Walk through imperial tombs and stand before the terracotta legions
Xianyang sits on the banks of the Wei River where China's emperors chose to rest. The Tomb of Emperor Jingdi holds fifty thousand doll-sized terracotta figures—soldiers, officials, and animals in formation—arrayed beneath the earth. You descend into the "Underground Museum," where a glass floor lets you look directly onto the ongoing excavation below, watching archaeologists still unearthing these figures after centuries in darkness. Cross the road to the Archaeological Exhibit Center to see the finest pieces, or climb the worn trail up the burial mound itself for a view across the grounds, where rose gardens and wild grasses frame the scene.
Beyond the city, the Maoling Mausoleum near Xingping City stands as a massive pyramid—the largest Han imperial tomb—built for Emperor Wu, who expanded the empire's borders to Xinjiang and beyond, and opened the first Silk Road. A museum one kilometer east houses stone carvings that reveal the artistry of the era. Further afield, the Qianling Mausoleum in Qian County entombs China's first and only female emperor, Wu Zetian, alongside her husband. The main burial chamber remains untouched, but five attendant tombs lie open, offering a rare glimpse into Tang burial practices. For those drawn to northern campaigns and military genius, the Zhaoling Mausoleum in Liquan County commemorates Emperor Taizong of the Tang—the empire's greatest strategist. Stone relief carvings of his six war horses, the "Six Steeds," once guarded the complex; replicas stand today where the originals have traveled to museums across the world.
Enter three museums devoted to the Qin and Han dynasties
The Qin and Han Museum, which opened in 2024, stands as a dedicated branch of the Shaanxi History Museum and fills its galleries with artifacts from the two dynasties that shaped imperial China. Located in the Xixian New Area, it is accessible by metro or shuttle bus. Booking ahead through the museum's WeChat account is required.
The Xianyang Museum, in the heart of Weicheng District, houses the broader sweep of the city's past. Stone sculpture, ceramics, and relics from multiple periods fill its halls, offering context for the emperors whose tombs surround the city.
The Qingweilou Art Museum displays a reconstructed version of a famous historical tower demolished in the twentieth century. Inside, ancient paintings, calligraphy, bronzeware, jade, and ceramics sit alongside modern works, bridging centuries of artistic tradition under one roof.
Wander Weicheng District and experience a city tied to farewell
The name Weicheng echoes through Tang literature as a place of parting. During the Tang era, it served as the first relay station out of the capital Chang'an for travelers heading west toward the frontiers. Poets immortalized the moment of departure here—most famously Wang Wei in "A Song at Weicheng," a classic of farewell verse that captures the melancholy of saying goodbye. Walk these streets knowing that for centuries, merchants, soldiers, and officials have stood here at the threshold, preparing to leave everything familiar behind.
Time your visit and taste what the season offers
The tombs and archaeological sites operate year-round but shift their hours seasonally. From March through November, they open early and stay open until 18:00 or later; from December through February, they close earlier and charge lower admission. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for climbing burial mounds and strolling the temple grounds. Book accommodation in Xianyang or in neighboring Xi'an, just a few kilometers across the Wei River—the cities are now linked into one metropolitan area, and trains and buses connect them easily.
- Tomb of Emperor Jingdi: ¥70 (peak season), ¥55 (off-season)
- Maoling Mausoleum: ¥75 (March–November), ¥55 (December–February)
- Qianling Mausoleum: ¥100 (March–November), ¥80 (December–February)
- Zhaoling Mausoleum: ¥30 (peak season), ¥20 (off-season)
- Museums in Xianyang: Free admission
Xianyang invites you to stand in the presence of power long gone—where emperors built immortal armies of clay, where poets composed farewell verses, and where the foundations of imperial China were laid. Begin planning your journey by deciding which mausoleums call to you, and let the Wei River guide you through a landscape shaped by dynasties.