兵马俑
8,000 individually sculpted clay warriors buried 2,200 years ago to guard China's first emperor.
The Terracotta Army is one of the world's truly unmissable archaeological sites — discovered by local farmers in 1974 and now excavated across three massive pits. Standing at the edge of Pit 1, looking out at the 6,000 life-size warriors in serried ranks stretching 230 metres into the earth, is a genuinely overwhelming historical experience. Each face is individually sculpted — no two soldiers are alike. Allow 3–4 hours minimum.
Take Tourist Bus 5 (¥8) from the east square of Xi'an Railway Station — drops at the museum entrance in 70 minutes. Or take a DiDi (¥80–120). Buy tickets online at sy-museum.com in advance — passport number required for booking, and no ticket office sales during peak season. Audio guides in English available at the entrance (¥40).
Opening Hours
8:30am – 5:30pm (Apr–Oct); 8:30am – 5:00pm (Nov–Mar)
Entry Fee
¥120
Address
Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Museum, Lintong District, Xi'an
陕西省西安市临潼区秦始皇帝陵博物院
Book online at sy-museum.com — passport required. No ticket office sales during Golden Week and summer holidays. Arrive before 9am for the best light in Pit 1 and smallest crowds.
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:
请问去秦始皇兵马俑的旅游5路公交车在哪里坐？
Where do I catch Tourist Bus 5 to the Terracotta Army Museum?
For your eyes only:
Tourist Bus 5 departs from the east side of Xi'an Railway Station. Cost ¥8, journey 70 minutes. Ask station staff to point you to the tourist bus area.
Show this to locals:
师傅您好，请送我去秦始皇帝陵博物院，陕西省西安市临潼区。谢谢！
Hello, please take me to the Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Museum, Lintong District, Xi'an. Thank you!
For your eyes only:
A DiDi or taxi to the Terracotta Army costs ¥80–120 from central Xi'an and takes about 45–60 minutes.
Follow these guides to navigate each part of your visit.
Book tickets online at sy-museum.com using your passport number — do this before booking anything else for Xi'an
Take Tourist Bus 5 from Xi'an Railway Station east square (¥8, 70 min) — cheapest and direct to the entrance
Arrive at 8:30am when the museum opens — Pit 1 at this hour has the best natural light and fewest crowds
Start at Pit 1 (the largest) — the view of 6,000 warriors from the elevated walkway is the defining moment
Visit Pit 3 (the command centre) for the most intact individual warrior figures
Pit 2 is the most actively excavated — you can watch archaeologists at work
Rent an audio guide in English at the entrance (¥40) — the history context greatly enhances the experience
Return to Xi'an by the same Tourist Bus 5 from the museum car park
Arrive at 8:30am — Pit 1 at opening has extraordinary light from the skylights and far fewer people than by 10am.
The audio guide is essential — without historical context, the sheer scale can be overwhelming without depth.
Pit 3 has the best individual warrior detail — the command figures are most intact and closest to the viewing railings.
Book bus tickets back at the museum exit — Tourist Bus 5 departures can have waits in peak season.
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 →Big Wild Goose Pagoda
大雁塔
A Tang Dynasty Buddhist pagoda — and the largest musical fountain in Asia surrounds it at night.
Explore →Save all your travel cards, action guides, and reservations in one place — accessible offline anywhere in China.