Dear Travellers，
We’d like to have the following travel guide to remain updated for the benefit of new visitors coming to Terracotta Warriors.
If anybody having used the piece finds necessary updates, please leave a message or feedback. Thanks!
______
Plan your Xian tour? For first-time international visitors, having a glimpse of the excavated Terracotta Warriors is a must. These Terracotta Warriors were supposed to safeguard China’s first emperor – Qin Shihuang in his afterlife.
He unified China in 221 BC for the first time in Chinese history and established Qin Dynasty (221–206 B.C.), thus starting China’s over 2000 years’ feudal society.
You are kindly reminded that Qin Shihuang’s underground palace is still there and remains intact though some of the burial sites annexing to his mausoleum have been robbed to some extent.
Why his own burial site or his underground palace still intact? It is said that his tomb has solid and strict anti-grave digging system including secret crossbows which may kill people once you are inside the tomb, and a large amount of mercury which will emit much toxic air within the tomb.
Now the entrance ticket for Qin Shihuang’ Mausoleum is also included in your ticket for Terracotta Army Museum – One ticket for two sites. The two sites are 2 km apart connected by free shuttle buses.
Located 2km east of Qin Shihuang Mausoleum, the Emperor’s afterlife army terracotta soldiers are only part of his mausoleum. These vivid over 2000-year-old soldiers of Terracotta Army were discovered March 24, 1974 by a group of local farmers when they were digging a well.
Now this site of Terracotta army has been turned into a world-famous attraction site, bombarded by tons of tourists visiting this museum. Here we’d like to sum up some useful trips for visiting the Terracotta Army.
Tip 1: How to get to Terracotta Warriors from Xian airport
1. Using Airport Shuttle Lintong Line (机场客运临潼线) + Lintong Bus 602
At Xian Xianyang International Airport, take the airport special shuttle bus (running between airport and Lintong) and get off to Xi ‘an University of Science and Technology Lintong Campus (西安科技大学临潼校区), then change for Lintong Bus No. 602 (临潼602路）, get off at “Terracotta Warriors Station”, and walk 330 m to the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. This public transport takes about 3 hours.
Airport Special Shuttle Lintong Line (机场客运临潼线)
Departure:Terminal T3 at Xian Xianyang Airport
Business Hours: 9:30-19:30 (return service: 7:00-18:30)
Ticket price: 32 yuan ( the airport shuttle fare doesn’t include the 5 yuan for Lintong Bus 602 )
The one way transfer ( airport shuttle + Lintong Bus 602 ) takes about 3 hours
2. Using the metro system in Xian
First take the Metro Line 14 at Xian Xianyang International Airport and alight at Xian North Railway Station, then interchange for Metro Line 2. Get off at Beidajie Station, then interchange for Metro Line 1, and get off at the station of Fangzhicheng ( 纺织城站）, again interchange for Metro Line 9.
At Metro Line 9, you alight at Huaqing Hot Spring Station and exit from Exit C, then change for Lintong Bus 613 or Tourism Bus 5 ( Bus 306) and reach the Terracotta Warriors Museum. It takes about 3 hours.
3. By Taxi
Arriving at Xian Xianyang Airport, line up at the official taxi stand and take taxi for Terracotta Warriors
Taxi Ride: about one hour and 66 km
Taxi fare: approx. 190 yuan, plus toll fee: 30 yuan
4. Private Transfer
Before getting to Xian Xianyang Airport, you can book a hassle-free private transfer from the airport to Terracotta Warriors. Check out Xian Car Rental with Driver for more information.
Tip 2: How to get to Terracotta Warriors from Xian North Railway Station
If you take high speed train to Xian, you will arrive at Xian North Railway Station. Choose the following ways to reach Terracotta Warriors.
1.By Subway + Bus
First take subway line 2 at Xian North Railway Station and get off at the subway station of Beidajie (北大街）, then interchange for subway line 1 and get off at the station of Fangzhicheng (纺织城站) , then again interchange for Metro Line 9.
At Metro Line 9, you alight at Huaqing Hot Spring Station and exit from Exit C, then change for Lintong Bus 613 or Tourism Bus 5 ( Bus 306) and reach the Terracotta Warriors Museum. It takes about 3 hours.
