Tomb of Qin Shihuang

» Xi'an, Shaan Xi

Tomb of Qin Shihuang Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The Tomb of Qin Shihuang, a 2,200-year-old structure, is famous as the home of 7,000 terracotta warriors and horses. Speaking of Qin's Terracotta Warriors and Horses, most people definitely have heard about it or even have paid a visit. Its grandeur and mystery really overwhelm tourists. However, people could have neglected the yet unexcavated the Tomb of Qin Shihuang due to all this. Actually, the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses forms only part of the tomb. Greater things are yet to come.

Qin Shihuang, the First Emperor of Qin

Qin Shihuangdi (259 B.C. - 210 B.C.), the First Emperor of Qin Dynasty and also of China, was known for the introduction of Legalism and also for unifying China. The emperor Qin Shihuang was the first in China to construct a mausoleum city and to build coffin chambers and subordinate palaces in the mausoleum. The first emperor also started the ritual of building chambers for those buried alive with the owner of the tomb on a large scale. Another unusual discovery is that the mausoleum does not have a tomb of the empress.

Location

The tomb of Qin Shihuang is located in the eastern suburbs of Lintong County, 35 kilometers (22 miles) east of Xi'an city: on the Mt. Lishan in the south and overlooking the Weihe River towards north. The lay of the land from Mt. Lishan to Mt. Huashan is shaped dragon-like according to traditional Chinese geomancy. The imperial tomb is at the eye of the dragon. The emperor had chosen well.

Dimensions

In size, the mausoleum is larger than the Great pyramid in Egypt. Seen from afar, it is a hill overgrown with vegetation. It is believed that the tomb consists of an inner city and an outer city. The exterior of the mausoleum is a low earth pyramid with a wide base. In 2000 years, the original 100-meter-high (328 feet) hillock has been weathered down to about 47 meters (154 feet) high, 515 meters (1,690 feet) long from south to north and 485 meters (1,591 feet) wide east to west. In an area of 2,180,000 square meters (less than one square miles), many large-scale alhambresque buildings housing precious treasures are said to be buried inside the tomb.

Layout

Since they began to explore the Tomb of Qin Shihuang 40 years ago, archeologists have discovered constructions over hundreds of square kilometers and more than 600 tombs of those buried alive with the emperor. However, the overall plan of the mausoleum remained a mystery. Hopefully one day, the entire mausoleum will be unearthed and displayed to the public.

Covering 2.13 square kilometers, the four-layered mausoleum, like a well-structured city, includes an underground palace, which is the center of the mausoleum, an inner city, outer city and grounds. The mausoleum, facing east, is a rectangle with falling 85 meters from the south to the north. The ramparts of the inner city and outer city are altogether 12 kilometers long, similar to that of Xi'an during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644).

Underground palace

The underground palace, the central city, lies under the grave mound in the south of the inner city. It symbolizes Qin Shihuang's real palace when he was alive, occupying two thirds of the southern part of the inner city.

The Historical Records

Sima Qian, a great historian who wrote in early Han dynasty, offered archeologists great insight on the mausoleum's construction. We learned from him that the tomb is huge. The coffin of Emperor Qin Shihuang was cast in bronze.

Underground Palace was gem-studded replica of imperial housing above ground. Moreover, booby traps with automatic-shooting arrows were installed to deter would-be tomb robbers. Heaven and earth were represented in the central chamber of the tomb. Ceiling shaped into sun, moon and stars by inlaying pearls and gems symbolizes the sky and the ground was an accumulation point of rivers, lakes and seas, like Yellow River and Yangtze River, which stands for the earth. It is said that the underground palace was brightly lit by whale oil lamps for eternity.

Nowadays, the records in this book have been definitely proved right by archaeological findings and the underground palace of the tomb is presumably well preserved.

Inner city

The inner city has the most buildings and buried relics such as the coffin chamber, flags and weapons for guards of honor and stores. Subordinate buildings and tombs for buried concubines of the monarch were also in the inner city.

