The Qianling and Han Yangling mausoleums lie 40 to 80km northwest of Xi'an in Xianyang, with a chartered car or taxi covering the roughly 1 to 1.5-hour drive between the two sites. Han Yangling, the closer of the pair in Weicheng District, is the joint tomb of Han dynasty Emperor Jing and Empress Wang, excavated to reveal underground pits filled with thousands of miniature terracotta figures, animals, and models of daily Han-era life, viewable partly through glass-floored walkways over the original pits. A morning visit here takes roughly ninety minutes. Qianling Mausoleum, further out in Qian County, is the joint tomb of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian, China's only reigning female emperor, marked by a spirit way lined with stone statues of officials, animals, and sixty-one headless statues believed to represent foreign envoys. The site also features Wu Zetian's famous "wordless stele," left blank by her own instruction, and its grounds spread across open hillside requiring an hour or more of walking. Pairing Han Yangling in the morning with Qianling in the afternoon makes an efficient loop given their positions relative to Xi'an. Spring and autumn provide the most comfortable conditions for walking the open mausoleum grounds, avoiding summer heat with little shade and winter cold across the exposed spirit way. Restaurants in Xianyang city, between the two sites, offer a convenient lunch stop serving local Shaanxi dishes.
| Distance | 40–80km northwest of Xi'an |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1–1.5 hours by chartered car between the two mausoleum sites |
| Getting there | Chartered car or taxi from Xi'an; Han Yangling is closer and can be paired with Qianling further out on the same loop |
| Cost | ¥45–70 (~$6–10) combined entrance fees |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Qianling Mausoleum, Qian County; Han Yangling Museum, Weicheng District, Xianyang, Shaanxi |
How to get there
- Chartered car/driver
- Taxi
- Group tour bus
Weather through the year in Shaanxi
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Shaanxi.
Location
Qianling Mausoleum, Qian County; Han Yangling Museum, Weicheng District, Xianyang, Shaanxi
34.5672, 108.2075 View on map
Highlights
- Wu Zetian's blank "wordless stele" at Qianling Mausoleum
- Stone spirit way statues including sixty-one headless envoy figures
- Han Yangling's glass-floored walkways over underground burial pits
- Miniature Han dynasty terracotta figurines and animal models
Tips for visiting
- Visit Han Yangling first since it sits closer to Xi'an, then continue to Qianling further out
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking across the open mausoleum grounds
- Hire a car or taxi for the loop, since public transit between the sites is limited
- Bring water and sun protection, as much of the spirit way at Qianling has no shade
When to visit
Spring or autumn offers the most comfortable temperatures for walking the open, largely unshaded mausoleum grounds.
Frequently asked questions
Which mausoleum should be visited first?
Han Yangling is closer to Xi'an and works well as a morning stop, leaving Qianling for the afternoon on the same loop.
Is Wu Zetian buried at Qianling?
Yes, Qianling is the joint tomb of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian, China's only reigning female emperor.
Are the mausoleum grounds accessible for visitors with mobility limitations?
The open, uneven terrain and long spirit way at Qianling make it difficult for wheelchair users, though Han Yangling's walkways are more level.