Xi'an · history museum
Terracotta Army Museum (Museum of the Terracotta Army and Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang) (秦始皇兵马俑博物馆, Qínshǐhuáng Bīngmǎyǒng Bówùguǎn)
The Terracotta Army Museum (秦始皇兵马俑博物馆), also known as the Museum of the Terracotta Army and the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, is the museum built around the excavation of the underground army buried to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇), China's first emperor. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers drilling a well, the site covers 22,000 sqm and contains an estimated 8,000+ terracotta warriors, 130 chariots, and 670 horses in three underground pits. The army was buried in 210-209 BCE as a funerary offering to protect the emperor in his afterlife. Each warrior was individually sculpted — no two faces are identical — making this the largest and most detailed sculptural group in the ancient world.
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Quick Answer
Is Terracotta Army Museum (Museum of the Terracotta Army and Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang) worth visiting?
The 8th Wonder of the World — 8,000+ life-size terracotta warriors, horses, and chariots buried to guard the tomb of China's first emperor (210 BCE). One of the most significant archaeological discoveries in human history. ¥120.
Quick facts
| Category | history |
|---|---|
| Ticket | ¥120 (adult), ¥60 (students). Ticket valid for the Terracotta Army pits 1, 2, and 3 and the Museum of Exhibit Halls. A combined ticket including the Emperor Qin's Mausoleum is available (¥150). Book via the official website or at the gate. Peak days — book ahead online. |
| Hours | March 16-November 15: 8:30-18:30 (last entry 17:00). November 16-March 15: 8:30-18:00 (last entry 16:30). Open year-round. |
| Recommended duration | 3-5 hours including all three pits and the museum exhibition. |
| Best time to visit | October through April. Xi'an is extremely hot and humid in summer (June-August, 35-40°C). Winter (December-February) is cold but the pits are climate-controlled. The museum is extremely crowded during Chinese New Year (January/February) and Golden Week (Oct 1-7). |
| How to get there | The museum is 35km northeast of Xi'an's city center. Bus Route 306 (游5) departs from Xi'an Railway Station (near the South Square) and costs ¥7. Bus Route 307 (游7) departs from the Fangzhicheng (纺织城) area. A DiDi from central Xi'an costs ¥80-120 (one-way, 45-60 minutes in traffic). The museum is a 15-minute walk from the Highway 108 stop of the suburban bus. Combine with the Huaqing Pool (华清池) hot springs site on the same bus route. |
| English signage | partial |
Why visit
This is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in human history and one of the world's great tourist experiences. The sight of thousands of life-size warriors standing in formation in their underground vault is genuinely awe-inspiring. The scale, the individuality of each face, and the historical significance (8,000 warriors representing the army of China's first emperor) make this a genuinely irreplaceable experience.
Collection highlights
- Pit 1 — the largest pit, containing 6,000+ warriors in battle formation, discovered in 1974. The original pit excavation is visible — archaeologists still work in the eastern section.
- Pit 2 — the command section with cavalry, infantry, and archers in a more complex formation. Contains the famous "General" figure and kneeling archers.
- Pit 3 — the command headquarters, containing the highest-ranking officers and the only complete bronze chariot in the complex.
- "General" figure — the largest and most detailed terracotta figure, over 1.9m tall with detailed armor and facial features, from Pit 1
- Bronze chariot and horses — the two complete bronze chariots (each pulled by four horses) recovered from Pit 2, displayed in the museum's climate-controlled hall
- Museum of Exhibit Halls — artifacts recovered from the pits including weapons, armor, and the original bronze weapons (still sharp after 2,200 years due to chromium plating)
Tips
- Arrive right at opening (8:30) to beat the massive crowds — Pit 1 gets filled with tour groups by 10:00
- Combine with the Huaqing Pool (华qing池) hot springs imperial bathing complex on the same bus Route 306 — both can be done in one day
- The Terracotta Army is one of the few major sites with English signage throughout
- Wear comfortable shoes — the museum grounds are large and involve significant walking
- Photography is allowed in the pits (no flash)
- The "Bingmayong" (兵马俑) site requires significant walking in the open air between pits — bring sun protection in summer
- Audio guides in English are available at the entrance (¥40 deposit)
- The Qin Emperor's Mausoleum mound (秦始皇帝陵) is adjacent but not open to visitors — it is the world's largest unexcavated tomb
Frequently asked questions
How significant is the Terracotta Army?
The Terracotta Army is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in human history. It is the largest sculptural group in the ancient world — 8,000+ life-size figures in three underground pits — and each figure was individually sculpted with unique facial features. It was buried in 210-209 BCE and remained undiscovered until 1974. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is sometimes called the \"Eighth Wonder of the World.\"
How does the Terracotta Army Museum compare to the Shaanxi History Museum?
Complementary. The Terracotta Army Museum shows ONE specific archaeological site — the underground army of Qin Shi Huang. The Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆) in Xi'an shows objects from ALL of Shaanxi's 13 dynasties. Both are essential for Xi'an — ideally visit the Shaanxi History Museum first for context, then the Terracotta Army.
Is ¥120 for the ticket worth it?
Unquestionably yes. This is one of the few genuinely irreplaceable experiences in world heritage tourism. The ticket covers all three pits and the museum exhibition halls. The combined ticket with the Emperor Qin's Mausoleum (¥150) is optional — the mausoleum mound is not open to visitors.
Does the museum have English signage?
Yes — the Terracotta Army Museum has English signage throughout all three pits and the exhibition halls, one of the better English-signaged major tourist sites in China. Audio guides in English are available (¥40 deposit).
Can I combine the Terracotta Army with Huaqing Pool?
Yes — both are on Bus Route 306 (游5) from Xi'an Railway Station. The Huaqing Pool (华清池) is the site of the "Eternal Spring Pool" (华清池) where the Tang Dynasty Emperor Xuanzong met his consort Yang Guifei, and is famous for its Tang Dynasty palace ruins and hot springs. A combined day trip covering both is the standard Xi'an day trip itinerary.
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