陕西历史博物馆
One of China's finest history museums — Tang Dynasty gold, Silk Road artefacts, and terracotta figures.
The Shaanxi History Museum holds one of the greatest collections of Chinese antiquities — spanning 1.7 million years of history across 370,000 artefacts. The Tang Dynasty gold and silver gallery is world-class; the Silk Road section provides essential context for everything you see in Xi'an. Entry is free with advance booking. Allow 2–3 hours.
Take Metro Line 3 to Xiaozhai station, or Metro Line 2 to Xiaozhai station, and walk 10 minutes. Free entry but requires online reservation — book at the official museum website (shaanxihistorymuseum.com) using your passport. Slots are released weekly and fill quickly. The special Silk Road exhibition requires a separate paid ticket (¥80).
Opening Hours
9:00am – 5:30pm (last entry 5:00pm). Closed Mondays.
Entry Fee
Free (main museum). Special Silk Road exhibition: ¥80.
Address
91 Xiaozhai East Road, Yanta District, Xi'an
陕西省西安市雁塔区小寨东路91号
Free entry but advance online reservation is mandatory. Passport required. Slots release weekly and fill within hours. Book as soon as your Xi'an dates are confirmed.
You must bring your passport to enter this attraction. Without it, you will be denied entry.
Show these to locals — large Chinese text designed to be read at arm's length.
Show this to locals:
师傅您好，请送我去陕西历史博物馆，地址：西安市雁塔区小寨东路91号。谢谢！
Hello, please take me to the Shaanxi History Museum. Address: 91 Xiaozhai East Road, Yanta District, Xi'an. Thank you!
For your eyes only:
The Shaanxi History Museum is very well known in Xi'an. Most drivers will know it immediately as 陕博 (Shaanbo).
Show this to locals:
您好，我在网上预约了今天参观陕西历史博物馆，这是我的护照。
Hello, I made an online reservation to visit the Shaanxi History Museum today. Here is my passport.
For your eyes only:
Present your passport and the reservation QR code at the main entrance ticket desk.
Follow these guides to navigate each part of your visit.
Book your free timed entry at shaanxihistorymuseum.com using your passport number — do this well in advance
Take Metro Line 2 to Xiaozhai station and walk 10 minutes east
Present your passport and reservation QR code at the entrance desk
Start with the basement level Prehistoric gallery — context for everything above
The Bronze Age and Zhou Dynasty galleries (Level 1) have extraordinary ritual vessels
The Tang Dynasty gallery (Level 2) is the highlight — gold and silver imperial objects are extraordinary
The Silk Road special exhibition (¥80 extra) is essential for understanding Xi'an's historical significance
Allow 2.5–3 hours for the full museum at a comfortable pace
Book your reservation immediately when Xi'an dates are confirmed — free slots disappear within hours of each weekly release.
The Tang Dynasty gold and silver collection (Hall 3, Level 2) is the museum's greatest treasure — don't rush past it.
English labelling is good throughout the main museum but limited in the special exhibition — bring a translation app.
Combine with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (15-minute walk) for a complete southern Xi'an cultural day.
Terracotta Army
兵马俑
8,000 individually sculpted clay warriors buried 2,200 years ago to guard China's first emperor.
Explore →Xi'an City Wall
西安城墙
The most complete ancient city wall in China — 14km of Ming Dynasty ramparts, fully bikeable.
Explore →Muslim Quarter
回民街
A maze of Hui-Muslim architecture and street food — Xi'an's most atmospheric evening destination.
Explore →Save all your travel cards, action guides, and reservations in one place — accessible offline anywhere in China.