This article investigates the reasons why people in the Chang'an area appropriated the designs and assemblages of tomb figurines from the Ye area in Sui. It re-investigates the explanations given in previous studies, interpreting the changes from a longer time period and observing other artefacts which were related to tomb figurines, such as ceramic wares and Buddhist sculptures. The investigation shows that the Chang'an area appropriated regional designs of artefacts from the Ye area before the end of the 6th century. Chang'an appropriated designs not only from the Ye area but also from other areas, and the Ye designs were transmitted to the Chang'an area and then beyond. The Chang'an area did not just appropriate the designs of ceramic tomb figurines from Ye but also many other types of artefacts. From the end of the Northern Dynasties to the Sui, the frequent wars, new policies and new constructions intensified regional exchanges. The designs of many artefacts were transmitted to wider areas and many new designs were invented. The changes of forms of ceramic tomb figurines in the Chang'an area was one of the results of more people and objects travelling for greater distances and more frequently.