A Wonderful Experience at the Terracotta Army – Xi’an

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Visiting the Terracotta Army was pretty much the sole reason I made the detour to Xi’an on our China trip. Fortunately, Xi’an is a beautiful city with plenty of things to do to fill a few days, so in the end, I was very happy to have taken the trip.

What is The Terracotta Army?

The Terracotta Warriors are a collection of clay sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. These sculptures were buried with the emperor around 210–209 BCE to protect him in the afterlife. They were discovered in 1974 by local farmers near Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.

The Terracotta Army consists of thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, chariots, and other figures. Each warrior is unique, with individualised facial features, hairstyles, and uniforms, indicating a high level of craftsmanship. The army aimed to accompany the emperor into the afterlife and serve him in his eternal rule.

Today, the Terracotta Warriors are one of the most significant archaeological finds in the world and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They attract millions of visitors annually to the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum and the associated museum in Xi’an, providing valuable insights into ancient Chinese history, culture, and artistry.

❗I don’t believe these are strictly necessary for all countries, but in China, I would seriously recommend downloading an e-SIM and a VPN before your trip. This will allow you to stay connected whilst navigating a fantastic, but often tricky, country.

How to Get to The Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army is easily accessible from central Xi’an. There’s a bus station right night to the central train station where you need to catch 306 (tourist bus number five). If you struggle to find the bus stop, there is a tourist information centre nearby that will be able to point you in the right direction.

The bus costs just 7¥ and takes just over an hour. Luckily, the Terracotta Warriors are the last stop, so there is no need to worry about where to get off.

How Much Does the Terracotta Arm Cost?

A ticket to the Terracotta Army costs 120¥, unlike many other places in China, they do not accept student discounts. However, the 120¥ fee is well worth it!

What to Expect From The Terracotta Army

Once at the Terracotta Army, you have the option to opt for a guide or an audio guide. (These cost around 100¥ or 40¥ retrospectively).

My best advice is to do plenty of reading before you go. But, there is ample English text at each exhibition (which is unheard of throughout lots of China!).

Pit One

Pit One is the largest and is separated into three distinctive sections. Towards the front of the pit are rows of warriors restored to their former glory.

In the centre of the pit, you can see where the restoration is taking place. This section gives us a glimpse at the further warriors and horses still to be excavated.

The final part of pit one allows you to see more of the restoration process and gives insight into how the millions of pieces are painstakingly put back together.

Pit Two and Three

Pits two and three show more of the army being excavated, but I particularly enjoyed pit two. Around the pit’s edge, they have fully restored individual warriors preserved in large glass boxes. There is plenty of information about these in both Mandarin and English, and the text teaches you about the hierarchy within the army that was built.

I spent around 2 hours at the Terracotta Army, plus an hour each way for travelling time. I honestly believe this is a must-do attraction if you’re in China, and it’s well worth the money.