2. By Taxi
Arriving at Xian North Railway Station, line up at the official taxi stand and take taxi for Terracotta Army:
Taxi Ride: about one hour and 50 km
Taxi fare: approx. 150 yuan, plus toll fee: 20 yuan
3. Private Transfer
Before getting to Xian North Railway Station, you can book a hassle-free private transfer from the airport to Terracotta Army. Check out Xian Car Rental with Driver for more information.
Tip 3: How to get to Terracotta Warriors from Xian Railway Station
If you arrive at Xian Railway Station and want to go to the Terracotta Army, you may take Bus 914. So should you find the bus terminal? Well, when you walk out of Xian Railway Station, you will enter the spacious railway square, and the Bus 914 is on the east side of the square ( on your left side).
Walk to the east side of the railway square and take the bus 914 for Terracotta Army.
Bus 914: ticket fare 7 yuan and takes about 2 hours ( 40 km with 25 stops)
Tip 4 : How to get to Terracotta Warriors from Downtown
1. Metro Line 2 + Metro Line 1 + Metro Line 9 + Lintong Bus 613
If you stay downtown Xian, or let’s say, in the Bell Tower area, you may first take Metro Line 2 and get off at the subway station of Beidajie (北大街）, then interchange for subway line 1 and get off at the station of Fangzhicheng (纺织城站) , then again interchange for Metro Line 9. At Metro Line 9, you alight at Huaqing Hot Spring Station and exit from Exit C, then change for Lintong Bus 613 or Tourism Bus 5 ( Bus 306) and reach the Terracotta Warriors Museum. It takes about 3 hours.
2. Metro Line 2 + Metro Line 1 + Tourism Bus 5 ( Bus No.306)
You may first take Metro Line 2 and get off at the subway station of Beidajie (北大街）, then interchange for Metro Line 1 and get off at the station of Fangzhicheng (纺织城站) . Then take the special bus Tourism Bus 5 (Bus 306) going to Terracotta Warriors . The bus station is about 200 m from exit A of Fangzhicheng (Metro line 1).
You don’t have to buy the bus ticket in advance. Just jump on the bus and later a bus guide will come to you and collect the money – RMB 7 per person.
Be sure to get off at the last destination – Terracotta Army Museum since the Bus 5 (306) is scheduled to stop at several tourist attractions including Huaqing Hot spring, Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum.
Remember where you get off the bus terminal. After finishing your visiting the museum, come to the same parking lot and take the exact bus No 5 (306) since there are some other “fake” bus 306 which eagerly push you to take their buses.
3. By Taxi
Take taxi starting from the Bell Tower area for Terracotta Army Museum
Taxi Ride: about one hour and 43 km
Taxi fare: approx. 150 yuan, plus toll fee: 20 yuan
Tip 5: Basic information about Terracotta Warriors Museum
Located 30km east of Xian, the Army of Terracotta Warriors are undoubtedly the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century. The museum is composed of three pits: Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3.
Pit 1 is most impressive and the highlight of the museum. Pits 2 and 3, though interesting, are not as impressive as the pit 1. If you don’t have sufficient time, PIT 2 and PIT 3 can be avoided.
The movie -360 degrees, the background film, is in English and very cool, which takes about 15 minutes long. It gives some background to what you see with your own eyes. It is worth the 15 minutes. The film ticket is included in your entrance fee.
Tip 6: Opening time and entrance fees
Ticket Selling Hours:
8:30 – 17:00 (March 16 – Nov 15)
8:30 – 16:30 (Nov 16 – March 15)
Opening Time
8:30 – 18:00 (March 16 – Nov 15)
8:30 – 17:30 (Nov 16 – March 15)
Entrance Fee:
RMB 120 ( all year round) per person
The ticket also includes the entrance to Qin Shihuang’ Mausoleum.
Note: the Terracotta Warriors Museum is open all year round – 365 days every year! Children under the height of 1.2m don’t have to pay.
Ticket Booking:
Book your ticket through the museum’s official website: www.bmy.com.cn ( in Chinese )
Booking Phone Number: 029-81399127
On-site Ticket booking is ok.
Note: There is a cap for the number of visitors ( limited to daily 8000 visitors due to covid-19 period). But basically you won’t have any problem buying your tickets if you avoid visiting the site during National Holiday ( Oct 01 -07 ).
