15th Oct 08 - Xian and the Terracotta Warriors
Left early for the 1400km flight from Shanghai to Xian in the centre of China.
Started with visit to the Terracotta Warriors. These were discovered by a farmer digging a well in 1974. They date back to the rule of Emperor Qin in c200BC. He was also responsible for building the Great Wall of China.
They have only excavated a few of the pits. They are waiting for preservation methods to improve before unearthing the others.
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| Terracotta Warriors |
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| The Terracotta Warriors are housed in enormous buildings built over the construction site |
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| The sight that first hits you as you enter Pit 1. Literally 1000s of warriors in lines. It is amazing! |
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| Everyone different |
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| This is taken from the rear of Pit 1 where they are still piecing together warriors |
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| Pit 1 from the side |
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| Just to prove that we really were there! |
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| This is Pit 2 where they are finding animals |
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| This shows how they were buried - all smashed. It is a long process putting them back together again. |
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| An archer |
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| One of the chariots drawn by bronze horses |
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| In the evening we attended a Chinese Cultural Show and Dinner in Xian. Surprisingly good! |