Seeing the infamous Terracotta Army was one of the best things I did on my recent trip to Xi’an, China. I remember catching my first glimpse of the intricate soldiers in a magazine when I was little, never dreaming I would one day be standing opposite the archaeological wonder in real life. Below are some details about my experience in hopes that they help you plan your very own trip to this historic spot.
What is the Terracotta Army?
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The Terracotta Army is a collection of life-sized clay statues in the shape of warriors, chariots, and horses that were buried with China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to accompany him in the afterlife. While much of this army has yet to be unearthed, it is estimated that there are about 8,000 warriors, 130 chariots, and over 500 horses.
Archaeological Discovery of the Army
It surprises a lot of people to learn that the Terracotta soldiers weren’t discovered until 1974. They were accidently discovered by a group of farmers digging near a well. Little did they know they had just unearthed one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of modern times.
How to See the Terracotta Army
Seeing the Terracotta Army in Xi’an is something that should be on everyone’s China trip itinerary. The army is located at Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum. Be sure to check the museum’s current operating hours ahead of time. Below are a few tips for planning your visit.
Avoid the Crowds
Time your visit to be as early in the morning as possible to avoid crowds. My visit was delayed until afternoon, and the museum was unbelievably crowded at that time. I still had an amazing time, but would have preferred to be able get closer to the railings of the pits for better viewing access. Instead, I had to wait for others to leave to be able to look directly down into the popular pit viewing areas.
Get Tickets in Advance
I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. If you’re not already planning to be in China with a tour group, there are many packaged options on GetYourGuide that come with transportation, tickets, an English speaking guide, and more. Here are my top recommendations:
What to Expect When Seeing the Terracotta Army in Xi’an
Various Viewing Pits
The grounds consist of multiple buildings and contain 3 main viewing pits. Each pit consists of a large dug out area where the soldiers, chariots, and horses are on display. Visitors cannot go into the dig sites or walk amongst the warriors, but each pit has viewing platforms and railings on all sides. Most of these buildings have informational placards and videos to help you learn about the army as you browse through the museum. If you’re with a guide, they may have their own preferred order of viewing the various pits.
Pit 1 – Recommended first stop when seeing the Terracotta Army in Xi’an
There is no right order to follow when seeing the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, but I would personally recommend starting with pit 1, which is the largest, and, in my opinion, the most impressive. Upon entering, I was shocked at the sheer size of the building, practically a massive warehouse, and the rows and rows of warriors, horses, and chariots, lined up and neatly facing forward. There are some amazingly intact warriors right in the front of this building. This is the spot where you will likely get the best photos.
Pits 2 and 3
Pits 2 and 3 were smaller in size, but still amazing to explore. While there were still plenty of intact statues to see in these buildings, there was an increased number of destroyed statues, or areas of dirt that were still being excavated. These buildings were a bit darker in terms of overall building light, but the pits below were lit up for visitors.
Souvenir Shopping
If you’re like me, buying Terracotta Warrior souvenirs is at the top of your shopping list of things to bring home to your family and friends. Personally, I was looking for a nice quality, single warrior statue for my travel shelf, and I wanted smaller ones and gifts sets for my family. What I didn’t expect was to have so many options, and to see how much fun memorabilia exists out there depicting China’s beloved ancient warriors.
Museum Gift Shop
After exiting the viewing pits, there is a main gift shop with a limited number of nice quality items. I bought some of the dual warrior gifts sets here for my family. I recommend waiting, however, to shop for more of your items elsewhere. After I exited the main museum hall, I found another nice gift shop outside with even more options. They had multiple warrior gift packs, but also solo warriors available, where I found my statue that sits on my shelf to this day.
Fun Warrior Memorabilia
The amount of fun and silly warrior themed items was honestly not something I expected when seeing the infamous Terracotta Army in Xi’an, but it ended up being one of the highlights of the experience. After walking through the pits and soaking in all of the history and information about the real deal, seeing them exist in lollipop and plushie form was pretty funny. In the outside gift shop I mentioned above is where I found a ton of these items, from warrior keychains to t-shirts, to, of all things, pistachio flavored ice cream in the shape of an archer.
Street Food and More Shopping
After leaving the Terracotta Warrior Museum, there is a lovely area within walking distance that caters to the tourists coming to visit the army. There are warrior themed buildings and signs everywhere, and plenty of varied food stalls and shops to choose from. I didn’t get any food here, but I bought a fresh pomegranate juice since Xi’an is known for its delicious pomegranates. There are a lot more vendors in these areas selling cheaper or knock off versions of the terracotta warrior merchandise, so if you’re looking for lower-priced souvenirs, this is your last chance to shop.
Should I Visit Independently or With a Guide?
Everyone has their own travel style, and while I love doing just about everything independently, China is one of those countries where I preferred the guidance and safety of a tour. I was hosted on a 2 week China trip by the amazing tour company called Elite Voyages. Our tour started in Beijing and included Xi’an, a Yangtze River Cruise, and ended in Shanghai. We were lucky enough to have local guides in each city, so my tour came with a guided experience of the Terracotta Warrior Museum. I know I would’ve still enjoyed seeing the soldiers without the guide, so it’s definitely possible to do if needed, but I personally preferred hearing the stories and history from a local while enjoying my visit.
What Should I Bring When Seeing the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an?
- Comfortable shoes. Prepare for a full day of walking.
- Back up power bank. I always keep one or two of these in my purse during long sightseeing days, especially when I know I will be using my phone as a camera most of the day. The ones linked here are cordless too, which is convenient when you’re on the go.
- Portable fan if visiting during summer. Weather will vary depending when you visit, but Xi’an is known for it’s warm weather in summer, so best to be prepared. It was September when I visited, and having my handheld fan was a lifesaver.
- Crossbody bag. This style of bag or something similar is best when entering crowded tourist sites like the Terracotta army museum to help keep your belongings close and secured.
Bonus Recommendation: Make Your Own Clay Warriors
After our visit to see the actual Terracotta Warriors, we visited a nearby clay workshop where we were able to make our own miniature ones. This was such a fun experience. Unfortunately I don’t have the name or location of the exact one I visited, but with a quick google search, there are many more in the area. If you’re able to stop by one of these, it’s a fun and interactive experience getting to roll and model your own clay warrior. It makes a great keepsake or gift as well.
Summary: Seeing the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
A visit to see the infamous Terracotta Army is a must-have on your bucket list. Often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world, this site is home to one of the great archaeological discoveries of modern times. Be sure to arrange your tour or tickets in advance, and get there as early as possible to avoid crowds. Take your time and enjoy the museum, and embrace the fun shopping experience that will inevitably follow. If you’ve got extra time, be sure to stop by a clay workshop to make your very own miniature soldier to take home.
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