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

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."

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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Sheldon S

Google

Incredible experience, probably one of the most interesting things I've ever seen. There was a optional movie to start for 70rmb per person, was definitely worth it. Provided a good history lesson before the start of the official visit. Make sure to bring a passport. I don't know if there's a real need for going on an organized tour, most the information is on Google. You can enter and stay in the 3 halls as long as you want. Hall 2 is not very interesting. Hall 1 is the big one, and hall 3 is also very interesting.

Daniel Borg Said (Dias)

Google

Lots of fun. Memorable experience and learned a lot. Had no idea idea that most if not all of the warriors were found destroyed since the ceiling had caved in and we're later reconstructed piece by piece! Also had no idea that there are a lot more that are still buried and left like that on purpose with the hope that eventually we will have the technology to unearth them without losing their color within a few minutes. We met with the farmer who found them and took a few photos. He's very nice.

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…

Achel T

Google

It is amazing and magnificent, we gotten a local guide that speaks English but we could understand her better in mandarin. I feel we could do without guide because there is explanation board in both Chinese and English. Also the guide seems to rush us through and skip some artifacts. We spend almost a half a day to complete the terracotta pits and Qinshihuang’s Mausoleums.

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.

Frank Higwanz Higgins

Google

Great place and one to cross off the bucket list. They did find the site in 1974 and they are apparently still excavating, but it doesn't look like they've done much since the original lot. As it's still half excavated and they've built a load of buildings and a bit of a restaurant town around it lol. Anyway, definitely worth a visit. Really cool to see them in real life. All models are different from heights to faces.

N.a.d S

Google

I've seen the crowds and have read reviews - DO NOT COME IN THE SUMMER hence we decided to visit the place when it was autumn entering into winter. We'd rather it be chilly than brave the throngs of summer people. We hopped on the tourist bus from the Drum Bell Tower for 30 yuan per pax but honestly, taking the Didie is more worth it esp if you're not solo because it's faster and just a few yuans extra (we took Didie on the way back). Prepare to allocate at least 1/2 day for the visit with the to and fro journey. Overall we spent 3 hours in the compound and for me, I felt it wasn't enough. There will be tourist guides bugging you at the entrance, I'm not sure what's the standard price but we paid 100yuan per pax (there were 3 of us), overall, I'm glad we took the guide because there are many interesting infos that she shared with us, not just about the terracotta warriors but China's history & culture too. Stuff that wouldn't be in the audio guide (should you decide to rent one). Pit 1 was the most impressive and massive. You can Google search on where to get the best view of the armies, fortunately for us, it wasn't busy and we were able to see it from all angles from the right side of the entrance (best side). With the guide telling us the story, we were able to understand the formation, uniform, posting, ranking, accessories of the warriors in general. As we moved towards the exit, it was like a journey through time. Next we moved on to Pit 2 and Pit 3 and ending the visit at the newly opened exhibition. We were lucky as it has just been launched 2 months ago. This is where all the information and knowledge regarding the warriors are displayed. Our guide walked us through the important and must see exhibits and skipping those she deemed not too important. After the exit, we enjoyed Bang Biang Noodles, famous in Chang'an/Xi'an. A must try if you want to experience local food but it isn't my cup of tea, unfortunately. I was however surprised that even in tourist areas, they did not hike up the price, kudos. Any advice? - AUTUMN or WINTER would be the best time to visit. The less crowded the better, you can enjoy the exhibit with peace of mind without being pushed around. - Hire a guide and if you have time, do a second round on your own after parting ways with the guide. - A good 3 hours is enough to cover the basics but if you are the type that needs to read everything, add another hour or so (which I wished I did!), the new exhibition is really interesting and amazing, a travelling time machine. Don't miss the immersive show in the end. Must watch! Knock people if you must, get front row seat 😂 Relax and enjoy your visit!

Robert Parfitt

Google

This was a once in a lifetime experience for us. I have seen a small example when they was on tour in Liverpool but nothing compares to seeing them in place absolutely outstanding experience. We hired a guide who sorted all our entries and tickets which I would advise. I would also advise going early as you can as this place is mad busy. Seeing the terracotta warriors and how the pits had been found and also previously burned was a great experience. The work that went into building these and now the work that is ongoing that is about preserving these items is massive. It is a colossal site took us around three hours to get around we show three pits which was well worth it. If you want good pics you need to be able to push your way ahead as nobody makes space for you but it is worth the effort. The grounds outside are also extremely well looked after as we found throughout our trip around China it is clean everywhere and this place was no exception. There are vending machines as expected but you will wechat or alipay i would recommend buying a 5g China mobile card for your trip as we did not we only had credit cards which are not accepted everywhere and also cash which is widely accepted just not by vending machines. It is a shop which you would expect but be prepared to haggle or over pay it is a hard sell start by cutting the price by 2 3rds and work up make them wait and don't be to keen.

