Terracotta Army
Terracotta Army · Qinling North Road, Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
Last updated 2026-10-29
By Global Travel Guide Editorial Team
Introduction
The site lies about an hour east of central Xi'an. Metro Line 9 reaches Huaqing Pool, from where a bus or taxi covers the last 5 km; Tourist Bus 5 (306) leaves Xi'an Railway Station and takes about an hour, and high-speed trains stop at Lintong East. Tickets cost around 120 yuan, half price for students with ID and free under 16, covering all three pits and the museum. Hours run 8:30–18:00 from mid-March to mid-November and 8:30–17:30 in winter, with the last entry an hour before closing. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.
Ticket Price
Around 120 yuan adult (includes all three pits and the museum); students with ID half price; under 16 free. Check the official site before booking.
Opening Hours
March 16–November 15: 8:30–18:00 (last entry 17:00); November 16–March 15: 8:30–17:30 (last entry 16:30); Closed on Chinese New Year's Eve. Check the official site before visiting.
Transportation
From Xi'an: Metro Line 9 to Huaqing Pool station, then bus or taxi (about 5km); Tourist bus 5 (306) from Xi'an Railway Station (~1 hour); High-speed train to Lintong East; Organized day tours from Xi'an
Best Season
March–May and September–November for mild temperatures; summer (June–August) is hot and very crowded; winter is cold but has fewer visitors; avoid Chinese national holidays when lines are extremely long
Pro Tip: Book a timed ticket and go with context
Local Tips You'd Only Learn After Visiting
The details official guides skip — save time, avoid crowds, and get better photos.
1
Book a timed ticket and go with context The site is large and the pits are best understood with a guide or audio guide. Book ahead, start with Pit 1, then see the smaller pits and museum.
Member-Only Tips
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Frequently Asked Questions3 questions
It was built as the tomb guard for Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, to protect him in the afterlife. The site was discovered by farmers digging a well on 29 March 1974.
Pit 1 is the largest, about 230 m long and holding roughly 6,000 warriors and horses; Pits 2 and 3 are smaller but show different formations and officers.
They are original, though many were pieced back together after being broken. Each face is different; the bronze chariots and some restored figures are displayed in the museum halls.