Tip 7: Free luggage storage service
On the left side of the Ticketing Office is the Tourist Information Center which offers free luggage storage service.
Tip 8: How to visit the Terracotta Army Museum?
Rent an audio guide? Hire a tour guide? or Using a guidebook?
Rent an audio guide
Rent an audio guide ( recorded guide ). You just pay RMB 40 an audio tour. The voice sounds like an American accent and it is easy to understand and informative.
Using a tour guide service on the spot
When you are going to buy your tickets at the ticketing office, some tour guides on the spot will come to you, eager to offer you the guide service. If you haven’t done much homework before you came to Xian. You are advised to hire a local tour guide to guide or translate for you at the price of about RMB 100-150. You will get more knowledge than from a guidebook or the recordings. Just avoid the shopping sites your local guide may suggest you to go.
Prebook a private tour from a local travel agent
Half-Day Private Tour of Terracotta Warriors
Full-Day Private Tour of Terracotta Warriors
Using a guidebook
Using a guidebook to guide your tour in and around the museum.
Tip 9: Walking from Ticketing office to Entrance Gate
It takes 5-10 minutes walking from the ticketing office to the entrance gate. If you pay RMB 5, you take a small tram ride to the entrance gate. In my opinion, if you are in good shape, just avoid using the small tram.
Free luggage storage service:
On the left side of the Ticketing Office is the Tourist Information Center which offers free luggage storage service.
Tip 10: Exit from the museum
After you finish visiting the museum and leave for your bus terminal, or in a word, on the way back, you have to pass through an area with a lot of shops and restaurants. This obviously poses some pressure on you to buy some souvenirs or spend some money here.
If you are tender-hearted, and going to buy something to support China’s economy, please bargain!
Tip 11: Some Restaurants Rip off
There are many restaurants leading up to the museum. Some of them just rip you off. So take great care of your money!
Tip 12: Toilets in the museum are free
For the toilets outside the museum, you have to pay. But once you are inside the museum, you enjoy free toilets. They are the same squatting-style facility like everywhere else in china.
Tip 13: Take a taxi to the Museum
It takes about 160 RMB by taxi from the downtown Xian to Army of Terracotta Warriors. Very often you have to bargain with your taxi driver.
Tip 14: Terracotta Army, not Qin Shihuang Mausoleum
If you take Bus 5(306) to Terracotta Army Museum, don’t get off at Qin Shihuang’ Mausoleum. Qin Shihuang’s Mausolem is not much worth visiting since it is just a mound, not excavated yet.
So don’t confuse Terracotta Army with Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum. The entrance for Qin Shihuang’ Mausoleum is also included in your ticket for Terracotta Army Museum.
The Terracotta Warriors Museum is open all year round – 365 days every year! Children under the height of 1.2m don’t have to pay.
Tip 15: Hassle-free Xian Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Xian guided tours:
Xian Tour
Xian Day Tour
Xian Tour Packages
Beijing Xian Tour
Further Readings
Beijing Xian High Speed Train Experience
Top 10 Attractions in Xian
Tips for Visiting Muslim Quarter in Xian
Tips for Visiting Xian City Wall
Tips for Visiting Shaanxi History Museum
Tips for Visiting Xian Bell Tower
How to Visit Terracotta Army
How to Visit Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Top 10 Photography Spots in Xian
The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall
Tips for Visiting Hanyang Tombs Xian
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show in Xian
Tips for Visiting Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Tips for Visiting Huaqing Hot Springs in Xian
How to Visit Mount Huashan
Top 10 Hostels in Xian
Best Time to Visit Xian
Any questions, just drop a line.
Hi Andy Titus,
Taking free shuttle buses takes more time. Taxiing is more realistic. If you insist on using public transport, you may take the overnight train from Xian Railway Station to Beijing West Railway Station.
Have a good time in Xian!
Hello, we just went back from terracota warrior. We rode 306 bus tourism no.5 blue bus, different than the one that we took to get here. Is this the right bus? If this bus is fake, where will it bring us to? We want to go to bell tower. Thankyou very much 🙂
Hi Nanda,
Happy Holidays!
