Shaanxi History Museum

Xi An

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About this experience

Shaanxi History Museum is located in the northwest of the Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an. It is one of the landmark attractions of Xi'an. The museum was planned in 1983, started in the summer of 1986, and officially opened on June 20, 1991. It was named Shaanxi History Museum. In 2016, Shaanxi History Museum was selected as "China's 20th Century Architectural Heritage" by the Chinese Cultural Relics Society and the Chinese Architectural Society.   Shaanxi History Museum is a large modern museum, and its completion marks a new milestone in the development of China's museum industry. This museum is a Tang-style building complex with a "central hall and four corner towers". The main and secondary buildings are well-organized, the heights are staggered, and the momentum is solemn. It integrates national traditions, local characteristics and the spirit of the times.   The museum covers an area of 65,000 square meters, and houses more than 380,000 cultural relics ranging from simple stone tools used in the initial stage of ancient humans to various artifacts in social life before 1840, covering a time span of more than one million years. The cultural relics are not only numerous and diverse, but also of high quality and wide value. The collections in the museum are dazzling and exquisite. It is an art hall that showcases the history and culture of Shaanxi and ancient Chinese civilization, and is known as the "Pearl of the Ancient Capital, the Treasure House of China."   There are many treasures in the museum, including bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, pottery figurines from various dynasties, gold and silver utensils from the Han and Tang dynasties, and murals from Tang tombs. Most of them are treasures from the prosperous periods of the Han and Tang dynasties, and some of them are fine items that are prohibited from leaving the country.

What to expect

At the Shaanxi History Museum, you can explore thousands of relics that tell the story of China from ancient times to the Qing dynasty. Highlights include Tang dynasty murals, pottery figures, jade, and bronze items that show the wealth and culture of Xi’an when it was a Silk Road capital. The museum is easy to follow with displays set in order of history, making it a great place to see how Chinese civilization grew over time.

Highlights

Famous for Tang dynasty murals, pottery figurines, and bronze ware.
Known as the “Treasure House of Ancient China”, showcasing over 370,000 relics.
Exhibits span 1,000,000 years of history, from prehistoric times to the Qing dynasty.
A must-visit to understand the glory of the Silk Road and ancient capital Chang’an.
Offers a chronological display of China’s cultural evolution centered on Xi’an’s heritage.

Things to note

Time Needed: Plan at least 2–3 hours to see the main exhibits comfortably.
Photography: Allowed in most halls, but flash and tripods are usually prohibited.
Peak Hours: It can get crowded, especially during weekends and holidays.

Location

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What visitors say

4.3

566 reviews

Too Shiun Chee

7 months ago

The place is strict with the admission timing. You will not be allowed to enter if you miss your slot. If you arrive early, join the snaking queue until the a lot starts. Takes about 20-30min before I can get in. Place is way overcrowded, as it’s jn the city and it’s FREE! Book early to get the ticket. Many of the exhibits in the museum are replicas. Make your own decision if you want to visit.

Kunfu Panda

2 years ago

One of the most historic and beautiful museums I have ever set foot on in my life. The exterior and interior are equally beautiful, both showing the great historical culture of Xi-an and Chinese history. There are two floors and many rooms in the museum to store these delicate artifacts in the museum, each of these artifacts is magnificent, vibrating an ancient aroma that can bring the visitors to Ancient China, seeing how they lived and what they used back then. Through this museum, you can as if retrieve your footsteps and view the development of China and see its history with your own eyes, immensely increasing your own historical knowledge about the place. What a beautiful museum! Also the sensation of just seeing the photos online in comparison to seeing them in person are completely different.

David Chin

a year ago

Great collections of few dynasties over thousands years ago! A little crowded to really appreciate these amazing collections. Definitely worth the visit but make sure to pre-booked the ticket online prior to avoid disappointment.

Jan Kurbatsch

7 months ago

Virtually impossible to get in for a foreigner. Wechat reservation only in Chinese and days ahead possible. I am sure it's a great museum, which I will never see I my life.

Trevor Edwards

a year ago

It is a great museum charting the history of Xi'An. Lots to see and it is free to enter if you are lucky enough to get one of the 12000 tickets issued every day. I have only rated 3 stars for the following reasons: The wait in line is around 1 and a half hours, if you get there early, if you arrive later in the day it can be much longer. The temperature in Xi'An is around 38 degrees c in the afternoon and it is not until you get closer to the museum entrance that some shade is provided, so bear that in mind when you visit. The museum was severely overcrowded, and this unfortunately spoilt the experience as viewing the displays was very difficult due to the sheer amount of people in the museum. There was a lot of pushing and shoving due to the lack of space around the exhibits. The museum staff were friendly and helpful.

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Shaanxi History Museum Tang Dynasty Mural Treasures Exhibition Ticket [Tourist]

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April 2026

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$29.79 each

About this ticket

Shaanxi History Museum is located in the northwest of the Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an. It is one of the landmark attractions of Xi'an. The museum was planned in 1983, started in the summer of 1986, and officially opened on June 20, 1991. It was named Shaanxi History Museum. In 2016, Shaanxi History Museum was selected as "China's 20th Century Architectural Heritage" by the Chinese Cultural Relics Society and the Chinese Architectural Society. Operations Hours: 8:30 AM-7:00 PM (admission ends at 6:00 PM)

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Shaanxi History Museum is located in the northwest of the Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an.