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BAIRDS TRAVELS WAS IN CHINA 2001 PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE GREAT WALL SECTION XIAN The Terracotta Army was buried with the Emperor of Qin (Qin Shi Huangdi) in 210-209 BC (his reign over Qin was from 247 BC to 221 BC and over unified China from 221 BC to his death in 210 BC). Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huangdi in the afterlife. Consequently, they are also sometimes referred to as "Qin's Armies".
The Terracotta Army was discovered in March 1974 by local farmers drilling a water well to the east of Mount Lishan. Mount Lishan is also where the material to make the terracotta warriors originated. In addition to the warriors, an entire man made necropolis for the emperor has been excavated.
 The modern city of Xian was once the site of the mighty city of Chang'an, the capital of 11 Chinese Dynasties, and was also the starting point for the great trade caravans of the Silk Road.
In the morning we were driven out to see the amazing Terracotta Army, although there is no historical record of the thousands of life sized armoured soldiers and horses, it is beleived that they were intended to serve as bodyguards for the ghost of Qin Shi Huangdi, the famous Yellow Emperor who first united China and reigned from 221 - 210 bc.
I shake the hand of the old farmer who discovered the Army, he was paid a few yuan for his land but is making more now signing autographs.
Whe you actually stand with the whole Terracotta Army in Front of you, it's then you realise that this is the eighth wonder of the world. The light is very poor inside the hall so it is difficult to get a good photograph, we then watch a 360 degree film.
As we leave and make our way back to the bus we come to another stall with an old man claiming that he discovered the army. Back on the bus I ask our CTS guide "which one was the original? He laughs and shrugs his shoulders.
where we stayed MAKE TWO DONATIONS BUY A GUIDE TO CHINA RETURN IT AFTER TRIP OXFAM BOOKSTORE BYRES RD |
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