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 40 from Mar 1-Nov 30; CNY 25 from Dec 1-Feb 28.
Hours
Summer: 08:30-18:00. Winter: 09:00-17:00. Entry usually stops at 16:30.
Transport
No direct metro; driving or a hired car is the most practical option.
Duration
About 2 hours for the core displays.
Best Time
Year-round; arrive earlier in summer and avoid a late start in winter.
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Navigate to Zhaoling Museum; it is not the mausoleum entrance
The museum stands in front of the tomb of Tang official Li Ji in Yanjia Town, Liquan County. It is easiest to reach by car, and the museum grounds are mostly level.
Tip:The museum and Zhaoling Mausoleum are separate attractions; after visiting the museum, you still need to arrange your own transport for the roughly 12 km trip to the mountain.
2
Make a real-name booking through WeChat by searching Zhaoling Museum
The standard ticket is CNY 40 in peak season, from 1 March to 30 November, and CNY 25 in the off season, from 1 December to 28 February. Enter using a QR code or ID verification.
Tip:Promotional platform prices are not the standard ticket price. Save a screenshot of the QR code in advance; if needed, buy at the entrance to avoid a verification delay.
3
Allow enough time for the season, then follow the order: Li Ji Tomb, steles, artefacts, and murals
Summer hours are 08:30-18:00 and winter hours are 09:00-17:00; entry usually stops at 16:30. Start with Li Ji Tomb and the Li Ji Stele opposite the entrance, then continue through the stele forest, excavated artefacts, and Tang tomb murals.
Tip:Arriving after 16:00 can leave too little time. Allow about two hours for the core displays.
4
Decide on interpretation after entering if you want context for the inscriptions
You can use an audio guide or hire a human guide, usually at an additional cost of about CNY 30-50.
Tip:Guiding is not included in the ticket. Without it, the connections between the steles, epitaphs, and excavated objects are harder to understand independently.
Highlights
- Li Ji Tomb and the Li Ji Stele provide the main historical starting point.
- The Zhaoling Stele Forest presents early-Tang inscriptions, epitaphs, and calligraphy.
- Yuchi Jingde's epitaph and its Feibai calligraphy cover are important holdings.
- The Three-Beam Jinde Crown shows the physical form of a Tang official's headwear.
- Tang tomb murals help explain ceremonial processions, music, dance, and aristocratic life in the Zhaoling companion tombs.
Insider Tips
✦The museum is much flatter than the mausoleum and can fit into the same day, but tickets, entrances, and transport for the two sites must be handled separately.
✦If visiting both sites in one day, see the museum first and arrange transport uphill afterwards, rather than trying to reach the museum before closing after the hike.
✦Outdoor stone carvings can be viewed closely, but do not touch or lean on them.
✦Yuanjia Village is nearby and works well for lunch or dinner after the museum. Do not confuse its free main streets with the museum ticket.
More Xianyang Attractions
02City Guide
Maoling Mausoleum of Emperor Wu
汉武帝茂陵
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Admission
CNY 75 (Mar-Nov); CNY 55 (Dec-end Feb). Covered by the Maoling Scenic Area ticket.
Typical Visit
45-60 minutes
03Historic Walk
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Admission
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Typical Visit
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Typical Visit
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Typical Visit
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06Food District
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Admission
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Typical Visit
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