Xi'an Terracotta Army Guide (2026): Hours, Tours & Tips

[1] Xi'an Terracotta Army Tour Review | Korean-Speaking Guide Tour Price Comparison & 6 Things to Check Before Booking | Xi'an, China Independent Travelblog.naver.com

3. From Xi'an City to the Terracotta Army: Our Actual Journey

From Xi'an city center's Bell Tower or the Grand Tang Dynasty Everbright City to Lintong, Xi'an, where the Terracotta Army is located, it usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

However, since we stayed at Angsana Lintong Xi'an Hotel, which is right nearby, it only took us about 20 minutes! Super convenient!

Saved some taxi fare, too!

For our Xi'an Terracotta Army guided tour, we arranged to meet our guide in front of the Qin Shi Huang statue, right at the entrance to the Terracotta Army pits.

We met them much more easily than expected, and our guide even took photos for us!

My pose though, what was I thinking?!

Even with a private guide, we had to purchase our admission tickets ourselves, so we showed our pre-purchased tickets and passports to enter.

Actually, there weren't many people at the Terracotta Army that day, but at the entrance, innocent Koreans (like us!) were exclaiming, "Oh my, so many people!" as we went in.

2026 Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum Ticket Discounts, Opening Hours, Reviews | Trip.com3ha.in

This is the ticket you'll need for the Terracotta Army.

(Recommended to purchase in advance, as same-day tickets might not be available.)

2. Detailed Review of the Xi'an Terracotta Army Pits

4. An Army from 2,000 Years Ago, Discovered While Digging a Well

Terracotta Army Pits (兵馬俑坑)

: Pit 1: The Endless Army,

Do you know how the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army pits were discovered?

It was in 1974 when, not a farmer as often thought, but

Yang Zhifa and his fellow villagers, while digging a well, discovered the terracotta figures of the Terracotta Army pits and reported them to the government!

At the time, there are rumors that he received a tiller as compensation,

and also rumors that he received 30 yuan.

That grandfather wearing glasses is the original discoverer of the Terracotta Army.

Anyway, one thing's for sure, after that, it's said he made a lot of money by signing books like that.

The Terracotta Army is essentially a 'post-death world army' accompanying Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang, having conquered many nations in life,

wanted to recreate his empire underground so he could continue to rule as emperor even after death.

But ironically, in reality, the Qin Dynasty is said to have collapsed just a few years after his death...

The term 'Byeongmayong' itself means 'terracotta',

referring to burial objects of soldiers and horses made and baked from clay.

The character 'yong' (俑) refers to a figurine made in the likeness of a person.

Life-sized soldiers are arranged in battle formation, holding weapons.

There are not only infantry, but also archers, cavalry, and soldiers associated with chariots,

so it's closer to a complete representation of the army's entire organization rather than just "thousands of soldier statues."

The Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army pits we see are comprised of:

the largest Pit 1,

Pits 2 and 3, and the museum (which was likely built later, right?).

First, our Terracotta Army guide (for dramatic effect, perhaps?)

led us into the largest Pit 1 of the Terracotta Army.

Pit 1 is truly massive, roughly the size of two football fields combined.

It's primarily infantry, mixed with chariot units pulled by horses.

In other words, these are the ones standing at the forefront of battle.

Terracotta warriors, all around 190cm tall and each with unique features, stand row upon row,

filling that vast space.

And there are horses interspersed among them.

Inside this massive Pit 1, lifelike terracotta figures and horses, each with a different face,

packed the space tightly.

On this day, there weren't (relatively) many people at the Terracotta Army,

so walking around and viewing everything was incredibly easy.

And our Terracotta Army guide continued to lead the way at the very front,

clearing a path (?) for us to get a good view,

so we always got to see everything from the best spots right at the front.

Was it two weeks ago, or a month ago, for China's National Day holiday?

I heard how many people entered in just one day...

I don't remember the exact number, but apparently, the Terracotta Army pits were incredibly crowded,

and it was truly an exhausting sight.

Seriously, avoid traveling to China during National Day... no, no, just don't...

At the front, just like we first saw, stood the fully restored and assembled Terracotta Warriors. But as we ventured further back, we encountered sights like these.

Having withstood the test of time, the Terracotta Warriors weren't perfectly excavated, standing upright. Most were discovered fallen and broken. So, through a meticulous process of piecing them together and restoring them one by one, each warrior is resurrected into its complete form.

Also, because the inside of the Terracotta Army pits is exposed to room temperature and air, the colors can easily change and deviate from their original state. That's why some are wrapped like this.

In the middle, you can see those boxes, and some warriors are even stored in temporary structures.

It's truly incredible that all of this is done meticulously by hand, one piece at a time. It made me realize that even if they were to open more pits, they probably wouldn't be able to restore everything anyway.

How on earth did the people of the Qin Dynasty create all of this to begin with, I wonder...

