A Step-by-Step Guide to Exploring the Xi'an Beilin Museum

Just returned from the Xi'an Beilin Museum, personally experienced and here to guide you through this "Stone Library" step by step.
✅ Key Facts about Beilin Museum
1. The museum's name was inscribed by Guo Moruo, with the core concept being "establishing the museum through steles, passing down history through steles."
2. "China's earliest calligraphy art museum," housing thousands of stone steles from the Han to Qing dynasties.
3. China's largest "stone library," with national treasures such as the Kaicheng Stone Classics and the Nestorian Stele.
✅ The Beilin Museum scenic area is divided into four parts:
1. Confucius Temple Site (including Lingxing Gate, Pan Pool, Dacheng Hall)
2. Stele Forest Exhibition Area (core stele display area)
3. Stone Carving Art Room (e.g., original Zhaoling Six Steeds)
4. Calligraphy Art Experience Area (where you can try rubbing and calligraphy copying)
✅ Recommended Tour Route
Confucius Temple Site — Stele Forest Exhibition Area — Stone Carving Art Room — Calligraphy Art Experience Area (see image 2)
1. Arrive before 9 AM, start with the Confucius Temple Site; the red walls and ancient buildings are less crowded and great for photos, the symmetrical composition of Lingxing Gate and Pan Pool is stunning;
2. Walk from the Confucius Temple to the Stele Forest Exhibition Area, focus on the "First Exhibition Room" (Kaicheng Stone Classics) and the "Fourth Exhibition Room" (steles by famous calligraphers like Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan). Renting an electronic guide device (30 RMB each) is recommended to avoid missing the stories behind the steles;
3. After the Stele Forest Exhibition, visit the Stone Carving Art Room to see the Zhaoling Six Steeds up close (4 originals, 2 replicas) and appreciate the charm of Tang dynasty stone sculptures;
4. Finally, go to the Calligraphy Art Experience Area, spend 30-50 RMB to try hand-made rubbings (which you can take home as souvenirs), perfect for bringing kids to experience traditional culture.
✅ Opening Hours
Peak Season (March 1 - November 30): 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, last entry at 5:15 PM
Off Season (December 1 - February 28): 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM, last entry at 4:45 PM
* No night sessions, recommend reserving 3-4 hours for a full visit
✅ Tickets
1. Adult Ticket: 65 RMB per person (book online 1 day in advance to save 5 RMB compared to on-site purchase)
2. Student Ticket (undergraduate and below): 32 RMB per person (student ID required)
3. Free for seniors over 65 and children under 1.2 meters (seniors must bring ID)
* Combo Ticket Recommendation: Beilin Museum + Xi'an City Wall for 100 RMB (save 30 RMB compared to buying separately, ideal for a one-day tour of the ancient city wall and Beilin)