Explore “Az öröklét őrei” in Budapest: Qin Shi Huang, Terracotta Army, and ancient Chinese life at the Museum of Fine Arts. Guided tours January 8–11, 2026, with added dates.
when: 2026.01.08., Thursday - 2026.01.11., Sunday
where: 1146 Budapest, Dózsa György út 41, 14. kerület (Zugló)
January 8–11, 2026, 1146 Budapest, Dózsa György Road (Dózsa György út) 41. A sweeping exhibition spans more than a millennium, spotlighting the famed Terracotta Army and the era of China’s first emperor. Photo under copyright by the Museum of Fine Arts – Hungarian National Gallery.
What to expect
“Az öröklét őrei” (Guardians of Eternity) centers on the transformative reign of Qin Shi Huang, while opening a window onto more than half a millennium of ancient Chinese life. Beyond the thousands of clay soldiers unearthed in the 20th century guarding the emperor’s tomb, galleries trace material culture, customs, religious traditions, and everyday routines. It’s an invitation to explore the mysteries of ancient China, from imperial ambition to intimate ritual.
Guided tour details
Dates: January 8–11, 2026. Program fee: about $4.20 per person, plus a valid exhibition ticket. Maximum group size: 18. Duration: 60 minutes. Arrive at the Museum of Fine Arts at least 20 minutes early. Tours use tour-guide devices; collect receivers and headphones in the Marble Hall. Headphones are disinfected after each use. Prefer your own earphones? Tell the staff on arrival.
More dates in Budapest
January 13; January 15–18; January 20; January 22–25; January 27; January 30–February 1, 2026 — all in Budapest.
Where and when
Museum of Fine Arts, Dózsa György Road (Dózsa György út) 41, 1146 Budapest. Core run: January 8–11, 2026, with multiple follow-up dates listed above.
2025, adrienne
Pros
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Family-friendly vibe: curated, guided 60-minute tour keeps kids engaged without overload
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Budget win: program fee around $4.20 per person (plus ticket) is super affordable by U.S. museum standards
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Big-name subject: the Terracotta Army and Qin Shi Huang are internationally famous, so you’re not taking a gamble
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Central, well-known venue: Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts is a major, easy-to-find landmark near City Park/Heroes’ Square
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Language help: staff typically handle English; guided tours often have English options and headset systems make hearing easier
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Easy access: reachable by Budapest Metro M1 (Hősök tere) or quick rideshare/taxi; driving/parking possible but not essential
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Strong compare: quality curation without the crush of crowds you’d face in Beijing or at blockbuster U.S. touring shows
- Hungarian title may suggest Hungarian-only; verify English tour slots or you could end up with limited comprehension
Cons
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Short window and capped groups (max 18) mean slots can sell out; planning ahead is basically required
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Not the original site: if you’ve seen Xi’an’s pits, this is an exhibition experience, not an in-situ wow moment
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Winter timing: January in Budapest is cold and dark, which can complicate broader sightseeing around the event
