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Standing on the cave soil, you can gaze upon the traces of history. The solitary Terracotta Army, dating back to 247 BC, has been buried for thousands of years, now listed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" at the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army Museum in Xi'an. It's a must-see for every visitor to Xi'an.
Without further ado, here is a super detailed guide for you. No matter how many times you have visited the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, it will unlock new ways to play the Terracotta Warriors for you.
During the epidemic, it is best to book tickets 2-3 days in advance, choose the date and time of the visit, and enter the park within 2 hours of the scheduled time. Fill in your ID number and name with real name, and enter the park by swiping your ID card.
Ticket booking channel 1 (China-TravelNote channel): You can search for "Terracotta Warriors Tickets" on the China-TravelNote mini program or app to purchase tickets.
Ticket booking channel: 2 (the only official channel): You can search for "Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum" on the WeChat public account to purchase tickets.
Ticket price: 120 yuan/adults 60 yuan/students
Preferential policies: Free admission for seniors aged 65 and above, minors aged 16 and under accompanied by their parents, members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, those with Shaanxi Sanqin Talent Card, active military personnel, firefighters, and people with disabilities (reservations must be made in advance on the official ticketing website)
Opening Hours:
Peak season: March 16th - November 15th, 8:30-17:00
Off-season: November 16th - March 15th of the following year, 8:30-16:30 (recommended visit time is one day)
Receive reimbursement voucher:
If you need a reimbursement voucher, you can go to the south side of Pit No. 1 (the main entrance of the circular screen cinema) and print it at the self-service machine with your ID (printing time 09:00-17:30, reimbursement vouchers are only for reimbursement and souvenirs).
Tips:
1. Don’t click on those “genuine ticket agents” registered by xx company. They will only sell you some electronic assistants for a higher price!
2. Do not buy tickets and tour packages on certain platforms;
3. During the peak tourist season, you must book your tickets 3 days in advance to avoid being unable to get tickets on your travel date.
4. During the epidemic, pay attention to the epidemic prevention policies of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Scenic Area and conduct nucleic acid testing in advance.
Booking a guided tour is basically a prerequisite for visiting a museum, but what if you can find a formal guided tour?
Booking channel 2: (Guidance within the scenic area): You can ask for a regular tour guide at the first and second gates into the scenic area, that is, the tourist service center after the two ticket gates; or there are regular tour guides available at the entrance of Pit 1 of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses.
Self-guided tour options include: scanning the audio guide QR codes at various locations in the museum to listen to the audio guide; or following "Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum" for audio introductions to various locations in the museum.
Tips:
The following channels are not formal, please be aware‼ ️
1. Free tours included in booking tickets on some platforms
2. Travel agencies soliciting visitors in Xi'an Railway Station Square
3. On the bus to the Terracotta Warriors, the "tour guide" who got on the bus
4. Various tour guides arriving at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses entrance before the ticket gate
5. When you arrive at the ticket window, there is a small booth with a sign indicating the tour fee. The tour guides here look really formal, but they are not!
99% of people think that the Terracotta Warriors are Pits 1/2/3, but they have missed the highlights - the museum's treasure, the Bronze Chariot and Horse Exhibition Hall, the K9901 Hundred Plays Terracotta Warriors Pit, and the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang.
Tour order: Pit 1 - Pit 3 - Pit 2 (do not go back) - Qin Mausoleum Excavated Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall - Take a scenic shuttle bus to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor - Bronze Chariot and Horse Exhibition Hall - K9901 Terracotta Warriors and Horses Pit - Take a scenic shuttle bus to the entrance of the Emperor's Mausoleum
Pit No. 1 primarily displays a phalanx of charioteers and infantrymen. The three rows at the eastern end form the vanguard, while a single row facing west forms the rearguard. Two rows on each side, facing south and north, serve as the left and right wings. The warriors and charioteers in the center, facing east, form the main force. The warriors and charioteers in Pit No. 1 are all equipped with bronze weapons, primarily bows, crossbows, spears, halberds, halberds, swords, and golden hooks. These weapons were originally painted, but over time, they returned to a yellow earth color.
Pit No. 2 depicts a L-shaped military formation, with four smaller formations combined to form a vast underground mixed-army army. This layout, characterized by "large formations within smaller formations, large camps within smaller camps, formations within formations, and camps within camps," allows for both separation and integration. Separately, the formations can operate independently, while combined, they seamlessly unite, unleashing the power of multi-service combined forces. Ancient military formations were categorized into five types: square, circular, curved, straight, and sharp. Pit No. 2 represents the third type.
Pit No. 3 is smaller, with a concave shape. It measures 28.8 meters from east to west and 24.57 meters from north to south, covering an area of 520 square meters. Containing 72 terracotta figures and horses, it is generally believed to have served as the command post for Pits No. 1 and 2, known in ancient times as a "military tent."