Where are you now? Are you safe back to your hotel by riding the blue bus? Hope you are all right.
Hallo
I will be arriving at Xian North Railway station by overnight sleeper train at 07h10.
Will I also be eligible to travel for free to the Terracotta Warrior Army? It says only that you have to show your High speed train ticket to be eligible.
Regards
Martin
Hi Martin Nel,
Yes, only those who have high speed train tickets are entitiled to the free bus drive to Terracotta Warriors.
How would I get on having mobility problems as I need to use a rollater. Would this be possible?
Hi vivien crosby,
As far as I know, the Terracotta Warriors Museum is wheel-chair user friendly, special accessible path. It shoul be no problem.
There is a bus 307 as well, not sure if that was 306 or a different one.
Hi Case,
Both Bus 307 and 305 have the same destination – Terracotta Warriors, but they have different starting terminals and stops.
Hello everyone
I do hope you can give us some good advice.
We (a family of 5) are flying in to X’ian on Tuesday 30th May and hope to get a bulllet train back to Beijing that night at around 6pm. We are not sure whether we need to go from Xi’an north or west? How long would it take for us to get a taxi back from the warrior site to the train station? We would be really grateful for some advice.
Many thanks
Anne Marie
Dear Anne Marie,
All the high speed trains start from Xian North Railway Station. So you need to take taxis from the Terracotta Warriors to the north station, about 40 km, one hour drive, approxi 130 yuan per taxi. One standard taxis holds 4 people and you need to use two taxis.
By the way, you can book a tailor-made private trasnfer using a 7-seat van for your family of 5 and check out the link below to have an idea of the transfer ( you need to customize the transfer):
http://www.tour-beijing.com/xian_car_rental/
Have a nice time in Xian!
My wife and i will be arriving on Wed June 21 to Xian with Hainan airlines at 9:10 am and we have a layover with our connecting flight at 16:55 . (7hrs 45 minutes layover) . is this enough time to catch a taxi to the Terracotta museum and back. How long does it take to get luggage and clear customs ? how much time before the connecting flight do we need to be back at the airport?
Thanks for any reliable information
Frank
Dear Frank Berger,
Thanks for your inquiry! I caculate your time per your travel plan as beblow:
09:10 : Arriving at Xian Airport
10:20: Get luggage and clear customs. Exit from the airport and wait in line at the official taxi stand for a ride to Terracotta Warriors
10:20 – 11:20 Taxi from the airport to Terracotta Army, about 65 km and 100 yuan
11:20 – 14:00 Visiting Terracotta Warriors ( If you are pressed for time, you can shorten your visit time )
14:00 – 15:20 Taxi from the Terracotta Warriors to the Airport
15:20 – 16:25: Go through the procedures to get on board.
It seems you can make it if you well plan your schedule as well as you are lucky enough to have smooth traffic on route.
Note: You must allow yourself to have one hour before the connecting flight do we need to be back at the airport.
The above is just for your reference. Good Luck!
Thanks Daniel,
We’ve just been informed that a layover will be 50 minutes longer. so we definitely will have time for the Terracotta museum.
Is there a recommended guidebook for the museum?
Thanks
frank
Dear Frank Berger,
Sorry, I’m not sure about which guide book you should read, but you can purchase a guidebook if you are satisfied with the content on the spot.
Alternatively, rent an audio guide ( recorded guide ). You just pay RMB 40 an audio tour. The voice sounds like an American accent and it is easy to understand and informative.
We will be on a cruise ship for 3 days at the Shanghai cruise terminal. The second day we want go to the Tericotta Warriors. Can you tell me the closest airport for departure and what time we should Depart Shangai? Also what airport to fly in and out of to see the TCW? What time would we want to depart Xi’an to fly back to Shanghai on the same day?
Dear RonB,
There are two airports in Shanghai – Hongqiao and Pudong, both offer flights to Xian. You can book an early flight either from Pudong or Hongqiao.
Suggest you book the earliest flight possible and back by the latest. The single flight takes about 2 and half hours.
Hi!
We will be arriving at the north railway station with a sleeper train in the morning. What is the best way to get to Terra-cotta Warriors?
Do you advise going to the railway station in downtown?
Is there a place I can store a carry-on size luggage there?
Thank you so much!
