| Terracotta Army tips and photos posted by real travelers and Xi'an locals. • 310 Photos
• 157 Reviews
See all Xi'an Things To Do |
 | Xi'an Terracotta Army Reviews | 1 - 10 of 157 |  |
 A warrior officer by mke1963
The necropolis forms part of the mausoleum for Qinshihuang, which can be found nearby. It is an amusing quirk of fate that today's interest centres on the terracotta burial army rather than on the actual mausoleum.
The entire mausoleum and military necropolis was built through much of Qinshihuang's reign, strating in 221BC and ending in 209BC.
The first pit was discovered by a farmer digging a water well: this shaft can be seen at the very, very edge of Pit #1. It is amazing how close the legendary farmer came to missing the pit altogether. Photos in the various halls show the excited villagers exploring the site, and the early excavations.
So far six pits have been discovered, with the most recent one a burial pit for civil officials.
Three pits are open to the public, each one filled with row after row of silent life-size warriors, each one between 1.75m and 2.00 metres tall. A number of the soldiers and officers have been put into exhibition cases so that you can see the amazing detail on each one.
Pit #3 is considered the headquarters of the army, with the soldiers arranged around key officials. Pit #1 was the right army, and Pit #2 the left army. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting Xi'an?
Read reviews about Xi'an Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Silent Army by DSwede
First way, for those of you who want a bit of comfort and who do not care about a few extra dollars... get a private car from your hotel or travel guide. or barter for a taxi.
For those with a bit less funds and a bit more adventure, you can hop on the Green bus at the Bell Tower.
In my opinion, the most fun and for those on a limited budget, the most economical, is to take bus 306 (sometimes listed with a second bus line as 306(5)), that takes off from the south side of the square opposite the train station. (~11Y one-way, about 40 minutes)
The third option also allows you to take your time, with no prearranged time to come back, simply jump on the public bus where you got off when ever you are done. Directions: south side of square opposite train station
|
 Warriors and horses by mke1963
The rows of soldiers are all below the ground level, and it is only in the one or two places where the visitor can get down to their level (notably just by the stairs at the entrance to Pit #1) that you can get a real feel for the scale of the massed ranks.
I understand that if you are an archaeologist or anthropologist you can make arrangements a long way in advance with the authorities in Xi'an to get guided access inside the pits.
The whole complex now includes other exhibitions, including the famous and stunning bronze chariots, and information about local geology and geography.
It is an awesome experience, and I would recommend getting a good guide from Xi'an who really knows the place, but avoid the group tours that will rush it all.
Note that due to 'beautification' the complex is now a very long walk from the car park, which can be tiresome in the heat.
Pity the money is not spent on archaologists rather than landscaping and marble. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 The Product by muddybok
UNESCO World Heritage: Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
Lintong County, Shaanxi Province
Date of Inscription: 1987
Over 8,000 life-size terracotta warriors and horses were buried in battle formation** in many vaults.
Currently, there are 3 major pits measuring about 4-8 meters deep, have been excavated and a museum set up on the ruins.
The excavated figures are found to be in several poses including standing infantry, kneeling archers, cavalryman as well as charioteers with horses. Each figure's appears to be unique showing a variety of facial features and expressions as well as their hair styles and accessories.
Note**: The guide explained about the formations, but i cannot remember all of them. Leave a Comment
|
 No.1 Hall of the Terracotta
Army Museum by jasmine_ding, 2 more photos
The terracotta Army Museum is about 30 kms east of Xi'an. There are three ways to get to the museum, one-day tour, taxi and travel bus.
The terracotta soldiers were created to protect the Chinese first emperor's soul. The emperor, Qinshihuang, had 700 thousands workers build his tomb for 38 years. The marvelous and mysterious Terracotta Army is only a part of the emperor's burials.
I enjoy looking at these soldiers' different costums and faces, maybe they'll revive one day. But my favorite exhibition displaied in the Terracotta Army Museum is the Bronze Carriage. It's difficult to tell how the ancient craftsman produced so delicate and advanced arts. The carriage shows people at that time the jointing and manufacturing technology reached an unbelievable level.
There are so many stories about the Terracotta Army, so many legends about the first emperor of China. Having visited the Terracotta Army, each tourist will have his/her own opinion and imagination.
Price:90 RMB
Attention(Go by yourself instead of one-day tour):
1. Be sure to get on No.306 travel bus on the railway station square to the museum. Please don't get on any minibus.
2.Take some food for your lunch instead of having lunch in a restaurant near the museum, except that you are sure about the price and the menu.
