How to Get to Terracotta Army from Shanghai?

The Terracotta Army is located in Lintong District, Xi'an, about an hour's drive from the city center. Renowned for its grand scale, exquisite craftsmanship, and profound historical significance, it is hailed as the Eighth Wonder of the World, attracting countless domestic and international tourists every year. If you are traveling from Shanghai, you'll need to cover the distance of approximately 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) between the two cities. A flight takes around 2.5 hours, while a high-speed train journey lasts about 5.5 to 6 hours.
 

Terracotta Army Pit 1 in Xi'an

To visit the Terracotta Army, you must first reach Xi'an and then transfer to the museum site. Depending on your budget and schedule, you can choose among various transportation options, such as flights, high-speed trains, or overnight sleeper trains. Upon arriving in Xi'an, begin your exploration of this incredible archaeological wonder and other nearby attractions. 
 For most travelers, the high-speed train offers the most practical choice for the Shanghai–Xi'an route, balancing speed, comfort, and punctuality. Multiple G-series trains run daily from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, conveniently connected to downtown Shanghai via metro, with departures available roughly every hour from early morning to late afternoon. The journey takes around 6 hours to Xi'an North Railway Station, allowing you to easily fit it into your schedule. Generally, second-class fares range from CNY 659 to 756, and the spacious, comfortable carriages ensure a smooth and relaxing trip.
 

Carriage of High-speed Train

See Shanghai - Xi'an Trains 
  To maximize your daytime sightseeing time, you can consider the overnight D-series sleeper bullet train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station, or Shanghai  Railway Station, which costs CNY 370 - 650. Departing around 18:00 to 19:00, this ride takes 11 - 13 hours to Xi'an Railway Station or Xi'an North Railway Station, allowing you to wake up fresh in Xi'an, ready to start your adventures immediately, perfect for saving you a night's accommodation and avoiding wasting a daytime travel.
 If your schedule is extremely tight, flying can save you time. The flight itself is only 2.5 hours, with fares from CNY 700 to 2,000. However, the total journey often reaches 6 to 7 hours once you factor in airport transfers in both Shanghai and Xi'an, check-in, and security. So, while flying is fast in the air, it's not always a huge time-saver overall. It works best if you're truly in a hurry, but be sure to book tickets with the full travel time in mind, and remember that Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is much closer to the city center than Pudong International Airport.
 

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Security Check in Xi'an Airport

 

Once you've arrived in Xi'an, you'll need to make your way to the Terracotta Army Museum in Lintong District. Below are the route options from each arrival point:
 You can take the Airport-Lintong express bus to the Terracotta Army, costing CNY 45 for the roughly 2-hour ride. If you're in a hurry, take a taxi, which will get you there in 1 hour and cost CNY 200 - 300.

Note: The Airport-Lintong express bus operates from 9:00 - 19:30.
 

Airport Express Bus Waiting Area

 You can take the direct minibuses at the North Coach Station adjacent to Xi'an North Railway Station, which run to the Terracotta Army for CNY 30 one-way, with a travel time of roughly 1 hour. For groups, a taxi provides more flexibility and takes about 1 hour, costing between CNY 160 and 220.

Tip: The minibus service operates until 17:30 with departures every 15 minutes.
 

Platform of Xi'an North Railway Station

 For budget-conscious or time-leisure travelers, it's advisable to combine the metro and bus: take Line 4 to Wulukou Station, switch to Line 1 for Fangzhicheng Station, then transfer to Line 9 for Huaqing Pool Station and take Exit C. Walk 200 meters (220 yards) east and take bus 613. The whole journey takes about 2 hours and costs CNY 12. If you prefer door-to-door service, a taxi will complete your trip in roughly 1 hour for CNY 120 - 200.
 

Xi'an Railway Station

See more about How to Get to Terracotta Army from Xi'an? 
 Wondering if a one-day round trip from Shanghai to see the Terracotta Army is possible? Yes, but the long distance means a tight schedule. Hope the following plan helps you.
 To maximize your day, take a flight departing from Shanghai Hongqiao or Pudong International Airport around 7:00 to reach Xi'an Airport between 9:00 and 10:00. Alternatively, opt for an overnight D-series bullet train departing the previous afternoon around 18:00 from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai Railway Station, or Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station, with arrival at Xian North Railway Station or Xi'an Railway Station between approximately 6:00 and 9:00 the next morning.
 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 railway station, such as the Bell Tower and the Muslim Quarter.
 

Bell Tower during Sunset

Muslim Bazaar in Xi'an

 

The final flight departs at 23:05, offering a swift 2-hour and 20-minute trip. For those who prefer trains, the last overnight train leaves at 21:16 and takes about 15 hours and 15 minutes to reach Shanghai at 12:30 the next day.

   Further Reading:
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