Terracotta Army Tours from Xi’an: The 15 Best Ways to the Pits

1.Mini Group Xian Day Tour to Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda and Muslim Bazaar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,320 reviews · from $49Our pick

Spend a full day exploring Xi’an with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, transport, entry fees, lunch, bottled water, and headset commentary. The route covers the Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, ancient City Wall, and Muslim Quarter. Groups usually number about 12, with private upgrades available.

“What an amazing experience with our fantastic guide jacky. So professional . Knowledgable, and answered all questions fully . We loved hearing him tell the extra little bits of info that made it so special for us. Highly recommend the tour oh and the Terracotta Army were good as well lol”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Terracotta Army Mini Group or Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 926 reviews · 2.5 - 8 hours · from $36

Visit Xi’an’s Terracotta Army with a guide such as Jade, David, Becky, or Elith, depending on assignment. Choose a meeting-point tour, a hotel-transfer mini group, or a private guide. You get advance entry tickets, headset support, about 2.5 hours at the museum, and time for photos and questions without factory or shopping stops.

“We had a fantastic tour with Jade. She was extremely knowledgable about the exhibition and guided us expertly through the very busy crowds!! Would highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Terracotta Army Ticket & Guided Bus Tour with Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 579 reviews · 6 - 7 hours · from $28

Spend 6 to 7 hours traveling from Xi’an to the Terracotta Army Museum, with an English-speaking guide, timed admission, and optional hotel pickup, lunch, or private transport. Guides such as Linda, Josh, Nana, Lucas, and Cherry are praised for clear history talks and help with crowded pits. A replica workshop is included, though some visitors may find it sales-focused.

“An amazing day, using something that I never thought I would ever see. Well organised with an excellent and most knowledgeable guide. Couldn't be faulted as far as I'm concerned.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Customized Private Day Tour of Terracotta Warriors and Xi’an

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 513 reviews · from $109

Start with the Terracotta Warriors, then choose two Xi’an sights such as the City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter, Huaqing Palace, or a cultural show. Wendy, Becky, Agnes, or another English-speaking guide travels with your private group, while a driver handles the roads. Entrance fees and lunch cost extra.

“The guide and driver were wonderful. The guide was knowledgeable of the subject and history of the area. Our local lunch experience enhanced the experience. The mediator however, attempted to ruin the experience by attempting to change the transportation agreement.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour & Local Family Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 484 reviews · 6 hours · from $24

Andy, Willow, or Min guides you from your Xi’an hotel to the Terracotta Army Museum, explaining Qin Dynasty history and showing you the best details in Pits 1, 2, and 3. Afterward, you visit a nearby village for a homemade Shaanxi lunch with Andy’s family. Choose a small group or private tour, or book a ticket-only option.

“all very good to excellent. good communications pick up znd drop off vey good and on time dinner/lunch in village with Andys parents was excellent”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Half-Day Mini Group Xian Tour to Terracotta Warriors Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 467 reviews · from $49

Join an English-speaking guide and a group of about 12 for a six-hour visit to Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors Museum. Pickup within the Second Ring Road, minivan transport, museum admission, bottled water, headsets, and a Chinese buffet lunch are included. Guides such as Rita, Carol, and Celine have been praised for clear explanations and helpful local tips. The tour ends at Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

“Rita was a fantastic guide. Always aware of our interests and provided great historical info for our day. We loved how she shared the highlights and what to look for away from the entrances and then let us find these things ourselves. Perfect! Thus was a highlight of our China trip!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Terracotta Army Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 334 reviews · from $28

Book a $28 entrance ticket to Xi’an’s Terracotta Army Museum and explore Pits 1, 2, and 3 independently. Li provides clear WhatsApp instructions, maps, timing advice, and entry guidance. Bring your overseas passport, which serves as your ticket. Transportation, guiding, and golf cart rides are not included.

“We got a lot of detailed help, so it wa easy to find the museum😊 we had a great time ot was not that crowded around 11.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Private Customizable Terracotta Warriors Day Tour with Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 324 reviews · from $108

Spend about eight hours with a private guide at the Terracotta Warriors, then choose two Xi’an sights such as the City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Bell Tower, or Banpo Museum. Guides including Linda, Tina, Lisa, Eddie, and Jessie have helped guests shape the day around train schedules, family pace, local food, and crowded sites.

