This is the tomb of Emperor Jing of the Han dynasty, and it's a quieter, less crowded counterpart to the Terracotta Army - the excavated pits here hold thousands of miniature terracotta figures, animals and objects rather than life-size soldiers, originally clothed in silk that has long since decayed. The site's glass-floored walkway lets you look directly down into the burial pits, which gives a different, more intimate view of Han-dynasty burial practice than the Qin site does.
Han Yangling is the mausoleum of Emperor Jing of the Han dynasty and Empress Wang, located about 20 km north of central Xi'an near Xianyang, and offers a quieter, less crowded alternative to the Terracotta Army for visitors interested in China's imperial burial traditions. Rather than displaying full-sized figures, the tomb complex is famous for thousands of miniature painted terracotta figurines, roughly a third to a half life-size, depicting soldiers, servants, and livestock, discovered in surrounding burial pits. The site's standout feature is a series of glass-floored walkways built directly over several of the excavated pits, letting visitors look down at undisturbed rows of figurines still partially embedded in the soil exactly as archaeologists found them, an approach different from the fully excavated and displayed Terracotta Army pits. An underground exhibition hall houses this glass-floor viewing area along with climate-controlled display cases for the best-preserved figurines and artifacts. Reaching Han Yangling from central Xi'an takes under an hour via Metro Line 2 connecting to Tourist Bus 4, or a direct taxi ride of similar length, making it an easy half-day outing that pairs well with a broader look at Xianyang's other Han and Tang imperial tomb sites for visitors with more time.
| Distance | 20 km (12 miles) north of central Xi'an |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 45 minutes to 1 hour by metro and taxi, or by tourist bus |
| Getting there | Metro Line 2 to Xi'an Municipal Library Station, then transfer to Tourist Bus 4 to the Han Yangling stop; alternatively Metro Line 2 to Red Cross Hospital North Station, then a taxi |
| Cost | $ |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Han Yangling Museum, Zhangjiawan, Zhengyang Township, Weicheng District, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712000 |
How to get there
- Metro Line 2 + Tourist Bus 4: approx ¥6-10 (~$0.84-1.41) total
- Taxi/Didi one-way: about 45-60 minutes, ¥65-80 (~$9.14-11.25)
Suggested itinerary
- Morning or afternoon: Metro Line 2 to Xi'an Municipal Library Station, Tourist Bus 4 to Han Yangling. On site: underground exhibition hall and outdoor mausoleum grounds (1.5-2 hours). Return by the same route.
Location
Han Yangling Museum, Zhangjiawan, Zhengyang Township, Weicheng District, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712000
34.4189, 108.8867 View on map
Highlights
- Thousands of miniature painted terracotta figurines, distinct in style from the Terracotta Army
- Glass-floored walkways over undisturbed excavation pits
- Underground climate-controlled exhibition hall
- A quieter, far less crowded alternative to the main Terracotta Army site
Tips for visiting
- Take Metro Line 2 to Xi'an Municipal Library Station, then transfer to Tourist Bus 4 for a direct connection
- Visit as a half-day trip, since the compact site takes 1.5-2 hours to see properly
- Combine with other Xianyang-area historical sites if time allows
- Focus on the underground glass-floor exhibition hall, the site's most distinctive feature
When to visit
March-May and September-November offer mild weather for the outdoor mausoleum grounds; the underground exhibition hall is climate-controlled year-round.
Frequently asked questions
How is Han Yangling different from the Terracotta Army?
Han Yangling's figurines are much smaller, roughly a third to a half life-size, and many remain partially in situ, viewable through glass floors rather than fully excavated and displayed.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors need 1.5-2 hours to see the underground exhibition hall and outdoor grounds, making it an easy half-day trip.
Is Han Yangling less crowded than the Terracotta Army?
Yes, it receives significantly fewer visitors, making for a calmer visit even during peak tourist season.