The Terracotta Army: A Complete Guide with Essential Info

The Terracotta Army, dating back to 247 BC, was hidden by time for thousands of years. Standing on the land paved by the soil of the caves, you can look back at the traces of its history. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Chinese cultural symbol, the Xi’an Terracotta Army houses over 8000 figurines. All the clay soldiers here bring back to life vividly the Qin Empire’s splendor, enabling people to feel the prosperity of that awe-inspiring period.

The site has shocked people worldwide when its was discovered. Built to maintain the power of Emperor Qin after his death, it embodies ancient China’s beliefs about the afterlife and the quest for immortality. The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Army serves as a testament to Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s power and reflects the social and cosmic order of that time.

Mysterious and majestic, it is a wonderful site on a Xi’an tour for you to fully discover the secrets of the ancient China. In this article, a comprehensive guide for the Terracotta Army will be provided, including everything you need to know such as its history, significance, and tour tips.

Facts about the Terracotta Army in China

Location: Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, about 37.5 kilometers east of Xi’an city center
In Chinese: 兵马俑 (Bin Ma Yong)
Tickets: 120 yuan with admission to the Terracotta Army Museum, the Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Park, and a round-trip shuttle bus between the two locations.
Opening hours: 08:30 to 18:30 (ticket sales stop at 17:00) for peak season (March 16 to November 15), 08:30 to 18:00 (ticket sales stop at 16:30) for off-season (November 16 to March 15 of the following year).
Time needed: 3-4 hours

History & Key Facts About the Terracotta Warriors

Why Was the Terracotta Army Built?

The ordering of the construction of the massive Terracotta Army by the First Emperor of Qin is backed by the deep-seated cultural beliefs and personal ambition. Ever since ancient times, the Chinese people have firmly believed that the afterlife is almost the same with the mortal world. So, the emperor Qin, trying to maintain his powerful empire after he dies, built the Terracotta Army as a symbolic force to protect his dignity and authority.

In addition, influenced by the Yin-Yang and the Five Elements doctrine, he believed that all beings in the world have souls. So he built these horses and warriors with the most advanced technologies and materials back then, just to infuse each figure with a spirit.

When Was the Terracotta Army Built? How Long Did It Take?

The construction of the First Emperor’s mausoleum began in 246 BC and continued for 38 years.

The first phase started from the first year of King Zheng of Qin (246 BC) to the 26th year of the First Emperor (221 BC) when the nation was unified. This phase determines the overall design and construction of the tomb complex.

The second phase lasted from the unification of the six states to the 37th year of the Emperor Qin’s reign (210 BC). This was the period when the majority of the grand monuments were constructed.

In the third phase, the Second Emperor of Qin came to power. He then worked on the tomb but was forced to cease because of the peasants uprising in China. At the close of the reign of the Qin, the mausoleum was set on fire, the pits collapsed, and parts of the terracotta soldiers and horses broken. According to historical accounts, Xiang Yu is probably the one who set this fire.

Terracotta Army in China: FAQs

How Old Are They?

The Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army was constructed during 246–208 BC, and was discovered in 1974. So it is approximately 2,200 years old.

How Many Terracotta Warriors Are There? How Tall Are They?

Some 8,000 terracotta figures have been excavated. Among them are soldiers, generals and chariots. They are grouped in three large and one small pits. The height of the terracotta figures averages about 1.76 meters, and the highest reaches 2.1 meters. The soldiers are crafted with the size of real person.

Who Built the Terracotta Army?

The Terracotta Army was built under the instruction of Emperor Qin. Li Si, the chancellor at that time, was the designer of the mausoleum, and the General Zhang Han supervised the work.

How Were the Terracotta Army Made?

The Terracotta Sodiers are not formed by real persons. Playing a critical role in the afterlife of the First Emperor of China, these clay figures were made to follow the Emperor to his next world, and their purpose is to safeguard the Emperor’s mausoleum. They were carefully crafted based on the real person in terms of size, facial characteristics and attire.

The process of creating the Terracotta Sodiers is rather complex. first, you started with mixing yellow earth and clay. Then, molds are required to form its body. Then, after firing and painting, a Terracotta Warrior is completed. The whole process is a test of great skill and patience. Each figure would go through multiple time-consuming steps.

Moreover, the creation of the Terracotta Army wasn’t a one-time affair. According to archaeologists, the process went through at least two phases. The initial phase involved forming the basic shape and structure of the figures. This was followed by a detailed-processing phase, where artists added intricate details and decorations to enhance realism. Each figure is a masterpiece, reflecting the artists’ efforts.

How and When Was the Terracotta Army Discovered?

In 1974, farmers accidentally discovered several terracotta figures when digging a well. Archaeological later conducted investigations and found four large underground chambers, referred to as “pits”. Three of these pits contained the fragments of warriors made from terracotta.

What Are the Original Colors of the Terracotta Army

The excavated Terracotta Army had vibrant colors when they were excavated at the beginning, including pink – green, vermilion, purple, sky – blue, white, and ochre. However, due to long-term burial, fires, collapses, and changes of humidity, most of the pigments have flaked off.

