Could any Londoner out there or recent traveler answer this? I would like to see this exhibit. Has anyone stood in line to purchase same day tickets? I was wondering how long the lines were, how fast were tickets selling, etc.? Any information would be appreciated.
Posted by
Lincoln, NE, USA
390 posts
Have you already tried to book tickets on their website? They have some left for certain days.
I was there two weeks ago, on a Thursday. Each morning at 9:15, 500 tickets go on sale - we arrived just before noon and they were sold out. The tickets are timed and good on that day only. If you have your heart set on seeing it, I'd definitely recommend getting there when the building opens, at 9. I'm sure there will be a line outside though, so perhaps a bit earlier.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2790 posts
I screwed up and they are completely sold out for my visit next week.
I am actually hoping some of the multitude of "ticket vendors" have seen the opportunity and have some for sale. The Wall Stree Journal yesterday said folks were lining up at 5 AM!!!! In that case I will NOT be going.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
What a disappointment! I hope you'll get lucky and find some for sale once you get there. If not, once the dollar recovers, maybe you can plan a trip to China to see them in their original setting. While their visit to the British Museum is a wonderful opportunity for many people to see them who otherwise wouldn't, there's really nothing like seeing rows and rows of them stretching out into the distance.
Posted by
OP
Daly City, CA
58 posts
Thank you to all who responded.
The reason I wanted to see the warriors in this exhibit is that in Xian you cannot get an upclose look at them. Apparently, each warrior is different.
But one day I hope to see them in situ.
The British Museum website is now selling tickets starting January 2008, but they are only available for late entry, i.e. 8:50pm and later.
I found that the warriors are coming to the U.S. in 2008 - Orange Cty, Houston, and Washington D.C., so I think I'll try Orange Cty.
Again, thanks.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Yes, every warrior has a different face. It wis thought they they were actually modeled on the emperor's guard at the time of their construction. In Xian you certainly get close enough to see that they are different, and in various museum dusplays you can get a closeup view from all angles. I'd be interested to know how the display is arranged when it travels. (Just as a little aside: while the 20 warriors on tour are only a tiny sample of those that have been excavated, the Xian museum is only a tiny sample of the actual warriors. They think there may be as many as 500 more sections to the grounds of the emperor's tomb that have yet to be unearthed. The tomb itself has never been opened because they lack both the money and the technology to do so safely, without destroying it.)
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2790 posts
I actually did get tickets. The museum has opened the exhibit on Boxing Day and I was able to buy two tickets.
The exhibit is actually coming to Atlanta also, but from what the WSJ published it's not going to be as large. The current exhibit in London will be broken up into a couple of smaller exhibits to travel the US.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Congratulations! Hope you enjoy it!