Xian | Terracotta Warriors Marching On

Xian (西安), a historical and culturally rich city – used to be the ancient capital of many China dynasties. During Ming dynasty, she was known as Chang’an (長安).

Discovered on 29 March 1974, by a group of farmers digging for a well. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was envisioned by the 13 year old Emperor Qin, took 38 years & 700,000 conscripts to complete. #thinkbig

Exact location where the well is dug (at Pit 1)

Self Guide|How To Get There

The Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors is located 20km east of central Xi’an. Commute by taxi to the Xi’an train station.
Board Tourist route No. 5 (Bus #306) for RMB7 (in 2012). Available between 07:00hr – 19:00hr, with a 15 minute interval.
80 minute journey to the final stop – A big carpark. All tourists alight there & the same way back.

Self Guide|What You Should Know

Ticket at RMB90/person (in 2012) & buffer at least, 2-3 hours for the museum.
More local tourists than foreigners. Do not purchase those clay figurines from the street stalls. Told by my guide that they were fake.
Suggest start with Pit 2, 3 and end at Pit 1 with a WOW (the largest & most restoration work).
Engage a guide at the entrance for a day of history.

Pit 2|Arrays of Archers, War chariots, Cavalrymen & Infantry men (Still under-going excavation work)

Walking from Pit 2 to Pit 3, various exhibits to highlight some of the best preserved archaeological discoveries. Definitely amazed with the craftsmanship and details of the warriors, chariots & weapons back in the BC days.

An array of spears

Bronze Sword – Chinese prided to produce corrosion-free swords

Do you know#1 – 40,000 bronze weapons (spears, axes, crossbows, arrowheads) had a protective chromium coating. “Preservation powder” existed in China 2,200 years before the Germans (1937) & Americans (1957) invented this chrome-plating technology.

Standing archer

Mid rank official – One layer of cloak & hat design

High rank official – Double layer of cloaks & hat designs, with high pointed shoes

Loved the craftsmanship and details of the warriors – shoe’s sole, hair braided etc. Strongly recommend you, to spend more time in this museum and enjoy these exhibits close-up.

Kneeing Archer – The only one “UN-crushed”out of 160, also known as the Lucky Kneeling Archer

Impressive braided hair

Details of the sole

Do you know#2 – To restore one warrior, it would take averagely 2-3 years as most were shattered into pieces.

Pit 3|Known as “The Command Post for Pit 1 & 2” at 520sqm

Do you know#3 – All figurines (when discovered) were colorfully painted, the lacquer “protecting” the paint would curl in 15 seconds once exposed to air and flaked off in 4 minutes. My thought was “Some things just NOT meant to be Unearthed”.

After 2 hours in Pit 2 & 3, there is an area for 3D photography with the Terra Cotta Warriors Army. So cool & “unreal” – we marched with the troop.

Pit 1|Largest Pit at 3,14,260 sqm, more than 6,000 warriors, horses and 50 chariots

At Pit 1, a subterranean earth & wood structures – 11 corridors, divided by 10 earth-rammed partition walls paved with pottery bricks on which the terracotta figures were placed. The earth walls sustained wood roof that was composed of huge and strong rafters.

The roofs cover with layers of fiber mats on which fine soil was filled. Blown away by the scale of this massive army, right in front of you. Now, only stand with 4,000 unearthed, imagine the full 6,000?!

Do you know#4 – All artisans and labourers were put to death by Emperor Qin, to keep the location undisclosed & treasures “safe”.

Exiting Pit 1 will lead to the last museum with horse chariots & more weaponry exhibits. Also, a standing movie theatre on a short film about the Emperor Qin & his ambition project.

Bronze horses

My After-Thoughts on The Terra Cotta Warriors (兵马俑)

Emperor Qin’s idea of a heavenly troop to “guide & protect” his after-life was ridiculous! But, thanks to his obsession with immortality, we witness one of the biggest archaeological discoveries in 20th century.

I had a love-hate relationship with Emperor Qin. Love his great ambition & vision that allows younger generation, to appreciate & learn about Chinese history. His Unification of China, Great Wall & The Terra-Cotta Warriors! Absolutely hate his brutishness!

I gave credit to the unknown craftsmen & artists – Exquisite use of ancient high technologies and creativity artworks. The entire entourage in the battle formation looks astounding. #kudos

Tip: Avoid weekends and Chinese public holidays! It was intensively packed. To take some proper photographs, be prepared for lots of shoveling & pushing.

Look at the crowd (front row) around Pit 1