The Terracotta Army is one of the most significant components of the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi’an. This life-sized clay army, created to protect China’s first emperor (259-210 BC), was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Discovered in 1974, the thousands of uniquely crafted figures remain one of history’s most remarkable archaeological finds, offering incredible insights into ancient Chinese military and artistry.
Terracotta Army Facts
- Attraction name: Terracotta Warriors and Horses / The Qin Tomb
- Chinese: 秦陵兵马俑 Qínlíng Bīngmǎyǒng /chin-ling bing-maa-yong/
- Construction: 246–206 BC.
- Discovery Date: March 1974
- Recommended Visiting Time: 3~5 hours
- Opening Hours: 08:30-17:00 (November 16th – March 15th: 08:30 – 16:30)
- Tickets: CNY 120. Book tickets now
- Address: Qinling North Road, Lintong District, Xi’an
Located at 1.5 km east of Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum, the Terracotta Army vividly reflects the military campaigns through which Emperor Qin Shi Huang conquered the six warring states and unified China. These remarkably lifelike clay figures and their awe-inspiring battle formations brilliantly showcase the splendor of ancient Eastern civilization.
With exquisite sculptural artistry, the Terracotta Warriors represent the pinnacle of ancient Chinese sculptural achievement, embodying the highest level of craftsmanship from this remarkable period in history.
Terracotta Army History
The Terracotta Army was built to protect the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
Construction began in 246 BC and involved over 720,000 workers for nearly 40 years, completing in 206 BC. Emperor Qin Shi Huang, however, passed away just four years later in 210 BC.
For centuries, the army remained hidden until 1974, when a farmer named Yang Zhifa, while digging a well near Xi’an, accidentally uncovered what is now known as Pit One.
By 1976, archaeologists had uncovered Vault Two (with more complex formations) and the command center Vault Three, located just 20 meters to the north.
The site opened to the public in 1979, and its significance was globally recognized when it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
In 2011, three auxiliary museums were added to enhance the visitor experience.
What to See inside the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum
The museum primarily consists of three pits and a bronze chariot exhibition hall. Pit 1 is the largest but most crowded; Pit 2 displays various military formations; Pit 3 contains the command post ruins. Based on our experience, we recommend visiting the less crowded Pits 2 and 3 first, then exploring Pit 1 during the noon break (11:30-13:30) when tour guides are resting – the front of the vault around the corners offers the best viewing angle.
Pit 1 – 6,000 terracotta warriors and horses
Pit 1 is the largest and first-discovered among the three pits. Measuring 230m long, 62m wide and 5-6m below ground level, its area equals about two football fields. Ten rammed-earth walls divide the space into nine corridors, showcasing the Qin dynasty’s sophisticated military architecture.
The pit contains approximately 6,000 life-sized terracotta figures arranged in a tight rectangular formation: infantry vanguards at the eastern front, chariots and armored troops at the center, with defensive flanks on three sides. All figures face eastward, holding bronze weapons like spears and halberds, recreating the mighty momentum of the Qin unification army.
Each figure has distinct facial features, hairstyles and armor, earning the title “underground military encyclopedia.” Over 2,000 are currently displayed, representing complete military branches – invaluable for studying Qin warfare.
Pit 2: The Ultimate Display of Terracotta Warriors’ Military Diversity
This pit measures 124 meters east-west and 98 meters north-south, covering 6,000 square meters with over 1,300 terracotta figures. Unlike Pit 1’s massive scale, Pit 2 is renowned for its complete military branches, serving as a living fossil of Qin dynasty military organization.
The northeastern crossbowmen formation, southern chariot units, central infantry-chariot combination, and western cavalry detachment – these four distinct tactical components complement each other. From the kneeling archers’ combat posture to the cavalry’s light armor, every detail embodies the warfare wisdom of the cold weapon era.
Unlike other fully excavated areas, here visitors can observe archaeologists at work. Five specialized display cases highlight representative figures of different military branches such as kneeling archers, standing archers, cavalrymen, mid-ranking military officers, and high-ranking military officers.
