Timeline
16:25
Arrive early to walk the surrounding gardens. The mausoleum itself is unassuming and the museum is dimly lit, but the grounds offer a quiet start to the evening. Note that taking pictures in the museum is forbidden, though staff may not strictly enforce it.
17:25
Find a spot near the low-quality museum or the garden edge. The golden light starts at 17:17, giving you ample time to set up your view before the sun sets toward the WSW at 17:55.
17:55
Watch the sunset. The sun sets toward the WSW, casting long shadows over the unexcavated burial chamber area. It is a moment of quiet reflection on the scale of the First Emperor's legacy.
18:40
After the light fades, take the optional cart (available at a fee) or walk the 1.5 km to the Terracotta Warriors if you wish to continue your tour, or take bus 303 back to town.
Local tip
The mausoleum ticket is ¥40, and the museum is an additional ¥15, though the mausoleum ticket may include museum access as of Aug 2024. Check bus 306 and 303 routes for return transport.
Check before you go
- Sunset times vary by season. On 15 Jan sunset is 17:55. On 15 Apr sunset is 19:14. On 15 Jul sunset is 19:56. On 15 Oct sunset is 18:09.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Xi'an (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).