In the area between the inner and outer cities, archeologists have found a chamber for stables, 31 chambers for birds and rare animals, 48 tombs for imperial concubines who were buried alive with the emperor and three sites of homes of officials in charge of gardens and temples. Some secondary establishments such as a large pit for stone loricae and terracotta figures were also found in this zone.

Outer city

Outside the outer city, along with the well-known terracotta horses and warriors, archeologists found 98 chambers for small stables and many tombs for those buried with the Qin Shihuang.

The gates of the inner and outer cities in both the west and the east were built in the form of courtyards. The city wall in the mausoleum has cloisters on both sides with turrets at the four corners.

Remains of the Mausoleum

As a part of the mausoleum, the terracotta warriors have dazzled the world. But the materials unexcavated are also worth studying. Qin bricks and tiles, engraved with decorative patterns, are strew everywhere around the tomb. There are many satellite tombs built for accompanying Qin Shihuang. Ministers, princesses and princes, the famous and the not so famous were inhumed there. The burial pits for horses, rare birds and pottery figures were ever regarded as the sacrificial objects to the Emperor. Hence the remains from these tombs and pits are beneficial for archaeologists to make further research.

When to visit

• Opening Hours: 07:30a.m. - 18:30p.m.

Attractions around » Xi'an, Shaan Xi

Natural Scene

• Huaqing Pool
• Mt. Huashan

Historical Site

• Xi'an City Wall
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Great Mosque
• Drum Tower
• Bell Tower
• Tomb of Qin Shihuang
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda
• Ba Xian An Temple

Cultural Site

• Terracotta Warriors and Horses
• Shaanxi Provincial History Museum
• Xi'an Banpo Museum
• Forest of Stone Steles Museum

Nightlife

• Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show

Day Entertainment & Sports

• Tang Paradise
• Golf in Xi'an

Shopping & Leisure

• Moslem Street
• Shuyuanmen Street
• Xi'an Antique Market
• Wenbaozhai Tourist Shopping Center
• Century Ginwa Shopping Mall

Tomb of Qin Shihuang Highlights

Qin Shihuang, the First Emperor of Qin

Also called the First Emperor of China, Emperor Qin Shihuang was the founder of the first unified empire in the history of China. He established an autocratic state with centralized power over the feudal society.

Mausoleum in Great China

• Ming Tombs
• Confucius Cemetery
• Huangdi Tomb
• Ming Xiaoling Tomb
• Eastern Qing Tombs
• Western Qing Tomb
• Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb
• Royal Tombs of Western Xia Kingdom
• Zhaoling Tomb
• Genghis Khan's Tomb
• Tomb of Qin Shihuang
• Zhaoling Tomb
• Tomb of Crown Prince Yi De
• Tomb of Princess Yongtai
• Tomb of Concubine Yang
• Han Yang Ling Museum
• Qianling Tomb
• Maoling Tomb
• Imperial Tombs of the North Song Dynasty
• Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
• Fuling Tomb
• Hairui Tomb
• Zhaojun Tomb
• Astana Tombs
• Tomb of Abakh Khoja
• Tomb of General Yue Fei
• Amannishahan Tomb
• Tomb of Prince Jingjiang

Tomb of Qin Shihuang FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Is the weather fine all year round in Xi'an?
2. What is the best season to visit Xi'an?

  Food

1. What can we have for dinner in Xi'an?
2. What is Xi'an local delicacy?

  Shopping

1. Can I use my credit card when visiting the attractions in Xi'an?
2. Where can I buy chinese medicine?
3. Where can I find the department stores and supermarkets?
4. What souvenirs can we buy in Xi'an?

  Travel

1. What taboos do we need to pay attention to in Xi'an?
2. What should we prepare for our visit to Mt.Huashan?
3. Where can I meet muslim friends in Xi'an?
4. What about the toilet facilities in Xi'an?

  Customs

1. Where can I see Shadow Puppets in Xi'an?
2. Why does Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show become so popular here?
3. How about the dress for Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show?

  Other Hints

1. What is Xi'an time?
2. What to pack for Xi'an tours?
3. Where is the post office in Xi'an?
4. Is the internet bar available in Xi'an?
5. What about other useful numbers in Xi'an?
6. What is emergency number in Xi'an?

• Is the weather fine all year round in Xi'an?

