Terra-cotta Warriors Museum tickets from Xi'an: Skip the line

You scan your passport at the entrance instead of waiting in line.

Terra-cotta Warriors Museum tickets from Xi'an let you book entry ahead and bypass the crowds at the gate. Choose to explore independently, join a small group tour departing at 9am or 3pm, or arrange a private 2-hour guided tour. Hotel or airport pickup is available as an add-on to handle the journey from the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Terra-cotta Warriors Museum

• Book tickets in advance
• Receive tickets by email
• Arrive at museum
• Scan passport to enter
• Join shared group or private tour
• Explore museum independently
• Use optional round-trip transfer service

The experience

Booking in advance solves the real problem: during peak season, tickets sell out and queues form at the entrance. When you reserve ahead, your tickets arrive by email and you scan your passport to walk straight through. The museum itself is massive (the Terracotta Warriors Museum holds thousands of figures arranged in pits), and you can move through it at your own pace without a guide if you prefer. That independence matters if you want to linger on the details or move quickly through the halls.

If you want context for what you are looking at, a shared group tour runs at 9am or 3pm with up to 15 people per group, or you can book a private 2-hour guided tour and set the timing yourself. A guide walks you through the excavation story and explains what each pit contains, which transforms the rows of figures from a visual spectacle into a narrative about an ancient army. The private option gives you flexibility to start whenever suits your schedule and ask questions without keeping a group waiting.

Getting there from Xi'an city, the airport, or a railway station is optional. If you add transport, a driver picks you up from your hotel or arrival point and handles the drive so you can rest before the museum. The vehicles are wheelchair accessible, and the museum itself accommodates strollers and wheelchairs throughout the galleries.

What’s included

• Entrance fee to the Terracotta Warriors Museum.
• 2-hour private guide service if you choose that option.
• hotel or airport pickup and drop-off if you add the transfer option.

Options for this experience

7 options

Tickets only-No Guide&TransferGuide in English · 16 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 16:30This option covers the entrance fee to the Terra-cotta Warriors. No guide or transfer service is included; simply scan your passport to enter.

Ticket plus a 2-hour private tour guideGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 14:00Includes the entrance fee, and a tour guide will meet you at the main entrance to explain the histories and stories over 2 hours. Duration: 2 hours

Tickets plus transfer from cityGuide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 15:00Tickets plus transfer from city: Includes museum entrance fee and a round-trip transfer service for 4-6 hours between city hotels and the Terra-cotta Warriors.

See 4 more options

2-hour small group tour at 9:00Guide in English · 09:00Shared 2-hour small group tour starting at 9:00 am, including the ticket. The meeting point is the Tourist Service Center.

2-hour small group tour at 3:00 pmGuide in English · 15:00Shared 2-hour small group tour starting at 3:00 pm, including the ticket. The meeting point is the Tourist Service Center. Duration: 2 hours, with 15 tourists in each group.

Tickets plus transfer from airportGuide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 15:00Tickets plus transfer from airport: Includes museum tickets and a round-trip private transfer from Xi'an airport to the museum, which can also end or start in Xi'an city.

Ticket plus city transfer plus guideGuide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:00A 4-5 hour tour with an English-speaking guide, including round-trip transfer between Xi'an city hotels and the Terra-cotta Warriors, plus entrance ticket

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day18 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 16:30

AgesAdult (10 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Unique Beijing Tours

Is this one for you?Book tickets only if you want to move through the museum on your own schedule and skip the gate queue. Add a private guide if you want the stories behind the figures explained as you walk, or join the small group tour if you prefer a set departure time and shared experience at a lower price.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum without booking a guide?

Yes. Tickets alone let you explore the museum independently at your own pace. The guide is optional and you can add it at checkout if you want the history and context explained as you walk through the pits.

What time can I enter the museum on the day I visit?

You choose your time slot when you book, and your tickets are sent to your email. Scan your passport at the gate to enter at your reserved time and bypass the queue.

Do the shared group tours run at set times?

The small group tours depart at 9am or 3pm, with up to 15 people per group. You pick which departure suits your schedule when you book.

How long is the private guided tour?

The private guide service lasts 2 hours and you arrange the start time to fit your day. The guide leads you through the museum and explains the excavation and what each pit contains.

Can I get a ride from Xi'an airport to the museum?

Yes. Add airport or hotel pickup to your ticket order and a driver will meet you at arrivals or your accommodation and drive you to the museum. The service is also available for the return trip to the city.