also take a sidetrip to the World Heritage Site - Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang. Your time and money are efficiently used.

Highlights: Terracotta Warriors,Ancient City Wall, Hukou Waterfall

Xian is a great city to extend a trip to Hukou Waterfall, the largest yellow waterfall in the world. In this tour, you will drive about 4~5 hours northwards from Xian to have a day trip to see the crashing waves and thundering waterfall group of Hukou, rising from 800 cubic meters per second to 1,200. Before the Hukou Waterfall trip, you will have an essential tour in Xian to visit its highlights.

Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple

During the ancient time, Xian and Luoyang were two of the most prosperous and civilized cities in China. There were 26 ancient dynasties setting capital in Xian and Luoyang during, including the first united feudal empire - Qin Dynasty (221~206 BC)and glorious Tang Dynasty (618~904 CD). The essences of both two cities have survived behind todays’ modern outlook. If you have a couple of days to stay in Xian, don’t forget its great neighbor Luoyang. Magnificent Longmen Grottoes, the first Buddhist temple in China - White Horse Temple, the birthplace of Chinese Kung Fu - Shaolin Temple... there are so many things to explore.

Highlights: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Mount Hua Hiking

Traveling Beijing with Xian is one of the most popular itineraries in China - exploring imperial culture in the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and visiting the world famous Terracotta Warriors in Xian. This is how a classic and regular Beijing Xian tour goes. Want to make your Beijing Xian trip a little adventurous? Here is the idea: hike one of the wild sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, then go to hike Mount Huashan near Xian city. They may not be the type of serious hiking, but definitely interesting and enjoyable.

Highlights: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Pingyao Ancient City, Terracotta Warriors, Shaolin Temple, the Bund

Stepping back into Imperial China! The northern China cities Beijing, Xian, Pingyao and Luoyang keep the essence of ancient China culture and history. Start your trip from Beijing, the city of 7 World Heritage Sites. Then take a bullet train to Pingyao, the best-preserved walled ancient city which used to be a financial center for ancient China. After that, you will get to Xian and Luoyang, two great ancient capitals of China. You will also visit Shaolin Temple, the holy shrine of Chinese Buddhism as well as the place where Chinese Kung Fu originated. Lastly, take a flight to Shanghai to finish your exciting trip.

Highlights: Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple

Have an extra day in Xian? Luoyang, famous for Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple, is one of the greatest place to extend your trip. You can take a fast and comfortable high speed train from Xian to Luoyang, which takes only about 1 hour and 40 minutes to go. In this trip, you will leave Xian by train in the early morning so that you will have more flexible time to visit Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple.

Most Popular Longer China Holidays with Xian Terracotta Army

Vast territory, long history and diverse culture make China a great country full of spectacular tourism resources. The Terracotta Army is an amazing cultural relic of ancient China, and meanwhile, China also presents you plenty more awesome attractions and experiences in different places and charms. It’s a perfect idea to take advantage of your precious time, extend trip further to nearby wonderful sites or cities, like Mount Huashan to adventure, to Luoyang (Longmen Grottoes) to marvel at Buddhist art, to Zhengzhou (Shaolin Temple) to learn Chinese martial arts, and to Beijing, Shanghai, Zhangjiejie, Guilin, etc., to make your once-in-a-lifetime trip to China more special, meaningful and interesting! Choose from China Discovery’s top China Terracotta Army tours or let us customize a flexible and worry-free travel based on your itinerary and interests.

Beijing / Xian / Shanghai

This itinerary covers two greatest ancient capital cities of China – Beijing & Xian, as well as the most developed city – Shanghai. It’s not overstated to call it the most classic China tour because China’s past, present and future are all epitomized in the golden triangle cities for your exploration: hiking the majestic Great Wall, walking into the splendid Forbidden City and Summer Palace in Beijing, being amazed by the fascinating Terracotta Warriors in Xian, and seizing the most prosperous and modernized scene of China in Shanghai.

Shanghai / Xian / Beijing

See the best of the BEST of China at your own pace! From the metropolitan Shanghai to the ancient hearts Xian and Beijing, you’ll explore the East-meets-West culture, profound history of the ancient emperors, authentic local life and more activities. Experience the beauty of Shanghai by going to Yu Garden for a stroll, feasting on the tastiest views from the Bund and Nanjing Road and so on.Touch ancient Xian and take stock of imperial beginning at the incredible Terracotta Warriors. Step into flourishing Beijing, admiring the magnificence of the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall etc.

