Central Shaanxi

Terracotta Warriors Travel Guide

The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor · Pit No. 1 · Bronze Chariot and Horses

The Terracotta Army is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century: three pits of figures plus an unfinished fourth pit, with eight thousand clay warriors arranged according to real military formations, each face different. Standing in front of Pit One, the first impression is more striking than any photograph.

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Destination Details

Key facts

Best seasonAll year round, spring and autumn are the most comfortable.

Suggested stayHalf day (including the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang)

Key highlightsPit No. 1 Military Formation · Pit No. 2 Essence Hall · Pit No. 3 Command Post · Bronze Chariots and Horses

TrafficTake the high-speed train from Xi'an North Station to Lintong, or the East Line tourist shuttle bus

RemindReal-name time-slot booking, tickets need to be secured in advance during peak season

The Terracotta Army is located about 40 kilometers east of Xi'an, in Lintong, on the northern slope of Mount Li. In 1974, several farmers dug up the pottery figures while digging wells, and over forty years of excavation thereafter, a complete Qin Dynasty military formation was restored to the surface. The most striking aspect is not the "exquisiteness," but the "quantity"—eight thousand life-sized pottery figures arranged in front row, main body, flanks, and rear guards. Standing at the edge of the pit and looking inside, you realize this is an army buried for over two thousand years

Key highlights

Pit No. 1

The

largest and most famous pit. After entering the museum, you walk around the edge of the pit, first viewing the depth of the entire formation from the side, then heading to the front to see the three rows of armor. The pottery figurines originally had paintings, but after being unearthed and exposed to air, they quickly oxidized and peeled off. The earthy yellow you see now is the 'faded appearance.' The museum has a dedicated mural protection area to explain this

Pit No. 2 and the Essence Hall

Pit 2 is a mixed mix of crossbowmen, cavalry, and chariots, making excavation difficult and still ongoing. The adjacent Highlights Hall displays the best-preserved figures such as kneeling archers, standing archers, and general figures, perfect for close viewing of hair buns, armor plates, and shoe soles

Bronze Chariot and Horse Pavilion

Many people leave after seeing the pit, but the bronze chariot and horse is actually underrated: two bronze chariots and horses made at half the size of a real person's chariot and horse, with movable umbrellas, reins, and harnesses, far exceeding the standards of the same period. It's recommended to stay for 40 minutes

Suggested traffic flow

Half-day version: Pit 1 → Pit 2 → Pit 3 → Bronze Carriage Hall, about 3 hours
One-day version: Terracotta Warriors in the morning, Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum (including the K0007 burial pit) in the afternoon, return to the city in the evening
Together with Huaqing Pool, it belongs to Lintong and can be combined into a one-day eastern route tour

Local reminder

Real-name time-based reservations across the entire internet; tickets are basically not available on peak season days, so be sure to advance early
The museum area is large, and there's still some distance from the entrance to the figurine pit. Wear comfortable shoes
Explanations are very necessary; otherwise, it's easy to just watch the excitement; On-site audio guides and manual explanations are both convenient
and selfie sticks are strictly prohibited inside the pit