01Historic Walk
Maoling Museum
茂陵博物馆
All Ages
Admission
CNY 75 (Mar-Nov); CNY 55 (Dec-end Feb).
Typical Visit
1.5-2 hours
Quick Facts
Ticket
CNY 75 (Mar-Nov); CNY 55 (Dec-end Feb). Covered by the Maoling Scenic Area ticket.
Hours
Apr-Oct 08:30-18:00; last entry 17:30. Nov-Mar 08:30-17:30; last entry 17:00.
Transport
No direct metro. Use Maoling Museum as the transport anchor, then walk or arrange a short vehicle transfer.
Duration
45-60 minutes
Best Time
Spring or autumn; use early or late hours in summer
Visitors
Visitors comfortable with an outdoor perimeter walk
How to Visit
1
Use the Maoling Scenic Area ticket to enter the imperial mausoleum grounds
Travel to the Mausoleum of Emperor Wu with a Maoling Scenic Area ticket; do not treat it as a separate museum requiring a duplicate purchase. Maoling Museum and the Mausoleum of Emperor Wu are covered by the same scenic-area ticket arrangement. Tickets are CNY 75 from March to November and CNY 55 from December to the end of February.
Tip:If starting from the museum side, allow extra time for moving between the two sites and walking around the mausoleum perimeter.
2
Walk from the museum side along the connecting road
After visiting the museum or the Tomb of Huo Qubing, follow the connecting road towards the Mausoleum of Emperor Wu. The two sites are about 1-1.2 km apart and take roughly 10-20 minutes at a normal pace. The road is flat and has no complicated junctions.
Tip:Midday summer sun makes this walk feel longer. If you prefer not to walk, look for a short local three-wheeler ride near the museum entrance or arrange a vehicle transfer.
3
Walk around the burial mound and view the remains in sequence
On arrival, follow the perimeter of the Mausoleum of Emperor Wu's burial mound, observing the mausoleum exterior, gate-tower remains, and on-site stone markers. This is mainly an outdoor mausoleum visit. Allow about 45-60 minutes for the circuit and pauses along the way.
Tip:The imperial mausoleum cannot be climbed. Do not apply the mound-top experience at the Tomb of Huo Qubing to this site.
4
Finish the perimeter walk before entry closes and move to your return pickup point
Enter no later than 17:30 from April to October, or 17:00 from November to March, then go directly to your agreed return point after the circuit. Opening hours are 08:30-18:00 from April to October and 08:30-17:30 from November to March.
Tip:It can be difficult to arrange transport near closing time. If relying on ride-hailing, allow time for booking and waiting.
Highlights
- The large burial mound is the clearest visual feature of the site and conveys the scale of a Western Han imperial mausoleum.
- Remains around the mound, including gate-tower sites, provide clues to the original layout of the mausoleum grounds.
- Its short distance from Maoling Museum makes it possible to connect the outdoor site with the museum's historical and artefact displays.
- This is best experienced as a slow walk around the mausoleum setting rather than as a dense indoor exhibition visit.
Insider Tips
✦When walking from the museum, allow for 1-1.2 km and 10-20 minutes rather than relying only on a map's straight-line distance.
✦Visitors with older relatives, young children, or a midday visit in hot weather may prefer a short vehicle transfer.
✦The perimeter has strong sun exposure, so a hat, drinking water, and sun protection are more useful than carrying extra photography equipment.
✦Do not climb the burial mound, cross fences, or enter closed tomb areas; doing so affects both conservation and the normal visitor route.
More Xianyang Attractions
02Historic Walk
Tomb of Huo Qubing
霍去病墓
All Ages
Admission
CNY 75 (Mar-Nov); CNY 55 (Dec-end Feb). Included within the Maoling Museum grounds.
Typical Visit
45-75 minutes
03City Guide
Xianyang Ancient Ferry Covered Bridge
咸阳古渡廊桥
All Ages
Admission
Free pedestrian access
Typical Visit
Short walk
04City Guide
Han Yangling National Archaeological Site Park
汉阳陵国家考古遗址公园
All Ages
Admission
Mar-Nov: CNY 70; Dec-Feb: CNY 55; students half price.
Typical Visit
1.5-3 hours
05Food District
Mawei Post Folk Culture Experience Park
马嵬驿民俗文化体验园
All Ages
Admission
Free public area
Typical Visit
Half day
06City Guide
Xianyang Museum
咸阳博物院
All Ages
Admission
Free entry; normally no reservation required. Busy weekends and public holidays may use a reservation arrangement.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours