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!
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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.
Hello! I’m going to the Terra Cotta Warriors today from the Xi’an Railway Station (Beike Zhan) and was told to take bus 266, maybe they have changed it or it’s an alternate route. Just FYI
Dear S. Blanks，
Thanks for your feedback! We’ll check out and update the travel guide. Thanks!
Hi Daniel,
It was mentioned that to be able to get the free shuttle bus to TCW, we need to have the high-speed train ticket on the same day and that we have bought the ticket for the Terra-cotta Army. We don’t have the TCW tickets yet and it’s hard to purchase online because it’s in Chinese. Is there a way to purchase the TCW tickets at the station to be able to get the free shuttle bus tickets?
Thanks,
Peter
Dear Peter,
Basically you can easily buy TCW tickets at Xian North Railway Station, plus your high speed train tickets, you can swap for e free ride to TCW. Have a nice trip.
Tudo bem?
Estarei em Pequim e farei um bate e volta a Xian. Chegarei às 08:30 na Xian Station (西安火车站) e retornarei através da Xian Bei North Station (西安北火车站) no trem que sai às 18:20. Ou seja, vou no trem noturno e retorno no de alta velocidade para ter as duas experiências. A ida ao museu dos guerreiros me parece tranquila. Minha dúvida está em relação ao traslado de volta (Terracota até Xian Bei north station). Quais são e onde posso pegar as conduções mais seguras/confiáveis? É tranquilo pegar um táxi? Qual o tempo aproximado de duração da viagem? O que vocês me recomendam?
No aguardo de suas orientações, desde já agradeço
Caro Eduardo Lopes,
Obrigado para SEU inquérito!Desculpem o atraso de resposta!
Você Pode Tomar o ônibus gratuito de Xian Norte estação ferroviária para o exército de Terracota, e então de Volta para a estação depois de SUA visita.Por favor, gerir o SEU tempo de visita no exército de Terracota para apanhar o Comboio de Alta Velocidade para Pequim.
TEM um BOM tempo!Qualquer dúvida, por favor, envie – NOS um e – mail para [email protected].
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Dear Eduardo Lopes,
Thanks for your inquiry! Sorry for my delayed reply!
You can take the free shuttle bus from Xian North Railway Station to the Terracotta Army, and then back to the station after your visit. Please manage your visiting time in Terracotta Army to catch your high speed train back to Beijing.
Have a nice time! Any questions, please email us at [email protected].
Dear Daniel!
So here are two questions I’m having – we’re thinking about flying into Beijing..spending some time there, flying Beijing – Xi’an..question is:
1) going from the airport to the Terracotta Army – is that a possibility?
2) would be mid-day..good time to visit?
3) going terra-cotta Army back to the hotel, staying a night, flying back to Beijing
4) staying another night/day in Beijing, going to see the wall too – any place real close, which you’d recommend from around the area “forbidden city”?
Thanks for your help!!
Dear SEb,
Awfully sorry for my delayed reply!
1) going from the airport to the Terracotta Army – is that a possibility?
Yes, it is possible. Xian airport is located to the northwest of Xian city proper while the Terracotta Army to the northeast. The airport and the Terracotta Army are about 60 km apart with about one hour’s taxi drive.
2) would be mid-day..good time to visit?
If you visit middle of the day, you can avoid the possble crowds of domestic tourist groups ( lunch time). Good!
3) going terra-cotta Army back to the hotel, staying a night, flying back to Beijing
Not a bad idea to stay overnight and fly out for Beijing next day. Suggest you take an evenning flight back to Beijing NEXT DAY, so that you have morning time to visit Xian City Wall and other attractions in Xian.
4) staying another night/day in Beijing, going to see the wall too – any place real close, which you’d recommend from around the area “forbidden city”?
When you say “any place real close”, do you mean “any sights worth visiting near Forbidden City”? You can visit Jingshan Park and get to the top of the park hill to have a bird’s-eye view of Forbidden City and the city as a whole.
For more information on Jingshan Park, please check out the link below:
https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/jingshan-park-not-to-be-missed
Hope you have a good time in China!
Hi Great info thank you
We are just in Xi’an for one night.
We will be staying at the Bell Tower hotel near Xi’an station and we will get the tourist bus from there to TCW.
However we are leaving for Beijing the same evening from Xian NORTH station. Will we be able to get the free shuttle bus to Xi’an North Station with our outbound tickets from Xi’an North to Beijing?
Many thanks
Anders
Dear Panders,
Basically you need to change for your free pass for the shuttle bus at North Station. So you cannot have a free pass for the return bus at TCW.
In your case, you may try your luck at TCW bus departure with your outbound ticket. But we are not sure you can get the free pass. Good luck!
I am delighted to read this. I was going to book a $200 tour. So just to clarify we are leaving Beijing at 653 am arriving Xian North at 11.26 am – so if we put our luggage in storage and go and purchase a ticket we can get a free shuttle to the warriors? Would that be enough time?
Does the free shuttle apply on the return trip and would I have enough time to visit the museum quickly after the warriors or would you not recommend that? Fabulous information thanks.
ALso what would you suggest we do the next day – our flight leaves at 5 pm. Cheers
Dear Karyn,
The hourly departure free shuttle bus also operates return trips. If you can take the bus at 12:00 noon and control your visit time of TCW within 2 hours, I think you can make it on the first day afternoon. The last return bus leaves at 4:00 pm. Be sure to know where to get on the return bus after you getting to TCW ( Terracotta Warriors ).
