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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> China >> Xi'an, China and the Terracotta Warriers (March 2011) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Xi'an, China and the Terracotta Warriers (March 2011)

The terracotta warriors in Xi’an, China, which were accidentally discovered by peasant farmers in 1974, are one of the greatest archeological finds of the 20th century, if not ever. In 1987, they were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The terracotta warriors were made during the Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC) for Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. They were to be buried in front of his tomb for protection during the afterlife. 700,000 laborers were forced to construct his tomb, after he ascended to the throne. At Qin Shi Huang’s death, all workers and childless concubines were interred with him to safeguard the tomb’s secrets. The terracotta warriors consist of, approximately, 8,000 warriors of all ranks, 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses with numerous chariots and with actual weapons and armor. They were arranged in underground battle formations. Most of the terracotta warriors have not been unearthed and are still buried in the pits. The terracotta figures are life-sized, in varying heights, uniforms and hairstyles, according to rank. They were painted with a colored lacquer finish, with individual facial features, making them look very realistic. In 1978, Hilac, the President of France, having just seen the warriors, summed up his visit by saying: "Not having seen the pyramid, means you haven't really been to Egypt; not having seen the Warriors and Horses means you haven't really been to China... There're seven wonders in the world, and here is the 8th."
Xian, China and the Terracotta Warriors cover page.
Xian, China and the Terracotta Warriors cover page.		 Map of China with star indicating Xi'an.
Map of China with star indicating Xi'an.		 My first stop in Xi'an was at a factory that makes contemporary terracotta warriors.
My first stop in Xi'an was at a factory that makes contemporary terracotta warriors.		 Adjacent to the terracotta warrior factory is a Chinese lacquer furniture factory.
Adjacent to the terracotta warrior factory is a Chinese lacquer furniture factory.
Bronze horse statues in the plaza outside the terracotta warriors exhibition halls.
Bronze horse statues in the plaza outside the terracotta warriors exhibition halls.		 Terracotta warriors Pit No. 1.
Terracotta warriors Pit No. 1.		 View of Pit No. 2.
View of Pit No. 2.		 View of Pit No. 3.
View of Pit No. 3.
Some of the magnificent terracotta warriors in Pit No. 1.
Some of the magnificent terracotta warriors in Pit No. 1.		 One can see the vastness of Pit No. 1, which measures 252 yards long, 68 yards wide and 16 feet deep.
One can see the vastness of Pit No. 1, which measures 252 yards long, 68 yards wide and 16 feet deep.		 Pit No. 1 has good ventilation, daylight conditions and temperature and humidity monitoring systems to preserve the warriors.
Pit No. 1 has good ventilation, daylight conditions and temperature and humidity monitoring systems to preserve the warriors.		 Close-up of the warriors.
Close-up of the warriors.
Originally, the warriors held bronze weapons such as crossbows, arrows, spears, knives, etc.
Originally, the warriors held bronze weapons such as crossbows, arrows, spears, knives, etc.		 There are over 6,000 terra cotta warriors and horses in Pit 1, of which 1,000 have been excavated.
There are over 6,000 terra cotta warriors and horses in Pit 1, of which 1,000 have been excavated.		 Every three yards, there is a puddle wall, which separates the underground army into different columns.
Every three yards, there is a puddle wall, which separates the underground army into different columns.		 The walls were fortified with wooden columns, earth and vegetation while the floor was covered with black bricks.
The walls were fortified with wooden columns, earth and vegetation while the floor was covered with black bricks.
The puddle walls are lower than the terracotta warriors, because a flood in Pit 1 caused them to partially collapse.
The puddle walls are lower than the terracotta warriors, because a flood in Pit 1 caused them to partially collapse.		 Behind the foot soldiers were chariots drawn by horses.
Behind the foot soldiers were chariots drawn by horses.		 Horses behind the soldiers. The chariots did not survive because they were constructed mainly with wood.
