Visiting the terracotta warriors in Xi’an
Xi’an, located in the northwest of China is probably most known for the Terracotta Warriors.
Their history is fascinating.
The shortened story is that they were buried with the emperor in 210-209BCE and their purpose was to protect him during the afterlife. They were discovered during the 1970s by local farmers. So far 8,000 soldiers, 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses are thought to have been buried with many left untouched.
You can visit a select few during a trip to Xi’an either by taking a tour or by going yourself.
I’d recommend going by yourself as it works out cheaper, you can have as much time there as you want and you won’t be stuck taken to markets among other things on the way.
Read more: Things to do in Xi’an, China
Take the bus from outside Xi’an railway station (not Xi’an north station) . The bus should be easy to find as they’re bright blue and have ‘Terracotta Warriors and Horses’ written on the side. At the time of writing it costs 7RMB each way. Journey time is approximately 80 minutes.
When you get there tickets are a hefty 150RMB.
Make sure you go to the warehouses in reverse order 3-2-1. It’s the most impressive way to see them because it leaves the biggest pit last.
And of course there’s lots of gift shops to make your own Terracotta Army.
Read more: Five reasons to go to Xi’an, China
The most impressive souvenir of all has to be you as a soldier in a holograph stone – because that’s obviously a souvenir that’s in demand.
To prove this they have one of Barack Obama as a warrior. They unfortunately wouldn’t let me buy it.
Have you seen the Terracotta Warriors? Would you like to go?
I haven’t seen the Teracotta Warriors but I would love to go. My friends are planning to visit China soon so perhaps this can be part of the itinerary.
Yes the terracotta warriors definitely need to be part of their itinerary!
Wow! Great photos. Seeing the Terracotta warriors is on my bucket list for when I finally get to China!
Thanks Sarah! Hope you get to make it there soon!
I’ve never even visited Xi’an! Wow, China is just so full of surprises!
China definitely is. Xi’an is a great place to visit. Lots of history
Yes, I’d like to go see the terra-cotta warriors, and no I haven’t yet. We’re hoping to relocated to China ourselves in the next few months and if that all works out, Xi’an will be high on our list of places to visit!
Hope that works out! China is a great country to live in and I miss it there so much! If you need any tips on living in China then let me know 🙂
Funny, I was just in a hotel in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic and they had two of the warriors there, as part of a show that is soon coming. How I’d love to see them in situ! I didn’t realize you could get so close. Must have been wonderful.
No way! That’s amazing. Just shows how famous they are!
I haven’t seen them but I very much appreciate the appeal. It’s so rare that so many historical artifacts can be uncovered in such great shape.
I so hope to see this in January. Great post. 🙂
Omg, I’m so jealous!! I’ve wanted to see the terracotta warriors ever since I read about them in school. Hopefully I’ll see them for myself one day. Thanks for the 3-2-1 tip!
Whoa! Loved the focus and clarity of the pictures. They do speak a lot.
I have been just reading and seeing pics of them… hope to see in real some day.