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
Free entry; no reservation required.
Hours
09:30-17:00; closed Tuesday. Public-holiday arrangements can change.
Transport
Qingong Station (秦宫站), Line 14; taxi about 5 minutes
Duration
About 1 hour
Best Time
Spring and autumn; summer requires sun protection
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Take a short vehicle ride from Qingong Station on Metro Line 14
A taxi from Qingong Station takes about five minutes. Drivers can navigate directly to the museum, where parking is available nearby.
Tip:It is harder to find a taxi around the site than in central Xianyang. Arrange your return vehicle before finishing the visit if you depend on taxis.
2
Visit within the 09:30-17:00 opening period
The museum is closed on Tuesdays and offers free entry without a reservation; follow the on-site procedure and present the identification required for entry.
Tip:Public-holiday opening arrangements can change. Confirm that the museum is open on your date before travelling, especially during holiday periods.
3
Start with the indoor Qin Central Power: Unifying the Six States exhibition
Use the Qin glass game pieces, money box, hollow bricks, and roof tiles to understand the site before going outdoors.
Tip:The indoor exhibition is not a large display of major masterpieces. Leaving after the galleries means missing the site's main experience.
4
Make the rammed-earth palace platform your main stop
Follow the outdoor route to observe the roughly 11-metre-high platform, its rammed-earth layers, architectural traces, and overall scale.
Tip:The site is exposed and can be very hot in summer. Without sun protection and water, the outdoor section becomes difficult to enjoy.
5
Allow about one hour and pair it with the Qin-Han Branch if desired
The exhibition and site together take about one hour. For the same-day combination, visit the palace site first, then allow 2.5-4 hours for the Shaanxi History Museum Qin-Han Branch.
Tip:The two sites have different walking demands and last-entry times. Spending too long at the Qin-Han Branch can prevent you from completing the palace site on the same day.
Highlights
- The rammed-earth palace platform is the key feature, preserving the scale of palace architecture in the Qin capital.
- The Qin Central Power: Unifying the Six States exhibition provides the political and urban context for the site.
- Purple Qin glass game pieces are notable examples of early glass objects.
- Money boxes, hollow bricks, and roof tiles connect everyday objects with Qin construction materials.
- The combination of outdoor ruins and indoor displays suits visitors interested in understanding the Qin capital through its physical remains.
Insider Tips
✦Treat this as a site visit rather than a major treasure-filled museum; reserve most of the time for the rammed-earth platform and outdoor area.
✦Wear simple clothing that is easy to walk in. In summer, benches and exposed ground can become very hot.
✦Leave the museum shop for the final part of the visit rather than taking time away from the outdoor ruins.
✦In wet weather, take care on outdoor surfaces; in sunny weather, place the outdoor section in a cooler part of the day.
✦When paired with the Qin-Han Branch, remember that this museum focuses on the palace remains, while the Qin-Han Branch focuses on objects and historical context.
More Xianyang Attractions
02City Guide
Maoling Mausoleum of Emperor Wu
汉武帝茂陵
All Ages
Admission
CNY 75 (Mar-Nov); CNY 55 (Dec-end Feb). Covered by the Maoling Scenic Area ticket.
Typical Visit
45-60 minutes
03Historic 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
04City Guide
Xianyang Ancient Ferry Covered Bridge
咸阳古渡廊桥
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Admission
Free pedestrian access
Typical Visit
Short walk
05City 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
06Food 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