Beijing / Xian / Chengdu / Shanghai

Ever wonder that one day you can look at the cute giant panda face to face? Yes, this 10 days classic China tour offers you the opportunity to have a close contact with the chubby lovely panda – the national treasure of China. As the hometown of panda, Chengdu is charming in the way the local people live – relax, leisure & cozy. Besides that, Beijing, Xian & Shanghai give you the best chance to stroll among numerous historical sites to explore the old history and fantastic culture of ancient China, also witness the vital development and prosperity of modern China. If you want to travel to China with your children, this the best option too.

Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Shanghai

What can you expect for 10 days in China? This tour gives you the bests. With the Golden Triangle Destinations (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai) plus the fabulous river and countryside views of Guilin, this tour leads you to top 4 destinations you can’t miss for your first time trip in China. Experience the stunning diversity and contrasts of ancient tradition and modern fashion, discover the charm of ancient history, and get closer exploration to some of the most beautiful scenery under heaven...

Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai

Want to explore the most recommended highlights of China in a leisure way? This is the ideal trip which takes you to some of the most impressive destinations in China, including Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai, plus Yangtze River region. During this tour, you will not only uncover the best collections of historical sites, such as Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, etc., but also embrace the fabulous nature beauty in Guilin and enjoy a relaxing and luxury cruise on the majestic Yangtze River.

Beijing / Xian / Zhangjiajie / Guilin / Shanghai

When you are planning a tour in the vast Middle Kingdom, it's a great idea to combine both its classic historical destinations and spectacular scenic destinations. This is the trip strongly suggested for you on which you will discover the most important cultural destinations in China, including Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, then enjoy two magnificently stunning destinations - Guilin and Zhangjiajie. All attractions and activities are well organized to a leisure pace in a single trip.

Kashgar / Tupran / Dunhuang / Jiayuguan / Zhangye / Xian / Beijing

Explore the Silk Road on the gigantic regions of northwester China, an almost dizzying agglomeration of deserts, grasslands, raging rivers and colossal mountains, connecting Xian, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar, etc. Unlike the ancient travelers who walked and rode camels to traversing the Silk Road, you from the modern civilization will explore the legendary route in a stylish and relaxing way - mainly taking high speed bullet trains, and also using flights and vehicle, to make your trip more enjoyable.

Beijing / Xian / Mount Huashan

Beijing / Xian / Chengdu / Yangtze Cruise / Zhangjiajie / Shanghai

How do you think of “China Treasure”? I do think it not only means historical and cultural heritage, but also the stunning landscape created by the magical hand of nature, as well as the living and rare animals - Giant Panda. It covers all in this 15-day best treasure trip for your China vacation.

Beijing / Xian / Lhasa / Chengdu / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai

If you have enough travel time in the budget, this 17-day tour is definitely a great way to travel and see China. The tour covers all the highlights of China while letting you discover the splendid Chinese history in the world heritage sites like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the home of the Terracotta Warriors. You will see many lovely Giant Pandas in Chengdu, relax on a Yangtze River cruise ship while enjoying the River’s fascinating views, and ease your spirit and curiosity at the holy Potala Palace in Lhasa and at various Buddhist ceremonies and festivals in Lhasa exhibiting the sacred Buddhist culture.

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How to visit Terracotta Army in Xian (Tips, Photos and Maps）

Dear Travellers，

We’d like to have the following travel guide to remain updated for the benefit of new visitors coming to Terracotta Warriors.

If anybody having used the piece finds necessary updates, please leave a message or feedback. Thanks!

Plan your Xian tour ? For first-time international visitors, having a glimpse of the excavated Terracotta Warriors is a must. These Terracotta Warriors were supposed to safeguard China’s first emperor – Qin Shihuang in his afterlife.

He unified China in 221 BC for the first time in Chinese history and established Qin Dynasty (221–206 B.C.), thus starting China’s over 2000 years’ feudal society.

You are kindly reminded that Qin Shihuang’s underground palace is still there and remains intact though some of the burial sites annexing to his mausoleum have been robbed to some extent.

Why his own burial site or his underground palace still intact? It is said that his tomb has solid and strict anti-grave digging system including secret crossbows which may kill people once you are inside the tomb, and a large amount of mercury which will emit much toxic air within the tomb.

