The 10 Best History Museums in Xi'an, Shaanxi

May 20, 2021 Jasper Kershner

Today the walls of the Ming dynasty and the Tang palace walls hint at the Xi’an’s glorious past. Stare in awe at the Terracotta Army, 7,000 terracotta statues of Qin Bingmayong Bowuguan warriors and soldiers. Dating from 210 BCE, they were discovered in 1974 and are still being excavated. Don't miss the Shaanxi History Museum or a chance to heat up at former imperial bathing spot, Huaqing Hot Springs.
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1. The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses

Qinling North Road, Lintong District, Xi'an 710600 China +86 29 8139 9127 [email protected] http://www.bmy.com.cn/
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14,943 reviews

The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses

One of the most significant archaeological finds in the world, this 16,300-square-meter excavation reveals more than 7,000 life-size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations.

Reviewed By DWoerner - Georgetown, United States

The famous Terra Cotta Warriors are a huge collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE with the purpose of protecting the emperor in his afterlife. These were only discovered accidentally by local farmers in 1974, and the excavation and restoration is still continuing. The statues are displayed in three huge buildings, each one the size of an enclosed football stadium. The restoration work goes on in the rear of the buildings and may be observed by visitors. Incredibly, each of the thousands of statues is unique, with a body posed uniquely and with distinct facial features. Many statues are in damaged condition on being excavated and are cleaned and restored before being returned to their original place.

2. Shaanxi History Museum

91 Xiaozai E Rd, Xi'an 710061 China 85219422 http://www.sxhm.com/
Excellent
54%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,619 reviews

Shaanxi History Museum

This history museum, housed in a magnificent Confucian Temple, features more than 370,000 pieces of historical relics mainly from the Zhou to the Tang periods (1100B.C. to 907 A.D.).

Reviewed By Synthomer - Shanghai, China

An amazing collection of artefacts and relics plus a good overview of Shaanxi's history - the cradle of Chinese history from homo erectus to the Tang dynasty, 1500 years ago. 30 mins by taxi from city centre, traffic around the museum very congested. Subway 10 mins walk away. You have to book in advance online - hotel can help you. Officious security at entrance, be patient! Best galleries are 1/2/3. Need at least 2 hours. Plenty of wording in English, so quite foreigner friendly. Passable canteen in basement and quite a few drinks vending machines. Not to be missed if you are staying in Xi'an and have some interest in Chinese history

3. Chang'an Museum

No.559 West Chang'an Street, Chang'an District, Xi'an 710100 China
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Chang'an Museum

4. Xi'an Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts

Southwest of Big wild goose pagoda south Square, B2 level of the Westin Hotel or enter from the east side of the building, Xi'an 710061 China +86 29 6893 8021 http://www.qujiangmuseum.com/
Excellent
63%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16 reviews

Xi'an Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts

Xi’an Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts aims at saving, conserving, collecting and exhibiting ancient Chinese murals, as well as to maintain Shaanxi’s intangible cultural heritage. It devotes to promoting traditional Chinese culture and carrying forward cultural undertakings in Shaanxi. The permanent exhibition is the Origin and History of Ancient Chinese Murals. As the first exhibition which systemat

5. Forest of Stone Steles Museum

Sanxuejie St, Wenyi Bei Lu 18, Xi'an China 029 721 0764 http://www.beilin-museum.com
Excellent
39%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 422 reviews

Forest of Stone Steles Museum

This museum boasts the largest collection of steles cut in 837 A.D., the oldest existing texts of the Confucian classics, and more than 2,000 engraved stone tablets from the Han dynasty.

Reviewed By northern_99 - Butterworth, Malaysia

Note the picture above. The carvings are all different. Many photographers were taking Macro shots of the art work. I found this part of the tour interesting, but then that's me I travel with a camera attached to my right arm.

6. Tomb of Emperor Tang Gaozong (Qianling)

Western Route, Xi'an China +86 29 3551 0353 http://www.tangwenhua.com
Excellent
41%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 41 reviews

Tomb of Emperor Tang Gaozong (Qianling)

Reviewed By SingaporeGirl - Singapore, Singapore

Although many of these statues are in disarray or have been extensively repaired, one still has the feeling of the royal walkway that royal coffins once passed enroute to their tombs. Empress Wu's stele still stands, marking her rule, next to the beheaded (vandalism? art thieves?) stone figures that represent the foreign traders that once marked Xi'an as one of the period's greatest trade cities. Avoid the walkway of shops and head straight onto the main path leading towards the mount (tomb).

7. Xianyang Museum (Xianyang Bowuguan)

No.53 Zhongshan Road, Xi'an 712000 China
Excellent
33%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
42%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 12 reviews

Xianyang Museum (Xianyang Bowuguan)

8. Xi'an Banpo Museum

North of Banpo Village, Baqiao District, Xi'an 710038 China +86 29 8351 2807 http://www.bpmuseum.com/
Excellent
30%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 376 reviews

Xi'an Banpo Museum

Reviewed By alanrZ7461RI - Cambridge, United Kingdom

This is well worth a visit when you are in Xi'an from the point of view appreciating comparative developments in different parts of the world. The ceramics here are remarkable since they already display aesthetic as opposed to purely functional features. The excavations are sad in many ways with burial jars for children whose mortality rate was probably high featuring.

9. Xi'an Incident Memorial Hall

No.69 Jianguo Road, Beilin District, Xi'an 710001 China +86 29 8741 8247
Excellent
48%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 23 reviews

Xi'an Incident Memorial Hall

Reviewed By CelineBrussels - Germany, null

It is the former residence of Cheung who changed the course of modern Chinese history. It is very interesting and with many photographs and documents. I highly recommend it for people who are interested in modern Chinese history. One can easily spend one or two hours there.

10. Hanguanmen Site Museum of Xi'an Tang City Wall

South of Tianshuijing Main Street, Beilin District, Xi'an 710000 China
Excellent
29%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 14 reviews

Hanguanmen Site Museum of Xi'an Tang City Wall

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