Step into a world spanning more than a millennium as Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts launches a blockbuster guided tour series on the Terracotta Army and the era of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Running February 12–15, 2026, at 1146 Budapest, 14th District – Zugló, Dózsa György út 41, the program anchors the show Az öröklét őrei (Guardians of Eternity), built around one of the 20th century’s most iconic archaeological finds: thousands of life-size clay soldiers guarding the emperor’s tomb.
The galleries do more than spotlight the First Emperor’s legacy. Through objects, visitors trace more than half a millennium of customs, religious traditions, and everyday life across ancient China. Expect an intimate look at court and commoner culture alike—rituals, weaponry, imperial administration, and the singular, individually modeled warriors that redefined our understanding of early China.
The program fee for the standard guided tour is 1,500 HUF (about 4.10 USD) per person, plus a valid exhibition ticket. Tours last 60 minutes, with a maximum of 18 participants. Arrive at least 20 minutes early at the Museum of Fine Arts. All tours use tour guide devices; pick up receivers and headphones in the Marble Hall. Headphones are disinfected after each use. Want to use your own earbuds? Just let the staff know.
Dates and Times
Guided tours: February 12–15; February 17; February 19–22; February 24; February 26–March 1; March 3; March 5–8; March 10; March 12–15; March 17, all in Budapest.
Curator-Led Tours
Dive deeper with Curator’s Tours of Az öröklét őrei (Guardians of Eternity) on February 18, 16:15–17:15, when Dr. Györgyi Fajcsák and co-curator Judit Bagi unpack one of the world’s most visually striking archaeological corpora. Explore daily life under the First Emperor, the structure of his empire, the weapons that enforced it, and the Terracotta Army’s uniquely sculpted ranks. The experts reveal secrets of imperial tombs from the Qin and Han dynasties.
Upcoming curator-led dates:
– February 18: Dr. Györgyi Fajcsák
– March 11: Dr. Györgyi Fajcsák
– March 18: Judit Bagi
– March 25: Dr. Györgyi Fajcsák
– April 1: Judit Bagi
Tickets and Practicalities
Full-price Curator’s Tour ticket: 8,300 HUF (about 22.60 USD), including exhibition entry and tour. Discounted ticket: 4,900 HUF (about 13.35 USD) for visitors eligible for at least a 50% exhibition discount. Arrive 20 minutes early. Tours use tour guide equipment; collect headphones in the Marble Hall, where they’re disinfected after every use. Prefer your own earbuds? Tell the staff.
