The Qin Shi Huang Emperor’s Mausoleum Site Museum is a large site museum built on the foundation of the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors Museum and supported by the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Archaeological Park. It focuses on the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum and its surrounding environment, emphasizing the protection and exhibition of the archaeological site and its context. The museum integrates multiple functions, including education, research, sightseeing, and leisure, making it a public cultural space in the city.
Travel Information about Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
Ticket Prices and Opening Hours
Tickets:
- Off-peak season: 120 yuan (from December 1 to the end of February);
- Peak season: 150 yuan (from March 1 to the end of November).
- Multiple ticket checks are required to enter the scenic area, so please keep your ticket safe.
Opening Hours:
8:30 AM to 6:00 PM (March 16 to November 15); 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (November 16 to March 15).
Transportation to the Scenic Area
Location: Lintong District, Xi’an City.
Tourist Line: Take the special Line 5 from the east square of the train station and get off at the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Station.
Driving: Follow the Xitong Expressway for 24 kilometers (with a toll of 10 yuan). After reaching Lintong District, continue for another 3 kilometers to reach the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. Continue for an additional 4 kilometers to arrive at the Qin Terracotta Warriors Museum. There is a parking lot in front of the museum, and the parking fee is generally 6 yuan per vehicle.
Attraction Ratings
Cultural: ★★★★
Features: ★★★
Leisure: ★★
Beauty: ★★★
Romance: ★★★
Excitement: ★★
Highlights of Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors Museum
The Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors Museum was established in 1975 and officially opened in 1979. It is built on the site of the Terracotta Warriors pits, with major attractions including Pits No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 of the Terracotta Warriors, the Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall, the “Lishan Garden” relics, and various temporary exhibitions.
The Terracotta Warriors pits were discovered in 1974, located 1.5 kilometers east of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. This large burial pit is part of the tomb complex of China’s first feudal emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and is hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” making it one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of our time. The site has three pits arranged in a “品” shape, with Pit No. 1 being the largest.
- Pit No. 1: This main pit features an army formation with a mix of chariots and infantry. It contains ten rammed earth walls, creating a layout of nine rooms wide from north to south, surrounded by a corridor. Over 1,000 terracotta figures, 8 chariots, and 32 ceramic horses have been excavated, along with nearly 10,000 bronze artifacts. Based on the density of the unearthed figures, it is estimated that more than 6,000 terracotta warriors are buried in this pit.
- Pit No. 2: Located to the north of Pit No. 1, this pit has a slightly curved shape and reveals the mystery of ancient military formations, showcasing the essence of the Terracotta Army. Covering an area of about 6,000 square meters, it consists of four units. The first unit, the protruding eastern section, features kneeling and standing archers. The second unit comprises a chariot formation of four-horse chariots in the southern half. The third unit combines chariots, infantry, and cavalry in a rectangular formation in the middle. The fourth unit consists of a long line of cavalry in the northern half. These four formations are organized in a way that allows for both offensive and defensive strategies, demonstrating a well-coordinated military system.
- Pit No. 3: Located northwest of Pit No. 1, this is the smallest pit. It has a U-shaped configuration, with warrior figures arranged in a guard-like formation, symbolizing the command structure of ancient military formations.
Gems that can be Easily Missed:
Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall: Discovered in December 1980, two large painted bronze chariots were unearthed 20 meters west of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. After restoration, they were opened for public display. Both chariots feature a four-horse configuration and are assembled from a total of 3,400 components. The second chariot measures 3.17 meters in length and 1.06 meters in height, with bronze horses standing 65-67 centimeters tall and measuring 1.2 meters in length. The total weight is 1,234 kilograms, making it the earliest, most complete, and highest-quality bronze artifact from ancient China, as well as the largest bronze artifact discovered in archaeological findings worldwide.
Lishan Garden Relics: This exhibition showcases the essence of artifacts unearthed from the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. Known as “Lishan Garden” during the Qin Dynasty, the exhibition features a selection of 116 exquisite relics. It uses a combination of points and lines to introduce important sites within the mausoleum, including city walls, ground buildings, burial pits, companion tombs, tombs of the people who built the mausoleum, pottery kiln sites, and stone processing sites, along with the display of typical unearthed artifacts.
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is located at the foot of Mount Li in the Lintong District and serves as the burial site of Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng, the first emperor in Chinese history. Renowned for its grand scale and rich burial contents, it stands out among nearly a hundred imperial tombs in China. The mausoleum was constructed between 246 BC and 208 BC, taking 39 years to complete.
The tomb features an inner and outer rammed earth wall, symbolizing the imperial city and palace city of the capital. The burial mound is situated in the southern part of the inner city and has a domed shape, currently standing at 51 meters tall with a base circumference of over 1,700 meters. Surrounding the mausoleum are numerous burial pits and tombs of varying shapes and significance, with over 400 known so far, including the world-famous Terracotta Army, often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Additionally, there is a constant flow of spring water to the east of the mausoleum. The southern side is backed by a mountain, while the east, west, and northern sides are bordered by water, creating a picturesque “mountain-water surrounding” landscape, which is the mausoleum’s most notable geographical feature.
After more than two thousand years, the main remnants of the mausoleum above ground are the towering burial mound. Within the scenic area, the outlines of the walls are depicted through planted vegetation, along with prominent signs and markers. Walking through the area allows visitors to understand the direction, scope, and location of the ancient walls.
