When to go: the short answer
Spring (April and May) and October bring mild days for walking the city wall and queuing at the pits. Summer is hot, with highs around 31 to 32 degrees Celsius from June to August. Winter is cold but dry, and the museum closes earlier. September has the most rain of any month. The biggest factor for crowds is not the weather but the Chinese holiday weeks.
Whichever month you pick, book your entry in your own name with your passport: see Terracotta Army tickets. The figures below are long-term monthly averages, not a forecast for your trip.
Xi'an climate by month
Average daily highs and lows from long-term records (1961 to 1990). Recent years can differ.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4.8 °C | -4.2 °C | 6 mm |
| February | 7.7 °C | -1.8 °C | 11 mm |
| March | 14.0 °C | 3.2 °C | 26 mm |
| April | 20.4 °C | 8.9 °C | 50 mm |
| May | 25.8 °C | 13.8 °C | 65 mm |
| June | 31.6 °C | 18.8 °C | 51 mm |
| July | 32.0 °C | 21.6 °C | 93 mm |
| August | 31.1 °C | 20.8 °C | 67 mm |
| September | 24.7 °C | 15.5 °C | 108 mm |
| October | 19.3 °C | 9.8 °C | 66 mm |
| November | 12.1 °C | 2.8 °C | 26 mm |
| December | 6.1 °C | -2.9 °C | 6 mm |
For most visitors, April, May and October are the best months: the highs stay between about 19 and 26 degrees. Autumn is not reliably dry, because September and October still bring 108 and 66 mm of rain. Pack a light rain jacket in either season.
Our pick: an off-peak visit
Early morning or last entry is the quietest time in the pits.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Terracotta Army tours by season
Guided trips from Xi'an, private and small-group, with live prices and availability for your dates.
Season by season
What each part of the year means for the pits and the city.
Spring: March to May
March is still cool, with highs of 14 degrees. April and May warm up to 20 and 26 degrees, with 50 to 65 mm of rain a month. Ticket checks at the museum run 08:30 to 17:00 from 16 March, with closing at 18:30. The Labour Day holiday, 1 to 5 May in 2026, is a busy week.
Summer: June to August
Highs reach 31 to 32 degrees, and July is the wettest summer month with 93 mm. The halls can be crowded in summer. Go at 08:30 and take water. The city wall is better before midday or in the evening, when it stays open until 22:00.
Autumn: September to October
September has the highest rain figure of the year. October is milder at 19 degrees. The Mid-Autumn holiday falls in September or October, and the National Day holiday runs from 1 to 7 October. In holiday weeks the pits and the towers are far busier.
Winter: November to February
Highs are 5 to 12 degrees, with lows below freezing from December to February. Rain is low. From 16 November the ticket check runs 08:30 to 16:30 with closing at 18:00, so the day is shorter. The city wall closes at 20:00, and the Bell Tower at 18:00. Spring Festival fell on 15 to 23 February in 2026, and Lunar New Year falls on 6 February in 2027.
Holidays and crowds
Chinese holiday weeks are the busiest times, and they affect trains, hotels and queues at the gate. The dates for 2026 were:
- Spring Festival: 15 to 23 February
- Labour Day: 1 to 5 May
- Mid-Autumn Festival: 25 to 27 September
- National Day: 1 to 7 October, seven days in total
The museum states a daily capacity of 65,000 visitors. Book your slot as early as the museum allows, arrive at the opening and keep the evening free. The holiday dates for 2027 are set later in the year, so check them once they are published.
Opening hours and shows by season
The rules that change with the calendar.
| Place | Spring to autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Terracotta Army museum | 16 March to 15 November: check 08:30 to 17:00, closing 18:30 | 16 November to 15 March: check 08:30 to 16:30, closing 18:00 |
| City wall, south gate | March to October: 08:00 to 22:00 | November to February: 08:00 to 20:00 |
| Bell Tower | 1 April to 31 October: 08:30 to 21:00 | 1 November to 31 March: 08:30 to 18:00 |
| Huaqing evening show | Classic version, March to the end of October | Winter version, December to the end of February |
The Huaqing show starts around 20:10 in its classic version and around 18:30 in winter, and times move with demand. An interruption has been announced for 1 to 25 December 2026. Tickets for the show are separate from the day ticket. See Huaqing Palace.
For most visitors the best plan is a weekday in April, May or October outside the holiday weeks, with the pits first thing in the morning. If you can only come in winter, go early and keep the afternoon for the old town.
Before you book a date
Entry rules
Holders of ordinary German, Austrian and Swiss passports can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, valid until 31 December 2026. If you plan a trip for 2027, check whether this has been extended. Other nationalities should check their own country.
Booking window
The ticket needs your name, your passport details and a time slot. Book as soon as you know your date, especially for a holiday week. See tickets for the current price and rules.
Packing
Bring layers for spring and autumn, water and sun protection for summer, and warm clothes for the hall and the wall in winter.
Best time to visit Xi'an: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit the Terracotta Army?
April, May and October have the mildest weather. Avoid the holiday weeks if you can, especially the National Day week at the start of October.
Is the Terracotta Army open in winter?
Yes. From 16 November to 15 March the ticket check runs 08:30 to 16:30, with closing at 18:00. Arrive early, because the last check can fall as late as 17:00.
Is autumn dry in Xi'an?
No. September is the rainiest month in the table, with 108 mm, and October still has 66 mm.
How cold does Xi'an get?
Average lows fall to about -4 degrees in January, and daytime highs stay under 8 degrees in January and February.
When are the busiest days?
The Chinese holiday weeks: Spring Festival, Labour Day, Mid-Autumn and National Day. The pits and the old town are crowded then.
Is this the official website of the museum?
No. This is an independent guide. Check the museum's own notice for the hours on your date.