Half-Day Private Tour of Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum

Picked up from your downtown hotel in Xian, drive for about 30 km and get to Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Terracotta Warriors were supposed to safeguard Chinese first emperor –Qin Shihuang in his afterlife. He unified China in 221 BC for the first time in Chinese history and established Qin Dynasty (221–206 B.C.), thus starting China's over 2000 years'feudal society.

These vivid over 2000-year-old soldiers of Terracotta Army were discovered March 24, 1974 by a group of local farmers when they were digging a well. The museum is composed of three pits: Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3; the Exhibition Hall and the movie -360 degrees.

Pit 1:

Going through the main entrance you see Pit No.01, the largest and the first excavated. Hundreds and thousands of pottery soldiers and chariots are arrayed in the pit. Pit 1 is most impressive and the highlight of the museum.

Pit 2:

Pit 2 is located northeast of Pit 1. The site of Pit 2 was discovered in 1976. Pit 2 is 20 meters long, home to over a thousand terracotta warriors and 90 chariots of wood. It was open to public in 1994.

Pit 3:

Also discovered in 1976, Pit 3 is located northwest of Pit 1. It is regarded by Archaeologists as the command center of the armed forces. It was unveiled to the public in 1989.

Exhibition Hall for Horses and Chariots

The exhibition hall is worth visiting where two large scale-models of bronze chariots and horses on show. They were discovered in December, 1980, just about 20 meters east of Qin Shihuang mausoleum. Qin Shihuang's underground palace is still there and remains intact though some of the burial sites annexing to his mausoleum have been robbed.

The Movie -360 Degrees

Just south of Pit 1, the movie -360 degrees, the background film, is in English and very cool, which takes about 15 minutes long. It gives some background to what you see with your own eyes. It is worth the 15 minutes. The film ticket is included in your entrance fee.

After the half day trip to Terracotta Warriors, you are returned your hotel in Xian.

Terracotta Warriors Travel Tips

1.The Terracotta Warriors museum is composed of three pits: Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3. Pit 1 is most impressive and the highlight of the museum. Pits 2 and 3, though interesting, are not as impressive as the pit 1. If you don't have sufficient time, PIT 2 and PIT 3 can be avoided.

2. It takes 5-10 minutes walking from the ticketing office to the entrance gate. If you pay RMB 5, you take a small tram ride to the entrance gate.

3. The Terracotta Warriors Museum is open all year round – 365 days every year!

4. Children under the height of 1.2m don't have to pay.

5. Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM