The mausoleum is more than the warrior halls
The Terracotta Army is only one part of the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. The complex also has a burial mound, buildings and many more burial pits. UNESCO inscribed the site in 1987 and dates the start of construction to 246 BC.
The mound is described at 51.3 m high. The central burial chamber has not been excavated and cannot be visited. What you can walk through is Lishan Garden, the archaeological park around the mound. Your Terracotta Army ticket covers it, together with the pits and a free shuttle between the two areas.
The pits area and Lishan Garden compared
The ticket covers two areas. This is how they differ.
| Pits area | Lishan Garden | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | Pits 1 to 3 and the relics exhibition | The burial mound, the bronze chariot museum, K9901, K0006 and a marker of the inner wall |
| Time | About 1.5 hours | About 1.5 hours |
| Getting around | On foot; optional cart CNY 5 (2026) | Free shuttle between the areas; optional cart CNY 15 (2026) |
| The tomb chamber | – | Not open; the mound is the closest you get |
For most visitors with one day, the pits come first and Lishan Garden second, if you still have energy and daylight. If you only have time for one area, choose the pits.
Our pick: a ticket that includes Lishan Garden
The entry covers the museum and Lishan Garden at the tomb mound.
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Terracotta Army tours and day trips
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What you can visit in Lishan Garden
The garden is an archaeological park. The main stops are the burial mound, the museum of the bronze chariots, the pit K9901 with figures read as acrobats, the pit K0006 with figures read as civil officials, and a representation of the inner enclosure wall.
The park is large and the walk between stops can be long. The shuttle between the areas is free, and optional carts cost CNY 15 inside the garden (2026). Wear comfortable shoes and carry water.
The bronze chariots
Two bronze chariots with horses were found at the tomb. In May 2021 the museum moved the second bronze chariot into a new museum in Lishan Garden, with a trial opening from 18 May, and closed the old display next to the warrior halls on 19 May.
The bronze chariots are no longer next to the pits. Ask at the gate or check the museum's current notices to see which chariots are on show before you plan your day around them.
The unopened tomb and the mercury legend
What is known and what is tradition.
Why the chamber stays closed
The central chamber is treated as unexcavated. Do not confuse it with the burial pits around it, which have been opened and are what you visit.
The mercury rivers
The historian Sima Qian wrote that rivers and lakes of liquid mercury were shown in the tomb. This is a historical account passed down in writing. Nobody has observed the chamber to confirm it.
Measurements at the mound
A 2020 study measured mercury in the air at the site, up to 27 ng/m³ against about 5 to 10 ng/m³ as regional background. The readings are from above the mound, not from inside the tomb. The authors stress the uncertainties and do not conclude that the mausoleum adds much to the regional air load. It is not a health warning for visitors.
How high is the mound?
The mound is 51.3 m high by the World Heritage figure and more than 70 m by other counts. The figures may describe different states of the mound, so do not average them.
Fake tomb tours
Private VR or XR tomb-chamber packages are sometimes advertised as official. They are separate paid add-ons and do not show the real chamber. Some drivers near Qinlingxi station steer visitors to them. Not every driver is a problem, but say no to a stop you did not book.
Plan your time in Lishan Garden
Practical points for the park.
Hours and entry
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. Bring your original passport, because tickets are issued in your name.
Order of the day
Start with the pits, take the free shuttle to the garden and allow about 1.5 hours there. Check the closing time before you set off, as the shuttle is the quickest way back.
Getting to the site
The museum lies in Lintong. See the getting there page for metro and bus links from Xi'an.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go next.
Qin Shi Huang mausoleum: frequently asked questions
Can you go inside the tomb of Qin Shi Huang?
No. The central chamber is unexcavated and closed. You can visit the opened burial pits and walk in Lishan Garden around the mound.
Is the mercury at the site dangerous to visitors?
The mercury rivers are a historical account, not an observation. A 2020 study measured elevated readings above the mound but not inside it, and the authors call for caution in reading them. Visiting the park is not treated as a health risk here.
Is Lishan Garden included in the Terracotta Army ticket?
Yes. The ticket covers Pits 1 to 3, the relics exhibition and Lishan Garden. Carts inside the areas cost extra.
Are the bronze chariots still next to the pits?
No. The old display closed in 2021 and the chariots belong to the museum in Lishan Garden. Check which are on show on the day.
Is Lishan Garden the same as Lishan mountain at Huaqing?
No. Lishan Garden is the park at the mausoleum. The mountain at Huaqing Palace has a similar name but is a different place, covered on the Huaqing Palace page.
Is this the official website of the museum?
No. This is an independent travel guide and not the website of the museum or of any authority.