These soldiers are quite tall, ranging from 184-197 cm. According to our tour guide, Emperor Qin Shi Huang himself was very tall and well-built, and he preferred to recruit only tall men for his army. At first, I wondered if they just made them a bit larger since they were baked from clay, but...

Back then, stirrups for mounting horses hadn't been invented yet, so to swiftly hop onto a horse in battle, you genuinely had to be tall – believe it or not! (Though I doubt they were the ancestors of today's Xi'an people... perhaps more northerly Chinese? Because I only saw one or two Chinese people who looked around 190cm at the Terracotta Army Pits... My mom and I even whispered, "Could *that* guy be a descendant of the Qin Dynasty?" as he walked past, haha!)

What's truly astonishing is that each of these terracotta soldiers has a unique facial expression, hairstyle, attire, and overall appearance.

So, there are rumors that they were all modeled after real people, perhaps even with real individuals inside, and then baked? However, when the Terracotta Warriors were scanned and examined, no human bones or traces of humans were found. This means they are truly pure terracotta, made entirely of clay.

And while each one is unique, it's believed that there were about six different types of molds for the heads, bodies, and legs. They would combine pieces made from these various molds, and then the more detailed parts were individually modified.

The reason they had to be made with such incredible detail and skill is that the Qin Dynasty had an extremely strict system of rewards and punishments. If an artisan failed to create something properly, they would face severe penalties. So scary!

A Thousand Years of History: Qin Shi Huang's Terracotta Army + Huaqing Palace 1-Day Tour3ha.in

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5. Detailed Exploration of Pits 2 & 3 and the Museum

While Pit 1 was large and centered around infantry at the forefront,

Pits 2 and 3 are physically smaller than Pit 1,

you can see soldiers of higher status and rank.

Terracotta Army Pit 2 is an area where various military branches, such as archers, cavalry, and chariots, are combined.

You can observe differences in posture and equipment according to their military roles.

There are even Terracotta warriors posed in a sitting position, ready to shoot arrows.

And their clothing also appears quite diverse.

​

Pit 3 contains Terracotta warriors of slightly higher rank.

They say the more ribbons there are on the back of their uniforms, the higher their status.

Even the horses were crafted incredibly realistically.

Our Terracotta Army tour guide asked us if this horse was male or female,

and since there were no genitals visible from behind,

I naturally assumed it was female.

But surprisingly...!!!!

to prevent any mishaps of it approaching mares,

it had been castrated!

This detail was the most shocking, and honestly, I think it's the only thing I'll remember about this visit in 10 years...

For groups like ours, the Terracotta Army guide

would walk ahead, carrying a flag,

while people followed behind, listening to explanations through earphones.

Occasionally, we'd spot a tour member who had gotten lost along the way..

[Family Trip ★ Recommended] Terracotta Army, Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, Huaqing Palace Private Tour Just for Us3ha.in

But did you know this...?

The Terracotta Army pits are not Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb itself,

but rather

just a very small part of his mausoleum.

​

The Terracotta Army exhibition hall is an auxiliary facility belonging to the entire Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang,

The central burial mound where the emperor is interred and the Terracotta Army pits are about 1.5 km apart.

Think of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum not as a tomb containing a single coffin,

but as a colossal funerary complex equipped with palaces and various facilities.

Besides soldiers, artifacts like figurines of officials and acrobats, and bronze water birds have been discovered.

In essence, it's easier to understand it as an underground palace modeled after the emperor's royal residence during his lifetime.

Currently, other parts of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum remain unexcavated,

with only Pits 1, 2, and 3 having been fully unearthed.

Even there, archaeologists are painstakingly restoring the collapsed and broken terracotta figures

one by one, they say.

But they won't even finish by retirement, making it quite the 'cushy' job!

Pit 4, however, is incomplete.

The other tombs, meanwhile, remain unopened.

Why aren't they opened?

Because the moment a tomb is opened,

contact with oxygen causes all the colors to fade,

altering their original state.

Plus, there's a rumor that mercury is underground (and the surrounding soil actually has a high mercury content!).

So, for safety and the preservation of historical relics,

they're waiting until future generations have better technology

to restore the rest...

But if these massive Terracotta Army Pits 1, 2, and 3

are truly just a small fraction of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb,

then just how immense is the entire mausoleum,

and how many more artifacts could there be?

2026 Emperor Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army Museum Ticket Discounts, Operating Hours, Reviews | Trip.com3ha.in

6. The Terracotta Army Museum

Right next door, you'll also find the Terracotta Army Artifact Exhibition Hall (which is essentially the museum)!

Bronze Weapons Still Sharp After 2,000 Years

Even after 2,000 years, the bronze weapons discovered in the soil are preserved without rusting.

To prevent bronze from rusting like this, chromate treatment is usually required –

a technique invented in the West two millennia later.

This led to speculation: did the Qin Dynasty develop chromium treatment technology 2,000 years ahead of the West?

