Xi'an Beilin Museum (Forest of Steles)西安碑林博物馆
The Xi'an Beilin Museum holds more ancient stone tablets than any other dedicated museum in China, spanning the Eastern Han through the Ming and Qing and gathering masterworks of calligraphy from every era. Fused with the old Confucian temple complex, it is a major center for the study of calligraphy and history.
Xi'an · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Xi'an Beilin Museum (Forest of Steles) worth visiting?
China's largest collection of ancient stone tablets and a mecca for calligraphy lovers, set within the old Confucian temple complex. Admission CNY 65. A must-see.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Peak season (Mar-Nov) CNY 65; off-season CNY 50 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 08:00-18:00 (until 18:30 in summer); last entry 17:15 |
| Recommended duration | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time to visit | Year-round — the galleries are indoors, so seasons do not matter |
| How to get there | Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station Exit D2, then about a 10-minute walk; buses 14, 23, 26 and 40 to Wenchangmen |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Tablets in collection | About 3,000 |
| Earliest tablet | Eastern Han Cao Quan Stele |
| Star exhibits | Huaisu's Thousand Character Classic; Zhang Qian Daizhao |
| Founded | Song dynasty (1087) |
| Composition | Confucian temple complex plus tablet galleries |
| Rating | National first-grade museum |
What to expect
The Xi'an Beilin Museum sits just inside the South Gate and is China's earliest and largest dedicated collection of ancient stone tablets. In 1090 (Yuanyou 5 of the Song), the transport commissioner Lü Dazhong had major steles — among them the Kaicheng Stone Classics and the Huayue Stele — moved to this site, laying the foundation of the forest of steles.
The collection runs from the Eastern Han through the Ming and Qing, its calligraphic peaks including Ouyang Xun's Jiuchenggong Liquan Ming, Liu Gongquan's Xuanmita Stele, Huaisu's Thousand Character Classic and Yan Zhenqing's Duobao Pagoda Stele. The Shitai Xiaojing and the Kaicheng Stone Classics preserve complete Tang imperial engraving of the classics.
The museum is itself an ancient complex: it began as the Confucian temple, and the Ming-era Ji Gate and Dacheng Hall still stand. The layout and decorative carving repay a slow look. The route is straightforward — see the main tablet halls first, then the calligraphy galleries and special exhibitions.
How to get there
Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station Exit D2, then walk west along the wall to Wenchangmen. Buses 14, 23, 26 and 40 stop at Wenchangmen or South Gate.
Best photo spots
- The Great Xia stone horse on the plaza (a museum treasure)
- The pavilion of the Shitai Xiaojing stele (the courtyard's landmark)
- The ancient Ji Gate of the Confucian temple
- Stone lions before the Dacheng Hall
Tips
- Book an expert guide — without one you will only scratch the surface
- Busy in peak season; go in the morning
- Guanzhong Academy is nearby (closed to the public)
- Add the Small Wild Goose Pagoda on the way (15 minutes on foot)
Scams to avoid
- No major scam risks; the site is well managed
- Vendors hawk rubbings at steep prices; the museum shop is the better bet
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Forest of Steles and the stone sculpture gallery?
The Forest of Steles collects inscribed tablets (text above all); the Stone Sculpture Art gallery holds freestanding carvings such as Han and Tang statuary.
Do I need to book ahead?
Not required, but buying tickets online in advance is wise in peak season.
How long does a visit take?
About 1.5-2.5 hours — longer with a guide.
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Banpo Neolithic Museum
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Banpo Museum
A 6,000-year-old Yangshao-culture village of a matrilineal clan — the essential stop for understanding China's Neolithic. Admission CNY 47, students CNY 27.
Beilin Museum
Xi'an's Stele Forest Museum holds China's greatest collection of ancient inscribed stelae — a pilgrimage site for calligraphy lovers. Admission CNY 65. A five-star must for anyone who loves the brush.
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Xi'an City Wall
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Da Ci'en Temple
A Tang-dynasty royal monastery built under Master Xuanzang and home to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Admission CNY 40; a memorial to the great monk.
Drum and Bell Towers
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Drum Tower
A Ming-dynasty landmark facing the Bell Tower across the old city; tower admission CNY 30, drum show CNY 10, combo with the Bell Tower CNY 50. A must-visit.
Grand Tang Mall (Datang Everbright City)
A 1.5-km free pedestrian avenue of lit-up Tang-style pavilions, costumed performers, and food stalls running south from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda through Xi'an's Qujiang district.
Great Mosque of Xi'an
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Banpo Museum
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Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Warriors)
About 8,000 life-size clay soldiers buried in 210 BCE to guard China's first emperor — plan 3 to 4 hours on site plus 90 minutes each way from central Xian.
Shaanxi History Museum
China's most historically significant provincial museum for ancient Chinese civilization — built on the Shaanxi province that hosted 13 imperial dynasties.
Shaanxi History Museum — Qin-Han Branch
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Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
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Forest of Steles Museum (Xi'an Beilin Museum)
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