Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum on Postcard

"China's Game Of Thrones The story of the Emperor Qin reads something like Game of Thrones , with hostages, feuding brothers, wars, and the ultimate unification and creation of what we know as China today. Wanting to protect himself in the afterlife, Emperor Qin created an army of 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses made of terra-cotta. The first lineup of soldiers were said to be the "Dare to Die" soldiers as they were quick and sharp like a knife. They wore less armor than the rest of the warriors. This is one of the most massive archaeological finds on the planet and is found an hour outside of Xi’an China. Restoring the warriors was like putting together a complex puzzle— it's really amazing to see how meticulously everything was recreated."

Day Trips from Xi'an

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@afar

"China's Game Of Thrones The story of the Emperor Qin reads something like Game of Thrones , with hostages, feuding brothers, wars, and the ultimate unification and creation of what we know as China today. Wanting to protect himself in the afterlife, Emperor Qin created an army of 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses made of terra-cotta. The first lineup of soldiers were said to be the "Dare to Die" soldiers as they were quick and sharp like a knife. They wore less armor than the rest of the warriors. This is one of the most massive archaeological finds on the planet and is found an hour outside of Xi’an China. Restoring the warriors was like putting together a complex puzzle— it's really amazing to see how meticulously everything was recreated."

The Perfect Weekend in Xi'an

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@afar

"China's Game Of Thrones The story of the Emperor Qin reads something like Game of Thrones , with hostages, feuding brothers, wars, and the ultimate unification and creation of what we know as China today. Wanting to protect himself in the afterlife, Emperor Qin created an army of 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses made of terra-cotta. The first lineup of soldiers were said to be the "Dare to Die" soldiers as they were quick and sharp like a knife. They wore less armor than the rest of the warriors. This is one of the most massive archaeological finds on the planet and is found an hour outside of Xi’an China. Restoring the warriors was like putting together a complex puzzle— it's really amazing to see how meticulously everything was recreated."

12 Experiences You'll Love in Xi'an

test

@afar

"China's Game Of Thrones The story of the Emperor Qin reads something like Game of Thrones , with hostages, feuding brothers, wars, and the ultimate unification and creation of what we know as China today. Wanting to protect himself in the afterlife, Emperor Qin created an army of 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses made of terra-cotta. The first lineup of soldiers were said to be the "Dare to Die" soldiers as they were quick and sharp like a knife. They wore less armor than the rest of the warriors. This is one of the most massive archaeological finds on the planet and is found an hour outside of Xi’an China. Restoring the warriors was like putting together a complex puzzle— it's really amazing to see how meticulously everything was recreated."

Must-See Historical Sites of Xi'an

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Jay T (Cool)

Google

If you visit Xi’an in China, this is a place you simply must see. The awe-inspiring and endless Terracotta Army… Many clay figures are still buried, and each one is being excavated carefully with brushes. These excavation activities even take place in the exhibition area, where you can see archaeologists working. There’s a chance that in the future, direct viewing could be restricted, with only a few pieces displayed in a museum setting. If that happens, being able to view the site in person now will feel like a privilege. The scale is overwhelming, beyond what any photo or video can capture. Seeing the Terracotta Army in Xi’an feels like you’ve completed 70% of your journey. Wishing you a wonderful trip…

Sam Toh (Sammy)

Google

The Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an are nothing short of awe-inspiring—a must-see destination that transports you back to the grandeur of ancient China. Standing face-to-face with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, each with unique facial expressions and intricate details, is a surreal experience. The scale of the site is overwhelming, reflecting the immense ambition of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s vision to protect his empire in the afterlife. The museum is well-organized, with informative exhibits that offer insights into the craftsmanship, history, and archaeological significance of the warriors. Whether you're a history buff or a casual traveler, witnessing this 2,000-year-old army firsthand is a truly unforgettable experience.

MT

Google

Need to see with own eyes. Worth a visit just that not really friendly to non-Chinese speaking tourist. If you have a physical ticket, a ride on electric cart to the museum entrance is free. Else 5 Yuan per person.You can also walk. If booked in advance, just queue to enter the complex using your passport. Scan again to enter museum compound. Suggested first visit is Pit 1, the main excavation point. Then to exhibition hall. That's the main two if you are tired. If still have energy, go to Pit 2 and Pit 3.

James C

Google

Worth a visit to see the clay figures, but it was extremely busy and there were lots of people who pester you to buy souvenirs or pay them to be a guide. Guide prices were offered at about ¥200, but there is room to haggle. I declined, but others may want a guide. The guides I talked to spoke English to a good standard. Souvenir sellers are persistent but, again, will negotiate prices.

