Written by Clementine |
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, located in Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China, about 31 km east of Xi’an city center. The original name of the mausoleum is Lishan Garden, with the tomb placed between the Li Mountain to the south and the Wei River to the north. This location fulfills the geomagnetic requirements of ancient China.
The existing mausoleum stands at a height of 76 meters and faces east-west. It is believed to be the place where Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s coffin and accompanying burial artifacts are located. As one of the largest and culturally significant imperial tombs in the world, the central mausoleum is still unexcavated as of now.
The world-famous Terracotta Army near the mausoleum is part of the outer perimeter of Qin Shi Huang’s Tomb, which was constructed to guard the imperial resting place. When traveling to Xi’an, we highly recommend our clients cover both the Terracotta Army and the mausoleum area for a better understanding of the legendary emperor and culture and life during the Qin Dynasty.
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- Travel Information
- Who Is First Qin Emperor – Get to Know Him with Most Important Facts
- History of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
- Layout and Interior of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Tomb
- Highlights of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Lishan Garden)
- How to Visit the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
- Travel Tips for the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
- FAQs about the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
- Travel with China Xian Tour to Discover Qin Shi Huang’s Stories
Travel Information
- Location: in Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China, about 31 km east of Xi’an city center, and about 2 km from the Terracotta Army
- Opening hours: 8:30-18:30 (Mar. 16 – Nov. 15); 8:30-18:00 (Nov. 16 – Mar. 15)
- Ticket price: CNY 120 per person (include both Mausoleum of The First Qin Emperor & Terracotta Army)
- Time needed: about 1.5-2 hours
- How long to visit it: About 1.5 hour
- Best for: Chinese history buffs to combine the Terracotta Warriors with it
Who Is First Qin Emperor – Get to Know Him with Most Important Facts
- One of the outstanding political leaders, strategists, and reformers in ancient China, the first emperor of China’s Qin Dynasty was Ying Zheng (嬴政). His reign lasted from 246 BC to 210 BC. He was the first monarch in China to achieve the unification of the country (by absorbing all the vassal states).
- The second major achievement of First Qin Emperor was eliminating the old feudalistic constraints and patterns, and based on the actual needs of politics and society at that time, created a complete system of national institutions.
- After the Qin Dynasty conquered the six states, First Qin Emperor began to order the construction of the Great Wall in the north to resist the northern nomadic tribes, such as the Huns.
- Before the Qin Dynasty, the writing systems of various states had different forms, which made it difficult to distinguish. After First Qin Emperor unified the country, he made Small Seal Script the standard writing and Clerical Script the daily use script, facilitating communication.
- Qin Shi Huang used the units of measurement, weights, and measures of the original Qin state as the standard for the entire country, and unified the measurement and weights.
- After the unification of the Qin Dynasty, they standardized the currency system and stipulated that the currency was divided into gold and copper types.
- Starting from 222 BC, Qin Shi Huang began to extensively build highwayscentered around the capital Xianyang, extending in all directions, similar to modern expressways.
- Under the influence of First Qin Emperor, the Qin Dynasty established a unified set of ethics, morality, and behavioral norms.
History of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
Emperor Qin Shi Huang began to build the mausoleum for himself when he came to the throne at the age of 13. After the unification of the country in 221 B.C., the project grew large in scale. Over 720,000 convicts from all parts of the empire were conscripted as laborers. The work continued even after the emperor’s death, taking a total of 38 years. The fact that one of the satellite pits of the terra-cotta army, Pit NO.4, was unfinished and remained empty suggests that the planned work was not completed.
Layout and Interior of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Tomb
Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum is very large, covering a total area of 56.25 square km. It is rectangular in shape and enclosed by two walls-the inner city wall and the outer city wall, forming the shape of the Chinese character”回”.
The inner wall measured 1,355m in length from north to south and 580m in width from east to west, with a circumference of 3,870m; the area was 79 square meters. The outer wall was 2,186m in length from north to south and 976m in width from east to west with a circumference of 6,321m. The area was 213 square meters. The walls no longer exist, but the foundations halved remained. Its dramatic size has made it one of the largest ancient burial sites in the world.
Both the inner and outer walls had a gate with a gate tower on the earth side, apart from the north side of the inner wall, which had two gates. Both the inner and outer walls had watchtowers at the four corners. The large tomb lies in the southern part of the inner city at the point of intersection of six gates. So many buildings that were above ground have been reduced to ruin or have simply vanished without a trace that it is difficult to determine what the original mausoleum might have looked like. But the number of unusually well-preserved relics beneath the ground has provided archaeologists with a good idea as to the design and overall layout of the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang.
The mausoleum builders got the surprising achievements by their hard work, their lives lived in poor condition, rebellious peasants pillaged and burnt those buildings connected with the Qin dynasty, which was hated for its cruelty. The palaces and other buildings within the walls of the mausoleum were destroyed. Only the huge pyramid of the mound survived the devastation, although it is not known whether later grave robbers have plundered the tomb. In 1987, the mausoleum was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Highlights of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Lishan Garden)
What can visitors see at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor site? Visitors are allowed to explore the tomb mound, Lishan Garden, the Bronze Chariots and Horses Museum, and several burial pits with figurines.
The Bronze Chariots and Horses Museum
The Bronze Chariots and Horses Museum is the best highlight of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. The bronze chariots and horses in this museum are renowned as the “Crown of Bronzes”, boasting the largest, most intricately structured, and best-preserved ancient vehicles unearthed in China. The museum was opened to the public in 2021 and is located about 240 meters away from the original burial pit.
Be one-half scale of the actual imperial vehicles, the bronze chariots and horses were buried as part of Qin Shi Huang’s funerary items, and adorned with many gold and silver ornaments, offering a glimpse into the advanced metallurgy and craftsmanship of the Qin dynasty.