Sheldon S

Google

Incredible experience, probably one of the most interesting things I've ever seen. There was a optional movie to start for 70rmb per person, was definitely worth it. Provided a good history lesson before the start of the official visit. Make sure to bring a passport. I don't know if there's a real need for going on an organized tour, most the information is on Google. You can enter and stay in the 3 halls as long as you want. Hall 2 is not very interesting. Hall 1 is the big one, and hall 3 is also very interesting.

Daniel Borg Said (Dias)

Google

Lots of fun. Memorable experience and learned a lot. Had no idea idea that most if not all of the warriors were found destroyed since the ceiling had caved in and we're later reconstructed piece by piece! Also had no idea that there are a lot more that are still buried and left like that on purpose with the hope that eventually we will have the technology to unearth them without losing their color within a few minutes. We met with the farmer who found them and took a few photos. He's very nice.

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…

Achel T

Google

It is amazing and magnificent, we gotten a local guide that speaks English but we could understand her better in mandarin. I feel we could do without guide because there is explanation board in both Chinese and English. Also the guide seems to rush us through and skip some artifacts. We spend almost a half a day to complete the terracotta pits and Qinshihuang’s Mausoleums.

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.

Frank Higwanz Higgins

Google

Great place and one to cross off the bucket list. They did find the site in 1974 and they are apparently still excavating, but it doesn't look like they've done much since the original lot. As it's still half excavated and they've built a load of buildings and a bit of a restaurant town around it lol. Anyway, definitely worth a visit. Really cool to see them in real life. All models are different from heights to faces.

N.a.d S

Google

I've seen the crowds and have read reviews - DO NOT COME IN THE SUMMER hence we decided to visit the place when it was autumn entering into winter. We'd rather it be chilly than brave the throngs of summer people. We hopped on the tourist bus from the Drum Bell Tower for 30 yuan per pax but honestly, taking the Didie is more worth it esp if you're not solo because it's faster and just a few yuans extra (we took Didie on the way back). Prepare to allocate at least 1/2 day for the visit with the to and fro journey. Overall we spent 3 hours in the compound and for me, I felt it wasn't enough. There will be tourist guides bugging you at the entrance, I'm not sure what's the standard price but we paid 100yuan per pax (there were 3 of us), overall, I'm glad we took the guide because there are many interesting infos that she shared with us, not just about the terracotta warriors but China's history & culture too. Stuff that wouldn't be in the audio guide (should you decide to rent one). Pit 1 was the most impressive and massive. You can Google search on where to get the best view of the armies, fortunately for us, it wasn't busy and we were able to see it from all angles from the right side of the entrance (best side). With the guide telling us the story, we were able to understand the formation, uniform, posting, ranking, accessories of the warriors in general. As we moved towards the exit, it was like a journey through time. Next we moved on to Pit 2 and Pit 3 and ending the visit at the newly opened exhibition. We were lucky as it has just been launched 2 months ago. This is where all the information and knowledge regarding the warriors are displayed. Our guide walked us through the important and must see exhibits and skipping those she deemed not too important. After the exit, we enjoyed Bang Biang Noodles, famous in Chang'an/Xi'an. A must try if you want to experience local food but it isn't my cup of tea, unfortunately. I was however surprised that even in tourist areas, they did not hike up the price, kudos. Any advice? - AUTUMN or WINTER would be the best time to visit. The less crowded the better, you can enjoy the exhibit with peace of mind without being pushed around. - Hire a guide and if you have time, do a second round on your own after parting ways with the guide. - A good 3 hours is enough to cover the basics but if you are the type that needs to read everything, add another hour or so (which I wished I did!), the new exhibition is really interesting and amazing, a travelling time machine. Don't miss the immersive show in the end. Must watch! Knock people if you must, get front row seat 😂 Relax and enjoy your visit!

Robert Parfitt

Google

This was a once in a lifetime experience for us. I have seen a small example when they was on tour in Liverpool but nothing compares to seeing them in place absolutely outstanding experience. We hired a guide who sorted all our entries and tickets which I would advise. I would also advise going early as you can as this place is mad busy. Seeing the terracotta warriors and how the pits had been found and also previously burned was a great experience. The work that went into building these and now the work that is ongoing that is about preserving these items is massive. It is a colossal site took us around three hours to get around we show three pits which was well worth it. If you want good pics you need to be able to push your way ahead as nobody makes space for you but it is worth the effort. The grounds outside are also extremely well looked after as we found throughout our trip around China it is clean everywhere and this place was no exception. There are vending machines as expected but you will wechat or alipay i would recommend buying a 5g China mobile card for your trip as we did not we only had credit cards which are not accepted everywhere and also cash which is widely accepted just not by vending machines. It is a shop which you would expect but be prepared to haggle or over pay it is a hard sell start by cutting the price by 2 3rds and work up make them wait and don't be to keen.

Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

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