Horses behind the soldiers. The chariots did not survive because they were constructed mainly with wood.		 Horses and cavalry soldier minus the chariot.
Horses and cavalry soldier minus the chariot.
The foot soldiers are are lined into 38 columns.
The foot soldiers are are lined into 38 columns.		 Some soldiers are clothed with battle robes, and some are equipped with armor.
Some soldiers are clothed with battle robes, and some are equipped with armor.		 Close-up of the warriors in Pit No. 1. All of the faces are different.
Close-up of the warriors in Pit No. 1. All of the faces are different.		 Head of a terracotta warrior infantryman.
Head of a terracotta warrior infantryman.
The soldiers are posed as though they are ready for battle at any moment.
The soldiers are posed as though they are ready for battle at any moment.		 Ruins of the terracotta battle formation in Pit No. 1.
Ruins of the terracotta battle formation in Pit No. 1.		 Formation of warriors at the rear of Pit No. 1.
Formation of warriors at the rear of Pit No. 1.		 These warriors are very well preserved with the exception of a few missing heads.
These warriors are very well preserved with the exception of a few missing heads.
Well-preserved cavalry horses at the rear of Pit No. 1.
Well-preserved cavalry horses at the rear of Pit No. 1.		 After viewing Pit No. 1, I went to lunch where I witnessed this chef making Chinese noodles.
After viewing Pit No. 1, I went to lunch where I witnessed this chef making Chinese noodles.		 After lunch I went to Pit No. 2, the most spectacular of the three pits with the most complete and complex formations.
After lunch I went to Pit No. 2, the most spectacular of the three pits with the most complete and complex formations.		 Cavalry and horses. In Pit No. 2, there are over 80 war chariots, 1,300 terra cotta warriors, horses and bronze weapons.
Cavalry and horses. In Pit No. 2, there are over 80 war chariots, 1,300 terra cotta warriors, horses and bronze weapons.
More details of Pit No. 2.
More details of Pit No. 2.		 Poster on display at Pit No. 2. Originally, the terracotta warriors were painted to look life-like. The paint eroded with time.
Poster on display at Pit No. 2. Originally, the terracotta warriors were painted to look life-like. The paint eroded with time.		 Close-up of a terracotta warrior's head.
Close-up of a terracotta warrior's head.		 Another poster showing remnants and ruins of warriors in Pit No. 2.
Another poster showing remnants and ruins of warriors in Pit No. 2.
Me posing with the terracotta warriors. While they look real, these warriors are fake.
Me posing with the terracotta warriors. While they look real, these warriors are fake.		 Display behind plexiglass at Pit No. 2 of a middle-ranking officer.
Display behind plexiglass at Pit No. 2 of a middle-ranking officer.		 Note the chest and back armor and the square-toed shoes.
Note the chest and back armor and the square-toed shoes.		 Close-up of the tread on the square-toed shoes.
Close-up of the tread on the square-toed shoes.
Display behind plexiglass at Pit No. 2 of a kneeling-archer. He held a cross-bow.
Display behind plexiglass at Pit No. 2 of a kneeling-archer. He held a cross-bow.		 Display behind plexiglass at Pit No. 2 of a high-ranking officer. He is one of seven generals found in the terracotta pits.
Display behind plexiglass at Pit No. 2 of a high-ranking officer. He is one of seven generals found in the terracotta pits.		 Display behind plexiglass at Pit No. 2 of a cavalryman with his saddled war-horse.
Display behind plexiglass at Pit No. 2 of a cavalryman with his saddled war-horse.		 He holds the reins in one hand and held a crossbow in the other.
He holds the reins in one hand and held a crossbow in the other.
Display behind plexiglass at Pit No. 2 of a standing archer. His hands show that he was ready to shoot.
Display behind plexiglass at Pit No. 2 of a standing archer. His hands show that he was ready to shoot.		 Weapons on display at Pit No. 2. They utilize chrome plating technology (invented in China almost 200 years before Christ).
