Stepping into the presence of the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an is an incredibly powerful experience, and a definite highlight of any trip to this ancient city. While Xi’an offers so much more to explore (for all things Xi’an, dive into our comprehensive Xi’an travel blog!), this post focuses specifically on making your visit to the Warriors as seamless as possible. We’ll share our insights on how to get there, booking tickets, and essential planning tips for an unforgettable encounter with this magnificent army.
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How to Visit the Terracotta Warriors from Xi’an
Public Bus
We visited the Terracotta Warriors using public transport, and while it took a bit of planning, it was a great way to experience the trip like a local. From the centre of Xi’an, we took Bus 306 (also known as Tourism Bus 5). We boarded it just outside the Xi’an Railway Station (西安站, xī ān zhàn), not the Xi’an North Station (西安北站). It runs directly to the Terracotta Army Museum and costs about ¥7 (1 USD) per person. The ride takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Essential Tips to Know Before Visiting the Terracotta Warriors
Lucky for us, our local Chinese friend, Freud, whom we met in Chengdu, gave us some top insider tips for Xi’an. One crucial piece of advice he shared was to book tickets in advance via WeChat’s mini-program.
When we visited in June during the China summer break, we booked our tickets 3 days in advance of our visit. While this worked okay for us, it did cut things a little close as tickets had almost run out. As one of China’s top cultural attractions, tickets do sell out, so it’s important to check availability and make sure you book ahead of time if you’re on a tight schedule.
Book Tickets Via WeChat
To access the correct mini program for ticket purchases, enter 兵马俑博物馆门票预约 into the search bar in WeChat. Follow the screenshot below to select and open the correct mini program.
After you enter the mini program, you can select from various ticket options, and choose your date of visit and entry time. Adult tickets cost ¥120 (17 USD), which grants access to the terracotta army museum pits and exhibition hall. Once you have confirmed all your ticket details, you will need to provide your passport name and number to verify your identity.
Must See Spots at the Terracotta Warriors Museum
The Terracotta Warriors is an incredibly vast museum complex, with three different sites available for viewing.
Pit 1 being the largest and most impressive, housing the main army formation. Afterwards, follow along the signs to Pit 2, which offers a closer look at different military units like chariots and cavalry. Finally Pit 3, the smallest, believed to be the command centre. Afterwards, head to the Museum of Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum to see the stunning Bronze Chariots and Horses exhibit – these are incredible masterpieces.
Where to Stay
Since the Terracotta Warriors are only an hour away from the city, base yourself in Xi’an and do it as a day trip! We stayed at Heye Youth Travel Hotel (Xi’an Bell Tower Metro Station), which was a very nicely furnished, modern looking hotel. What we liked was that it had some common areas and a laundry area for guests. The location was just a 5-minute walk from the Xi’an Bell Tower Metro Station and 15 minutes walk to the famous Xi’an street food street. We used Trip.com for booking accommodation while in Xi’an. Trip is foreigner friendly and an essential app while traveling China.
Eat and Drink
One of the best things about China is that no matter where you go, there will always be food and drinks available. While the museum is probably not a destination for eating, it’s got no shortage of snack options available. Most of these places are located near the exit, however you can still find plenty of small convenience stores scattered throughout the complex.
Best Time to Visit
You know how the saying goes…do as we say and not as we do. We arrived at the Terracotta Warriors in the middle of the day, which as we learnt, was definitely NOT what you want to be doing to avoid the crowds. Instead, we’d recommend to arrive super early in the morning (around 8am, right after opening) or later in the afternoon to dodge the midday rush.
If you’ve seen “Instagram vs. Reality” videos, you know this spot gets packed. Where possible, we suggest visiting on a weekday.
Hi! If you’re an English-only speaker and have never been, do you feel you need a tour guide?
Hi Kimberly! Personally, I would say no – it’s enough if you’ve done a little reading beforehand to appreciate the history and cultural significance of the place. It also means you have some more flexibility to move through the sites at your own pace and in the order you want. Hope that helps! Ling :)
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