The three pits at a glance
The Terracotta Army stands in three excavated pits in Lintong, on the edge of Xi'an. One ticket covers Pits 1 to 3, the relics exhibition and Lishan Garden, with a free shuttle between the two areas. Terracotta Army tickets are real-name tickets, so keep your original passport ready.
Pit 1 is the largest and the one most people picture. Pit 2 is smaller but holds a wider mix of figures, and its exhibition was renewed in autumn 2026. Pit 3 is the smallest hall and the quickest to see.
Pits 1, 2 and 3 compared
Sizes and counts for each hall, and when each pit was found.
| Pit | Size | Depth | What you see | Found |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pit 1 | 230 × 62 m, 14,260 m² | 4.5–6.5 m | Long columns of warriors with horses; about 6,000 figures estimated | March 1974 |
| Pit 2 | L-shaped, about 6,000 m², 124 × 98 m | About 5 m | Kneeling archers, cavalrymen, horses, chariot soldiers and drivers; more than 1,300 figures and horses estimated | April 1976 |
| Pit 3 | About 520 m² | – | 72 clay figures and horses; read as a command post | May 1976 |
For most first visits, start with Pit 1, go on to Pit 2 and finish with Pit 3. Pit 1 gives the big picture, Pit 2 shows the variety of troops and Pit 3 takes only a short time.
Our pick: the pits with a guide
A guide explains what you see in each of the three 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 and day trips
Guided visits with transfers from Xi'an, small-group and private options, with live prices and availability.
Pit 1: the long columns
Pit 1 is a long hall with the figures standing in earthen corridors. In the usual reading, the front holds three rows of 68 warriors, 204 in all, with 38 columns of the main body behind them. That is a reconstructed military layout, not a count of every figure you can see today.
The figure of about 6,000 is an estimate for warriors and horses together, worked out from the density of test digs. It does not mean 6,000 soldiers are on display. Large parts of the hall are still being excavated and restored, and you will see the restoration work as part of the visit.
Pit 2: mixed units and new finds
Pit 2 is where you see the range of the army: kneeling archers, cavalrymen with horses, chariot soldiers and drivers. The estimate is more than 1,300 figures and horses together.
In 2025, archaeologists documented 2 chariots, 15 chariot and horse fittings and 9 weapons in the east part of corridor 9, on about 30 m². No wheels were found with the chariots described, so this is not a find of complete, drivable wooden carts.
The Pit 2 exhibition was renewed in autumn 2026 with more research and conservation content, multimedia and a revised visitor route. It is a new presentation, not a fourth pit.
Pit 3: the command post
Pit 3 covers about 520 m² and holds 72 clay figures and horses. It is often called the command post. That is a scholarly interpretation, not a preserved headquarters building.
The hall is small, so it works well as the last stop. If you have a short day, do not skip it: it takes less time than the other two and shows the army from a different angle.
Plan your time at the pits
Practical points for the halls.
How long
Count on about 1.5 hours for each of the two museum areas, the pits and Lishan Garden. That excludes the trip from Xi'an, entry checks and queues. Getting there →
Opening hours
From 16 March to 15 November the last ticket check is at 17:00 and the site closes at 18:30. From 16 November to 15 March the last check is at 16:30 (or 17:00 on some days) and closing is at 18:00. Holiday hours can differ, so check before you go.
Shuttle and carts
The shuttle between the pits and Lishan Garden is free. Optional carts cost CNY 5 in the museum area and CNY 15 in Lishan Garden (2026). Do not confuse them with the free shuttle.
The bronze chariots
The old bronze chariot display next to the halls closed in 2021. The chariots now belong to the museum in Lishan Garden. See the mausoleum page.
Fake tomb chambers
Some private VR or XR tomb-chamber add-ons are advertised as official. They are separate paid extras and do not give access to the real tomb. Not every driver or guide is a problem, but say no politely to a side trip you did not book.
Terracotta Army pits: frequently asked questions
How many pits are there?
Three pits are open to visitors: Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3. Together with the relics exhibition and Lishan Garden they make up one visit. The Pit 2 renewal in 2026 is an exhibition change, not a new pit.
Which pit is the best one to see?
Pit 1 for the scale and the long columns, Pit 2 for the variety of figures and Pit 3 for a short look at the command post. Most visitors see all three.
Are there really 6,000 soldiers on display?
No. About 6,000 is an estimate for Pit 1, warriors and horses together, based on test digs. Many figures are still buried or being restored.
Why is Pit 3 so small?
It covers about 520 m² and held 72 figures and horses by the museum's count. It is read as the command post of the army, so it holds fewer figures than the troop pits.
Is this the official website of the museum?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the museum or of any authority,.