Weapons on display at Pit No. 2. They utilize chrome plating technology (invented in China almost 200 years before Christ).		 Ruins in Pit no. 3, which is actually a component of Pits No. 1 and 2 and the headquarters for the groups in the other two pits.
Ruins in Pit no. 3, which is actually a component of Pits No. 1 and 2 and the headquarters for the groups in the other two pits.		 Tunnel leading to the Xi'an city wall, which is one of the oldest and best preserved city walls in China.
Tunnel leading to the Xi'an city wall, which is one of the oldest and best preserved city walls in China.
Tour buses outside of the wall. It was built by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Tour buses outside of the wall. It was built by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).		 The wall has a moat and a circular park. It surrounds the inner city of Xian.
The wall has a moat and a circular park. It surrounds the inner city of Xian.		 Steep stairs going up to the city wall. It's the most complete city wall in China.
Steep stairs going up to the city wall. It's the most complete city wall in China.		 Construction of the first city wall began in 194 BC and lasted for four years.
Construction of the first city wall began in 194 BC and lasted for four years.
Another city wall view. It is one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.
Another city wall view. It is one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.		 Canons, catapults and other defensive weapons on top of the city wall.
Canons, catapults and other defensive weapons on top of the city wall.		 Close-up of the defensive weapons.
Close-up of the defensive weapons.		 City wall view with defensive weapons and tower.
City wall view with defensive weapons and tower.
Tower view with flags and Chinese lanterns.
Tower view with flags and Chinese lanterns.		 The Chinese lanterns are hung from a metal dragon sculpture.
The Chinese lanterns are hung from a metal dragon sculpture.		 Close-up of the defensive tower.
Close-up of the defensive tower.		 The wall is 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) long with a deep moat surrounding it.
The wall is 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) long with a deep moat surrounding it.
Unique dragon trash container on the Xi'an city wall.
Unique dragon trash container on the Xi'an city wall.		 A chubby Chinese boy who was on the city wall that day.
A chubby Chinese boy who was on the city wall that day.		 Me posing on the Xi'an city wall.
Me posing on the Xi'an city wall.		 A cute Chinese girl making bubbles in Xi'an.
A cute Chinese girl making bubbles in Xi'an.
Another cute Chinese kid in Xi'an.
Another cute Chinese kid in Xi'an.		 Female lion sculpture with a baby on her back.
Female lion sculpture with a baby on her back.		 An unusual stone carving in Xi'an.
An unusual stone carving in Xi'an.		 Chinese gate near Xi'an's Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Chinese gate near Xi'an's Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
A large metal urn in front of the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an.
A large metal urn in front of the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an.		 Close-up of the urn, which is probably used for religious ceremonies.
Close-up of the urn, which is probably used for religious ceremonies.		 Structure with beautiful Chinese ornamentation near the Wild Goose Pagoda.
Structure with beautiful Chinese ornamentation near the Wild Goose Pagoda.		 The Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
The Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
The pagoda's function was to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang.
The pagoda's function was to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang.		 Xi'an was part of the Silk Road, which lead to India, the cradle of Buddhism.
Xi'an was part of the Silk Road, which lead to India, the cradle of Buddhism.		 Xuanzang traversed 100 countries for 17 years.
Xuanzang traversed 100 countries for 17 years.		 Having acquired Buddha figures, 657 kinds of sutras and some Buddha relics, he supervised the building of the pagoda's interior.
Having acquired Buddha figures, 657 kinds of sutras and some Buddha relics, he supervised the building of the pagoda's interior.
With the support of royalty, he asked 50 hierarchs to translate Sanskrit in sutras into Chinese, totaling 1,335 volumes.
With the support of royalty, he asked 50 hierarchs to translate Sanskrit in sutras into Chinese, totaling 1,335 volumes.		 Me standing on the steps of the Wild Goose Pagoda.