Now the entrance ticket for Qin Shihuang’ Mausoleum is also included in your ticket for Terracotta Army Museum – One ticket for two sites. The two sites are 2 km apart connected by free shuttle buses.

Located  2km east of Qin Shihuang Mausoleum, the Emperor’s afterlife army terracotta soldiers are only part of his mausoleum. These vivid over 2000-year-old soldiers of Terracotta Army were discovered March 24, 1974 by a group of local farmers when they were digging a well.

Now this site of Terracotta army has been turned into a world-famous attraction site, bombarded by tons of tourists visiting this museum. Here we’d like to sum up some useful trips for visiting the Terracotta Army.

Tip 1: How to get to Terracotta Warriors from Xian airport

1. Using Airport Shuttle Lintong Line (机场客运临潼线 ) + Lintong Bus 602 At Xian Xianyang International Airport, take the airport special shuttle bus (running between airport and Lintong) and get off to Xi ‘an University of Science and Technology Lintong Campus (西安科技大学临潼校区), then change for Lintong Bus No. 602 (临潼602路）, get off at “Terracotta Warriors Station”, and walk 330 m to the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. This public transport takes about 3 hours.

Airport Special Shuttle Lintong Line (机场客运临潼线) Departure:Terminal T3 at Xian Xianyang Airport Business Hours: 9:30-19:30 (return service: 7:00-18:30) Ticket price: 32 yuan ( the airport shuttle fare doesn’t include the 5 yuan for Lintong Bus 602 ) The one way transfer ( airport shuttle + Lintong Bus 602 ) takes about 3 hours

2. Using the metro system in Xian First take the Metro Line 14 at Xian Xianyang International Airport and alight at Xian North Railway Station , then interchange for Metro Line 2. Get off at Beidajie Station, then interchange for Metro Line 1, and get off at the station of Fangzhicheng ( 纺织城站）, again interchange for Metro Line 9.

At Metro Line 9, you alight at Huaqing Hot Spring Station and exit from Exit C, then change for Lintong Bus 613 or Tourism Bus 5 ( Bus 306) and reach the Terracotta Warriors Museum. It takes about 3 hours.

3. By Taxi Arriving at Xian Xianyang Airport, line up at the official taxi stand and take taxi for Terracotta Warriors Taxi Ride: about one hour and 66 km Taxi fare: approx. 190 yuan, plus toll fee: 30 yuan

4. Private Transfer Before getting to Xian Xianyang Airport, you can book a hassle-free private transfer from the airport to Terracotta Warriors. Check out Xian Car Rental with Driver for more information.

Tip 2: How to get to Terracotta Warriors from Xian North Railway Station

If you take high speed train to Xian, you will arrive at Xian North Railway Station . Choose the following ways to reach Terracotta Warriors.

1.By Subway + Bus First take subway line 2 at Xian North Railway Station and get off at the subway station of Beidajie (北大街）, then interchange for subway line 1 and get off at the station of Fangzhicheng (纺织城站) , then again interchange for Metro Line 9.

2. By Taxi Arriving at Xian North Railway Station , line up at the official taxi stand and take taxi for Terracotta Army: Taxi Ride: about one hour and 50 km Taxi fare: approx. 150 yuan, plus toll fee: 20 yuan

3. Private Transfer Before getting to Xian North Railway Station , you can book a hassle-free private transfer from the airport to Terracotta Army. Check out Xian Car Rental with Driver for more information.

Tip 3: How to get to Terracotta Warriors from Xian Railway Station

If you arrive at Xian Railway Station and want to go to the Terracotta Army, you may take Bus 914. So should you find the bus terminal? Well, when you walk out of Xian Railway Station , you will enter the spacious railway square, and the Bus 914 is on the east side of the square ( on your left side).

Walk to the east side of the railway square and take the bus 914 for Terracotta Army.

Bus 914: ticket fare 7 yuan and takes about 2 hours ( 40 km with 25 stops)

Tip 4 : How to get to Terracotta Warriors from Downtown

1. metro line 2 + metro line 1 + metro line 9 + lintong bus 613.

If you stay downtown Xian, or let’s say, in the Bell Tower area, you may first take Metro Line 2 and get off at the subway station of Beidajie (北大街）, then interchange for subway line 1 and get off at the station of Fangzhicheng (纺织城站) , then again interchange for Metro Line 9. At Metro Line 9, you alight at Huaqing Hot Spring Station and exit from Exit C, then change for Lintong Bus 613 or Tourism Bus 5 ( Bus 306) and reach the Terracotta Warriors Museum. It takes about 3 hours.