Related Details:
- At the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, the burial mound and various terracotta pits are located within walking distance of each other, allowing visitors to explore freely on foot. To protect the cultural relics, climbing to the top of the burial mound is no longer permitted for tourists.
- Visitors can enjoy free shuttle service between the Terracotta Army Museum and the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, with a travel time of about five minutes.
- Within the mausoleum area, tourists can also visit the Baixi Pit (also known as the 9901 accompanying burial pit) located in the southeast, as well as the Civil Officials Pit (also known as the 0006 accompanying burial pit) situated southwest of the burial mound.
- In the square north of the burial mound, visitors can enjoy the vibrant dance-drama “Imagining the Emperor’s Tomb” (approximately 15 minutes long), performed four times daily in the morning and afternoon, showcasing the grandeur of the Qin Dynasty.
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Site Park
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Site Park, historically known as “Lishan Garden,” derives its name from the belief that “its southern slopes are rich in gold, and its northern slopes are abundant in jade.” The park is situated on the alluvial fan at the northern foot of Lishan Mountain, with terrain sloping from south to north, bordered by Lishan Mountain to the south and the Weishui River to the north. The park is vast and majestic, making it one of the largest imperial tombs from ancient China that has been preserved to this day.
Knowledge about the Terracotta Army
High-ranking Officer Figurines: Commonly known as General Figurines, these are extremely rare, with fewer than ten discovered in the pits. They are categorized into two types: the robe-clad generals and the armored generals. Both share distinctive features such as the owl crown on their heads and a tall, robust stature, exuding a commanding presence. The robe-clad generals wear simple attire with a floral knot decoration on their chests, while the armored generals boast elaborate embellishments of eight colorful floral knots on their chests and shoulders, highlighting their status and prestige in the military.
Charioteer Figurines: These represent soldiers on the chariot, excluding the driver. Typically, there are two charioteers per chariot, known as the left and right charioteers. The left charioteer wears a long robe, armor, and protective leggings, adorned with a headscarf. He holds long weapons like spears and halberds in his left hand, while his right hand is positioned as if controlling the chariot. The right charioteer is similarly dressed but positioned oppositely.
Standing Archer Figurines: This unique type of soldier, found in the eastern part of Pit 2, is equipped with a crossbow. They stand at the front of the formation, dressed in light battle robes with their hair styled in a bun. They wear a leather belt and pointed shoes, showcasing their agility.
Kneeling Archer Figurines: Also unearthed from the eastern section of Pit 2, these archers wield crossbows and form part of the crossbowman formation alongside the standing archers. They are attired in battle robes and armor, with their hair styled in a left-side bun. One leg is bent while the other kneels, and their arms are positioned to simulate the action of drawing a bow.
Warrior Figurines: These represent the ordinary soldiers and form the backbone of the army. They are the most numerous among the terracotta figures and can be categorized into robe-clad warriors and armored warriors. The robe-clad warriors are more mobile, while the armored warriors are positioned within the formation. Both types carry actual weapons and display a spirited demeanor.
Military Officer Figurines: These officers rank below the generals and are divided into intermediate and lower levels. They are characterized by their distinctive headwear and armor. Compared to generals, military officers are generally less robust but maintain a tall, broad-shouldered appearance, standing with a solemn demeanor.
Cavalry Figurines: Unearthed from Pit 2, a total of 116 cavalry figures were found, typically used for surprise attacks. Their attire is distinct from infantry and chariot soldiers, featuring round caps, fitted sleeves, and short jackets, along with tight-fitting trousers and short boots. They wear light armor and lack shoulder guards.
Driver Figurines: These figurines represent the chariot drivers, discovered across all three pits. They wear long robes, armor extending to their wrists, and leg guards. Their heads are adorned with headscarves and long caps, with their arms raised as if pulling the reins of the chariot.
Visitor Guide for Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
Accommodation Options
There are many accommodation options around the scenic area, ranging from budget to high-end hotels, with a predominance of upscale options that tend to be relatively more expensive. Two hotels that are close to the site include:
Lintong Shengqin Business Hotel (临潼圣秦商务酒店)
This hotel is located near the ticket hall of the Qin Terracotta Warriors Village, just 50 meters south of the ticket office for the Terracotta Warriors. It is adjacent to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and close to Lishan Mountain and Huaqing Pool, with various tourist attractions nearby.
Location: 50 meters south of the ticket hall, Qin Terracotta Warriors Village, Lintong District
Phone: 029-83931155
Lintong Jindian Hotel (临潼金典大酒店)
Located near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, this hotel is a newly conceptualized boutique hotel that combines dining, accommodation, tea house, and bathing services, making it a large business hotel.
Location: No. 181, Qinling North Road, Lintong District
Phone: 029-81378800
Food Options
At the 360-degree immersive cinema within the museum, there is a dining area offering mainly fast food options. Near the museum’s entrance, close to the parking area, you can find vendors selling authentic Shaanxi liangpi (cold noodles), which are highly recommended for their genuine flavor. Additionally, there are several hotels nearby where you can also enjoy dining options.
Souvenirs
The prices and quality of Terracotta Warrior replicas vary in different locations. It’s best to purchase these items from reputable places, such as the official gift shop at the Terracotta Army Museum, to ensure authenticity and quality.