Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an
Ancient & Archaeological · China · Asia
Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an is one of the 100 world miracles — an ancient & archaeological highlight in China, Asia. Below: what makes it special, what to expect on site and everything you need to plan a visit.
About Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an
In **March 1974, farmers digging a well in Lintong County, about 40 kilometres east of Xi'an** in central China, struck something hard in the dry earth. What they had found was one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of the 20th century: **a buried army of life-sized terracotta soldiers, created over 2,200 years ago to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang**, the first emperor of a unified China. The emperor — who unified the warring Chinese states in 221 BC, standardised weights, measures, and writing, and began construction of a precursor to the Great Wall — was buried in a tomb complex so vast that **its construction reportedly employed 700,000 conscripted labourers over nearly 40 years**. The terracotta army was just one part of an elaborate necropolis designed to replicate the imperial court in miniature for eternity. The scale of the discovery grows with each new excavation. So far, three main pits have been opened, containing **over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, and 670 horses** — arranged in military formation, with infantry, cavalry, archers, and officers in their proper positions. **Each warrior is unique: different faces, hairstyles, ranks, and expressions**, leading archaeologists to conclude they were modelled on real soldiers. Originally painted in vivid colours — **the pigments unfortunately fade to grey within minutes of exposure to air** — the figures stand an average of 1.8 metres tall and weigh between 100 and 300 kilograms each. The burial mound of the emperor himself, a kilometre away, has never been excavated; **historical records describe it as containing a scale model of China with rivers of mercury**, a claim that soil samples have partially confirmed. The Terracotta Warriors Museum is located **40 kilometres east of Xi'an, easily reached by public bus or taxi**. Allow three to four hours for a thorough visit; **Pit 1, containing the main infantry formation, is the most dramatic**, but Pit 3 — the command centre — and the bronze chariot pavilion are equally worthwhile. Xi'an itself is an outstanding destination: the city walls, among the best-preserved medieval city walls in China; the **Muslim Quarter with its extraordinary street food scene**; and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda all deserve exploration. Fly into Xi'an direct from most major Chinese cities.
Highlights
- ✦ 8,000+ life-sized clay soldiers guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb
- ✦ Discovered in 1974 by local farmers
- ✦ Each warrior has unique facial features
Practical info
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Xi'an to the Terracotta Warriors without a tour?
Bus 306, which departs from the east square of Xi'an railway station, is the cheapest independent option and takes about an hour depending on traffic. It drops you within a short walk of the ticket office, and the same bus runs back into the evening, so no tour booking is required.
How much does it cost to visit the Terracotta Army?
Standard entry is around ¥120 in peak season (March to November) and drops to about ¥100 in winter, covering all three excavation pits and the on-site museum. Tickets are checked against passport details, so bring identification.
Which pit should you see first at the Terracotta Warriors site?
Most visitors start with Pit 1, the largest and most complete, which holds the bulk of the roughly 8,000 estimated figures, then move to the smaller Pits 2 and 3 and finally the exhibition hall with the bronze chariots. Seeing Pit 1 last can feel anticlimactic after the smaller pits.
How much time do you need at the Terracotta Warriors?
Two to three hours covers the three pits and museum at a reasonable pace, though history enthusiasts often stretch a visit to half a day including the chariot exhibition.
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