  Xi'an is in a warm temperate zone, and has a continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons; Xi'an is hot and wet in summer, dry and seldom snowy in winter and is prone to extended spells of rain in spring and autumn.

  The temperature during spring (March to May) increases rapidly, but is prone to fluctuation. The average temperature in March is 7.9 centigrade, rising to 14.1 centigrade in April and 19.4 centigrade in May.

  Summer in Xi'an (June to August) becomes both hot and humid, with the highest average temperature being 32 centigrade and the maximum temperature of ten above 40 centigrade.

  Xi'an also experiences a fair amount of precipitation during autumn, (September to November). The early autumn period is cool and can be overcast, late autumn is usually fine.

  Winter (December to February) is dry and cold with a little snow. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 0 Centigrade.

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• What is the best season to visit Xi'an?

  Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons during the year for Xi'an tour. With the pleasant temperature, gentle breezes and warm sunshine, spring is a good time of year for outdoor activities and traveling. Late autume is also worth to visit here.

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• What can we have for dinner in Xi'an?

  As the capital of table delicacies, Xi'an is famous for the delicious Shaanxi snacks, the delicate Guangdong cuisine, in a sweet and mild flavor. Various kinds of fashionable foreign delicacies, and the popular Sichuan cuisine, such as hot pot, in a spicy flavor.

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• What is Xi'an local delicacy?

  When you are travelling in Xi'an, one delicacy you will surely to find on the menu is the dumpling.

  Xi'an, an ancient city that has been the nation's capital during no less than eleven dynasties spanning more than a thousand years is regarded as the home if not the birthplace of the great dumpling tradition.

  It was here that the art of creating the most tasty and delicate of dumplings was refined and no visit to the city is complete unless you partake of a dumpling dinner.

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• Can I use my credit card when visiting the attractions in Xi'an?

  No, most attractions are not allowed to pay credit card, for your convinence, it is much better to bring some cash money along the trip. most 4 star hotels or 5 star hotels provide a good service to exchange into RMB at front desk.

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• Where can I buy chinese medicine?

  You can also find the traditional chineses medicine market in Xi'an, which embody the local culture of chinese medical treatment.

  In Chinese medicine, the links between body, mind and spirit have always been recognized and indeed lie at the heart of the system. There is a saying like western medicine cure the external causes but Chinese Medicine cures the internal causes.

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• Where can I find the department stores and supermarkets?

  Department stores
  

  Minsheng Department Store, at No. 103, Jiefang Lu
  Parkson Shopping Center is popular in Xian and now there are three Parkson:
  

  1. Xi'an Luck Parkson: 119, Dong Dajie (Opposite the Hyatt Regency Hotel)
  2. Xi'an Shidai Parkson: Shidai Shengdian Plaza, Xi Dajie
  3. Xi'an Chang'an Parkson: 38, Chang'an Zhong Lu

  Supermarkets

  1. South Gate Branch (Downtown) is situated in Fen Xiang, Nan Dajie.
     Bus: No. 600, 603
  2. Chang'an Lu Branch (South Suburb) is located at the northeast corner of the crossing of Shida Lu and Chang'an Lu.
     Bus: No.19, 44, 101, 215, 239, 408, 600, 603
  3. Jin Hua Lu Branch (East Suburb) is situated near the crossing of Changle Lu and Jinhua Lu.
     Bus: No. 4, 10, 11, 13, 27, 43, 105, 209, 303, 402, 604, 605
  4. Lian Hu Branch (West Suburb) is located at the southwest of the crossing of Daqing Lu and Taoyuan Lu.
     Bus: No.2, 12, 45, 103, 104, 207, 210, 222, 223, 224, 301, 303, 605, 803
  5. North Suburb Branch is located along the Bei Erhuan Lu (Northern 2nd Ring Road).
     Bus: No. 18, 17, 238, 228, 236, 609, 600
  6. Nan Erhuan Branch is situated along the Nan Erhuan Lu (Southern 2nd Ring Road).
     Bus: No.24, 46, 308, 311, 608

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• What souvenirs can we buy in Xi'an?

