Shaanxi History Museum
Quick answer
Shaanxi History Museum in Xi'an, China — the Shaanxi History Museum opened in 1991 in a building styled after Tang dynasty architecture. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: free standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Shaanxi History Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | Free standard admission |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 8:30 AM opening. |
| Getting there | Bus: Multiple city buses to Xiaozhai — near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda |
| Address | 91 Xiaozhai E Rd, Yanta, Xi'an, China |
| Official website | sxhm.com |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Shaanxi History Museum known for?
The Shaanxi History Museum opened in 1991 in a building styled after Tang dynasty architecture. It holds 370,000 objects from the cradle of Chinese civilisation — Xi'an was capital of thirteen dynasties.
Galleries trace prehistoric, Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang cultures, with special exhibitions of murals from imperial tombs and gold and silver from the Hejia Village hoard.
General admission is free but requires advance online booking. The Tang tomb mural gallery is a separate ticketed section with limited daily capacity that sells out quickly.
The museum is a essential complement to the Terracotta Army site — providing historical context for the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties that shaped Chinese civilisation.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · First-timers · Rainy-day visits
How long do you need at Shaanxi History Museum?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Shaanxi History Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Hejia Village Gold and Silver Hoard
📍 Special Exhibition Hall
Over 1,000 gold and silver vessels, coins, and ornaments discovered in a Tang dynasty cache — one of the most important archaeological finds of twentieth-century China.
- 2
Tang Tomb Murals
📍 Mural Gallery (separate ticket)
Original wall paintings from imperial tombs — polo players, court ladies, and foreign ambassadors rendered in vivid Tang colour.
- 3
Terracotta Warrior Figures
📍 Qin and Han Gallery
Life-sized terracotta figures from the Qin dynasty — contextual displays explaining the First Emperor's tomb complex before visiting the site at Lintong.
- 4
Agate Cup from the Hejia Hoard
📍 Special Exhibition Hall
A carved agate rhyton in the shape of an animal head — a masterpiece of Tang luxury craft showing Central Asian artistic influence along the Silk Road.
What are the must-see works at Shaanxi History Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Hejia Village Gold and Silver Hoard, Tang Tomb Murals, Terracotta Warrior Figures and more.
Hejia Village Gold and Silver Hoard
Tang dynasty craftsmen · 8th century
📍 Special Exhibition Hall
Over 1,000 gold and silver vessels, coins, and ornaments discovered in a Tang dynasty cache — one of the most important archaeological finds of twentieth-century China.
Tang Tomb Murals
Tang dynasty painters · 7th–8th century
📍 Mural Gallery (separate ticket)
Original wall paintings from imperial tombs — polo players, court ladies, and foreign ambassadors rendered in vivid Tang colour. Limited daily tickets.
Terracotta Warrior Figures
Qin dynasty workshops · c. 210 BC
📍 Qin and Han Gallery
Life-sized terracotta figures from the Qin dynasty — contextual displays explaining the First Emperor's tomb complex before visiting the site at Lintong.
Agate Cup from the Hejia Hoard
Tang dynasty · 8th century
📍 Special Exhibition Hall
A carved agate rhyton in the shape of an animal head — a masterpiece of Tang luxury craft showing Central Asian artistic influence along the Silk Road.
Collections and highlights
- • Tang dynasty gold and silver hoard
- • Tang tomb mural gallery (separate ticket)
- • Qin and Han dynasty artefacts
- • Silk Road trade objects
- • Prehistoric and Zhou bronzes
- • Buddhist sculpture and stone carving
Tips for visiting Shaanxi History Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 8:30 AM opening. Book mural gallery tickets weeks ahead.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Very busy during Chinese national holidays. Weekday mornings are manageable with advance booking.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Free general admission with advance online booking at sxhm.com. Mural gallery requires separate timed ticket.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Restaurants near Big Wild Goose Pagoda; Muslim Quarter food street 20 minutes away.
- 5.
Accessibility
Main galleries accessible. Mural gallery has controlled lighting and limited seating.
How do you get to Shaanxi History Museum?
- bus Multiple city buses to Xiaozhai — near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- metro Line 2 or 3 to Xiaozhai station — 10-minute walk
- taxi 15 minutes from Xi'an North Railway Station by taxi or Didi
Address: 91 Xiaozhai E Rd, Yanta, Xi'an, China
Shaanxi History Museum: frequently asked questions
Is the Terracotta Army here?
No — that is at the Mausoleum site outside Xi'an. Some figures are displayed here for context.
Should I book the tomb mural gallery separately?
Yes — that gallery has limited daily tickets that sell out fast.
How long should I spend at Shaanxi History Museum?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Shaanxi History Museum. Our 4-stop route — Hejia Village Gold and Silver Hoard, Tang Tomb Murals, Terracotta Warrior Figures and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Shaanxi History Museum best known for?
The Shaanxi History Museum opened in 1991 in a building styled after Tang dynasty architecture. It holds 370,000 objects from the cradle of Chinese civilisation. Key highlights include Tang dynasty gold and silver hoard, Tang tomb mural gallery (separate ticket), Qin terracotta army figures.
How do I get tickets for Shaanxi History Museum?
Free standard admission. Book a free timed ticket on the official website to guarantee entry at busy times. Official site: https://www.sxhm.com/
Should I book the mural gallery separately?
Yes — it has limited daily tickets that sell out fast. Book online as early as possible when planning your Xi'an visit.
How does this fit with a Xi'an itinerary?
Visit the museum first for historical context, then the Terracotta Army, then the city walls and Muslim Quarter. Allow a full day for museum and army combined.
Is Shaanxi History Museum open on Mondays?
No — Shaanxi History Museum is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Shaanxi History Museum's opening hours?
Shaanxi History Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Shaanxi History Museum free to visit?
Yes — free standard admission.