Dear Boyoung Seo,
If your arriving train is not high speed train, you’d better to Xian Railway Station at the northeast corner of Xian City Wall and take the tourism bus to Terracotta Warriors. Yes,you can find a place to store your carry-on luggage at the station.
If high speed train, you may take the advantage of their free shuttle bus to the site.
Hi,
You said that there is a free shuttle to the terracotta soldiers museum if we arrival high speed train ticket on the same day and we have bought the ticket for the Terra-cotta Army. Where can we buy the ticket for the Terra-cotta Army?
Dear Cherryl,
Just go to the information center of the train station to buy your ticket for Terracotta Army. The Information Center is located south of the entrance to Subway Line 2 on the B1 of Xian North Railway Station. As for where to take the free shuttle bus, please turn to the information center for the details.
Hi. We will be coming to Xian next March. We are staying closer to the Xian North Railway Station. We are not coming into that station on the fast train tho. Are we able to purchase a bus ticket to travel from Xian North station to the Terracotta Warriors? I know there is the free bus to the TCW if you come in on the fast train that day.
Thanks
Dear Kathleen,
This is a free shuttle and you are not able to buy a ticket. We suggest you go to Xian Railway Station and take the tourism bus there going to TCW just for a small money (bus ticket).
Hi Daniel.We are planning to visit xian by bullet train from Beijing next May.How far ahead are we able to book tickets for our train?
Dear Jan,
You may book your train tickets from Beijing to Xian (High speed trains) any days if tickets are available.
Please check out the following link to book your train ticket:
https://english.ctrip.com/trains
Just a kind reminder: Please choose “Beijing (北京），and “Xi’an” (Xi’an North (西安北), Shaanxi Xi’an ).
Xi’an , not Xian.
Have a nice time in Xi’an!
Hi Daniel,
May I know if I can buy the entrance tickets online ? If yes, which website ? Thanks
Hi Daniel again,
I will be visiting on 8 Nov. Is it better to visit Banpo village first then Terracotta after noon to avoid the crowd? Wondering if there will be much less tour groups after 12pm. Thanks !
Dear Irene,
It sounds reasonable to visit Terracotta Army 12pm since tour groups are going to have lunch. Good luck!
Dear Irene,
As far as I know, basically you can not buy online in English.
Dear Daniel,
I took bus 306(5) for 7yuan to Terracotta and the bus conductor asked us to get down at a road side (not big car park) and told us to wait the other side of the road to return to Xian. It was a long walk like 1km, bypassing shops and Dico, then to the big ticketing office.
However, on returning to the same drop-off point (on the other side of the road), we tried to wave to stop bus 306(5) but they dont stop. Finally, on the advise of a local, we boarded bus 914 back to Xian.
For the sake of future tourists, will like to know why bus 306(5) does not stop at the same drop-off point?
Dear Charles Chan,
Thanks for your feedback! Much appreciated!
We’ll look into the matter for the benefit of the coming tourists. Thanks again!
Hi!
We’ll be arriving at Xi’an on the 4th of February at 11 am and will be leaving the same day at 18.35 . Is it enough time to visit the Terracotta Warriors? Which is the best way to go? How long before out flight (domestic) do we have to be back at the airport?
Thank you in advance,
Lena
Dear Lena,
In your case, I suggest you either take a taxi or arrange a private car with driver for your layover trip.
Suggested Travel Plan below:
11 am: Arriving at Xian airport
12 am: Exit from Airport
01:00 pm: take a taxi getting to Terracotta Army
01:00 pm – 03:00 pm Visit Terracotta Army
04:30 Pm return to airport
06:35 pm Leave
Thanks for your inquiry! Just for your reference.
Thanks, great information.
My wife and I will be in Xi’an 2019 and after reading your article we will take the bus.
Cheers,
Dave.
Dear David Cahill,
Glad that the article is a bit useful for you!
Do come back to the page before you visit China due to the possible latest update. Thanks!
Hello Daniel
What would the time-line be like to begin our tour to the Terra Cotta Warrior site from Xian?
Suppose we are “picked up” by our van at 08:00 am and we want to do a leisure and educational tour of the 3 pits, visit the museum, and visit the shokunin factory. How much time should we allow for each of the items? ( In short: we would not want to be RUSHED.)
How good is the visit to the shokunin factory?
Thank you
Dear Mae T,
Sorry for the delayed reply!
Basically the one way transfer from your Xian hotel to the site of Terracotta Army takes about one hour.
The visit to the Terracotta Army takes about 2-3 hour.
I don’t know the shokunin factory. Maybe you spend one hour in the factory.
You can calculate the time put together on your own.
Have a nice time!
Hi could you tell me. Does the free shuttle bus also return passengers to Xian north rail station?
Dear David Roberts,
Yes, the shuttle bus return to the station. Thanks for your inquiry!
Hai daniel , i’ll be coming xi’an on early oct 2018 . Planning to visit TCW on 4/10 . Can you suggest me , what time shall i be there to avoid big crowd and the easy way to buy the entrance ticket .
Dear Yati Johar,
First, as you know, it’ll be very crowded to visit TCW during China National Holiday ( Oct 1-7). As for the relatively less crowded hours in a day during the week-long holiday, personally I suggest you go to TCW early in the morning ahead of the hordes of Chinese domestic tour groups or go there at midday when most of the tourist groups are going to have lunch.
Enjoy your trip!
Hi Daniel,
We are going to book tickets for the bullet train from Chengdu to Xian North(June) and have been told about the free shuttle bus from there to the site of the Terracotta Army…Our train will arrive into Xian at about 12.07pm with a return ticket booked on the bullet train at 7.07pm. In your opinion is that enough time for us to catch the shuttle bus(which we have been told runs hourly)to the site, have a look around for a couple of hours and then head back to Xian North Railway Station in good time for our train back to Chengdu?
Your help would be appreciated!
Dear Paula,
Basically you can have a glimpse of the terracotta Army if everything goes smoothly.
13:00 take the bus ( you need buy the entrance tickets for Terracotta Army at the station to get the free pass for the bus )
14:00: arrive at the site ( Terracotta Army )
14:00 – 16:30 visit at the site
17:00 – 18:00 Bus back to the Station
18:00 -19:00 Prepare for the train back to Chengdu.
Note: You just need to get to the departure gate at the train station only 15 minutes before departure.
Suggest you shorten the visit time to 2 hours at the site.
Good Luck!
Dear Julie,
1.Yes,there are luggage deposit offices in the station. Please go to Information Center for more detailed information;
2. Shuttles departure hourly
1) Shuttle Buses from Xian North Railway Station to Terracotta Warriors
First Bus at 8:00 am and last bus at 4:00 pm
2) Shuttle Buses from Terracotta Warriors back to Xian North Railway Station
First Bus at 10:00 am and last bus at 7:00 pm
Please check out the link below for more information:
https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/shaanxi-travel/xian-travel/how-to-visit-terracotta-army-in-xian
Have a nice time in Xian!
Hi Daniel!
I came to Xi’an on Monday with a high speed train from Beijing and will go back on Wednesday, high speed train again. I’m planning to go to the Terracotta Army on Wednesday before the departure, but I haven’t bought the ticket to the site yet. Will it be possible to buy it on Wednesday at the Xi’an North Railway Station and use their free shuttle?
Thank you very much for your help!
Dear Anastasia,
Awfully for my delayed reply! Hope you have had a good time. Yes, you can buy your entry ticket at the north railway station and use the free bus.
Hi we will be staying near the Bell tower in xian. What is the best way to get to the Terracotta Army? Thank you.
Dear Siti,
You may take Bus 286 from Bell Tower to Xian Railway Station where you change for Tourism Bus 5 ( Bus 306 ).
Have a nice time!
Please help!
I know thqt since October 2017 there is a cap for the nunher of visitors. For that reason I would like to book the tickets online. Yet, on the official website it is impossible for foreigners. Where can I do it? Only tickets, without tour guide?
Website can be in Chinese, I have someone who could help me 🙂
Dear Justyna,
You book your entrance tickets through the third party website as listed below:
http://piao.ctrip.com/ticket/dest/t1444.html ( in Chinese ).
Note: Basically if you don’t go to the site during National Holiday ( Oct 01 -07 ), you won’t have any problem buying your tickets. But if you can prebook your tickets, that would be better. Have a nice time!