The Terracotta Warriors

We took a taxi for the 45 minute ride to the site of the Terracotta Warriors and were happy to discover it was not too busy. Many videos on YouTube show huge crowds which luckily did not appear during our visit, however it was still fairly busy but easy enough to see everything in comfort.

The Terracotta Warriors is a collection of over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers and horses created by the firsat emporer of China, Qin Shi Huang, to protect him in the afterlife.

Entrance tickets cost £12 for an adult but as usual seniors get in free, all you need to do is show your passport.

Arriving at the tourist centre we were quickly through the usual security checks and onto the electric buggy, (50p each extra for the ticket), for the half mile journey to the main site.

The whole site is quite new and very impressive.

We entered Pit 1 and the sight that greeted us was stunning!

There are 4 main pits, this, pit 1 being the largest, which is 230 m (750 ft) long and 62 m (203 ft) wide, contains the main army of more than 3,000 figures. It has eleven parallel corridors, most more than 3 m (10 ft) wide and paved with small bricks with a wooden ceiling supported by large beams and posts. This design was also used for the tombs of nobles and would have resembled palace hallways when built. The wooden ceilings were covered with reed mats and layers of clay for waterproofing, and then mounded with more soil raising them about 2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) above the surrounding ground level when completed.

The figures, dating from approximately 200 BC, were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong County about 20 miles from Xi’An. The figures vary in height according to their rank, the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, Chariots and horses. Estimates from 2007 were that the three pits containing the Terracotta Army hold more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which remain in situ in the pits. Other, non-military terracotta figures have since been found in other pits, including those of officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians.

Over the 2,000 years since being built the original roof covering has collapsed and the figures were lost under several feet of soil. Each figure is painstakingly uncovered and put back together by a team of archaeologists.

During our visit we watched a very impressive 3d film about the history of the warriors and had our photos taken which were superimposed on Terracotta figures.

I think I made a great High Ranking Officer! LOL

Diane as an archer.

There was a large display of reconstructed figures for a closer look.

The figures were originally painted but as soon as they are uncovered the paint quickly fades although some parts have been preserved.

I didn’t win at arm wrestling with a warrior!

Diane pretended to be a warrior just being uncovered! LOL

The site is huge and has it’s own fire station with a very cute fire engine.

Must be a love thing!

On the way out there was a range of gift shops and cafes.

This young guy was a warrior in the making!

I was made the Emporer of China for 20 minutes.

After a super day out we were soon back at our “English Pub” for a well earned beer.

The Terracotta Warriors is a world class and stunning place to visit, not to be missed if you visit China.

see you all tomorrow

TTFN

Bibbley

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