The ancient Egyptian pyramids are the largest above-ground royal tombs in the world, and the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang in China is the largest underground imperial tomb in the world.
The burial mound of the First Qin Emperor's Mausoleum is constructed from rammed earth, forming three steps, shaped like an inverted bucket with a nearly square base. The Qin Dynasty was a glorious chapter in Chinese history, and the First Qin Emperor's Mausoleum embodies the highest achievements of Qin civilization.
The "most expensive luxury car in history" is undeniable. They moved to their new home on May 18, 2021. Visitors only need to hold a ticket to the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum to visit, and there is no need to purchase a separate ticket. For the convenience of tourists, there is a free shuttle bus between the museum and Lishan Garden.
The main body of the bronze chariot and horses is cast in bronze. Qin Dynasty craftsmen successfully used various techniques such as casting, welding, inlaying, pinning, living hinge connection, mother-and-child buckle connection, and pivot connection, and perfectly combined them into a whole. It is the most complex and largest ancient bronze ware discovered in the archaeological history of the 20th century.
The two chariots were named Chariot No. 1 and Chariot No. 2, according to the order in which they were unearthed. Chariot No. 1, known in ancient times as the Standing Chariot, was an open-top carriage where passengers typically stood. Chariot No. 2, known in ancient times as the An Chariot, was a closed carriage with two chambers: the front chamber was where the driver sat, and the back chamber was where the master sat.
K9901 is a large burial pit within the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum, located in the southeastern section between the inner and outer city walls. Unearthed here are 28 pottery figurines, two bronze tripods, a bronze hemispherical vessel, pottery jars, lead blocks, and oval and square stone blocks. The vivid and unique shapes of the pottery figurines reflect the entertainment life of the Qin court.
Autonomous travel traffic reference | |
Option 1: Take a taxi (1 hour, about 125 yuan/car) | Take a taxi from your hotel within the Second Ring Road of Xi'an to the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army Ticket Office |
Option 2: Subway + Taxi (1.5 hours, about 35 yuan per person) | Transfer from Line 1 to Line 9 in Xi'an City to Huaqingchi Station, then take a taxi to the Terracotta Warriors Ticket Office. |
Option 3: Subway + Bus (2 hours, about 9 yuan per person) | Take Line 1 in Xi'an City and transfer to Line 9 to Huaqingchi Station. Then transfer to Lintong Bus No. 602 to Qin Terracotta Warriors Station. |
The journey to the Terracotta Warriors is incredibly challenging, requiring a battle of wits and courage with con artists. So, I have to share this with you, and please read carefully, because there are not only fake Terracotta Warriors, but also fake police officers and ferry buses.
You need to take Metro Line 9. Never take a taxi or any other illegal taxi. Be careful after you get off the subway. Women may try to get you into their cars and buy tickets. They are fake and will take you to the fake Terracotta Warriors. Ignore them. Don't look at them, don't try to get on their bus, or they'll follow you. The walk from where you get off the subway to the Terracotta Warriors is not that far, about 500 meters.
You've found the right place when you see these two doors! Some people will tell you, "This is a museum, full of artifacts. You definitely don't want to see them. You're here to see the Terracotta Warriors, which are quite a distance away. There are three pits worth seeing, and we'll take you there for 30 yuan." Okay, another scammer. Remember, the real Terracotta Warriors are located in the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. The full name of the Terracotta Warriors Museum is the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum, a large burial pit in the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng. The Terracotta Warriors and Horses entrance ticket includes access to Pits 1, 2, and 3, the Bronze Chariot and Horse Exhibition Hall, and the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum.
Tips:
1. Travel independently and arrange your time reasonably to avoid traffic jams during peak tourist seasons.
2. After exiting Huaqingchi Station, be sure not to trust the black cars that solicit people at the entrance!
Huaqing Palace, a 15-minute drive from the Terracotta Warriors, is also a popular tourist destination. It's not only the site of the love story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Yang Guifei, but also the historical site of the renowned Xi'an Incident. It's also home to China's first large-scale live-action historical dance drama, "The Song of Everlasting Sorrow," and the stunning sunset over Mount Li, one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Guanzhong. The Huaqing Palace scenic area encompasses both the Huaqing Pool and Mount Li. Huaqing Palace was the largest imperial palace outside of Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty. Today's tour only covers the core of the site. Those interested in Huaqing Palace culture should definitely check it out!
That’s it for our Terracotta Warriors guide! It’s sure to give you a comprehensive guide to exploring the Terracotta Warriors, helping you conquer the myriad obstacles and finally check in at the Qin Shi Huangdi Mausoleum Museum, the true “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
If you have any questions, you can scan the QR code for consultation. If you want to see guides on which attractions in Xi'an you want to visit, you can also leave a message at the end of the article!
