Have you ever been to see the Terracotta Army? If so we would love to hear all about your experiences (perhaps with a photo or two). You can contact us via our contact page.

Essential Further Reading

China
Lonely Planet Guide
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Welcome to China: vast, ambitious, proud, and transforming like never before. Speed down alleyways on your Beijing bicycle, slurp steaming noodles in the shadow of a Shanghai skyscraper and wake up spellbound to the desertscapes on Xinjiang. Whether you seek the Terracotta Warriors of ancient Xi'an or a few moments with the pandas of Chengdu, to walk the Great Wall or the high passes of Tibet, this bestselling guidebook will take you through the heart of China.
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Without doubt, one of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century, the Terracotta Army has given us a glimpse of a bygone age.

Buried with the first Emperor of Qin (Qin Shi Huang) in 210-209 BC every one of the soldiers, modeled on the best soldiers of the time, is unique with different height, hairstyles, facial features and expressions. Qin believed the soldiers would protect him after death.

The figures are found in three pits - the infantry in the first is the largest section. The cavalry is in the second pit and the officers in the third.

The rows of soldiers are all below ground level. At the stairway to pit one you are on the same level and get a real feel for the scale of the ranks. The figures are in several poses including standing infantry and kneeling archers as well as charioteers with horses.

The statues were destroyed only fifty years after they were placed guarding the tomb when a fire caused the roof above them to collapse. Archaeologists piecing them together, estimate that it will take fifty years to complete the work.

Ironically the very tomb the soldiers protected is secondary to this masterpiece and has to date not been excavated.

Xi'an, also called Changan is the largest city in north-west China and is very easy to get there by train or plane.

Tours to the site are available which include transport to and from Xi'an, entrance fees, lunch and a local English speaking tour guide. They cost around USD 65 per person. The stories about the warriors are very interesting and a guide is well worthwhile.

Or you can get there yourself. Take bus No. 306, 307 at the gateway of the railway station to get there. It also takes you to Huaqing Pool on the way.

Photography is forbidden here and if caught, the guards will confiscate your film. So watch out!


common misspellings: Teracota Army, Terracota Army, Teraccota Army