2. Metro Line 2 + Metro Line 1 + Tourism Bus 5 ( Bus No.306)

You may first take Metro Line 2 and get off at the subway station of Beidajie (北大街）, then interchange for Metro Line 1 and get off at the station of Fangzhicheng (纺织城站) . Then take the special bus Tourism Bus 5 (Bus 306) going to Terracotta Warriors . The bus station is about 200 m from exit A of Fangzhicheng (Metro line 1).

You don’t have to buy the bus ticket in advance. Just jump on the bus and later a bus guide will come to you and collect the money – RMB 7 per person.

Be sure to get off at the last destination – Terracotta Army Museum since the Bus 5 (306) is scheduled to stop at several tourist attractions including Huaqing Hot spring , Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum.

Remember where you get off the bus terminal. After finishing your visiting the museum, come to the same parking lot and take the exact bus No 5 (306) since there are some other “fake” bus 306 which eagerly push you to take their buses.

3. By Taxi Take taxi starting from the Bell Tower area for Terracotta Army Museum Taxi Ride: about one hour and 43 km Taxi fare: approx. 150 yuan, plus toll fee: 20 yuan

Tip 5: Basic information about Terracotta Warriors Museum

Located 30km east of Xian, the Army of Terracotta Warriors are undoubtedly the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century. The museum is composed of three pits: Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3.

Pit 1 is most impressive and the highlight of the museum. Pits 2 and 3, though interesting, are not as impressive as the pit 1. If you don’t have sufficient time, PIT 2 and PIT 3 can be avoided.

The movie -360 degrees, the background film, is in English and very cool, which takes about 15 minutes long. It gives some background to what you see with your own eyes. It is worth the 15 minutes. The film ticket is included in your entrance fee.

Tip 6: Opening time and entrance fees

Ticket Selling Hours: 8:30 – 17:00 (March 16 – Nov 15) 8:30 – 16:30 (Nov 16 – March 15)

Opening Time 8:30 – 18:00 (March 16 – Nov 15) 8:30 – 17:30 (Nov 16 – March 15)

Entrance Fee: RMB 120 ( all year round) per person The ticket also includes the entrance to Qin Shihuang’ Mausoleum. Note: the Terracotta Warriors Museum is open all year round – 365 days every year! Children under the height of 1.2m don’t have to pay.

Ticket Booking: Book your ticket through the museum’s official website: www.bmy.com.cn ( in Chinese ) Booking Phone Number: 029-81399127 On-site Ticket booking is ok.

Note: There is a cap for the number of visitors ( limited to daily 8000 visitors due to covid-19 period). But  basically  you won’t have any problem buying your tickets if you avoid visiting the site during National Holiday ( Oct 01 -07 ).

Tip 7: Free luggage storage service

On the left side of the Ticketing Office is the Tourist Information Center which offers free luggage storage service.

Tip 8: How to visit the Terracotta Army Museum?

Rent an audio guide? Hire a tour guide? or Using a guidebook?

Rent an audio guide Rent an audio guide ( recorded guide ). You just pay RMB 40 an audio tour. The voice sounds like an American accent and it is easy to understand and informative.

Using a tour guide service on the spot When you are going to buy your tickets at the ticketing office, some tour guides on the spot will come to you, eager to offer you the guide service. If you haven’t done much homework before you came to Xian. You are advised to hire a local tour guide to guide or translate for you at the price of about RMB 100-150. You will get more knowledge than from a guidebook or the recordings. Just avoid the shopping sites your local guide may suggest you to go.

Prebook a private tour from a local travel agent Half-Day Private Tour of Terracotta Warriors Full-Day Private Tour of Terracotta Warriors

Using a guidebook Using a guidebook to guide your tour in and around the museum.

Tip 9: Walking from Ticketing office to Entrance Gate

It takes 5-10 minutes walking from the ticketing office to the entrance gate. If you pay RMB 5, you take a small tram ride to the entrance gate. In my opinion, if you are in good shape, just avoid using the small tram.

Free luggage storage service: On the left side of the Ticketing Office is the Tourist Information Center which offers free luggage storage service.

Tip 10: Exit from the museum

After you finish visiting the museum and leave for your bus terminal, or in a word, on the way back, you have to pass through an area with a lot of shops and restaurants. This obviously poses some pressure on you to buy some souvenirs or spend some money here.

