Xian - Terracota Warriors

We flew to Xian on Thursday morning (Day 6 - 4th June) and settled ouselves into the hotel and explored the city a little by foot in the afternoon. Ate in the hotel, swam in the pool. All ready and refreshed for Day 7 to hit Xian!

Day 7

The City

First stop was up the Bell Tower and a view across the square to the Drum Tower - 2 of the more important landmarks in the city itself.

It is obvious that Xian is a modern busy city - see the video taken from the Bell Tower

Next a walk around and climb up to the top of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda! Impressive views of the city from the top.

Then a brief exploration of the City Walls and the museum beneath it - here you could see the preserved old walls of the city

Finally we thought we were getting to see the warriors but no - first we had to see a modern pottery which makes small and large ones for export. 1500 dollars US would get one to your door, or at least your nearest sea port.


Terracota Warriors

At last the warriors. There are 3 huge buildings covering the vast pits in which these life-sized figures stand. Very, very impressive and of course the photos don't do the size of the place justice.

However what came as a complete shock to us was the fact that all this had been destroyed on a raid 2 years after the emperor had died (202 AD) and every warrior and horse had been smashed to bit. So not only is this a stunning find but it is a great monument to the people who have paintakingly pieced each of these warriors back together.

Unbelievably each of the warriors were completely individual, and were painted in realsitc colours. These colours fade 3 months after the warrior is uncovered so no more are to be uncovered until they find a way of retaining the colour. And finally although I have no phots of the big buildings covering the Pits here is a photo of the very pleasant surroundings

and the building housing 2 bronze half life-sized chariots which were also found at the same time.