Me standing on the steps of the Wild Goose Pagoda.		 Beautiful design going up the stairs.
Beautiful design going up the stairs.		 A lion sculpture was nearby.
A lion sculpture was nearby.
This wonderful stone dragon carving was also near the steps leading to the pagoda.
This wonderful stone dragon carving was also near the steps leading to the pagoda.		 Beautiful bell at the Wild Goose Pagoda.
Beautiful bell at the Wild Goose Pagoda.		 This incense-burning urn was nearby.
This incense-burning urn was nearby.		 A twisted tree at the pagoda.
A twisted tree at the pagoda.
That's my tour guide, Jenna, making an offering with candles outside of the pagoda.
That's my tour guide, Jenna, making an offering with candles outside of the pagoda.		 Buddha image as seen from the outside looking in.
Buddha image as seen from the outside looking in.		 Exquisite golden Buddha statue and shrine inside the pagoda.
Exquisite golden Buddha statue and shrine inside the pagoda.		 Monk praying in front of the shrine.
Monk praying in front of the shrine.
Close-up of the monk.
Close-up of the monk.		 Monks inside the pagoda.
Monks inside the pagoda.		 These Buddhists were having some kind of meeting or religious ceremony.
These Buddhists were having some kind of meeting or religious ceremony.		 Buddhist monks in orange robes worshipping.
Buddhist monks in orange robes worshipping.
Close-up of the monks.
Close-up of the monks.		 More monks praying.
More monks praying.		 Exquisite golden carvings in the Wild Goose Pagoda.
Exquisite golden carvings in the Wild Goose Pagoda.		 More decorative details in the pagoda.
More decorative details in the pagoda.
Buddhist monk peering out of the doorway of the pagoda.
Buddhist monk peering out of the doorway of the pagoda.		 This monk was leaving.
This monk was leaving.		 Two monks conferring with each other.
Two monks conferring with each other.		 Procession of monks leaving the Wild Goose Pagoda in the rain.
Procession of monks leaving the Wild Goose Pagoda in the rain.
Monks converging in the square outside of the pagoda.
Monks converging in the square outside of the pagoda.		 Close-up of the monks converging.
Close-up of the monks converging.		 View of the Wild Goose Pagoda with a building in the foreground.
View of the Wild Goose Pagoda with a building in the foreground.		 These golden Buddha statues inside the building.
These golden Buddha statues inside the building.
A magnificent happy Buddha was also on display, protected by plexiglass.
A magnificent "happy Buddha" was also on display, protected by plexiglass.		 Exquisite Buddhist carving with jade and a hydra-armed Buddha.
Exquisite Buddhist carving with jade and a hydra-armed Buddha.		 Another Buddhist statue on display.
Another Buddhist statue on display.		 Golden Buddha with flowers in the foreground.
Golden Buddha with flowers in the foreground.
Chinese structure with intricate gates.
Chinese structure with intricate gates.		 Nearby the Wild Goose Pagoda was a garden with this twisted tree with a bird cage hanging from it.
Nearby the Wild Goose Pagoda was a garden with this twisted tree with a bird cage hanging from it.		 In the garden was the most famous happy Buddha in Xi'an.
In the garden was the most famous "happy Buddha" in Xi'an.		 Close-up of the happy Buddha.
Close-up of the "happy Buddha."
Near the Wild Goose Pagoda is this elaborately-decorated doorway.
Near the Wild Goose Pagoda is this elaborately-decorated doorway.		 Colorful Buddhist tapestry and shrine in Xi'an.
Colorful Buddhist tapestry and shrine in Xi'an.		 Xi'an lion sculpture.
Xi'an lion sculpture.		 Close-up of the lion sculpture.
Close-up of the lion sculpture.
Me standing in front of the statue of Xuanzang and the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an.
Me standing in front of the statue of Xuanzang and the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an.

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