Terracotta Warriors
Trip Start
May 07, 2003
1
51
65
Trip End
Sep 05, 2005
Xi'An is an ancient walled city, previously one of the most powerful cities in the world. We were on a serious whistle stop here however and didn't get to see much. We managed to cram in the unmissable Terracota Warriors though. Only discovered in '76, they are 2000 years old and were the creation of a Qin Dynasty Emperor to fight for him beyond the grave. Some 8,000 warriors, horses and chariotiers have been discovered. Archeaologists beleive there are many more below the current site, indeed many elaborately engraved priceless bronze artefacts from 700 BC were discovered only 2 years ago. The warriors and their steeds have been restored and put back into original fighting formations and it's a formidable sight seeing them all lined up like a real army. Every warrior is different, has different rank, clothing, facial hair and features. They are arranged like a real defensive force and it looks very lifelike - unbeleivable for something so old. The Chinese call it "the 8th wonder of the world" - of course they would!
