The joint burial mound of Han-dynasty Emperor Jing and his empress, viewed through a unique underground glass-floor museum built directly over the excavated burial pits.
Han Yang Ling is the joint mausoleum of Emperor Jing, the fourth ruler of the Western Han dynasty, and his empress, built between 153 and 126 BC on the northern outskirts of Xi'an in what is now Xianyang's Weicheng District. Unlike the Terracotta Army's life-size figures, Han Yang Ling's burial pits contain thousands of miniature terracotta figures, roughly one-third human scale, originally clothed in silk and wood-jointed with movable arms, that have long since decayed, leaving the figures found nude but with remarkably individualized, serene facial expressions; separate pits also held miniature animals, chariots, and everyday objects modeling a complete Han-dynasty household and army in miniature. The site's defining feature is its underground museum, built directly over a section of the excavated outer burial pits, where visitors walk along a glass-floored and glass-walled corridor suspended just above the original pits, looking down through the glass at rows of miniature figures and artifacts left largely in their excavated positions rather than removed to display cases. This immersive presentation, opened in 1999, is considered one of the more architecturally innovative site museums in China, controlling temperature and humidity in the buried gallery independently from the visitor corridor above. Above ground, the burial mounds of the emperor and empress rise as grass-covered hills within a large landscaped archaeological park, and a separate above-ground exhibition hall displays individual restored figures and artifacts up close, with English-language panels on Han-dynasty burial practice and Emperor Jing's reign. Because Han Yang Ling sits roughly 40 minutes from central Xi'an in the opposite direction from the Terracotta Army, it does not fit easily into the same day trip and draws a small fraction of the visitors, making for a notably calmer, unhurried visit even during peak tourist season. A full visit, including both the underground pit galleries and the above-ground exhibition hall, takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
| Admission | Adult ¥70 (~$9.90) Mar-Nov; ¥55 (~$7.70) Dec-Feb · Child Free under 1.2m; discounted rate for students with ID |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30 AM-6:30 PM Mar 1-Nov 30 (last entry 5:00 PM); 8:30 AM-6:00 PM Dec 1-Feb 28/29 (last entry 4:30 PM) |
| Typical visit | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings, since the site draws far fewer visitors than the Terracotta Army and rarely feels crowded |
| Getting there | Taxi or private car about 40 minutes from central Xi'an, or a combination of metro to Xianyang and a connecting taxi; no direct public tourist bus |
| Address | East section of Airport Road, Jinghe Industrial Park, Weicheng District, Xianyang 712000, Shaanxi, China |
Weather through the year in Shaanxi
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Shaanxi.
Location
East section of Airport Road, Jinghe Industrial Park, Weicheng District, Xianyang 712000, Shaanxi, China
34.4438, 108.9407 View on map
Highlights
- Underground glass-floored corridor suspended directly over excavated burial pits
- Miniature, one-third-scale terracotta figures with individualized facial expressions
- Separate pits with miniature animals, chariots, and household objects
- Grass-covered burial mounds of Emperor Jing and his empress in a landscaped park
- Markedly smaller crowds than the Terracotta Army even in peak season
Tips for visiting
- Arrange a taxi or private car for the roughly 40-minute drive from central Xi'an, as there is no direct tourist bus route
- Visit the underground glass-corridor gallery first while it is quietest, typically right after opening
- Combine with other Xianyang-area sites if time allows, since the mausoleum sits apart from the main Terracotta Army day-trip route
- Bring a light jacket even in warmer months, as the underground gallery is climate-controlled and can feel cool
- Allow extra time for the above-ground exhibition hall's close-up figure displays, easy to rush past after the glass-corridor experience
- Check that the extended summer hours are in effect if visiting in July or August, when the site stays open later
When to visit
Weekday mornings offer an especially calm visit, since Han Yang Ling sees a fraction of the Terracotta Army's visitor numbers even during peak season.
Accessibility
The underground glass-corridor gallery and above-ground exhibition hall are both level and wheelchair accessible via ramps and elevators; the outdoor burial mound park has paved paths suitable for most mobility levels.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Han Yang Ling take?
A full visit covering both the underground pit galleries and the above-ground exhibition hall typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Is it worth visiting with kids?
Yes, the glass-floor walkway directly over the pits is a memorable, unusual experience for children, though the site's quieter, more academic tone suits older children best.
Is photography allowed in the underground gallery?
Yes, photography without flash is generally allowed in the glass-floored corridor and above-ground exhibition hall.
How does Han Yang Ling compare to the Terracotta Army?
The figures at Han Yang Ling are smaller and more delicate, viewed through an innovative glass-floor gallery, and the site draws far fewer visitors, offering a calmer contrast to the Terracotta Army's scale and crowds.