A world-first collection of Terracotta Warriors is coming to WA

The major exhibition marks a first for Australia and the world.

One of the world’s most significant art collections is coming to Australia this June – and it’s not Renoir or Picasso. In a global first, collaborating with China’s Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Centre and the Emperor Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum, the WA Museum Boola Bardip presents Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor.

The monumental exhibition will feature over 225 authentic artefacts from the original archaeological site in China, including an assembly of the Terracotta Warriors themselves. It’s a historic occasion that marks a major milestone in the arts, not only for the Perth institution and the state of Western Australia, but for the world, too.

What makes this exhibition a global first?

Art enthusiasts and history buffs may be shaking their heads right now, so let’s clear up the details. While it’s true that a handful of objects from the Terracotta Warriors have made it Down Under before, it has never featured in a project of this scale.

The exhibition marks a first for Australia and the world. (Image: Getty Images/DNDavis)

As part of its Terracotta Warriors: Guardians Of Immortality exhibition in 2019, Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria displayed eight warriors and two horses from the collection, as well as two replica chariots. However, the majority of artefacts within the WA Museum Boola Bardip’s upcoming exhibition have not been to Australia. In fact, just under half of them have never even left China.

The WA Museum Boola Bardip will host the world-first exhibition. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

But the real clincher? These ancient artefacts and intricate clay figures will be joined by a never-before-seen range of recently excavated objects. The items have remained hidden from the world until now, and Australians will be the first people to witness them on public display. No other exhibition has gathered the Terracotta Warriors and their related relics in such depth and scale  – and that’s what makes it so special.

What else can I expect from the exhibition?

For some, seeing the warriors up close will be enough. Unearthed by chance in 1974, the life-sized soldiers (accompanied by horses, chariots, infantrymen and a variety of weapons) date back over 2200 years and are often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

The collection, which numbers in the thousands, symbolises an important part of Chinese history, providing a rare and invaluable glimpse into the world of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. It also offers a direct insight into major societal systems such as the military and its structure, as well as more ordinary things like artistic techniques and daily life at the time.

The warriors are considered the unofficial Eighth Wonder of the World. (Image: Getty Images/Nikada)

But for those keen to delve deeper, there’s more to this exhibition than meets the eye. An immersive program has been designed to captivate and excite, featuring everything from large-scale projections and interactive experiences to behind-the-scenes tours and informative panel talks. Don’t miss Jade Nights each Friday, an after-dark event with live music, cultural performances and more.

Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor will run from 28 June 2025 to 22 February 2026 at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth, Western Australia. Tickets are on sale now for $30 per person, with concession, senior and family rates available. Kids under four enter for free.