Burial Pit No. 9901 (Pit of the Hundred Entertainers)
A fascinating archaeological site within the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, the “Pit of the Hundred Entertainers” contains many unique terracotta figurines known as the “Hundred Entertainers,” which were intended to serve as a diverse entertainment troupe for the emperor in the afterlife. Unlike the solemn expressions of the Terracotta Warriors, these figurines display a wide range of dynamic poses, showing various forms of ancient Chinese entertainment.
The forms of entertainment in the pit include music, dance, and acrobatics, which were popularized during the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period and offer visitors a look into the vibrant world of entertainment in ancient China.
Burial Pit No. K0006 (Pit of Civil Official Figurine)
This pit is composed of three parts: a sloping gateway, a front chamber, and a rear chamber. The front chamber primarily contains terracotta figurines, while the rear chamber contains horse bones. The Civil Official Figurine Pit is one of the rare pits in the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor that was unburned, with its wooden structures being relatively well preserved.
How to Visit the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
How to Get to
Metro + bus: Take metro line 9 to Huaqingchi Station and leave from exit C, then transfer to bus line 602 and get off at Qinshihuanling (Qin Shi Huang’s Tomb) stop. Finally, walk southwest for about 550 meters to the scenic area. It takes more than 2 – 2.5 hours and costs about CNY 10 per person.
Direct bus to the scenic area: The buses are provided in some main scenic spots in Xian, including Bell Tower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The ticket is about CNY 25 – 30 for a single trip, and the duration is about 1.5 – 2 hours.
Best Time to Visit
The best seasons to visit Qin Shi Huang’s Tomb are definitely spring and autumn. In spring, the weather is moderate with temperatures of 10 – 25 ℃, and Li Mountain is covered with fresh greenery, lush flowers, and trees. In autumn, the climate is cool and comfortable. And the ancient architecture and the golden and red leaves form a delightful contrast. It can also be visited in summer, because the temperature in the mausoleum is stable at 20 ℃ thanks to its underground structure, making it a better place to avoid heat.
As for the best visit time in one day, the opening hour of 08:30 or 10:00 in the morning is highly recommended. Entering at 08:30 as the first batch of visitors, you can enjoy an unobstructed panoramic view of the underground army since there are fewer tourists during this time. In 10:00 – 11:00, the sunlight shines into Pit No. 1, and the scales of the terracotta warrior’s armor reflect light so that you can observe the details clearly.
In the afternoon, you can enter after 15:00, when the tour groups leave one after another, so the tourists are relatively fewer. And between 16:00 and 17:00, you will witness the breathtaking scene of the terracotta figurines bathing in golden light when the setting sun slants over Pit No. 1.
The Suggested Visiting Route
- Arrive at the Terracotta Army Museum by 14:30 at the latest. Start visiting and finish it for approximately 2 hours.
- Then take the free shuttle bus at in front of the statue of Emperor Qin Shi Huang to Lishan Garden by 16:30 at the latest. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
- In the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, focus on the 9901 Burial Pit and the 0006 Burial Pit. Then, allow yourself circle the tomb mound to witness the overall layout of the mausoleum. It will take approximately 1.5 hours in total.
Travel Tips for the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
- The entrance fee of Qin Shi Huang’s Tomb is included in the ticket of Terracotta Warriors and Horses.
- The tomb is about 2 km from the Terracotta Army, visitors can take the free shuttle bus to travel between these two sites.
- It’s highly recommended to explore the Lishan Garden area by a sightseeing car (CNY 15 per person) considering its large size.
- It’s recommended to visit the mausoleum (Lishan Garden) area first before heading to the Terracotta Army site. Please leave about one hour for the shuttle bus ride between these two sites.
- Both of these two sites stop to check tickets at 17:00, please plan your itinerary accordingly.
FAQs about the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
What’s the difference between the Terracotta Army and the Mausoleum?
Terracotta Army serves as the outer defenses of the mausoleum, while the mausoleum itself is the burial site of Qin Shi Huang. And this arrangement, indeed, shows the ultimate power and supreme standing of the emperor.
When and how was the mausoleum discovered?
The existence of the mausoleum was never a secret, since it’s been mentioned in various historical materials. However, the it’s exact location was never confirmed until 1974. Some local farmers had accidentally found it when digging a well. Since then, archaeological exploration has soon been launched and people got to gradually reveal the vast mausoleum complex.
Why has the emperor’s tomb not been opened yet?
Since it’s the only way to preserve it. Concerns about technology, preservation, and potential damage from exposure are still waiting for an answer. So that if the tomb will stay sealed until experts come up with ways to solve these problems.
Is there ongoing archaeological work at the site?
Yes. Excavations and research are still going on cautiously. However, you can also see that many pits remain unopened. People are awaiting improved preservation technology to explore them without creating more damages.
Travel with China Xian Tour to Discover Qin Shi Huang’s Stories
Qin Shi Huang’s Tomb and the Terracotta Army are two of the must-see highlights in a Xi’an tour, however, since the histories of these sites are deeper and more complex than you may have imagined, it becomes quite necessary for visitor to travel with some local experts. And as a professional travel agency based in Xi’an for over ten years, professional guides from China Xi’an Tour are all here waiting to provide you with in-depth historical context, seamless transfers, and flexible itineraries for your Xi’an tour.
With us customizing your schedule and taking care of everything, all you need to do in this journey is to immerse yourself in the rich historical vibe of the site and also the beauty of Xi’an city.
If you like, our expert team is glad to arrange you a Xian tour with Terracotta Army and the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. Feel free to contact us regarding your preference and requirements.
