The Shaanxi History Museum in Xi'an is China's first modern national museum, often referred to as the "lonely pearl" and the "treasure house of China." Its fame stems from its impressive collection of over 1.7 million artifacts, which range from primitive stone tools used by early humans to exquisite cultural relics from the 13 ancient capitals of Xi'an, including the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang Dynasties.
This collection spans an astonishing period of one million years. If you were to examine one item per second, you would only be able to see 86,000 items in a day, meaning it would take you 20 days to view the entire collection!
Locals often say that Xi'an is a city with two parts: "one above ground and one underground." As the province with the highest number of ancient tombs in China, Shaanxi History Museum is a must-visit destination for many tourists. Here, you can truly experience the sentiment of "One step into Chang'an, one day to understand a millennium".
However, if you are not particularly interested in history or cultural relics, or if there isn't a specific item you wish to see, I wouldn't recommend adding the Shaanxi History Museum to your Xi'an itinerary.
Hello, I'm Jenny, a proud native of Xi'an. With over ten years of experience as a tour guide, I take pride in showcasing the unique charm of our historical sites and museums. I love connecting with people from around the world and sharing the stories that make Xi'an special. Look forward to exploring the wonders of Xi'an with you!
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- Reason 1: An Excellent Museum, but Terrible Crowds
- Reason 2: Difficulty in Making Reservations
- How to Visit It with Fewer Crowds?
- Best Alternatives
- Other Useful Tips
Reason 1: An Excellent Museum, but Terrible Crowds
The museum was built quite early, so the area is relatively small, with a maximum capacity of 12,000 people per day, which is usually reached every day. All visitors must make an appointment before entering the museum.
Chinese visitors can enter by swiping their ID cards directly. Foreign visitors, on the other hand, need to queue at the entrance to obtain paper tickets. The wait time is typically around half an hour, and then they must queue again at the entrance with their tickets.
After finally getting into the museum, you might think you can enjoy the cultural relics, but you'd be mistaken. The crowds are everywhere, packed so tightly that there's hardly any space to move. The sheer number of people can feel suffocating, leaving you short of breath and dizzy.
Forget about admiring the exhibits; you might even lose track of where you are. In particular, Xi'an experiences a long tourist season every year, from March to December, with every single day filled with visitors.
Crowds in Shaanxi History MuseumReason 2: Difficulty in Making Reservations
The museum is free, but tickets are released three days in advance and often sell out on the day they become available.
Its maximum capacity is only 12,000 visitors. However, Xi'an attracts over a million tourists daily, meaning tens of thousands of people are competing for these tickets each day. Many are unable to get in, making it very difficult to secure a ticket.
The enthusiasm among Chinese people for visiting history museums and viewing cultural relics is growing. This means that even we tour guides have to compete for tickets to enter the Shaanxi History Museum. Yes, it's that popular and challenging to book.
How to Visit the Shaanxi History Museum with Fewer Crowds?
If you're really eager to visit this museum, the best time is in December, January, and February, but be sure to avoid the Chinese Spring Festival period. Winter sees relatively fewer visitors compared to the peak season.
The optimal time to visit is after 2 pm when crowds are lighter. For foreign tourists, the easiest way to enjoy the museum is to purchase a ticket for the non-free exhibition hall, the "Treasure House of Tang Dynasty Murals." However, this ticket must be bought at least one week in advance, and the price is 280 yuan (38 USD).
Best Alternatives to the Shaanxi History Museum
The Xi'an MuseumIf you can't secure a reservation at the Shaanxi History Museum, we recommend visiting the Xi'an Museum. While it may not have as extensive a collection, it boasts approximately 130,000 cultural relics that highlight Xi'an's 3,000-year-old civilization and historical development.
The Xi'an Museum also operates on a free reservation system and typically sees fewer visitors compared to the Shaanxi History Museum. Plus, its location is conveniently close to the city center.
The Xi'an Museum is situated next to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. After your museum visit, you can take the opportunity to explore this ancient pagoda, which has a history spanning over 1,300 years.
Explore more of Xi'an's charms in our 4-Day Great Mountain and Xi'an Highlights.
Other Useful Tips for Shaanxi History Museum
- There are automatic water dispensers located throughout the museum.
- Please note that there is no restaurant on-site.
- At the service desk on the first floor, you can rent an electronic audio guide or hire an English-speaking guide for your visit.