Yiran Liu

Google

One of the most magnificent places I have been to/things I have seen. It will only get better over time as well, as they are always finding/restoring more and more soldiers over time. Despite the crowds which can be overwhelming at times, it is still very worth the trip if traveling to or around Xi'an. It seems worth it to pay for a tour guide or at least do what we did, and get the audio guide. So much great information about the history and restoration efforts. One thing I have not seen people mention is the pomegranate juice stalls outside the grounds. We went last October which happened to be pomegranate season. So I cannot speak to the quality the rest of the year, but at that time, it was so fresh, possibly the best juice I have ever had. They generally have some juice bottles already sitting out, but you'll want them to freshly squeeze you a new one. So good we had to buy another round. I still think about how good that juice was even months later.

Raphael Nolden

Google

This is without a doubt one of the most amazing and impressive archeological sights in the world! It's an absolute must see for anyone who is interested in the ancient world. Make sure you go to both the museum with the terracotta warriors and also the one with the bronzes which is up the hill a bit!

Andrew Kucharski

Google

I really want to give this place five stars. I certainly do not want to discourage anyone from visiting this sacred find, it truly is one of a kind and a national treasure. We came in August, which is high season and the amount of people that were trying to see dig #1 was just overwhelming. We should have tried to find the lowest attendance time harder. The traffic between the terracotta soldiers and mosaleum almost non-navigable. We were told about 60,000 people visit each day, wow.

Jennifer Caizi

Google

For those interested in history, I highly recommend hiring a guide. The scenery inside is truly impressive. It’s one of those experiences where, although most Chinese children learn about the Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Emperor, seeing them in person is still astonishing. The scale is absolutely massive, far beyond what you can imagine.

Jay T (Cool)

Google

If you visit Xi’an in China, this is a place you simply must see. The awe-inspiring and endless Terracotta Army… Many clay figures are still buried, and each one is being excavated carefully with brushes. These excavation activities even take place in the exhibition area, where you can see archaeologists working. There’s a chance that in the future, direct viewing could be restricted, with only a few pieces displayed in a museum setting. If that happens, being able to view the site in person now will feel like a privilege. The scale is overwhelming, beyond what any photo or video can capture. Seeing the Terracotta Army in Xi’an feels like you’ve completed 70% of your journey. Wishing you a wonderful trip…

Sam Toh (Sammy)

Google

The Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an are nothing short of awe-inspiring—a must-see destination that transports you back to the grandeur of ancient China. Standing face-to-face with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, each with unique facial expressions and intricate details, is a surreal experience. The scale of the site is overwhelming, reflecting the immense ambition of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s vision to protect his empire in the afterlife. The museum is well-organized, with informative exhibits that offer insights into the craftsmanship, history, and archaeological significance of the warriors. Whether you're a history buff or a casual traveler, witnessing this 2,000-year-old army firsthand is a truly unforgettable experience.

MT

Google

Need to see with own eyes. Worth a visit just that not really friendly to non-Chinese speaking tourist. If you have a physical ticket, a ride on electric cart to the museum entrance is free. Else 5 Yuan per person.You can also walk. If booked in advance, just queue to enter the complex using your passport. Scan again to enter museum compound. Suggested first visit is Pit 1, the main excavation point. Then to exhibition hall. That's the main two if you are tired. If still have energy, go to Pit 2 and Pit 3.

James C

Google

Worth a visit to see the clay figures, but it was extremely busy and there were lots of people who pester you to buy souvenirs or pay them to be a guide. Guide prices were offered at about ¥200, but there is room to haggle. I declined, but others may want a guide. The guides I talked to spoke English to a good standard. Souvenir sellers are persistent but, again, will negotiate prices.

Yiran Liu

Google

One of the most magnificent places I have been to/things I have seen. It will only get better over time as well, as they are always finding/restoring more and more soldiers over time. Despite the crowds which can be overwhelming at times, it is still very worth the trip if traveling to or around Xi'an. It seems worth it to pay for a tour guide or at least do what we did, and get the audio guide. So much great information about the history and restoration efforts. One thing I have not seen people mention is the pomegranate juice stalls outside the grounds. We went last October which happened to be pomegranate season. So I cannot speak to the quality the rest of the year, but at that time, it was so fresh, possibly the best juice I have ever had. They generally have some juice bottles already sitting out, but you'll want them to freshly squeeze you a new one. So good we had to buy another round. I still think about how good that juice was even months later.

Raphael Nolden

Google

This is without a doubt one of the most amazing and impressive archeological sights in the world! It's an absolute must see for anyone who is interested in the ancient world. Make sure you go to both the museum with the terracotta warriors and also the one with the bronzes which is up the hill a bit!

Andrew Kucharski

Google

I really want to give this place five stars. I certainly do not want to discourage anyone from visiting this sacred find, it truly is one of a kind and a national treasure. We came in August, which is high season and the amount of people that were trying to see dig #1 was just overwhelming. We should have tried to find the lowest attendance time harder. The traffic between the terracotta soldiers and mosaleum almost non-navigable. We were told about 60,000 people visit each day, wow.

Jennifer Caizi

Google

For those interested in history, I highly recommend hiring a guide. The scenery inside is truly impressive. It’s one of those experiences where, although most Chinese children learn about the Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Emperor, seeing them in person is still astonishing. The scale is absolutely massive, far beyond what you can imagine.

Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

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