Terracotta Army
The expectant exhibition, Archaeological Discoveries at the Mausoleum Complex of China's First Emperor, has opened at the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum since Sep. 8, 2024. 230 cultural relics in eight categories are on display for the first time to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Archaeological Excavation of Terracotta Warriors and Horse, revealing the buried history and mystery of China's first emperor. 
Read details of the Exhibition of Archaeological Discoveries at Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum ComplexBeing the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Terracotta Army is no doubt a must-see for every visitor to Xi'an.
Originally the ancient funerary project for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the Terracotta Warriors China are now displayed in a live museum built on the site, officially named Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, showing the life stories of the emperor and the once powerful Qin Empire (221 – 207BC) in those days of pomp and vigor.
Terracotta Army Facts
10 Amazing Facts You didn't Know
Where are the Terracotta Warriors Located?
History – over 2,200 years
When was the Terracotta Army Built?
Chronicle – 246 BC to today
Discovery – by local farmers, in 1974
Who found the Terracotta Warriors?
What is the Terracotta Army? 10 Things You should Know
Why are the Terracotta Warriors Important?
Who Built the Terracotta Warriors?
Why was the Terracotta Army built?
How many Terracotta Warriors are there in China?
How the Terracotta Warriors were Made
How to Repair the Damaged Terracotta Statues
How to Protect the Terracotta Warriors
A Little-known Case of Terracotta Warriors Theft in 1987
World Leaders & Celebrities Who Have Visited the Terracotta Army
How did the Terracotta Army get burnt and destroyed? Why was there little record about Terracotta Warriors in history? Let's Smash the 5 Rumors of the Terracotta Army
Who's the Real Owner of the Terracotta Army?
Were the Terracotta Warriors Made of Real Human Beings?
Terracotta Army Visitor Guide
Day tour plan for independent travelersYou May Like
What to See
1. Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses
Insider's Suggestion: 
MUST-SEE, 2 to 4 hours
It contains 3 major pits tagged in the order of their discoveries and the Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall.
Pit 1: the largest; found in 1974 and opened to the public on Oct. 1st, 1979. There is the vanguard in three rows followed by a massive battle array of infantry and war chariots. See Pit 1 Photos.
Pit 2: found in 1976; 20 meters northeast of No. 1 Pit. It is the most spectacular one for the variety of divisions including infantry, crossbow team, cavalry, and 80 chariots. See Pit 2 Photos.
Pit 3: found in 1996; 25 meters northwest of No. 1 Pit. It was the command post of the armed forces, with 68 warriors and a chariot led by four horses. See Pit 3 Photos. There is also a Pit 4 between Pit 2 and Pit 3, but it has no terracotta sculptures or other relics inside except some backfilled soil, so not open to tourists.
2. Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Park (Lishan Garden)
Insider's Suggestion: extra 2 hours, for slow paced travelers, in-depth visit
centering on the burial mound of Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum, with several Accessory Pits around, including:
Pit K0006 – Civil Official Figures
Pit K0007 – Bronze Aquatic Birds (not open yet)
Pit K9801 – Stone Armor and Helmets (not open yet)
Pit K9901 – Acrobatics Figures
Currently, there are no direct public transport means to Terracotta Army from downtown Xi'an. Therefore, the best option is to join a Xi'an day tour involving this site with attracting service and price.
If you wish to travel independently, please follow the following instructions:
1. Take metro line 1 to Fangzhicheng, transfer to metro line 9 and get off at Qinling West Station. Then take the shuttle bus 617, which operates between 6:30 and 20:30 to the museum. Passengers can also get off at Huaqing Pool Station on metro line 9, and then take Lintong Bus 602 to the Terracotta Army.
2. Take metro line 1 to the terminal stop Fangzhicheng, then take the tourist bus 5 (306) from a roadside bus stop 25-30 meters north to the nearby Fangzhicheng Bus Station, which operate between 7:00 and 19:00, at the fare of CNY 5. It will take you to the Terracotta Warriors Museum.
