Xi'an and the Army of
Terracotta Warriors
Terracotta Warriors
Xi'an is most famous for its underground Army of
Terracotta (clay) Warriors, arrayed in long columns. They
have served an army hitch of about 2,000 years. The
Terracotta Warriors are from the Chin (or Qin) Dynasty,
which first unified China, only to be overthrown soon
afterwards. Xi'an was the Chin capital, a glorious
metropolis in its day.
The soldiers were carved with extreme attention to detail,
such as individual faces on the troops. They also have horses
and weapons. A real army would have been far more use to
the Chin, who put a great deal of effort into creating this one.
Terracotta (clay) Warriors, arrayed in long columns. They
have served an army hitch of about 2,000 years. The
Terracotta Warriors are from the Chin (or Qin) Dynasty,
which first unified China, only to be overthrown soon
afterwards. Xi'an was the Chin capital, a glorious
metropolis in its day.
The soldiers were carved with extreme attention to detail,
such as individual faces on the troops. They also have horses
and weapons. A real army would have been far more use to
the Chin, who put a great deal of effort into creating this one.
You can see what the uniforms and armor looked
like that the troops wore. Movies set in this
important historical period use such models to
recreate the once mighty Chin army.
like that the troops wore. Movies set in this
important historical period use such models to
recreate the once mighty Chin army.
This man and the other troops are now being restored and
reinforced with missing limbs and weapons added to bring
the Terracotta Warriors back to full fighting strength. The
soldiers in their deep pits were only discovered by accident
fairly recently, creating a tourist bonanza for Xi'an.
reinforced with missing limbs and weapons added to bring
the Terracotta Warriors back to full fighting strength. The
soldiers in their deep pits were only discovered by accident
fairly recently, creating a tourist bonanza for Xi'an.
Xi'an also has a museum of ancient engraved
stone tablets. The oldest go back 3,000 years and
are foundations of Chinese civilization. Included
is a dictionary. Some of these tablets have been
exhibited at the museum for over 1,000 years.
Both the Terracotta Warriors and the stone
tablets have to be protected from one unpleasant
aspect of modern Xi'an as shown below.
stone tablets. The oldest go back 3,000 years and
are foundations of Chinese civilization. Included
is a dictionary. Some of these tablets have been
exhibited at the museum for over 1,000 years.
Both the Terracotta Warriors and the stone
tablets have to be protected from one unpleasant
aspect of modern Xi'an as shown below.
The air pollution and smog in Xi'an are horrible.
This is a view of main street from the old city walls.
This is a view of main street from the old city walls.
If you have a high speed internet connection, watch the
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer's free film of this trip, "The Last
Emperor's Home Video", by clicking on AdventurePics.com .
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer's free film of this trip, "The Last
Emperor's Home Video", by clicking on AdventurePics.com .
