How to Make the Most of Your Trip to the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the Han Dynasty in Xuzhou

China is a place of absolute wonder. The rich history has given rise to a number of amazing attractions that you can see around the country; the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the Han Dynasty is one of them. If you are visiting Xuzhou during your holiday, this museum should be part of your itinerary.

The Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the Han Dynasty

The Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the Han Dynasty was opened in 1985. You’ll find three lines of footmen pits here with lengths of 28, 26, and 12.5 metres.

The excavation was done in 1984, and an army of terracotta warriors was found. A year later, a museum was erected at the place of discovery to preserve the findings and to offer locals as well as tourists a glimpse of the history. In 2005, the museum was improved and extended, and the place now attracts hundreds of visitors from around the world.

Location

The museum is found at the base of Lion Mountain, and it expands over 6,000 square metres. The museum is an important aspect of the tomb of Liuwu; he was Chu Kingdom’s third king. A massive number of items were buried with the king, and among them were terracotta soldiers that were unearthed during the excavation; around 4,800 items were discovered.

You can also find a range of accommodation options near the museum. Budget accommodation is a popular choice in Xuzhou; serviced apartments are quite popular as well. The likes of Citadines Yunlong Lake Xuzhou are a great example of the city’s accommodation.

The pits

There’s a total number of six pits: a pottery guard pit, three infantry pits, a chariot pit, and a cavalry pit. At present, only one pottery guard pit and two infantry pits can be fully seen.

The items

Horses and warriors are in salvageable condition, and they are all arranged in battle formation. Soldiers assume different positions; some are standing, and others are kneeling; also, most of them carry crossbars.

Enhancements

In 2005, two exhibition halls were added to the museum: a temporary exhibition hall and a military exhibition hall. In the military exhibition hall, you’ll see a number of weapons along with the battle formation of warriors and horses. The temporary exhibition hall, on the other hand, is meant for relics loaned by other museums.

Other attractions

Apart from the museum, Xuzhou offers you a number of attractions.

To experience the serenity of nature, you should spend a bit of time near Yunlong Lake, and Baolian Temple is a great place for you to experience the cultural side of the city.

For beautiful views of the mountains and another glimpse of history, visit Huaihai Memorial; you can spend an entire afternoon looking at the exhibits here. If you haven’t had your fill of museums yet, there are a few other museums you can visit, including Pizhou Planning Museum.

Also, make sure you have time for Xuzhou Binhu Park and TongShanXian GuiHua ZhanShiGuan as well.

Best time to visit

To make the most of your time here, you should visit during the right season.

The city has four seasons, but the temperature averages at about 14 degrees. The summer months are extremely hot, while the winter months are too cold for tourist activities. This means that autumn is the best time to visit; the season runs from September to November. During this time, the temperatures are neither too cold nor hot.

However, if you are interested in culture and want to witness cultural festivals, you should time your visit; the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Spring Festival are two of the most colourful national festivals in the region.