Maoling Mausoleum

Address Nanwei Town, Xingping City, Xianyang, Shaanxi
Hours 08:00–17:30 (summer) 08:30–17:00 (winter)
Phone +86 29 3845 6141
Announcement: Archaeological, Historical
Entrance ¥75
Hours 08:00–17:30 (summe...
Best Season March–May and Octo...
Time needed 1.5-2h
Last visit: Aug 25, 2026
Author: Hong Ma
Reviewer: Zhenyu Shi

Maoling Mausoleum Overview

The tomb of Emperor Wu of Han, the largest and longest-constructed imperial mausoleum of the Han Dynasty.

Maoling Mausoleum Opening Hours & Tickets

  • 08:00–17:30 (summer) 08:30–17:00 (winter)
  • Best season: March–May and October, avoiding the midday heat in summer. The mound is scenic against a clear blue autumn sky.
  • Ticket note: Tickets sold on site. Discounts for students and seniors.

Essential Maoling Mausoleum Visitor Information

  • Enquiries: +86 29 3845 6141
  • Parking lot
  • restrooms
  • Maoling Museum
  • souvenir counter
  • simple snack stalls

How to Get to Maoling Mausoleum

- From Xi’an: Bus from Xi’an Chengxi Bus Station to Xingping, then transfer to city bus No. 11 to Maoling Museum stop. - Drive: Xi’an – G30 Expressway to Xingping / Maoling exit, follow signs ~20 min.

Maoling Mausoleum Travel Safety & Advice

Police 110, Ambulance 120. Staff in the museum grounds can assist with minor issues.

Practical Info

  • Nanwei Town, Xingping City, Xianyang, Shaanxi
  • 08:00–17:30 (summer) 08:30–17:00 (winter)
  • +86 29 3845 6141
Hong Ma
Hong Ma
Certified Master Tour Guide
Hong Ma, a Lanzhou-based Certified Senior Tour Guide, specializes in Northwest China itineraries covering the 8-Day Hexi Corridor expedition, ancient Buddhist grottoes pilgrimage, and Mogao Caves.

We keep this guide current.

Ratings

★★★★☆ 4.2 (5 reviews)

On-site notes & editorial review

Tickets

  • Tickets sold on site. Discounts for students and seniors.

Online booking may be required

Tips

Makes an easy half-day add-on between Xi’an and Qianling. The “Horse Trampling a Xiongnu” sculpture in the museum is a Han dynasty masterpie...

Reality Check

  • - Much smaller and quieter than Qianling; the main draw is the small but excellent museum with Han Dynasty stone carvings.
  • - The burial mound itself is a large grassy pyramid – no interior access. You come for the landscape and the museum collection.
  • - Signage and interpretation are mainly in Chinese; consider a guide for the full story.

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Recent Reviews

4.2 ★★★★☆ (5)
Jetset_Jane May 28, 2026
★★★★★ 5.0

Maoling was a highlight of my Shaanxi trip! I went early in the morning and had the whole place almost to myself. The silence around the tomb is incredibly moving. The nearby Huo Qubing tomb with its stone carvings is a bonus — those horses look so alive! The staff at the ticket booth were friendly and helped me with directions. A must-see if you're in the area.

TrekkerTom52 May 28, 2026
★★★☆☆ 3.0

Decent visit but the location is a bit tricky without a car. Took a bus from Xi'an then had to walk about 20 minutes on a dusty road. The site itself is vast and peaceful, but the maintenance of the pathways could be better. Saw some teenagers climbing on the stone statues which was disappointing. For the price (free with the cultural pass) it's okay, but don't expect a polished tourist experience.

HistoryBuff_ May 28, 2026
★★★★★ 5.0

Absolutely loved Maoling! The sheer size of the burial mound gives you chills thinking about Emperor Wu's legacy. The museum has some amazing artifacts including the famous bronze horse. I hired a local guide at the entrance for 50 RMB and it made all the difference — learned so much about the Han dynasty's burial practices. Highly recommend for any history lover.

WanderlustVi May 28, 2026
★★★☆☆ 3.0

Maoling Mausoleum is impressive but I felt a bit underwhelmed. The main tomb mound is huge, but there's not much else to see except some stone carvings and a small museum. The museum exhibits are interesting but poorly lit and the descriptions are mostly in Chinese. If you don't have a guide, you'll miss a lot. I'd say it's a solid 3-star experience — worth a quick stop but not a destination.

Alex_in_Xian May 28, 2026
★★★★★ 5.0

Finally got to see Maoling after reading about it for years. The scale is just mind-blowing — you really get a sense of the Han dynasty's power standing in front of the mound. The surrounding park is quiet and well-kept, but I wish there were more English signage. Still, totally worth the trip from Xi'an if you're into history. The ticket price was reasonable too.

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Maoling Mausoleum Travel FAQ

Can I use my international credit card to shop at Maoling?
At the official shops by the museum entrance, there's a chance, but it's not guaranteed. I saw terminals in two shops. In the Xingping local markets, assume you cannot. Your absolute safest bet is to set up Alipay's TourCard or have sufficient Chinese Yuan (RMB) cash. Relying solely on a foreign credit card will severely limit your shopping options and bargaining power.
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