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Terracotta Army
- Rating:
- out of 5 ;
- Updated:
- Nov 04, 2009;
- by:
- China Highlights;
- Reviews:
- 718;
- Clicks:
- 134
The Terracotta Army Museum lies 1.5 km east of The Tomb of Qin Shihuang, known as the First Emperor, who unified China 2200 years ago. Emperor Qin, from whom China gets its name, ordered the creation of this model army.
Every figure differs from those around in facial features and expression, clothing, hairstyle, and gestures. The horsemen, the longbow bearers, the archers and the senior officers and generals were positioned in strict accordance with the ancient directives on the Art of War. Many of the figures originally held real weapons of the time, such as bronze swords, longbows, arrows, spears, dagger-axes and other long-shafted weapons. Surface treatment of the weapons made them resistant to rust and corrosion so that after being buried for over 2000 years they were still sharp.
China Highlights provides a range of tours to explore Xian, the ancient city and Terracotta Army. Follow the link for the most popular tour packages.
The Terracotta Army has lain underground for more than 2000 years. However, in 1974, farmers digging a well uncovered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. The first part of the Terracotta Army site to be discovered was named Vault One. In 1976, two other vaults were uncovered 20-25 meters from Vault One, and were named Vault Two and Vault Three.
Excavation of the earth and timber vaults revealed thousands of life-size terracotta warriors in battle formation - a whole army which would accompany its emperor into immortality. The discovery was a real eye-opener to the whole world, as the vaults are so big, the figures are so vivid and the number of the figures is so incredibly large!
The Terracotta Army figures supply abundant and detailed artifacts for the study of the military, cultural and economic history of that period. The Terracotta Army figures excavation was regarded as one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century. In December 1987, UNESCO selected the Tomb of the First Emperor (including the Terracotta Army Vaults) as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Standing in the vaults, you would be amazed by such a grand ancient army formation, which would transport you back to the ancient warring states period. The tomb is a treasury for the Chinese people, and for the whole world as well.
The museum mainly consists of three vaults: Terracotta Army Pit No 1. Terracotta Army Pit No 2. Terracotta Army Pit No 3 and an Exhibition of the Bronze Chariot.
Terracotta Army, Pit No.1
This vault opened to visitors in 1979. It measures about 210 meters long and 62 meters wide and the bottom of the pit varies from 4.5 meters to 6.5 meters below ground level. Ten earthen walls were built at intervals of 2.5 meters, forming 9 circling corridors. About 6000 terracotta figures of soldiersand horses face east in a rectangular array, each one either armed long spear, dragger or halberd. The vanguard appears to be three rows of infantry who stand at the easternmost end of the army. Close behind is the main force of armored soldiers holding weapons, accompanied by 38 horse-driven chariots.
On the southern, northern and western side there stand one row of figures serving as the army's defense wing. Standing in front of such grand ancient army array, one would feel the footstep of the marching soldiers.
Terracotta Army Pit No.2
Excavated in 1976, Vault Two stands about 20 meters north to Vault One. As the highlight of the whole mausoleum, it uncovers the mystery of the ancient army array. It consists of four units, measuring 94 meters east to west and 84 meters south to north and 5 meters deep., forming a 6000 sq. meter built-up area. The first unit contains rows of kneeling and standing archers; the second one is a chariot war array; the third unit consists of mixed forces with infantry, chariot and trooper standing in rectangular array; and the last one includes numerous troopers holding weapons. The four units form a rigor battle array
Unit 1
This section is at the eastern end of the pit. 60 crossbow bearers surround the main force in standing position. The main force in the middle is comprised of 160 kneeling or squatting crossbow bearers.
Unit 2
64 chariots were arranged in square formation with each row of eight. There are four clay horses in the front driving each chariot and in the back of each horse lines 3 soldiers.
Unit 3
In the middle, this section contains 19 chariots, 264 infantries and 8 cavalrymen in rectangular array in 3 rows. In front of each horse stands one cavalry soldiers, one hand pulling the bridle rein while the other drawing the bow. 8-36 infantry soldiers were set to the back of each horse in addition to 3 drivers.
Unit 4
In the left of the army, 108 cavalry soldiers and 180 pottery horses were arranged in rectangular array in 11 rows.
Terracotta Army Pit No.3
Vault Three, the smallest one, was uncovered in 1976 and opened to visitors in 1987. It measures 17.6 meters east to west and 21.4 meters south to north and the bottom of the pit varies from 5.2 meters to 5.4 meters below the ground level. It's
obvious that vault to be the command post for the soldiers in other pits. The three vaults stand like an equilateral triangle.
Bronze Chariot
The Exhibition Hall of Qinling Bronze Carriage opened on 1st, Oct. 1983. The two colored-drawing bronze carriages displayed in the hall were discovered 20 meters away from the west side of the Tomb of Qin Shihuang in Dec.1980 and were elaborately fixed before exhibition.
The carriages have about 3400 parts each and were four horses-driven. The second one is 3.17meters long and 1.06 meters high; the bronze horses vary from 65 cm to 67 cm high and 120 cm long, and totally weights 1234 kg.
They were mainly made of bronze. There are 1720 pieces of golden and silver ornaments weighting 7kg on the carriage. The carriages were so well-made and so vivid that they boast the best preserved and the highest rank and the earliest known bronze relic in China and it's the biggest bronzeware ever found in the world.
Tips
- There is a security check at the gate and armed guards in position. Children under 1.2 m may enter free of charge.
- Ideal route:
- The Exhibition Hall of the Qin Bronze Chariots,
- the three vaults of terracotta figures, and
- The Round Curtain Movie. The bronze horses are worth visiting and should not be bypassed just to save money or time.
Previous Customers' Reviews on Terracotta Army:
Beverley Gwendolene
2009-11-13
WOW!
Jason Len
2009-11-1
Not to be missed.
Orlando marvin
2009-10-31
Best part of trip to China.
Further Reading:
See Also
- Qianling Tomb
- Huaqing Hot Springs
- Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Shaanxi Provincial Museum
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda
