Xi’an Forest of Steles Museum: History & Visitor Guide

A Stone Epic Across a Thousand Years

Hidden behind Xi’an’s ancient city walls lies a museum unlike any other in the world. Here, history is not written on paper but carved into stone—line by line, dynasty by dynasty. The Xi’an Forest of Steles Museum preserves over a thousand years of Chinese civilization through massive stone tablets, each one bearing the weight of time, belief, and artistic mastery.

Located in the heart of Xi’an, this world-renowned museum houses more than 14,000 steles, epitaphs, and stone sculptures, spanning from the Qin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. From Confucian classics once used as imperial textbooks to masterpieces of Chinese calligraphy admired by artists worldwide, the Forest of Steles is not just a place to visit—it is a rare chance to witness how ideas, culture, and faith were preserved long before the age of printing.

Why the Xi’an Forest of Steles Museum Is a Global Attraction

Living Fossils of Chinese Characters

Before the invention of printing, carving text into stone was the most reliable way to preserve knowledge. At the heart of the Forest of Steles Museum are the Kaicheng Stone Classics—114 massive slabs containing more than 650,000 characters of Confucian texts.

These inscriptions served as the official “national standard textbooks” of the Tang Dynasty, ensuring textual accuracy across the empire. Today, they remain an irreplaceable reference for scholars studying classical Chinese language and philosophy.

The “Olympus” of Chinese Calligraphy

For calligraphy lovers, the Xi’an Forest of Steles Museum is nothing short of a pilgrimage site. It preserves textbook-level works by masters such as Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, and other giants of Chinese calligraphy.

With the museum’s recent expansion, additional national treasures are now on display. Even international art experts have noted that few institutions—including the British Museum—can rival the Forest of Steles in terms of the density and historical importance of its calligraphic collection.

A Witness to Global Cultures

The Forest of Steles is also a powerful testament to cultural exchange. Among its most famous artifacts is the Nestorian Stele, the earliest known record of Christianity’s arrival in China.

These stone inscriptions document how religions, ideas, and people traveled along ancient trade routes, proving that China was not isolated but deeply connected to the wider world. The museum stands as evidence of Xi’an’s role as a global crossroads in ancient times.

Top Things to Do at the Xi’an Forest of Steles Museum

The Old Hall: Classic Art Meets High Tech

The historic halls combine priceless artifacts with modern exhibition design:

• Room 1 (Stone Classics): View the 650,000-character Confucian texts through interactive multimedia displays. Special low-reflection glass allows visitors to see carvings as clearly as fresh ink rubbings.
• Room 7 (Masterpieces): Practice brushwork using touchscreens that let you trace legendary scripts, including works attributed to Wang Xizhi, often called the greatest calligrapher in Chinese history.
• Sculpture Gallery: Admire the famous Six Steeds of Zhaoling—four original stone reliefs and two replicas. Carefully designed lighting makes the muscle lines of the horses appear almost alive.

The New North Hall: Immersive Culture Theater

The newer exhibition area focuses on interaction and immersion:

• Evolution of Chinese Characters: Generate your own name in Oracle Bone Script or Seal Script using interactive screens—a popular photo opportunity.
• AR Battlefields: Put on AR glasses at the Six Steeds exhibit and watch the stone horses “charge” into ancient battle scenes.
• Stone Rubbing Games: Try hands-on puzzle games that demonstrate how experts restore and protect fragile stone inscriptions.

How to Visit the Xi’an Forest of Steles Museum

Tickets & Booking

• Ticket price: 85 RMB for adults (2025 price); half-price for students and seniors; free entry for children under six.
• Booking: Reserve a time slot through the official WeChat account “Xi’an Beilin Museum” to avoid long queues.
• Opening hours: 09:00–18:30 (last entry at 17:45). Closed on Mondays.

Getting There & Guided Tours

• Address: No. 15 Sanxue Street, Beilin District, Xi’an
  (about a 1 km walk from Yongning Gate Metro Station, Exit D)
• Guided tours: English-speaking guides can be booked in advance.
• Audio guides: Available on-site for 30 RMB, with a 100 RMB deposit.

Pro Tips & Hidden Gems

• Make Your Own Rubbing: Every Saturday afternoon, visitors can join a workshop to create traditional ink rubbings of famous inscriptions (50 RMB per person).
• Night Tours: During summer, look for the “Beilin Night Talks” program, where scholars explain history beside the pond under the stars.
• Perfect Itinerary Combo: Pair your visit with a walk along the Xi’an City Wall or a stop at the nearby Small Wild Goose Pagoda.

A Conversation with History

The Xi’an Forest of Steles Museum is not a warehouse of silent stones. It is an epic poem carved into rock, telling stories of emperors, scholars, artists, and travelers across dynasties.

Here, you can trace the roots of East Asian culture, witness the evolution of written language, and feel the rhythm of ancient art. If you are interested in history, education, or calligraphy, don’t simply pass through—give these stones half a day, and they will speak to you. Furthermore, to explore more highlights of a Xi’an journey, don’t miss our page on Xi’an Tourist Attractions!