Avoiding Traps - Stay Away from Fake Terracotta Army

When visiting the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, some tourists often fall into four common traps: illegal taxis or marketing-oriented tourist buses, unofficial guides or unlicensed promotion workers, fake museums such as privately operated "World Eight Wonders Museum" with exaggerated names and false content, and overpriced souvenirs sold in surrounding shops.
 

Tourists in Real Pit 1

To avoid being deceived, it is recommended to learn basic information about the Terracotta Army through official channels in advance, choose formal transportation or reputable travel agencies during the visit, do not easily trust unsolicited services from strangers, and consume rationally based on personal needs.
 Some unauthorized taxi drivers may overcharge passengers or take a detour during the ride to the Terracotta Army. For safety, tourists should always hail a regular taxi and confirm the approximate fare with the driver before getting in. After the ride, it's best to ask for a receipt. Usually, taking an official taxi from downtown Xi'an is safe, with a fare of around 150 CNY for a single trip and a duration of approximately 40 to 50 minutes. If the quoted price is significantly higher than normal, consider switching to another vehicle. test
See more in How to Get to Terracotta Warriors from Xi'an?
  Around the parking lot and entrance of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, unofficial guides or unlicensed promotion workers may approach tourists with offers like "discounted tickets" or "skip-the-line access."  

2. Unlicensed Promotion Workers

 A known scam is the "World Eight Wonders Museum," a privately run museum featuring colorful fake terracotta figures. Unsuspecting tourists may not realize they've been misled until after their visit. Then, how to avoid being tracked?

First, please book tickets through official channels such as the museum's website or official WeChat account. Second, learn basic information about the real Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum in advance, such as its entrance appearance, the number of burial pits and exhibition halls, and images of real terracotta figures. Additionally, reject overly eager strangers offering "exclusive access to the unexcavated areas" or claiming "the real terracotta warriors are elsewhere." Last but not least, you should know some key differences between real and fake terracotta warriors:
 

Exterior of Real Terracotta Warriors Pit 1

Interior of Real Pit 1

1. Real terracotta warriors are mostly gray due to age and natural conditions, with only a few retaining traces of pigment. Fake ones are often brightly colored, even with makeup-like details.
2. Touching the terracotta figures is strictly prohibited in the real museum, while fake sites may encourage interaction with the terracotta figures.
3. The real museum has two security checkpoints, while fake ones have none.

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Trap 4: Overpriced Souvenirs

Some jade and silver shops near the scenic area may sell counterfeit or low-quality products. For example, some stores may sell what they call "Lantian Jade," which could in fact be dyed glass, often at highly inflated prices. Additionally, some vendors might sell replica Terracotta Warrior figures while falsely claiming they are authentic figures. Please be aware that such claims are deceptive because the real Terracotta Army figures are precious cultural relics and are prohibited from being bought or sold. To avoid being cheated when buying souvenirs, it's advisable to make thoughtful decisions based on your personal preference, the quality of the item, and its price.

Further Reading: 
Top 20 FAQs about Terracotta Army
Best Time to Visit Terracotta Army
How to Visit Terracotta Army - A Perfect One-day Tour Plan