In case you miss the free bus, you can take the paid tourism bus No.5 (Bus no. 306) running between Xian Railway Station to Terracotta Army Museum. This paid bus leaves at 7:00pm for the last bus. But the bus gets you to Xian Railway Station instead of Xian North Railway Station. Once you are in Xian North Railway Station, you can taxi to the North station. Have a nice time!
I’m traveling with my husband and son. We will arrive at Xian North Railway station on Tuesday, April 30 at 12:47pm. Will we be able to make the 13:00 bus to Terracotta Warriors? That gives us less than 15 minutes to buy our TCW tickets and get on the bus. If we miss it should we pay for a taxi or wait around for the 14:00 bus? Are the TCW tickets the same price at the train station as on site at TCW? I’m concerned that we won’t have enough time before TCW closes if we miss that 13:00 bus. After seeing TCW we would plan to take Bus No. 5 (Bus no. 306) back to Xian Railway Staiton. We don’t speak any Chinese so that could slow us down a lot. Thanks for your help.
Dear Kris,
Thanks for your inquiry!
In your case, it seems that you have to take the 2 pm shuttle bus. But you can try your luck if you can catch the 1 pm bus.
Even you miss the 1 pm bus, you can catch the 2 pm bus. The final time for stopping ticket collecting for TCW is 18:00. So I think you can have 2 or 3 hours for TCW. For the afternoon visit, you can expect fewer tourists than morning visit.
Have a good time!
Dear Kris,
Just follow up to my previous message. Yes, the same price for TCW at the station.
Hi again Daniel
Just saw the reply -= someone told me that the free shuttle bus had ceased operating! But I will try my luck. Just wondering if you know where the luggage storage would be and if we would have time to put our bags in storage and get the TCW tickets and then get the bus! Please email me if that is ok as otherwise wont get it as we are leaving tonight! Thanks for this advice.
Dear Karyn,
Sorry for my delayed reply!
There are luggage deposit offices in the station. Please go to Information Center for more detailed information.
As for the free shuttle buses at Xian North Railway Station, we have arranged one of our staff members to go to the station for the detailed information since we have failed to contact the station either by phone or by visiting their official website.
Keep in touch and have a fun in Xian!
Dear Karyn,
One of our staff members was back from Xian Railway Station. Yes, the free shuttle bus at the north station is closed. irst take Bus 266 from Xian North Railway Station to Xian Railway Station. Upon arrival at Xian Railway Station, then you change for the special Tourism Bus 5 (Bus no. 306) running between Xian Railway Station to TCW.
Bus 266 from Xian North Railway Station to Xian Railway Station: about 20 minutes per bus ( 08:00 – 21:00)
Bus fare: 2 yuan ( excluding the bus from Xian Railway Station to TCW)
There is a luggage deposit office on the southern square outside the station. 20 yuan per piece. Please go to Information Center for more detailed information.
Hi
We will be in Xi’an for one night. We’ll be getting the bullet train from Shanghai and arriving in Xi’an north around 13:22 pm.
Will we have enough time to visit the Terracotta Warriors if we get a taxi from the train station?
How much would a taxi cost and will we have to prebook a taxi?
Thank you!
Dear Alan,
The taxi ride from the station to the Terracotta Warriors takes about one hour. So it seems that you still have 2-4 hour at the museum.
The one way taxi costs about 180 yuan ( including toll fee ). Basically you cannot book a taxi waiting at the taxi stand at the station in advance. Alternatively you can book a private two way transfer from a local car rental company.
We also offer the transfer service. Just for your reference and check out the link below:
https://www.tour-beijing.com/xian_car_rental/
Any question, just email us at [email protected].
Have a nice time in Beijing!
Hi,
Thanks for the very informative guide.
I am arriving from Chengdu by train arriving at Xian North at 2pm in September staying for 2 nights before leaving to Beijing by train from Xian North.
We are staying 2 metro stops from Xian North train station.
The fact we are arriving and departing from Xian North could I I take advantage of the free shuttle bus to the TCW.
Many thanks Kevin
Dear Kevin Howells,
There is no more free shuttle bus service going going Xian North to TCW. You may first go to Xian Railway Station where you take the bus bound for TCW. Have a nice time!
Hi!
From October 2019 bus 306 moved from Xian Railway Station to Fangzhicheng (line 1) about 200 m from exit A. Bus goes every 5 minutes, from 7 am till 19 pm.
Dear Maria,
Big thanks for your update! Thanks!!
Hi
First of all many thanks for your kindness in providing all these useful information !
I an my wife will visit the terracotta soldiers site on Jan 7 2020 (low season !).
I am not so clear about the closing time of the site: in winter it seems to be 4 ‘o clock.
Is it so ?
And what does it mean exactly ? Last entrance within 4 pm and then you can stay till…?
Or everyone must vacate the place by 4 pm ?
Really tanks ! 🙂
Alberto
Dear Alberto,
Basically the ticket selling is closed one hour ahead of the closing time. That means even the ticket selling is closed at 5pm, people (who already have bought tickets) inside the museum still can visit till 6pm. Please check out the information below:
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 150 (March 1-November 30);
RMB 120 (December 1-the end of February)
The ticket also includes the entrance to Qin Shihuang’ Mausoleum.
Your information is really good, I’m traveling from Weifang to Xian and I found all the instructions in this note. I’m now in the bus to TCW and they only charged 5 RMB to the last stop. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Dear Laura Landeo Turner,
Thanks for your feedback! Have a nice time in Xian!