The Lanterns of Terracotta Warriors
Dates
Launches in Forrest Place on 31 October 2025. See location schedule below.
Free* | Drop-in
*Excluding Christmas Lights event in Boola Bardip (Included with General Admission)
Site access information
WA Museum Boola Bardip is fully accessible. Call 1300 134 081 for assistance. Accessible resources and programs >
Silk Lanterns Illuminating the night
Step into the glow of history as the awe-inspiring Lanterns of Terracotta Warriors light up the heart of Perth! In celebration of the Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor exhibition at WA Museum Boola Bardip, these larger-than-life silk lanterns bring the legend of Emperor Qin Shi Huang to light.
The Lanterns of Teracotta Warriors is a modern art installation originally created for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The large, illuminated silk lanterns are a contemporary fusion of Chinese national cultural heritage, specifically "Coloured Lantern-Making," and the historical Terracotta Warriors.
Eighty illuminated figures will glow in brilliant hues of red, yellow, blue, green, and white across the City of Perth.
Designed by the talented artists of the Beijing Chaoyang International Cultural Exchange Association, these luminous creations fuse ancient symbolism with contemporary artistry, offering a breathtaking prelude to the immersive journey that is the Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor exhibition. Widely praised, this is a rare opportunity to experience the stunning majesty of the silk lanterns – right here in Western Australia!
Once you have seen the lanterns, come and visit the Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor exhibition at WA Museum Boola Bardip.
See where they appear
When: Friday 31 October – Sunday 9 November
Where: Forrest Place, Perth City
Cost: Free | Drop-in
When: Thursday, 13 November to Sunday 16 November
Where: Mends street jetty
Cost: Free | Drop-in
Please note this is a limited preview of the Lanterns of Terracotta Warriors.
When: Saturday 22 November – Wednesday 26 November
Where: Elizabeth Quay, Perth City
Cost: Free | Drop-in
When: Saturday 29 November – Wednesday 31 December
Where: WA Museum Boola Bardip
Cost: Included with General Admission
When: Tuesday 10 February – Sunday 22 February
Where: WA Museum Boola Bardip
Cost: Free | Drop-in
Thank you to our Major Partner
Related exhibitions
Come face to face with one of the world’s greatest cultural treasures in this groundbreaking exhibition.