If you are tender-hearted, and going to buy something to support China’s economy, please bargain!

Tip 11: Some Restaurants Rip off

There are many restaurants leading up to the museum. Some of them just rip you off. So take great care of your money!

Tip 12: Toilets in the museum are free

For the toilets outside the museum, you have to pay. But once you are inside the museum, you enjoy free toilets. They are the same squatting-style facility like everywhere else in china.

Tip 13: Take a taxi to the Museum

It takes about 160 RMB by taxi from the downtown Xian to Army of Terracotta Warriors. Very often you have to bargain with your taxi driver.

T ip 14: Terracotta Army, not Qin Shihuang Mausoleum

If you take Bus 5(306) to Terracotta Army Museum, don’t get off at Qin Shihuang’ Mausoleum. Qin Shihuang’s Mausolem is not much worth visiting since it is just a mound, not excavated yet.

So don’t confuse Terracotta Army with Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum. The entrance for Qin Shihuang’ Mausoleum is also included in your ticket for Terracotta Army Museum.

The Terracotta Warriors Museum is open all year round – 365 days every year! Children under the height of 1.2m don’t have to pay.

Tip 15: Hassle-free Xian Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for Xian guided tours:

Xian Tour Xian Day Tour Xian Tour Packages Beijing Xian Tour

Further Readings

Beijing Xian High Speed Train Experience Top 10 Attractions in Xian Tips for Visiting Muslim Quarter in Xian Tips for Visiting Xian City Wall Tips for Visiting Shaanxi History Museum Tips for Visiting Xian Bell Tower How to Visit Terracotta Army How to Visit Daming Palace National Heritage Park Top 10 Photography Spots in Xian The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall Tips for Visiting Hanyang Tombs Xian The Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show in Xian Tips for Visiting Big Wild Goose Pagoda Tips for Visiting Huaqing Hot Springs in Xian How to Visit Mount Huashan Top 10 Hostels in Xian Best Time to Visit Xian

Any questions, just drop a line.

278 thoughts on “ How to visit Terracotta Army in Xian (Tips, Photos and Maps） ”

Hello! I’m going to the Terra Cotta Warriors today from the Xi’an Railway Station (Beike Zhan) and was told to take bus 266, maybe they have changed it or it’s an alternate route. Just FYI

Dear S. Blanks，

Thanks for your feedback! We’ll check out and update the travel guide. Thanks!

It was mentioned that to be able to get the free shuttle bus to TCW, we need to have the high-speed train ticket on the same day and that we have bought the ticket for the Terra-cotta Army. We don’t have the TCW tickets yet and it’s hard to purchase online because it’s in Chinese. Is there a way to purchase the TCW tickets at the station to be able to get the free shuttle bus tickets?

Dear Peter,

Basically you can easily buy TCW tickets at Xian North Railway Station, plus your high speed train tickets, you can swap for e free ride to TCW. Have a nice trip.

Tudo bem? Estarei em Pequim e farei um bate e volta a Xian. Chegarei às 08:30 na Xian Station (西安火车站) e retornarei através da Xian Bei North Station (西安北火车站) no trem que sai às 18:20. Ou seja, vou no trem noturno e retorno no de alta velocidade para ter as duas experiências. A ida ao museu dos guerreiros me parece tranquila. Minha dúvida está em relação ao traslado de volta (Terracota até Xian Bei north station). Quais são e onde posso pegar as conduções mais seguras/confiáveis? É tranquilo pegar um táxi? Qual o tempo aproximado de duração da viagem? O que vocês me recomendam? No aguardo de suas orientações, desde já agradeço

Caro Eduardo Lopes,

Obrigado para SEU inquérito!Desculpem o atraso de resposta!

Você Pode Tomar o ônibus gratuito de Xian Norte estação ferroviária para o exército de Terracota, e então de Volta para a estação depois de SUA visita.Por favor, gerir o SEU tempo de visita no exército de Terracota para apanhar o Comboio de Alta Velocidade para Pequim.

TEM um BOM tempo!Qualquer dúvida, por favor, envie – NOS um e – mail para [email protected] .

—————————–

Dear Eduardo Lopes,

Thanks for your inquiry! Sorry for my delayed reply!

You can take the free shuttle bus from Xian North Railway Station to the Terracotta Army, and then back to the station after your visit. Please manage your visiting time in Terracotta Army to catch your high speed train back to Beijing.