Pit 3: The Command Center of the Terracotta Army
This U-shaped pit, measuring just 28.8 meters long and 24.57 meters wide (520 sq.m), served as the nerve center of the entire underground forces. Among its 72 terracotta figures, the headless officer statues particularly confirm its role as the ancient military headquarters (known as “Jun Mu”). Notably, this is the only pit that escaped the ancient fire damage – many figures retained their original vibrant paint when excavated. The discovery of a chariot drawn by four horses further underscores its high command status.
The Exhibition of Bronze Chariots
Discovered in 1980, these two bronze chariots were meticulously cast at half-scale replicas of Emperor Qin Shihuang’s royal procession. Adorned with exquisite painted patterns and 14kg of gold/silver ornaments, they authentically recreate Qin dynasty imperial carriage designs. The ingenious four-horse harnessing system—utilizing specialized components like anti-swerve devices and reins to coordinate the inner and outer horses—represents a masterpiece of ancient mechanical engineering.
Comprising over 6,800 components total, the second chariot measures 3.17m long with 65cm-tall horses. These chariots stand as China’s earliest and best-preserved bronze artifacts, embodying both the largest ancient bronze chariots in Chinese history and the pinnacle of global bronze craftsmanship.
Purpose of the Terracotta Army’s Creation
Emperor Qin Shi Huang commissioned this terracotta army for three primary purposes:
- The Terracotta Army was built to safeguard Qin Shi Huang and maintain his military authority and imperial status in the afterlife, replicating the power he held during his lifetime.
- The military formations symbolized Emperor Qin’s historic feat of conquering the warring states and unifying China.
- While human sacrifice was practiced during Shang and Zhou dynasties, the terracotta figures served as a more humane funerary alternative.
How to Make the Terracotta Warriors and Horses
The entire terracotta army was meticulously crafted by hand without modern tools, involving over 700,000 artisans and laborers working for approximately 40 years to complete the mausoleum complex.
Using an innovative modular approach, artisans created hollow torsos to reduce weight and prevent cracking during firing, while crafting solid heads and limbs for structural integrity – all components were produced separately and then assembled.
After assembling the hollow torsos with solid limbs, artisans applied a layer of fine clay to each figure’s surface. This allowed them to meticulously sculpt individualized facial features, hairstyles, and armor details, ensuring no two warriors looked exactly alike.
The completed sculptures were then fired in kilns at high temperatures to harden the clay, transforming them into durable figures.
Unfortunately, after 2,000 years of exposure, most figures have lost their original vibrant colors, though traces remain visible on some well-preserved specimens.
Features of Warriors
Facial Features: A Thousand Faces, No Two Alike
Each terracotta warrior features distinct facial expressions, mustache styles, and hairstyles, demonstrating the exceptional craftsmanship of Qin Dynasty artisans. Archaeologists have classified the warriors’ facial structures into eight types, each corresponding to Chinese character shapes: 目 (mù), 国 (guó), 用 (yòng), 甲 (jiǎ), 田 (tián), 由 (yóu), 申 (shēn), and 风 (fēng). For instance, warriors with “目”-shaped faces exhibit relatively narrow and elongated features with smaller facial details.
Hairstyles: Symbols of Rank and Military Branch
Common soldiers typically wore their hair in a right-side bun, while high-ranking officers and specialized troops (like charioteers) styled their hair in topknots covered with cloth caps, secured with ribbons or pins. These distinctions extended across all roles—cavalry wore rounded soft hats, generals donned elaborate headgear—creating a visual hierarchy that mirrored the Qin army’s strict organizational structure.
Military Attire: Reflections of Rank and Function
- General Figures: Wear double-layered robes under leather armor, with distinctive upturned square-toed shoes (only 3 discovered to date).
- Infantrymen: Dressed in cross-collared robes covered by heavy armored capes protecting chest, back, and shoulders.
