How to Get to Terracotta Army from Beijing/ Shanghai/ Hong Kong
Upon arriving in Xi'an, you can take public transportation like the metro or airport shuttle bus, or opt for a taxi to reach the Terracotta Army.
| Transportation Options | From Beijing | From Shanghai | From Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Speed Train + Mini Bus | 5.5 - 13.5h | 7 - 16.5h | 12.5 - 15h |
| Overnight Train + Metro + Lintong Bus | 13.5 - 19.5h | 16.5 - 25h | -- |
| Plane + Airport Bus | 4.5 - 5h | 5 - 5.5h | 6.5 - 7.5h |
Step 1: Get to Xi'an by Plane or Train
From Beijing
1. By Plane| Number of Flights | about 25 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | CNY 600 - 2,000 |
| Duration | 2h |
| Departure Time | 6:50 - 21:00 |
| Frequency | 0.5 - 1h |
| Dep. - Arr. | Beijing Capital International Airport / Beijing Daxing Airport → Xi'an Xianyang International Airport |
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| Beijing Daxing Airport |
2. By High-speed Train| Number of Trains | Over 30 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | Second-class Seat: CNY 515.5 - 577.5 |
| Duration | 4 - 12h |
| Departure Time | 06:39 to 20:46 |
| Frequency | 0.5 - 1h |
| Dep. - Arr. | Beijing West Railway Station / Beijing Fengtai Railway Station / Beijing North Railway Station → Xi'an North Railway Station |
See Beijing - Xi'an High Speed Train
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3. By Overnight Train
| Number of Trains | Over 10 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | Hard Sleeper: CNY 254.5 - 268.5 Soft Sleeper: CNY 398.5 - 422.5 |
| Duration | 11.5 - 17.5h |
| Departure Time | 12:50 - 18:46 |
| Frequency | one train per hour, approximately |
| Dep. - Arr. | Beijing Railway Station / Beijing West Railway Station / Beijing Fengtai Railway Station → Xi'an Railway Station |
| Number of Flights | About 25 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | CNY 700 - 2,000 |
| Duration | About 2.5h |
| Departure Time | 6:45 - 23:05 |
| Frequency | Two flights per hour, approximately |
| Dep. - Arr. | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport / Pudong International Airport → Xi'an Xianyang International Airport |
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2. By High-speed Train| Number of Trains | Over 25 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | Second-class Seat: CNY 659 - 748.5 |
| Duration | 5.5 - 15h |
| Departure Time | 6:10 - 18:19 |
| Frequency | At least one train per hour |
| Dep. - Arr. | Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station / Shanghai South Railway Station / Shanghai Railway Station → Xi'an North Railway Station |
See Shanghai - Xi'an Trains 3. By Overnight Train
| Number of Trains | Over 10 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | Hard Sleeper: CNY 310.5 Soft Sleeper: CNY 488.5 |
| Duration | 14.5 - 23h |
| Departure Time | 8:57 - 18:33 |
| Frequency | One train per hour, approximately |
| Dep. - Arr. | Shanghai Railway Station → Xi'an Railway Station |
From Hong Kong
1. By PlaneOption 1: Hong Kong - Xi'an Direct Flights
| Number of Direct Flights | 3 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | CNY 1,700 - 3,800 |
| Duration | About 3.5h |
| Departure time | 11:10, 14:35, and 21:40 |
| Dep. - Arr. | Hong Kong International Airport → Xi'an Xianyang International Airport |
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| Hong Kong Airport |
Option 2: Hong Kong → Shenzhen → Xi'an
Step 1: High Speed Trains from Hong Kong to Shenzhen
| Number of Trains | Over 100 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | Second-class Seat: CNY 68 - 75 |
| Duration | 15 - 30 minutes |
| Departure Time | 7:01 - 23:00 |
| Frequency | Over 5 trains per hour |
| Dep. - Arr. | Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station → Shenzhen North Railway Station / Futian Railway Station |
From Shenzhen North Railway Station, passengers can take Shenzhen Metro Line 5 to Qian Hai Wan, transfer to line 11 to Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, taking about one hour.
From Shenzhen Futian Railway Station, passengers can take line 11 to Bao'an International Airport, taking about 40 minutes.
Step 2: Planes from Shenzhen to Xi'an
| Number of Flights | Over 25 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | CNY 900 - 1,800 |
| Duration | About 3h |
| Departure Time | 6:25 - 22:15 |
| Dep. - Arr. | Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport → Xi'an Xianyang International Airport |
2. By High-speed Train| Number of Trains | 1 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | Second-class Seat: CNY 1095.5 |
| Duration | 11h |
| Departure Time | 9:06 |
| Dep. - Arr. | Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station → Xi'an North Railway Station |
Tips: While there's only one direct high-speed train from Hong Kong to Xi'an, you have another convenient option. Consider taking a Hong Kong-Shenzhen train first, then transferring to a Shenzhen-Xi'an high-speed train. Please note that the transfer time between trains is typically 20 to 40 minutes. Choose ideal trains based on your itinerary.
