Summary
- History of the Xi'An Terracotta Army
- Our advice for a good visit to the Xi'An terracotta army
- - Take a guide
- - Avoid crowds
- - Take your time
- - Knowing that the site is well laid out
- What to do during your visit?
- How much does a ticket for the Xi'An Terracotta Army cost?
- How do I book a ticket for the Xi'An Terracotta Army online?
- Opening Hours
- How do we get to the Xi'An Terracotta Army?
- Where to stay to visit the terracotta army of Xi'an?
Proud. Stoic. Poignant. The soldiers of the Xi'An terra-cotta army have stood for centuries. Follow the guide!
The Chinese city of Xi'an, capital of the Shaanxi region, jealously guards one of the greatest works of our History: several tens of thousands of clay men, representing a Chinese army of the Qin dynasty. But perhaps you are more familiar with this treasure under the name of: Xi'an Terracotta Army of Xi'an. From the soldiers to the weapons, horses and armour, everything is faithful and overwhelmingly realistic. Every relief and detail leaves the feeling of a real life scene. Discovered accidentally in 1974, these creations testify to a breathtaking know-how and the greatness of this civilization that dates back more than two thousand years. Despite China's multiple riches, a visit to the Xi'An terracotta army is a must.
Tickets, rates, advice and schedules, we tell you everything!
Also to be read: The 6 must-do things to do in Xi'An
History of the Xi'An Terracotta Army
Imagine that one fine morning you decide to build a well in your garden. Then your spade hits something. You insist, but nothing you can do, nothing breaks. You clear the ground all around. Still no water. Instead, you come across the entrance to an underground cave. You push open the dusty door. The sunlight enters the cave, the treasure is revealed: the largest army in the world... This is the story of the incredible terracotta army of Xi'an, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Eight thousand warriors fashioned one by one, in extreme meticulousness. Each face is unique. The expressions, even if they have been frozen for thousands of years, are intact, deep and penetrating.
As you wander through the forgotten alleys, you land in the heart of a battlefield erected in the heart of China before Christ. Officers, non-commissioned officers, tank drivers, infantrymen, horsemen on their horses, crossbowmen ready to shoot, stand solidly at your side. When you come to the surface, you barely realize what has just happened to you. Yes, you've just discovered a priceless treasure of humanity: the terracotta army of Xi'an, commanded by the Qin Emperor and built like a mausoleum. This procession was intended to prolong his reign and protect him in the afterlife. These clay soldiers emerged from the earth in thirty-six long years and required the effort of seven hundred thousand people.
At the Emperor's funeral, women, workers who knew the secrets of the tomb's construction and all those who attended the event were walled up alive... in the midst of traps set up to protect the remains forever. Glaucous or fascinating?
Our advice for a good visit of the Xi'An terracotta army
To visit the Xi'An Terracotta Army is to visit the second most touristic site in China after the Great Wall. Might as well enjoy this historical dive and this marvel among the most coveted in the world. To do so, here are a few tips.
Take a guide
If you've never been to China, you still don't know how little English translation and English-speaking locals there are. If it is not essential to take a guide because the route is marked out with a few sentences in English, we strongly advise it if you want to be really documented.
Avoid crowds
Open all year round, ideal to visit in all seasons, the crowds are constant. Nevertheless, avoid weekends, public holidays and Chinese holidays. Moreover, we advise you to make the visit before ten o'clock or between noon and two.
Take your time
Don't just take a quick look around. It's huge! It's worth the effort to walk through the alleys and stop on the faces. Each one has its own expression and you will sometimes have the impression of being in front of real humans frozen in the clay.
Knowing that the site is well laid out
Although the car park and the entrance to the main pits are a few minutes walk away, shuttles are available for 5 yuans. In addition, small carts can be rented between the various points of interest.
The site is therefore accessible to all persons with reduced mobility.
What to do during your visit?
To visit Xi'An's terracotta army, it easily takes two to three hours. Remember that everything is life-size and that the site is spread over sixteen thousand square meters!
It is composed of three pits:
- The first has two thousand terracotta soldiers. Immense and impressive, it will surely give you the shivers.
- The second has a large number of archers, horsemen, tank drivers. It is the most complete in terms of historical information and ornamental pieces.
- The third houses the command post.
Be aware that you will not have the opportunity to admire the whole army. Part of it is, voluntarily, still buried underground. In daylight and in the air, the initial painting of the soldiers flakes and disappears. Hence the current greyish colour. The state is waiting for technological advances to protect the mineral paint to start new excavations.
Your ticket for the Xi'An Terracotta Army includes entrance to the Qin Shihuang Mausoleum. There you can admire a reproduction of the Emperor's tomb. Qin Shi Huangdi, born in 259 BC is a true figurehead among Chinese emperors. He is considered the unifier of the empire of China and the father of the Great Wall. For your information, the real tomb is one of the pieces still buried and secret. It is said that it is decorated with a bronze palace, haloed with trenches filled with mercury, simulating rivers and the sea...
You can also visit the terracotta army of Xi'An starting with a bicycle tour. In a few pedal strokes you can admire the still intact ramparts watching over the old town of Xi'an. This almost fourteen kilometrelong ride will cost you 60 yuan.
How much does a ticket to the Xi'An Terracotta Army cost?
A ticket for the terracotta army of Xi'An costs :
- During the high season (beginning of March to end of November): 150 yuans (about 20€).
- Count 120 yuans the rest of the year.
- Children under 1.20m are free and students have a reduced rate.
How to book online a ticket for the Xi'An Terracotta Army?
You can book your tickets online on tour operator platforms. Guided tours are available, and we advise you to take one if you are really interested in the history of the Terracotta Army.
To visit the Xi'An Terracotta Army, on the official website, you can choose between two options:
- Book a ticket with a simple audio-guide that gives superficial but already precious information(40 yuans).
- Book your ticket for the Xi'an Terracotta Army, directly including a privateguide.
Opening Hours
- In high season: the site is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- In low season: the site is open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.
How do we get to the Xi'An Terracotta Army?
From the eponymous town, you will need about an hour's drive to visit the Xi'An terracotta army.
- From thetrain station or the airport of Xi'an (very well served) : you will also find tourist bus lines dedicated to the site. Otherwise, taxis will not miss. The cheapest option is undoubtedly the bus number 306 from the station north of the ramparts.
- From Beijing: the train is the easiest way to come and visit Xi'an's terracotta army. Express trains (about fifteen per day) connect the two cities in a maximum of six hours. Count between 60 and 200€ per journey. Otherwise, in the low-cost version, opt for a night train (fifteen hours of travel but maximum 60€).
- Concerning the tomb of Qin Shi Huang: it is located one and a half kilometers from the museum. A free shuttle can take you there.
Where to stay to visit Xi'an's terracotta army?
To contemplate the most famous clay soldiers in the world, you have to go forty kilometers from downtown Xi'an.
Our advice, after visiting the Xi'An Clay Army, is to stay close to the other sites of interest in the city and make your visit a day trip. In this case, why not stay in the heart of the historic centre? Not far from the Grand Mosque for example. Or in the Muslim quarter: the most dynamic, colourful and lively place in the city. You can gauge hotel prices on this comparator.
For smaller budgets, you will also find many Airbnb or youth hostels.
Also read: In which neighbourhood to stay in Xi'An?
