This is the joint tomb of Emperor Jing of the Western Han dynasty and his empress, built on a plain north of the Wei River outside Xianyang. The site's excavated satellite pits are covered by glass walkways set into the floor, so you look down directly into the burial pits and see thousands of miniature pottery figures, animals, and household objects still in their original positions. Unlike the Terracotta Army's life-size soldiers, the figures here are roughly one-third human scale and were originally clothed in silk and wood limbs that have long since decayed.
Han Yangling Mausoleum lies in Xianyang's Weicheng District north of Xi'an, the burial complex of Emperor Jing of the Han dynasty and his empress, distinguished by a museum built directly over the excavated satellite burial pits rather than around them. Glass walkways suspended above the actual excavation trenches let visitors look straight down at rows of miniature terracotta figures, roughly one-third human scale, including soldiers, servants, and animals, many originally clothed in silk and wood that has long since decayed, leaving the figures in their bare clay state. The below-ground viewing gallery creates an intimate, close-up experience quite different from the vast open pits at the Terracotta Army, since visitors look down through glass at figures just below their feet, often less than a meter away. Additional above-ground galleries display recovered pottery, coins, and everyday objects from the tomb complex, along with models explaining the layout of the wider mausoleum grounds, which remain largely unexcavated beneath surrounding farmland. A visit through the underground gallery and above-ground museum takes about 1.5-2 hours. The site receives a fraction of the visitors that flock to the Terracotta Army, making weekday mornings especially quiet and giving visitors more time to linger over individual figures in the glass-floored gallery.
| Admission | Adult ¥70 (~$10) peak; ¥55 (~$8) off-season · Child Discounted under 1.4m |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30 AM–6:30 PM (Mar–Nov); 8:30 AM–6:00 PM (Nov–Feb) |
| Typical visit | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings |
| Getting there | Taxi or bus from Xi'an (~40 min); no direct metro |
| Address | Han Yangling Museum, Weicheng District, Xianyang, Shaanxi |
Location
Han Yangling Museum, Weicheng District, Xianyang, Shaanxi
34.4046, 108.8333 View on map
Highlights
- Glass-floored walkway over excavated miniature terracotta figure pits
- Han-dynasty pottery and coin displays in the above-ground galleries
- Scale models explaining the wider mausoleum complex layout
- Close-up views of unclothed, third-scale terracotta soldiers and animals
Tips for visiting
- Visit as a quieter alternative or complement to the Terracotta Army, since crowds here are much lighter
- Wear socks suitable for shoe covers, which may be required on the glass walkway
- Combine with a visit to Xianyang's other Han-dynasty sites given the shared transport route
- Allow time to read the English captions explaining the figures' original silk clothing and wooden limbs
When to visit
Visit on a weekday morning, when the site is quietest and the glass-floored gallery is easiest to view without crowding.
Accessibility
The museum building is step-free with ramps and elevators, including access to the elevated glass walkway over the excavation pits.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend 1.5-2 hours moving through the underground glass-floored gallery and the above-ground museum halls.
Is it worth it for kids?
Yes, the glass walkway looking directly down at the miniature figures is generally a highlight for children.
Is photography allowed?
Photography without flash is allowed throughout the underground and above-ground galleries.