Shenzhen North - Xi'an High Speed Train
| Number of Trains | 5 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | Second-class Seat: CNY 887 - 1,220 |
| Duration | 10 -13.5h |
| Departure time | 06:10, 09:20, 09:34, 09:50, and 12:42 |
| Dep. - Arr. | Shenzhen North Railway Station → Xi'an North Railway Station |
See Hong Kong - Xi'an High Speed Train
Step 2: Get to the Terracotta Army from Xi'an Airport / Xi'an North Railway Station / Xi'an Railway Station
From Xi'an Airport
To reach the Terracotta Army, you can take the airport-Lintong Line for CNY 45, which takes about 2 hours. Alternatively, a taxi is faster, with a duration of 1 hour, but costs more, around CNY 200 - 300.
From Xi'an North Railway Station
You can take a minibus from the North Coach Station near the Xi'an North Railway Station for CNY 30 one-way, taking about one hour. For more convenience, a taxi costs CNY 160 - 220 and also takes about 1 hour.
From Xi'an Railway Station
To reach the attraction, you can take Metro Line 4 to Wulukou, transfer to Line 1 for Fangzhicheng, then switch to Line 9 to Huaqing Pool Station and get out from Exit C. Then walk 200 meters (220 yards) east to catch bus 602 or 613, taking about 2 hours total for CNY 9 - 12. For a faster option, a taxi takes just 1 hour and costs CNY 120 - 200.
See How to Get to Terracotta Warriors from Xi'an
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How to Make a Day Trip from Beijing to the Terracotta Army?
Step 1: Take an early flight or overnight train to Xi'an
You can either catch a morning flight from Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing Airport around 7:00, arriving at Xi'an Airport by 9:00, or take an overnight train departing from Beijing West Railway Station around 18:30 the previous day, which arrives at Xi'an Railway Station between 7:00 and 8:00 the next morning. This ensures you have a full day to explore the city.
Step 2: Visit the Terracotta Army
From the airport or train station, head directly to the Terracotta Army, arriving between 10:00 and 11:00. Plan for a 3 - 4 hour visit to fully experience this world-famous attraction. If time allows, you can stop by the nearby Huaqing Palace. Travelers departing by train can visit the Bell Tower, just a 30-minute ride from the station, while those taking a flight can visit the Western Airport Museum located in Terminal 5 before departure.
Note: The Western Airport Museum operates from 9:00 AM to 19:00 from Tuesday to Sunday, with last admission at 18:30.
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Step 3: Return to Beijing by evening flight or overnight train
The last evening flight departing at 22:15 with a duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes. Alternatively, the latest overnight train leaves at 23:12, which takes approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes to reach Beijing.
How to Make a Day Trip from Shanghai to the Terracotta Army?
Step 1: Take an early flight or overnight train to Xi'an
For morning arrivals, take a flight departing from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport or Pudong International Airport around 7:00 to reach Xi'an Airport between 9:00 and 10:00. Alternatively, opt for an overnight train leaving from Shanghai Railway station at the previous afternoon between 15:00 and 18:00, with arrival at Xi'an Railway Station by approximately 9:00 the next morning.
Step 2: Visit the Terracotta Army
Upon arrival, head straight to the Terracotta Army to start your visit. Set aside 3 to 4 hours to explore this site. To make the most of your Xi'an day trip, consider visiting attractions near the airport and railway station, such as the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter.
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Step 3: Return to Shanghai by evening flight or overnight train
The final flight departs at 23:05, offering a quick 2-hour and 20-minute trip. For those who prefer trains, the last overnight train leaves at 21:40 and takes about 15 hours and 15 minutes to reach Shanghai.
How to Make a Day Trip from Hong Kong to the Terracotta Army?
Currently, a day trip from Hong Kong to see the Terracotta Army in Xi'an is not feasible due to the long travel time and limited flights and trains. However, you can plan a two-day trip with an overnight stay in Xi'an.
Further Reading:- Best Time to Visit Terracotta Army
- Where are the Terracotta Warriors Located?
- How to Get to Terracotta Army from Downtown Xi'an
- How to Visit Terracotta Army - A Comprehensive Visitor's Guide
- Top 20 Questions about Terracotta Army