3. A taxi from downtown Xi'an to the museum takes 40-50 minutes and costs about CNY 150.
How to get to Terracotta Warriors from Xi'an Airport
1. Take airport shuttle bus Lintong Line to Xi'an University Science and Technology in one hour, and then take Lintong Bus 602, or tourist bus line 5 (306) to the museum in 30 minutes.
2. Take airport metro line to Beikezhan (Xi'an North Railway Station), change to line 4 to Wulukou, then change to line 1 to Fangzhicheng, and last take metro line 9 to Huaqing Pool, where you can take Lintong Bus 602 to Terracotta Army.
3. A taxi from Xi'an Airport to Terracotta Army takes 70 minutes and costs about CNY 200.
How to get to Terracotta Warriors from Xi'an North Railway Station
1. Take metro line 2 to Beidajie, then change to line 1 to Fangzhicheng, next change to line 9 and get off at Huaqing Pool. Finally take Lintong Bus 602 to get there.
2. Taxi: 1 hour; about CNY 160.
 |
| Ticket Price | CNY 120; free for children under 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) by a paying adult. |
|---|---|
| Audio Guide | Rent: CNY 40 per person; Deposit: CNY 100 |
| Opening Hours | March 16 to November 15: 8:30 - 18:30, ticketing stops at 17:00; November 16 to March 15: 8:30 - 18:00, ticketing stops at 16:30. |
| Time for a Visit | 3 hours |
Military Formation Weaponry Features of Statues
Stallions or mares are the war horses? 4 Sites of Terracotta Warriors besides Xi’an Terracotta Army Ancient Greek Art Inspired China's Terracotta Army? Impossible! Terracotta Army Boosted the Rise of Modern Europe Top 10 Things to Do in Xi'an Top 10 China Tourist Places for Culture Lovers Top 10 China Tourist Attractions List Learn More Stories about Terracotta Army
1. About the Master of Terracotta Army China - Qin Shi Huang
Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13, Emperor Qin Shi Huang had begun to prepare for his mausoleum. Taking 11 years to finish, the mausoleum is speculated to house many treasures and sacrificial objects. The most amazing masterpiece should be the Terracotta soldiers guarding the emperor in his afterlife.
In spite of his great achievements during the reign, like unifying China, building the Great Wall and unifying characters, currency, weights and measures, Qin Shi Huang was a cruel ruler and his highly controversial deeds included burning books and burying scholars alive. Because of his tyrannical policies, the Qin Empire he established was not so peaceful and he himself did not have a happy ending. He died suddenly during an inspection tour and the reason was still unknown till today. Over 30 of his sons and daughters were slaughtered by Hu Hai, his successor and 18th son. Hu Hai was killed by Zhao Gao, his trusted official. Zhao Gao was killed by Zi Ying, his grandson. Zi Ying was killed by Xiang Yu, leader of the rebel army back then. Finally, the Qin Empire fell only 15 years after being founded.
2. Latest Archaeological Discoveries Nearby
Around the Terracotta Army, there are many other accessory pits of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. Since 2011, detailed and careful archaeology has been going on to the west of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum mound, discovering a total of 9 tombs in a row from west to east. Later starting from 2013, tomb no.1 has been continuously excavated. Recently, excavation on the tomb passage, tomb chamber and three horse-and-cart accessory pits have been finished.
In addition to a large amount of potteries, bronze wares, jade wares, iron wares, and other small golden and silver burial items, the most significant excavations are several carts in different shapes and ranks with different functions. Among them, the four-wheel but one-shaft cart is by now the only one excavated from a burial pit. It has colorful paintings in red and green, and measures 7.2 meters (7.9 yards) in length and 2.6 meters (2.8 yards) in width.
After basic analysis, archaeologists gave the views: The tomb no.1 is currently found the largest, highest-ranked and best-preserved tomb of high-ranking nobles of the Qin Dynasty, reputed the “No.1 Accessory Tomb of the Qin Empire”.