Have a nice time! Any questions, please email us at [email protected] .

Dear Daniel!

So here are two questions I’m having – we’re thinking about flying into Beijing..spending some time there, flying Beijing – Xi’an..question is: 1) going from the airport to the Terracotta Army – is that a possibility? 2) would be mid-day..good time to visit? 3) going terra-cotta Army back to the hotel, staying a night, flying back to Beijing 4) staying another night/day in Beijing, going to see the wall too – any place real close, which you’d recommend from around the area “forbidden city”?

Thanks for your help!!

Awfully sorry for my delayed reply!

1) going from the airport to the Terracotta Army – is that a possibility? Yes, it is possible. Xian airport is located to the northwest of Xian city proper while the Terracotta Army to the northeast. The airport and the Terracotta Army are about 60 km apart with about one hour’s taxi drive.

2) would be mid-day..good time to visit? If you visit middle of the day, you can avoid the possble crowds of domestic tourist groups ( lunch time). Good!

3) going terra-cotta Army back to the hotel, staying a night, flying back to Beijing Not a bad idea to stay overnight and fly out for Beijing next day. Suggest you take an evenning flight back to Beijing NEXT DAY, so that you have morning time to visit Xian City Wall and other attractions in Xian.

4) staying another night/day in Beijing, going to see the wall too – any place real close, which you’d recommend from around the area “forbidden city”? When you say “any place real close”, do you mean “any sights worth visiting near Forbidden City”? You can visit Jingshan Park and get to the top of the park hill to have a bird’s-eye view of Forbidden City and the city as a whole. For more information on Jingshan Park, please check out the link below:

https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/jingshan-park-not-to-be-missed

Hope you have a good time in China!

Hi Great info thank you

We are just in Xi’an for one night.

We will be staying at the Bell Tower hotel near Xi’an station and we will get the tourist bus from there to TCW.

However we are leaving for Beijing the same evening from Xian NORTH station. Will we be able to get the free shuttle bus to Xi’an North Station with our outbound tickets from Xi’an North to Beijing?

Many thanks

Dear Panders,

Basically you need to change for your free pass for the shuttle bus at North Station. So you cannot have a free pass for the return bus at TCW.

In your case, you may try your luck at TCW bus departure with your outbound ticket. But we are not sure you can get the free pass. Good luck!

I am delighted to read this. I was going to book a $200 tour. So just to clarify we are leaving Beijing at 653 am arriving Xian North at 11.26 am – so if we put our luggage in storage and go and purchase a ticket we can get a free shuttle to the warriors? Would that be enough time? Does the free shuttle apply on the return trip and would I have enough time to visit the museum quickly after the warriors or would you not recommend that? Fabulous information thanks. ALso what would you suggest we do the next day – our flight leaves at 5 pm. Cheers

Dear Karyn,

The hourly departure free shuttle bus also operates return trips. If you can take the bus at 12:00 noon and control your visit time of TCW within 2 hours, I think you can make it on the first day afternoon. The last return bus leaves at 4:00 pm. Be sure to know where to get on the return bus after you getting to TCW ( Terracotta Warriors ).

In case you miss the free bus, you can take the paid tourism bus No.5 (Bus no. 306) running between Xian Railway Station to Terracotta Army Museum. This paid bus leaves at 7:00pm for the last bus. But the bus gets you to Xian Railway Station instead of Xian North Railway Station. Once you are in Xian North Railway Station, you can taxi to the North station. Have a nice time!

I’m traveling with my husband and son. We will arrive at Xian North Railway station on Tuesday, April 30 at 12:47pm. Will we be able to make the 13:00 bus to Terracotta Warriors? That gives us less than 15 minutes to buy our TCW tickets and get on the bus. If we miss it should we pay for a taxi or wait around for the 14:00 bus? Are the TCW tickets the same price at the train station as on site at TCW? I’m concerned that we won’t have enough time before TCW closes if we miss that 13:00 bus. After seeing TCW we would plan to take Bus No. 5 (Bus no. 306) back to Xian Railway Staiton. We don’t speak any Chinese so that could slow us down a lot. Thanks for your help.

Thanks for your inquiry!

In your case, it seems that you have to take the 2 pm shuttle bus. But you can try your luck if you can catch the 1 pm bus.

