Terracotta Army Tours: The 15 Best Trips from Xi’an

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

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

Spend about 9 to 10 hours exploring Xi'an with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, transport, museum tickets, and a Chinese buffet lunch advertised as included. Visit the Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, ancient City Wall, and Muslim Quarter with a group of about 12. Guides such as Lily, Roger, Rita, Tracy, and Carol are frequently assigned.

“Unique and Unforgettable Moment in the Terracotta Warriors Xi’an and our guide Roger I recommend him!”

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 small group or private guide. Meet at the museum or choose hotel pickup, then explore the three main pits with a guide such as Jade, David, Becky, or Elith. Skip-the-line tickets, headsets, bottled water, and multilingual service are included. Private tours let you set the pace.

“We very liked this trip. Our guide David was very professional and knowledgeable. 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

Travel from Xi’an to the Terracotta Army Museum by coach or private vehicle, with an English-speaking guide such as Linda, Josh, Lucas, Nana, or Cherry. You’ll see the famous pits, horses, bronze chariots, and weapons, stop at a replica workshop, and return after lunch. Ticket-only and private options are also available.

“Excellent day trip. Linda was a wonderful guide. Showed us the best way around the Terracotta Army, best areas for photos, and was able to give interesting insight to the history. Very comfortable transport. Linda also took us to an excellent local restaurant and helped advise on which dishes to try.”

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, or Huaqing Palace. Wendy, Becky, Agnes, or another English-speaking guide leads your private group, with a driver, hotel pickup, and time for local food. Entrance fees and shows cost extra.

“Great experience provided by lovely people, relaxed, informative and a fantastic way to spend a day in Xian.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour & Local Family Lunch

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

Visit all three Terracotta Army pits with guides such as Andy, Min, or Willow, using included tickets and hotel transport on selected options. Afterward, drive to Lintong for a homemade Shaanxi lunch at a local family home. Choose a small-group or private tour, or buy a ticket-only option without guiding, transport, or lunch.

“Traveling with Andy felt like traveling with a friend. Communication was super easy as Andy speaks excellent English. He was very knowledgeable and answered all questions. Another highlight was lunch at his family's place, cooked with love by his Dad. They also considered all dietary restrictions. We had so much fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel from central Xi’an by air-conditioned minivan to the Terracotta Warriors Museum with an English-speaking guide and a group of about 12. You get museum entry, headsets, bottled water, and a Chinese buffet lunch. Guides such as Rita, Carol, and Celine have been praised for clear explanations and helpful local advice. The tour ends near the 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

Visit the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses independently with an entrance ticket arranged by Ms Li of Authentic China Tours. Bring your overseas passport, follow the arrival instructions sent by WhatsApp, and explore Pits 1, 2, and 3 without a guide or fixed group schedule. Transportation and golf cart rides are not included.

“Excellent service: Li helped us and writes us all the infirmations we needed. Very accurate and very kind. Thank you Li !”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Private Customizable Terracotta Warriors Day Tour with Options

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

Start with the Terracotta Warriors Museum, then choose two Xi’an sights such as the City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Banpo Museum, or Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Private guides including Linda, Tina, Lisa, and Eddie tailor the day to your pace. Pickup, a driver, and station or airport transfers depend on the option selected.

“The guide arranged by Viator was enthusiastic and very well informed on the Terra Cotta Warriors as well as the Muslim Market and Banpo Museum. Each of the tours we took with Viator went well and the tour begins as soon as you seat yourself in the car for the ride to the tour site. The site itself was all it's made out to be and everything we expected.”

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

See the Terracotta Army, Xi'an City Wall, and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in one full day with an English-speaking guide such as Andy, Willow, Min, or Maryam. The highlight is lunch at a local family's home near Lintong. Choose carefully between the $24 ticket-only option and the fully guided tour with transport, lunch, and entrance fees.

“Best tour I’ve ever taken in China so far. Andy is amazing, he’s very knowledgeable, always ready to answer any questions, he also knows the right and good spots for photos. The lunch at his parent’s house was incredible, authentic and delicious, we also got the chance to meet with his wife and kids. I truly recommend this tour. Everything was perfect!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Xian Terra Cotta Warriors Ticket Only

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

Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum near Xi'an with a one-day admission ticket. Send your full name and passport number before arrival, then use your passport at the North Gate. This option skips the ticket line but includes no guide, meals, hotel transport, or sightseeing beyond the museum.

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

You leave Beijing at 6:30am, ride the G91 bullet train to Xi'an, and meet a private guide such as Serena, Alice, Lily, or Bo. A private car takes you to the Terracotta Warriors for an afternoon tour, local Biang Biang noodles, and a return train to Beijing. Cathy coordinates the day by WhatsApp.

“Amazing tour to experience 2000 years old history. The terracotta warriors is a must visit site. Cathy and Lily are excellent tour guides.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Spend about five hours with a private guide and driver at Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors Museum. You will see Pits One, Two, and Three, hear the story behind more than 7,000 figures, and eat at a local restaurant. Afternoon bookings can add a Shaanxi dumpling feast and Tang Dynasty music and dance show.

“It was a great experience, are guide Lin give us the best excursion and explanation about the whole history of Terracotta Warriors. Then she take us to an amazing lunch with a local meal. Definitely were very lucky to have Lin and her driver.”

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, starting at the Terracotta Warriors and choosing two Xi’an sights such as the City Wall, Muslim Street, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Banpo Museum, or Xi’an Mosque. Pickup and drop-off are included, but attraction tickets and lunch cost extra.

“What a day! I had the please of having Rosa as my guide during the tour and she was just wonderful! Having a knowledgeable tour guide makes such a difference, navigating through the crowds of Terracotta Warriors is not an easy feat, also understanding the history makes all the difference. Would highly recommend this tour and ask for Rosa!”

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 Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, entrance tickets, transport, and lunch included. The core visit covers the three excavation pits and museum displays. Some departures also include Banpo Neolithic Museum and a terracotta factory or souvenir stop, so confirm the day’s schedule before booking.

“No doubt I'd recommend this. Small van. Cozy group of 5 and a fantastic tour guide, whose name I can't recall in Chinese, but went by Lucy. She speaks perfect English we discussed politics and history, she is thoughtful and funny. Made our day wonderful. The trip was organized and pleasant. Being American, I can moan this was good.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Secure advance entry to Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum without a Chinese phone number. Your passport is linked to the ticket, and admission covers the main pits, Lishan Yuan, the Qin Shi Huang mausoleum area, and the shuttle between sites. Choose ticket-only independence or add a guide. Plan 2 to 4 hours, arrive early, and bring your passport.

“Tour guide was organized, efficient and the ride to the Terracota site was smooth. Buffet lunch was excellent with good food variety to choose from.”

Check availability →Read our full review