“I really enjoyed the tour, it was interesting and informative We are very grateful for the work you have done”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Xi’an in A Day: Terracotta Army+City Highlights+Family Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 304 reviews · 1 day · from $24

Cover Xi’an’s three essential sights in one day with an English-speaking guide such as Andy, Willow, Min, or Maryam. The full tour includes hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, attraction visits, and lunch at the guide’s family home near the Terracotta Army. Check your booking option carefully, since ticket-only reservations exclude these services.

“Andy was a great guide, excellent English very good to explain and answer the many many questions. There was plenty time at every stage. Bus was very comfortable. Lunch with his parents in their home was very tasty. Excellent experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Xian Terra Cotta Warriors Ticket Only

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 268 reviews · 1 day · from $31

Visit the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum independently with a one-day admission ticket linked to your passport. Enter through the North Gate, skip the ticket line, and explore the life-sized army at your own pace. You arrange transport from Xi’an, meals, and any guide yourself. A golf cart to the display area costs 5 yuan.

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Beijing to Xi’an See Terracotta Warriors with Bullet Train Round Trip Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 238 reviews · from $564

Travel from Beijing to Xi’an by bullet train, meet a private guide such as Serena, Alice, Bo, or Lily, and spend the afternoon at the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Hotel and station transfers, museum entry, a local Biang Biang noodle lunch, and transport in Xi’an are included. It is a long 17-hour day, but an efficient choice if you have only one Beijing day to spare.

“Very good experience. Mr. Rocky was very helpful and he knows a lot about Terracotta Warriors and Xian history. We are happy to be in Xian and hope we come back again. The trip was very good organized with the transportation and information was useful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Private Half-Day Tour of Xi’an Terracotta Warriors

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 201 reviews · from $145

Visit Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors with a private guide and air-conditioned vehicle. You’ll see Pits One, Two, and Three, hear the story behind the army, and stop for lunch or dinner. Afternoon visitors can add a dumpling feast and Tang Dynasty music and dance show. Guides such as Lin, Crystal, Maggie, and Jackie have earned praise for clear English and personal help.

“I had the private car tour with Mary. Everything was confirmed over phone call night before about the pick up timing. Car is very luxury and clean makes for a very comfortable ride to the warriors. She was very nice and told me a lot about the Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Private Xi’an Day Tour: Terracotta Army&Optional City Attractions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 170 reviews · from $88

Spend about eight hours with a private English-speaking guide and driver, visiting the Terracotta Warriors plus two Xi’an attractions. Choose from the City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Street, Banpo Museum, the Eight Immortals Temple, and Xi’an Mosque. Pickup is available from your hotel, with airport and train station transfers by arrangement.

“My tour guide Richard was very helpful and friendly and very good taking care of us, we were so very happy for this trip”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Terra-Cotta Warriors & Horses Essential Full Day Tour from Xi’an

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 160 reviews · from $79

Spend about nine hours visiting the Terracotta Warriors from Xi’an with an English-speaking guide, transport, admission, and Chinese-style lunch included. The day may also include Banpo Museum, a terracotta workshop, or a souvenir stop. Guides such as Amy, Lucia, Coco, Nana, and Rose have earned strong praise for clear explanations and helpful service.

“very worthy tour! Lucia was a great guide. they take you to Bampo site first which is 6000 years old, this place has great historic significance. followed by lunch and then to terra cotta army site. The site has 3 pits which are open to public. The pit 1 is marvellous as you see through the remains of a rich history legacy. must visit site in China to understand the essence of culture and history of china. overall the tour was very well organised with no issues at all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Xi’an Terracotta Army Entry Ticket Booking – with Guide Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 122 reviews · from $23

Reserve your Terracotta Army admission in advance for about $23, then enter with your passport and explore independently. The ticket covers the main excavation halls and Lishan Yuan, the Qin Shi Huang mausoleum area, with a shuttle connection between the sites. Add a guide if you want historical context and help with the crowds. External transportation is not included.

“The booking of the tickets was quick and efficient. The discovery and excavation of the Terracotta Warriors is truly magnificent. It is essential to get there as early as possible to avoid the crowds. Take a selfie stick so you can obtain photos over the crowds. Well worth a visit.”

Check availability →Read our full review