Terracotta Army, Xi’an
A calm, honest look at what it’s like to visit
I visited the Terracotta Army on my first trip to Xi’an and it left a real impression. Seeing hundreds of life-size clay soldiers lined up underground was unlike anything else I’d seen. At the same time, the site around it felt busy, and most of what you walk through isn’t as striking unless you really care about history or archaeology.
What to expect before you go
The Terracotta Army site is part of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum. It’s open every day of the year. In general, opening times are around 08:30 to late afternoon (hours vary a bit by season; in peak months the site stays open later, and in winter the last entry is earlier).
Tickets for foreign visitors are typically about ¥120 (CNY) for adults. Students with valid ID usually pay about half if you qualify.
You can buy your ticket online in advance or directly at the ticket office when you arrive. If you pick up tickets on the day, bring your passport, as you need it to exchange for a paper ticket at the museum. On busy days, lines at the ticket windows can be long, so booking ahead makes the day smoother.
Getting there and timing
The Terracotta Army is about 40–45 km east of Xi’an’s city centre. You can get there by taxi, ride-hailing, or public buses from central Xi’an. A taxi or ride-hail from near the city wall took me about 50 minutes and cost maybe ¥100–¥150 one way, which felt reasonable given the distance. Viator
Once you’re on site, I’d plan about 2–3 hours for the visit if you’re seeing the main pits and walking at a relaxed pace. The underground pits are what most people come for. Pit 1 is the largest and most impressive. Pits 2 and 3 show different aspects of the excavation and restoration but are smaller.
What it actually feels like
When I was there it was crowded. A lot of tours and groups come through, especially around midday. It’s worth arriving early if you prefer a quieter experience.
The first time you walk into Pit 1 it really hits you. Seeing rows of figures that are nearly life-size with individual faces is something I hadn’t imagined. For me that was the highlight.
Once you’ve seen Pit 1, the rest of the complex feels a bit like walking through a big archaeological campus. If you’re particularly into history or the archaeology process, you’ll enjoy wandering the other pits and exhibition halls. If not, you might find yourself ready to move on after an hour or so.
One fun bit that wasn’t expected was seeing the full-size replicas outside and small shops where you can buy your own clay warrior model.
At the entrance
Outside the entrance there are quite a few people trying to sell tours, guides, and different add-ons. Some of them are fairly persistent. If you already have a ticket or plan to visit on your own, you can just say no and keep walking. Once you are inside the museum area, it feels much calmer.
Practical tips
- Buy in advance: Even if you plan to pick up tickets on site, having a confirmed slot cuts down stress and waiting time.
- Early start: The site gets busy. Starting earlier in the morning made it feel less rushed.
- Comfortable shoes: You walk a lot of flat, open pathways. It’s not difficult terrain, just a lot of it.
- Passport ready: Prepare your passport for ticketing and entry checks.
If you’re curious about ancient history and don’t mind a bit of a crowd, the Terracotta Army is worth the trip from Xi’an. If you’re more interested in calm, unhurried cultural sites, plan accordingly and give yourself time to step away once you’ve seen the main pits.
