How to Visit the Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors are located around 30 kilometers east of Xi’an, the capitol of Shaanxi Province. There are a few ways to visit the Terracotta Warriors:

Take a bus to the Terracotta Warriors

Depending on where you are coming from, there are many buses that you can take. If you are coming from the Xi’an Railway Station, North Train Station, or the Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, you can see which buses to take here.

Take a tour van to the Terracotta Warriors

There are many travel agencies and tour groups that arrange trips to see the Terracotta Warriors. They will usually arrange a van to take you and possibly a few other customers, depending on if you book a private tour or not.

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Take a taxi/didi to the Terracotta Warriors

Alternatively, if you don’t want to take a bus or book with a tour group, you can take a taxi or call a Didi to take you.

Buying Tickets for the Terracotta Warriors

The museum is usually open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The ticket will cost you RMB150 ($21 USD) per person. This price includes entry to the vaults and museum, plus the documentary film of the warriors and their excavation.

You can buy tickets at the site, or ahead of time if you book with a tour group. Our group bought tickets on site, but it’s recommended you do some research and double check before you go.

We had to pay in cash for our tickets, so make sure you bring extra along – or there is an ATM there.

The 3 Pits at the Terracotta Warriors

There are 3 pits you can visit to see at the Terracotta Warrior Museum. Most people will usually follow the set path from Pit 1 to Pit 3 to Pit 2.

Pit 1

Pit 1 is the biggest pit and contains more than 2,000 figures.

Pit 3

Pit 3 is the command post where the high ranking officers can be seen. It is the smallest pit to walk around.

Pit 2

Pit 2 has mostly been excavated. It is large, but does not feature many sculptures.

Tips for Visiting the Terracotta Warriors:

• Arrive early in the day, before the crowds arrive around 10am. Alternatively you can arrive around 12pm when many people leave for lunch.
• Usually a few hours is enough time to see all the pits.
• If you don’t have a guide with you, you can rent an audio guide (in English) to listen to as you walk through the pits.
• Many vendors will be walking around trying to sell sculptures and figures. If you want to buy from them, you should barter with them to lower the prices.

Visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an

The Terracotta Warriors are a must see when visiting Xi’an! Take the opportunity to see one of the wonders of the world!

After a trip to the Terracotta Warrior Museum, check out these 5 Must Eat Dishes at the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an

Also called Huimin Jie (回民街), it’s a must see site in Xi’an with its bustling markets, delicious street food, and historic mosques, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.

Here are some of the best local foods to try in the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an!

1. Mutton and Bread Soup (羊肉泡馍  Yang rou pao mo)
2. Sour Plum Juice (酸梅湯 suānméitāng)
3. Biang Biang Mian
4. Xi’an Soup Dumplings (汤包 tāngbāo)
5. Oil Bread (油馍 You mo) 
6. Ice Peak Local Xi’an Orange Soda
7. BBQ Skewers (Chuan’r)

You can also check out all these foods in my video!

Mutton and Bread Soup (羊肉泡馍  Yang rou pao mo)

Mutton and Bread Soup, also known as Yang rou pao mo, is a traditional Chinese dish that originated from the Shaanxi province. It is a hearty soup made with tender chunks of mutton and torn pieces of unleavened bread soaked in a rich and flavorful broth. The dish is often garnished with cilantro, green onions, and chili oil to enhance its taste and aroma.

At a local restaurant one of the ladies offered to show me how to break the pieces into the bowl first. She told me it was something that local people would do while sitting with friends and chatting – the smaller the pieces, the better the soup will taste as the bread will absorb more of the broth flavor. After the bread is broken into small pieces, it’s then cooked with the broth and meat together, then served!

Sour Plum Juice (酸梅湯 suānméitāng)

Sour Plum Juice, also known as 酸梅湯 (suānméitāng) in Chinese, is a refreshing and tangy beverage made from sour plums. It is a popular traditional drink in many Asian countries, known for its unique flavor profile and health benefits. The juice is typically made by boiling sour plums with water and adding sugar or honey to balance the tartness.

The local lady at the Yang rou pao mo restaurant actually recommended I drink this with the soup, and surprisingly it paired well! Something about the tart flavor contrasted with the rich hearty soup nicely.

Biang Biang Mian

Biang Biang Mian is a type of Chinese noodle dish that originated from the Shaanxi province. It is known for its wide, thick, and hand-pulled noodles that are typically served with a flavorful sauce and various toppings such as chili oil, garlic, and vegetables. The name “biang biang” refers to the sound made when the noodles are slapped against the countertop during the stretching process.

These are also called yóu pō chě miàn (油泼扯面) as the character can’t be typed! It’s said to be the most difficult Chinese character to write.

These are so flavorful and one of my favorite things to try every time I visit Xi’an!

Xi’an Soup Dumplings (汤包 tāngbāo)

Chinese tang bao, also known as soup dumplings, are a type of steamed bun filled with savory broth and meat or vegetable filling. The unique aspect of tang bao is that the broth is gelatinized, resulting in a burst of hot soup when bitten into.

These dumplings are seen around China, especially in Shanghai where they have the famous xiaolongbao, but here in Xi’an they have their own specialty one.

Oil Bread (油馍 You mo) 

You Mo is a traditional Chinese street food that originated in the Shaanxi province. It is a type of flatbread that is made by frying dough in oil until it becomes crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The bread is typically served with various toppings such as chili oil, green onions, or sesame seeds to enhance its flavor.

This one had many layers that you would fill with spicy chili oil, I loved it!

Ice Peak Local Xi’an Orange Soda

Ice Peak Xi’an Soda is a popular carbonated beverage that originated in Xi’an, China. It is known for its unique blend of flavors, which combines the refreshing taste of soda with a hint of icy coolness.

This soda has gained popularity not only in Xi’an but also in other parts of China. To me it tasted similar to an Orange Fanta or to Beijing’s local soda brand Beijbingyang.

BBQ Skewers (Chuan’r)

Chinese chuan, also known as “chuanr” or “chuan barbecue,” is a popular street food in China. It refers to skewered meat, typically lamb or beef, that is marinated in a flavorful mixture of spices and then grilled over an open flame. While not unique to Xi’an, they are still a delicious street food to try!

There you have it, some of the best local Xi’an foods to try at the Muslim Quarter! Of course there are many more options to eat, the fun is exploring and seeing what you find! Happy eating!