The Terracotta Warriors (officially Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, 秦始皇帝陵博物院) is the main reason most people visit Xi'an. Since all tickets are reserved in advance, you can't just turn up. Here's how booking works, and how to fit in the Shaanxi History Museum, which is even harder to get into.
Rules checked October 2026. Booking windows, release times and quotas change, sometimes with little notice. Confirm on the attraction's official channel before you plan around a date. CNTripGuide is not the official ticket seller for any of these sites.
The rules
- Advance reservation is mandatory for every visitor.
- The window opens about 7 days ahead. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, especially for weekends and holidays.
- Real-name, passport accepted. Your passport number is on the ticket.
- Bring the same original passport you booked with. It's checked at entry, and a different or renewed passport won't match.
Timing your visit
The site is about an hour from central Xi'an. Midday is the most crowded time, so arrive at opening or go later in the afternoon. Allow at least half a day. Pits 1, 2 and 3 plus the museum hall take a few hours, and the trip there and back takes time too.
Pairing it with the Shaanxi History Museum
The Shaanxi History Museum in central Xi'an is free but much harder to book:
- Tickets are released at 17:00, 5 days ahead, and sell out quickly.
- The official WeChat booking system may not accept foreign passports.
- Some special halls (such as the Tang Dynasty murals) are ticketed separately.
- Bring your original passport.
Because the two windows open on different days (7 days ahead for the warriors, 5 days ahead at 17:00 for the museum), set two separate alarms. The museum is closed on Mondays, like many Chinese museums, so put it on another day.
Bookable alternatives that include the ticket
If you'd rather have the logistics handled, two of our hosted Xi'an experiences include the Terracotta Warriors:
- Terracotta Army ticket + XR experience + shuttle: the entry ticket, an XR experience and transport in one booking.
- Archaeology dig + Terracotta Warriors: try a hands-on archaeology session, then visit the pits.
Planning more of Xi'an? See our halal food guide for the Muslim Quarter, and the full advance-booking list for the rest of your route.
Let someone else book it
Official booking channels are often Chinese-only and some ask for a Chinese phone number. If you'd rather not deal with them, book via CNTripGuide: official tickets under your passport. No Chinese app needed, and we tell you the result within 12 hours. Start in the travel assistant: tell it your dates and sights, and pay only when the details are confirmed.