  Xi'an is a great place to do some fantastic Chinese souvenir shopping, especially for cultural items.

  Some excellent offerings specific to Xi'an include: Chinese calligraphy rubbings, Tang pottery replicas, Terracotta Warrior replicas, Folk paintings, Folk paper cuttings and Green porcelain.

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• what taboos do we need to pay attention to in Xi'an?

  Xi'an is a multiethnic regin, of which the population of Islam is approximately one half, it is a taboo to eat pork and the flesh of animals which died of natrual course, in order not to trouble yourselves, you'd better not to eat anything made of pork and talk about pig in any muslim restaurant.

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• What should we prepare for our visit to Mt.Huashan?

  Famed as the most precipitous of the five moutains in China, Mt.Huashan is a hardship jouney for xi'an tour. You might prepare a long gown and a pair of jogging shoes in case of raining and dropping of.

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• Where can I meet muslim friends in Xi'an?

  Muslim quarter is a shopping center where many muslime friends gathered there. This area is paved with dark colored stone with green trees providing heavy shade during summer. There are many restaurants and stores on the street. The owners are all Moslems.

  Moslem Street has a long history. It is said that in olden days, foreign diplomatic envoys and merchants lived here then they married and had children, so gradually the population increased.

  Today, most of the inhabitants of Moslem Street are the descendants of those immigrants.

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• What about the toilet facilities in Xi'an?

  Most toilet facilities in emporiums, shopping centers, supermarkets, stations and scenic spots are free. The other will charge no more than 0.5 Yuan.

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• Where can I see Shadow Puppets in Xi'an?

  Shadow Puppets was shaped in an art form of famouse traditional folk custome.The Chinese shadow puppets have existed in China for over a thousand years.

  The Shadow Play is hold in an old house of the Qing Dynasty. The show is about 15 minutes long and performed in a very small room. you can go Gao'a family where near to Drum Tower to see the show, the performance costs about 40 yuan for each one.

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• Why does the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show become so popular here?

  The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, a wonderful performance of the ancient music and dance, is a must when you visit Xian.

  The city, which was formerly known as Chang'an has a very long history, and was the imperial capital during 13 dynastic periods. Of these, the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) was the most prosperous and glorious of all.

  The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show is an outstanding exponent of this ancient stable and prosperous society, keeping alive its splendid culture and providing an insight into the peaceful life style of the period.

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• How about the dress for Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show?

  There is no special dress requirement for this show, but some travelers like to dress up.

  If you have time to change your clothes after the day's tour, we suggest that you dress as you would for any formal occasion, like the Opera in Beijing, and the welcome and farewell dinners during the Yangtze Cruise.

  Jackets and ties for gentlemen and a formal dress or gown for ladies are recommended.

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• What is Xi'an time?

  Equal to Beijing, Xi'an is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (London) and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (New York), is the standard time used in China.

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• What to pack for Xi'an tours?

  Besides the medicines you usually take at home, you need to bring pain killers, anti-inflammatory prescriptions and medicines for colds, fever and diarrhea. These medicines are especially helpful if you are going to visit Xi'an.

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• Where is the post office in Xi'an?

  1. City Center: Bell Tower Post Office, Northeast corner of Bell Tower Square
  2. South Suburb: Xiao Zhai Branch, No.3 Xiao Zhai Xi Lu
  3. North Suburb: Bei Guan Branch, No.18 Bei Guan Zheng Jie
     

  Opening Hours 8:30-18:00

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• Is the internet bar available in Xi'an?

  Yes, it is. tourists can easily find internet bars near colleges or universities, usually it costs you 1 - 2 Yuan per hour, but those with better facilities and faster connection speeds may cost more.

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• What about other useful numbers in Xi'an?

  Zip code Inquiry: 184
  Taxi Complain: 88624509
  Consumption Complain: 12315
  Telephone Number Inquiry: 114
  Public Buses Complain: 16801315
  China Mobile Customer Hotline: 10086
  China Unicom Customer Hotline: 10010
  China Telecom Customer Hotline: 10000
  

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• What is emergency number in Xi'an?

  Fire: 119
  Traffic: 122
  Ambulance: 120
  Police: 110

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