Terracotta Army Location: Emperor Qin's Mausoleum Near Xi'an, Shaanxi Province

The Terracotta Army — 8,000+ life-sized clay soldiers, horses, chariots guarding China's first emperor — is located at:

Precise Location

• Country: China
• Province: Shaanxi (not to be confused with Shanxi)
• Prefecture-level city: Xi'an (ancient Chang'an, Tang capital)
• District: Lintong District — 40 km (25 mi) NE of Xi'an city center
• Site: Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Qin Shi Huang) — Qin Tomb Complex
• Coordinates: 34°23′N 109°13′E

Site Layout

• Pit 1 (largest): 6,000+ infantry, chariots — main army formation
• Pit 2: Cavalry, infantry, chariots — mobile force
• Pit 3: Command post — high-ranking officers, war chariot
• Pit 4: Empty — unfinished
• Mausoleum mound: 76 m tall, 350 m base — unexcavated (mercury rivers, traps per Sima Qian)
• Bronze chariot pit: Two half-scale bronze chariots — exquisite detail

Visiting

• From Xi'an: Bus 306 (1 hr), taxi (45 min), tour
• Tickets: ¥120 (peak), ¥90 (off-peak) — includes museum
• Hours: 8:30–17:00 (Mar–Nov), 8:30–16:30 (Dec–Feb)
• Best time: Shoulder seasons (Apr–May, Sep–Oct) — avoid summer heat/crowds, winter cold

Discovery and Significance

Found 1974 by farmers digging a well. UNESCO 1987. Largest funerary art complex — reveals Qin military organization, metallurgy, craftsmanship, belief in afterlife. Each warrior unique — facial features, hairstyles, armor, rank insignia.