3. Please don't go to so called " Qinshihuang Underground Palace". It's an artificial spot. Address: 30 kms east of Xi'anDirections: Lintong District, Xi'an
|
| | |
Visiting Xi'an?
Read reviews about Xi'an Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Found!! by muddybok
Of course not just the Terracotta Army was buried here; in fact almost 782,000 of workers working for the project were buried here so that no secrets of the tomb could be revealed. The first man that he goes after must be the architects of the tomb.
Good thing I’m only a systems architect!! Leave a Comment
|
There are three pits, the largest being pit one which contains the 6,000 warriors and horses, pit 2 is a composite formation of cavalry, chariot and infantry soldiers and pit 3 contains 68 Guardians. The building housing Pit 3 also has series of glassed in displays of some of the terracotta statues so that you can see them up close.
The first thing you need to know is that it is a long walk from car/bus park to the site. Along the way there will eventually be row upon row of souvenir shops. At the moment the whole area is under a large rebuilding and renovation progam ready for the onslaught of tourists expected in 2008. Be aware there will be a lot of touts selling cheap imitations of sets of the warriors. If you do buy check it is the set you bought as often they will swap for a set that is damaged.
Also worthwhile is the circular surround movie theatre which plays a 30 minute documentary that charts the life and death of Emperor Qin and life at that time. This was behind the souvenir shop area.
Cost: 90 Yuan each
|
| | |
 The Unification by muddybok
Although he has been honored as a remarkable emperor (who unite the nations) and also denounced as a tyrant in China’s history. The construction of Great Walls and building of other public works were accomplished at massive cost of wealth and human life.
Prior to Ying Zheng united the nations, the Chinese are at war all the time. The death, poverty and fear are always crept into commoners' lives. They will never know they can live past tonight and they good crops will be able to harvest. Just too many uncertainties, but the first emperor set everything straight, but live still not easy. Leave a Comment
|
 Pit No.3 by maywongkm
Though we walked on our own, i feel that it wld be beneficial to hire one, as the signs inside the museum isn't exactly tourist-friendly. Total 6 pits, but only Pit No.1 -3 are open to the public, and Pit No.1 is where it has been excavated most for public viewing. Works on others are being stopped to preserve these country's precious.
It took us more than 2 hrs to walk casually around this site. Directions: North east of Xi'An city; take bus No.306 from train station (see my tips under Transportation column)
|
| | |
 The Making of Terracotta Army by muddybok
1) cook the clay & mixed it with rice water
2) roll those premixed clay into rope like dough
3) use those dough to build warrior from ground up in circular outlining manner (horses will be build by parts & joint them together at later stage)
4) the surface will be smoothen with hands and some simple devices to create patterns for armors & facial expressions
5) the warriors & horses will be let air dry for almost 1 month
6) after the air drying process, the army & horses will be baked under slow fire at 400 degrees Celsius to avoid horses or terracotta warrior from blown off by the steam from wet clay
7) after the 400 degrees baking, the horses and terracotta warriors will have to go through another round of over 1000 degrees Celsius hardening process
8) finally the coloring of horses and terracotta warriors
Note**: I heard this from my local tour guide, so I believe it is accurate Leave a Comment
|
| | |
|
- Aurum International
30 Nan Xin St, Xi'an - Han Guang Men Hotel
No 136 Huancheng Road, Xi'an - Hyatt Regency Hotel
158 Dong Da Jie, Xian Shannxi, Xi'an - Bell & Drum Tower Hotel
1 She Hui Road, north side of Bell & Drum Tower Square, Xi'an - Dynasty Hotel
55 West Huancheng Road, Lianhu District, Xi'an - Post Hotel
No 61 East Fifth Road , Chang'an District, Xi'an - Grand New World Hotel
172 Lianhu Rd, Xi'an - Melody Hotel Xi'an
86 West Avenue, Lianhu District, Xi'an - Run Tian Hotel
15 Run Tian Road, Yan Liang District, Xi'an - Grand Mercure on Renmin Square Xi'an
319 Dongxin Street, Xincheng District, Xi'an - King Dynasty Hotel
1 Da Qing Road, Xi'an - Tang Cheng Hotel
No.229, Nan Duan, Hanguang Road, Xi'an - Sheraton Xian Hotel
262 Feng Hao E Rd, Xi'an - Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza Hotel
Huancheng S Rd, 18 West Section, Xi'an - Xi'an Le Garden Hotel
8 South Laodong Road, Lianhu District, Xi'an
|
