Terracotta Army
秦始皇帝陵博物院 · Lintong, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
Three pits estimated to hold more than 8,000 figures — the most vivid monument to a centralised empire.
Know before you go
- Don't point at or make remarks about the figures
- at a burial site avoid joking about 'ghosts' or 'death'
- flash is banned in the pits to avoid damaging the figures' paint.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The underground palace described by Sima Qian
The Western Han historian Sima Qian recorded in the 'Basic Annals of Qin Shi Huang' in the 'Records of the Grand Historian' that after unifying the realm, Qin Shi Huang conscripted 700,000 people from across the country to build his tomb, and that its underground palace used mercury to represent the hundred rivers and the great sea, made to flow by machinery. When the uprisings broke out at the end of Qin, the general Zhang Han diverted the 700,000 tomb workers to suppress them, and only then did work stop. Whether Sima Qian's description is accurate is still debated, and the main tomb has never been excavated.
Source: Wikipedia: Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor; Wikipedia: Qin Shi Huang
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang is the tomb of Ying Zheng, China's first emperor. In 1974 farmers digging a well in Lintong stumbled on the pits of the Terracotta Army, astonishing the world. The three pits are estimated to hold more than 8,000 figures; Pit 1 is the main army, with more than 3,000 excavated so far. Generals, warriors and kneeling archers, each with a different expression, are arranged in Qin battle formation, and the army is called 'the eighth wonder of the world'. The two large painted bronze chariots, superbly crafted and known as 'the crown of bronzes', recreate the ceremonial carriages of a Qin emperor.
Local customs
- Follow the set route around the pits and don't lean on the railings or make noise
- there are many guided groups, and independent visitors can rent an audio guide. People in Guanzhong value courtesy — around Lintong, when dining, 'the eldest picks up their chopsticks first', so just follow local custom.
Religion & beliefs
The tomb is a secular imperial mausoleum with no religious activity. The people of Qin believed in the Mandate of Heaven and ancestor worship, and the Terracotta Army itself is a product of the idea of 'serving the dead as the living' — clay figures replacing human sacrifice to guard the emperor's underground realm. Be respectful, and don't joke or strike exaggerated poses for photos.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
China: don't get physical in a dispute
- Walk away from an argument and call the police if needed
- Pushing, shoving or fighting
Whoever starts it, taking part in a fight can bring a fine or detention, and the injured party usually demands compensation.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: China travel advice
China: carry your original passport
- Foreign visitors should carry their original passport
- Carrying only a copy or photo of your passport
Police make random ID checks and do not accept printouts; if you cannot show your passport, you may be fined or detained.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: China travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't point at or make remarks about the figures
- at a burial site avoid joking about 'ghosts' or 'death'
- flash is banned in the pits to avoid damaging the figures' paint.
Locals appreciate DO
- People in Guanzhong love noodles, and biangbiang noodles as wide as a belt are Lintong's favourite
- locals love the Lishan hot springs, and the Huaqing Pool area has been an imperial bath since ancient times.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- In peak season (public holidays) you must book in advance on the official website — there are almost no tickets on site. Visit Pit 1 → the Bronze Chariot Hall → Pits 2 and 3, about 3 hours in all
- the pits are under huge roofed halls, so rain is no problem
- from central Xi'an take Metro Line 9 and change to a shuttle bus. Check tickets and opening hours on the official website.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Roujiamo (meat in a bun)
- Yangrou paomo
- Biangbiang noodles
Roujiamo (braised pork in a baiji bun), yangrou paomo (hand-torn flatbread soaked in mutton soup), biangbiang noodles (wide noodles with sizzling chilli oil), Lintong pomegranates / huojing persimmons (local fruit), liangpi (cold rice noodles, Qinzhen style, sour and spicy)
| Where to eat | Back in the city: the Muslim Quarter / Sajinqiao and Yongxing Fang; in Lintong town, the snack street (eat little inside the scenic area) |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | The Muslim Quarter is mostly halal restaurants — don't bring pork or outside alcohol in |
| Typical price per person | CNY 40–70 |
| Tips | Food in the scenic area is pricey and mediocre; have a snack to tide you over, then eat properly back in the city; for paomo, the smaller you tear the bread yourself, the more flavour it absorbs. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Fumikas Sagisavas · CC0
Photos
Photos
Gary Todd · CC0
Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. · CC0
Gary Todd · CC0
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