Even you miss the 1 pm bus, you can catch the 2 pm bus. The final time for stopping ticket collecting for TCW is 18:00. So I think you can have 2 or 3 hours for TCW. For the afternoon visit, you can expect fewer tourists than morning visit.

Have a good time!

Just follow up to my previous message. Yes, the same price for TCW at the station.

Hi again Daniel

Just saw the reply -= someone told me that the free shuttle bus had ceased operating! But I will try my luck. Just wondering if you know where the luggage storage would be and if we would have time to put our bags in storage and get the TCW tickets and then get the bus! Please email me if that is ok as otherwise wont get it as we are leaving tonight! Thanks for this advice.

Sorry for my delayed reply!

There are luggage deposit offices in the station. Please go to Information Center for more detailed information.

As for the free shuttle buses at Xian North Railway Station, we have arranged one of our staff members to go to the station for the detailed information since we have failed to contact the station either by phone or by visiting their official website.

Keep in touch and have a fun in Xian!

One of our staff members was back from Xian Railway Station. Yes, the free shuttle bus at the north station is closed. irst take Bus 266 from Xian North Railway Station to Xian Railway Station. Upon arrival at Xian Railway Station, then you change for the special Tourism Bus 5 (Bus no. 306) running between Xian Railway Station to TCW.

Bus 266 from Xian North Railway Station to Xian Railway Station: about 20 minutes per bus ( 08:00 – 21:00) Bus fare: 2 yuan ( excluding the bus from Xian Railway Station to TCW)

There is a luggage deposit office on the southern square outside the station. 20 yuan per piece. Please go to Information Center for more detailed information.

We will be in Xi’an for one night. We’ll be getting the bullet train from Shanghai and arriving in Xi’an north around 13:22 pm. Will we have enough time to visit the Terracotta Warriors if we get a taxi from the train station?

How much would a taxi cost and will we have to prebook a taxi?

The taxi ride from the station to the Terracotta Warriors takes about one hour. So it seems that you still have 2-4 hour at the museum.

The one way taxi costs about 180 yuan ( including toll fee ). Basically you cannot book a taxi waiting at the taxi stand at the station in advance. Alternatively you can book a private two way transfer from a local car rental company.

We also offer the transfer service. Just for your reference and check out the link below:

https://www.tour-beijing.com/xian_car_rental/

Any question, just email us at [email protected] .

Have a nice time in Beijing!

Hi, Thanks for the very informative guide. I am arriving from Chengdu by train arriving at Xian North at 2pm in September staying for 2 nights before leaving to Beijing by train from Xian North. We are staying 2 metro stops from Xian North train station. The fact we are arriving and departing from Xian North could I I take advantage of the free shuttle bus to the TCW. Many thanks Kevin

Dear Kevin Howells,

There is no more free shuttle bus service going going Xian North to TCW. You may first go to Xian Railway Station where you take the bus bound for TCW. Have a nice time!

Hi! From October 2019 bus 306 moved from Xian Railway Station to Fangzhicheng (line 1) about 200 m from exit A. Bus goes every 5 minutes, from 7 am till 19 pm.

Dear Maria,

Big thanks for your update! Thanks!!

First of all many thanks for your kindness in providing all these useful information !

I an my wife will visit the terracotta soldiers site on Jan 7 2020 (low season !).

I am not so clear about the closing time of the site: in winter it seems to be 4 ‘o clock. Is it so ? And what does it mean exactly ? Last entrance within 4 pm and then you can stay till…? Or everyone must vacate the place by 4 pm ?

Really tanks ! 🙂

Dear Alberto,

Basically the ticket selling is closed one hour ahead of the closing time. That means even the ticket selling is closed at 5pm, people (who already have bought tickets) inside the museum still can visit till 6pm. Please check out the information below:

Ticket Selling Hours: 8:30 – 17:00 (March 16 – Nov 15) 8:30 – 16:30 (Nov 16 – March 15) Opening Time 8:30 – 18:00 (March 16 – Nov 15) 8:30 – 17:30 (Nov 16 – March 15) Entrance Fee: RMB 150 (March 1-November 30); RMB 120 (December 1-the end of February) The ticket also includes the entrance to Qin Shihuang’ Mausoleum.

Your information is really good, I’m traveling from Weifang to Xian and I found all the instructions in this note. I’m now in the bus to TCW and they only charged 5 RMB to the last stop. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Dear Laura Landeo Turner,

Thanks for your feedback! Have a nice time in Xian!

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