- Cavalrymen: Adorned with pillbox hats, neck scarves, and lightweight armor, featuring soft round-toed boots to prevent injuring their mounts.
- Charioteers: Equipped with reinforced arm protection and neck-guarding helmets for optimal horse control.
Colors and Craftsmanship Breakthroughs
The Terracotta Warriors were originally fully painted—with flesh tones on faces and garments colored with mineral pigments like vermilion and indigo. Although these colors faded rapidly upon excavation due to oxidation, the current conservation techniques have now partially restored them. Even more astonishing, bronze weapons (swords, dagger-axes, etc.) excavated from the same pits were found to have chromium oxide coatings, keeping them rust-free and sharp despite 2,000 years of burial.
Recommended Tour Route for Terracotta Warriors and Horses
Route: Pit 1 → Pit 3 → Pit 2 → Lishan Garden → The Exhibition Hall of Bronze Chariots
This route begins at the awe-inspiring Pit 1, then proceed to Pit 3 and Pit 2 in sequence. Afterward, take the complimentary shuttle bus to Lishan Garden, and finally admire the pinnacle of Qin Dynasty bronze craftsmanship at the Bronze Chariots Museum. This route allows you to efficiently explore the core areas of the Terracotta Army while extending your discovery to more mysteries of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum. The entire tour takes about 4 hours.
Travel Tips:
- Avoid Crowds: Arrive before 8:30 AM or after 3:00 PM—holidays are especially packed.
- Protect Artifacts: Do not touch the terracotta figures, and avoid using flash photography.
- Souvenir Advice: Shops near the exit sell overpriced souvenirs; bargain firmly or buy in downtown Xi’an for better deals.
Dining & Accommodation Recommendations
Don’t miss “Qin Wei Fang” inside the scenic area, known for its crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside “Terracotta Warrior Roujiamo.” For a unique herbal hotpot experience paired with hot springs, try the farmhouse restaurants at the foot of Mount Li.
For a luxury stay, Huaqing Palace Hot Spring Hotel includes hot spring access. Budget travelers can opt for nearby homestays with free shuttle service. Check Trip for more booking details.
How to Get to the Terracotta Army
From Downtown Xi’an
- By Metro + Bus (1.5 hours):Take Metro Line 1 or Line 6 to Fangzhicheng Station, then transfer to Metro Line 9 to Huaqingchi Station. Exit from Exit C and take either Bus Lintong Bus 602 or Bus 613, which will take you to the Terracotta Army in 13 or 2 stops respectively. (Bus 613 is more faster)
- By tourist bus (1 hour): You can take a direct shuttle bus to the Terracotta Army from several boarding points, including Vienna Hotel (Dayanta Branch), the entrance of Yisu Theater (near the Bell Tower), the gate of Xi’an Library, and Sajinqiao Metro Station. The fare is 30 yuan.
From Xi’an Station
By train + taxi (50 Minutes): Take a 20-minute train from Xi’an Station to Lintong (¥5-10), then a 20-minute taxi (¥20) to the Terracotta Army. Note: Be sure to check the train schedule in advance and plan your trip accordingly.
From Xi’an Xianyang International Airport
- Take the airport shuttle bus on the Lintong route directly to the Terracotta Army. (About 1.5 hours)
- Take the airport shuttle bus Line 2 to Xi’an Railway Station (¥26), then transfer to Tourist Bus 5 (306), 914, or 915 heading directly to the Terracotta Warriors site.
Terracotta Army Tickets & Opening Hours
Get your discount tickets now| Entrance Fee | CNY 120 |
| Sightseeing bus | Free |
| Opening Hours | March 16th – November 15th: 08:30-17:00 (no selling after 17:00) November 16th – March 15th: 08:30-16:30 (no selling after 16:30) |
Note: The museum has set a maximum daily capacity of 65,000 people. Ticket sales will be stopped when the limit is reached. So you’d better buy tickets in advance and make a reservation.