The Museum of Fine Arts – Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest opens its doors to a sweeping journey through more than a millennium of ancient Chinese history, anchored by one of the 20th century’s most jaw-dropping archaeological finds: the Terracotta Army guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. The exhibition, titled Guardians of Eternity, explores the emperor’s era while unfolding the rituals, religions, and everyday life that spanned over half a millennium in ancient China. Step into the galleries and meet the uniquely modeled clay soldiers, the weapons they carried, the empire they protected, and the mysteries buried with the rulers of the Qin and Han dynasties.
Dates, Tickets, and Capacity
Guided tours run January 22–25, 2026, at 1146 Budapest, Dózsa György Road (Dózsa György út) 41, with further sessions on January 27, January 30–February 1, February 3, February 5–8, February 10, and February 12–15. The program fee is USD 4.07 per person plus a valid exhibition ticket. Maximum group size is 18, and each tour lasts 60 minutes. Arrive at least 20 minutes before the start in the Marble Hall to pick up your tour guide receiver and headphones. Headsets are disinfected after each use; bring your own earphones if you prefer and let staff know.
Curator-Led Deep Dives
For a closer look, curator-led tours of Guardians of Eternity spotlight the emperor’s world, statecraft, military organization, weaponry, and the individually crafted terracotta soldiers. Curator Dr. Györgyi Fajcsák and co-curator Judit Bagi guide visitors through the secrets of Qin and Han imperial tombs. Sessions: January 21 (Dr. Györgyi Fajcsák), January 28 (Judit Bagi), February 4 (Dr. Györgyi Fajcsák), February 18 (Dr. Györgyi Fajcsák), March 11 (Dr. Györgyi Fajcsák), March 18 (Judit Bagi), March 25 (Dr. Györgyi Fajcsák), April 1 (Judit Bagi).
Pricing and Practicalities
Curator tour full-price ticket: USD 22.48, including exhibition entry and guided tour. Discounted ticket: USD 13.26 for visitors eligible for at least 50% exhibition discounts. As with regular tours, arrive 20 minutes early to collect disinfected headsets in the Marble Hall; you can use your own earphones upon request.
Full Budapest Schedule
– 2026.01.22 – 2026.01.25, Budapest
– 2026.01.27, Budapest
– 2026.01.28, Budapest
– 2026.01.30 – 2026.02.01, Budapest
– 2026.02.03, Budapest
– 2026.02.04, Budapest
– 2026.02.05 – 2026.02.08, Budapest
– 2026.02.10, Budapest
– 2026.02.12 – 2026.02.15, Budapest
– 2026.02.17, Budapest
– 2026.02.18, Budapest
– 2026.03.11, Budapest
– 2026.03.18, Budapest
– 2026.03.25, Budapest
– 2026.04.01, Budapest
Note: Exhibition photography is protected by the Museum of Fine Arts – Hungarian National Gallery copyright.