The Terracotta Army’s Structure and Mysteries

Layout of the Pits

There are a total of three pits are open to the public, arranged in the shape of Chinese character “品”.

Pis 1 is the largest and most impressive, and is believed to house over 6,000 terracotta soldiers and horses, with around 2,000 on display. All soldiers and horses face east, forming a rectangular array. Pit 1 opened to tourists in 1979, is about 210 meters long and 62 meters wide, with the pit floor 4.5 to 6.5 meters below ground. Every 2.5 meters, there are 10 earth walls forming 9 surrounding corridors.

Pit 2, uncovered in 1976 and located 20 meters north of Pit 1, reveals the mystery of ancient military formations. It consists of four units: the first has rows of kneeling and standing archers; the second is a chariot battle formation; the third is a mixed force of infantry, chariots, and cavalry in a rectangular array; and the fourth includes many soldiers with weapons. These four units form a tight battle formation.

Pit 3, the smallest, has 68 terracotta figures, many headless.

Features of the Warriors

The facial shapes of the Terracotta Warriors can be roughly divided into eight types, all similar to a specific Chinese character: 目 (Mu)、国 (Guo)、用 (Yong)、甲 (Jia)、田(Tian)、由 (You)、申 (Shen)和风 (Feng). For example, the Mu-shaped face is relatively narrow and long. The expressions are not monotonous but vary according to the type and design of the figures. General figures usually have a stern expression, with firm eyes and a dignified manner, showing their command of large armies.

Each figure holds a weapon such as swords, halberds, spears, bows, and crossbows, but most of them, as speculated by experts, were stolen or damaged due to wars and long-term decay. Some remaining weapons still have sharp edges. There are also chariots and horses. The horses are vividly shaped, as if they are all very strong and vigorous, with detailed bones and muscles, round eyes, and flared nostrils. Chariot drivers are depicted in long robes with armor, arm guards, hand and shin protections, neck armor, and headgear.

Xian Terracotta Army Visit — Xian Terracotta Army

How to Get to the Terracotta Army

Terracotta Army Transportation Options

Mode of Transport	Detailed Info.
Subway	Take Line 2 to Beidajie Station, transfer to Line 1 for Zhicheng Station, then switch to Line 9 and get off at Huaqingchi Station. Finally, take the Lintong 602 bus to reach the destination.
Bus	Tke bus Tour Line 5/306 to the Terracotta Army station. Alternatively, take the Terracotta Army Express Bus.

Get to Terracotta Army

From	How to get to
Xian North Railway Station	Taking a taxi is the optimal option. It will take about 40 minutes to 1 hour, and costs around 95 to 120 yuan.
Airport	Take a taxi, which will take about 55 minutes to 80 minutes, and costs around 160 to 200 yuan.
Muslim Quarter	1. Take the Xi’an Tour Terracotta Army Express Bus from Bell Tower Station (Exit G1).2. Walk from the Muslim Quarter to Zhonglou (South) Station, take Route 46 to East Railway Station, then transfer to Tour 5/306 to the Terracotta Army Station.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda	1. Take the Xi’an Tour Terracotta Army Express Bus from the east side of Dayanta North Square (100 meters southeast of Exit C of Dayanta metro Station).2. Take Route 307 from Dayanta Station to the Terracotta Army Station.

Ticket Information and Tips

Peak seasons: The site becomes quite crowded during the long holidays such as Chinese New Year and Nation Day. Stay off of the site at these times and better schedule your Xi’an tour during off-peak seasons or working days.
Combo tickets with the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum: The combined ticket for the Terracotta Army and Emperor Qin’s Mausoleum is typically priced at 120 yuan per person. The ticket includes admission to the Terracotta Army Museum, the Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Park (Mount Li Garden), and a round – trip shuttle bus between the two locations. The shuttle bus operates from 08:30 to 18:30.
How to book: Tickets can be purchased on-site or official channels (official Wechat account 秦始皇帝陵博物院). Better book in advance. The tickets are released only seven days before the date of visit.

Best Time to Visit

Spring and Fall are the best times for a Terracotta Army tour when it is warm, dry, and sunny. But more crucial is to avoid the crowds. You can visit here from 8:00 to 9:00 and from 13:00 to 15:00 to avoid tourists, avoiding the period from 9:00 to 13:00.

Essential Travel Tips for Visitors

If you want to take photos, bring a telescope or a telephoto lens to get a close – up view of the Terracotta Army.
Don’t use a flash when taking photos.
The site is vast, so wear good walking shoes.

Nearby Attractions

Huaqing Pool: Located at the foot of the beautiful Mount Li. Here, you’ll find Tang Dynasty-style buildings and can soak in the hot springs once used by Yang Yuhuan, one of China’s four most beautiful women in history.

Xi’an Incident Memorial Hall: A place to commemorate the Xi’an Incident, a pivotal event in Chinese history. Here you can learn about the historical background and the individuals involved.