However,

a 2019 study revealed that the chromium wasn't an intentional anti-rust treatment, but rather

transferred to the weapon surfaces from nearby lacquered handles and scabbards.

Beyond the Terracotta Army figures, this place also

exhibits other artifacts discovered alongside them.

You'll find relics shaped like cranes and ducks, modeled after Emperor Qin Shi Huang's beloved pets during his lifetime,

among many other diverse treasures.

​

​

7. The More I Learned About the Terracotta Army, the More I Saw

​

Since it wasn't a crowded day,

touring Pits 1, 2, 3, and the Terracotta Army Museum with our tour guide, listening to all the explanations,

felt like just 2 hours flew by.

Perhaps because it wasn't a super busy day,

it was a huge relief not to feel drained or utterly exhausted!

We had specifically requested a private tour focusing solely on the Terracotta Army,

so

our Terracotta Army exploration concluded right there!

Honestly, coming to Xi'an,

I truly believe choosing a private Terracotta Army tour instead of skipping it or vaguely relying on an audio guide

was one of the best decisions ever!!!!

Being able to focus so intently and learn all the unique behind-the-scenes stories made the experience incredibly immersive and

far more engaging.

You can find tips on [How to Choose Your Xi'an Terracotta Army Tour] in the post below.

[1] Xi'an Terracotta Army Tour Review | Korean Guide Tour Price Comparison & 6 Things to Check Before Booking | China Xi'an Independent Travelblog.naver.com

Visiting the Xi'an Terracotta Army Pits is also a comfortable experience for traveling with parents.

We didn't end up walking as much as I expected!

However, since it's a route where you'll be standing for more than two hours, I definitely recommend wearing comfortable shoes

(like sneakers!).

You can bring regular bottled water inside. (Though I'm not sure if you can drink it actually inside the pits/museum.)

It's also a good idea to pack small snacks like chocolate in your bag.

It's great to have something to refuel with during breaks in the outdoor spaces between the different Terracotta Army pits while listening to explanations!

(Just remember not to eat inside the actual Terracotta Army pits or the museum.)

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8. Capturing Souvenir Photos at Xi'an Terracotta Army & Souvenir Shop, Souvenir Recommendations

⭐️⭐️⭐️Pro Tip: Souvenir shops MUST be inside the museum! Go for official merchandise!

⭐️⭐️⭐️How all the popular Chinese influencers take their Instagram-worthy Terracotta Army photos 📷

= Chinese Xi'an 'Wanghong' (influencers)? At the Terracotta Army!

​

Did you know?

At the Xi'an Terracotta Army, you can even take a photo right next to a Terracotta Warrior, with your arm around its shoulder,

and keep it as a souvenir!

Of course,

if you jump directly into the Terracotta Pits to take a photo, you'll end up in jail.

Especially if you damage the Terracotta Army, you could even face the death penalty...?

So, how do you do it?

Inside Pits 2 and 3, there's an official Terracotta Army souvenir shop,

and within it, there's a space decorated with replica Terracotta Warriors like this.

If you pay 100 Chinese Yuan, which is about ~$15,

you can take a picture next to the replica Terracotta Warriors.

​

The photos you take are printed on-site like this and given to you neatly in an envelope.

It's super awesome!

Honestly, this was the part of visiting the Terracotta Army I was most excited about,

and it turned out to be even better than I expected!

The photos look incredibly realistic, almost as if you actually stepped into the Terracotta Pits to take them!

And of course, don't just take this one photo and leave;

I recommend taking turns to snap photos of each other with your phone cameras,

to capture even more memories!

Since you've already paid a respectable ~$15, if there isn't a long queue behind you,

I highly recommend taking plenty of photos before you leave!

Anyway, after you've taken your photos, right next door, there's a place selling notebooks and pamphlets that also offers

many cute and charming souvenirs.

They even have things like Qin Shi Huang's Terracotta Army 3D notebooks?

While not exactly cheap, if you make a purchase,

you can get about 10 different series stamps pressed into your notebook.

And over there, at the official Terracotta Army merchandise shop (the real deal!), you'll also find a variety of

adorable souvenirs.

If you buy them outside, they're all fakes,

but the ones inside the museum are of good quality,

so please, please don't go out and buy weird stuff elsewhere.

I strongly recommend buying from the official souvenir shop inside the Terracotta Army site.

They sell Terracotta Warrior-shaped ice cream there,

Terracotta Warrior fridge magnets,

and both thick and light books.

As soon as you exit, you'll find yourself surrounded by an enormous

array of Terracotta Army souvenir shops,

much like the cheap souvenir stores in Insadong (Seoul),

selling similar items,

and the aggressive touting makes it honestly a bit uncomfortable to even browse...

Wouldn't that make for a fantastic #XianSouvenir choice?

​

8. Terracotta Army Visiting Hours, Walking Distance, and Tips for Visiting with Parents

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