Do the Terracotta Army backwards: Pit 3, Pit 2, then Pit 1

Everyone walks straight into Pit 1, the big one, and everyone is standing three deep at the rail. Start with the small pits instead: they are quieter, the explanations make sense there, and by the time you reach Pit 1 the first coach loads have moved on. Tickets are real-name and sell out in the holidays, so book online before you travel. Take the audio guide or a guide at the gate — without one it is a lot of soldiers and very little story. Go for opening; the site is an hour east of the city.