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Emperor Qin's terracotta warriors and horses
The eighth Wonder of the World
It is truly breathtaking to visit the museum of the terracotta warriors and horses - the majestic buried sculpture legion of Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC), the first emperor of the Qin - who annexed the six other ducal states to his own and unified China, founding the Qin dynasty.
It is said that before the time of the Qin emperors in China, the custom was to bury boys and girls alive with the dead emperor in order to ensure service for him in his afterlife. Instead, Qin Shi Huang had a magnificent tomb built to house not only his remains but eight thousand clay warriors, horses, and battle chariots intended to serve his needs.
The terracotta warriors and horses were buried 16 ft (5m) down in what are now designated Pit No.1, Pit No.2, and Pit No.3. Pit No.1, the biggest one, is 755 ft (230m) long and 203 ft (62m) wide, covering an area of 153,495 square feet (14,260 square meters). It contains about six thousand clay warriors 6-6 ft 6 in (1.8-1.97m) tall. These armour-clad warriors, holding bronze weapons, were arrayed in a practical formation, poised for baffle. The first three rows facing east, with 70 warriors in each, total 210 and constitute the vanguard. Following up are 38 columns of infantrymen with horse-drawn chariots, forming the principal force. Flanking it are two rows of warriors, 180 in each, facing south and north respectively. Besides, there are 32 life-size clay horses in groups of four, drawing the chariots.
The L-shape Pit No.2 is about 79,900 square feet (26,000 square meters) in area, and contains over a thousand clay warriors (including figures of charioteers, cavalrymen, and infantrymen), five hundred horses drawing chariots, and cavalry horses known as commandos. Pit No. 3, containing clay horses and chariots as well as 64 warriors, is concave in shape with an area of 1900 square feet (520 square meters). It seems to be a headquarters for the troops of Pits Nos. 1 and 2.
No one can fail to be impressed by the amazing workmanship achieved by the Chinese two thousand years ago. Of all the eight thousand underground imperial guards, no two guards are alike in facial expression and posture. Their weights vary from 220 to 660 pounds (100 to 300 kilograms).
Two sets of large painted bronze chariots and horses are known as the "crown of bronze" The chariots are each drawn by four horses connected with a single shaft and placed one above the other vertically. The front chariot (chariot No. 1) is called a "high chariot" and protects the back one, named the "security chariot," which is used by the emperor. These are 10 ft 3 in (3.18m) long and 3 ft 6 in (1.06m) high, both featuring dragons and phoenixes, along with cloud patterns and various geometrical patterns. All these fully display exquisite craftsmanship and superb techniques such as casting, welding, riveting, mounting, embossing, and carving.
The bronze weapons unearthed in the 'pits include swords, spears, halberds, crossbows, and arrow heads. Though buried two thousand years ago, they are still shiny and sharp, which shows the level of metallurgical expertise at that time. It is no surprise that Jacques Chirac, the French president, has commended the terracotta warriors and horses as the eighth wonder of the world.
Location
The mausoleum of the first Qin emperor is located about 4 miles (6km) east of Lintong county, and some 19 miles (30 miles) east of Xi'an. It is a mile (1.5km) east of the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Climate
The local area enjoys an inland climate. The best seasons to visit are spring, summer, and fall.
Of Special Interest
Qing Shi Huang’s buried sculpture legion is on the World Heritage List on account of its great historical importance.
Main Attractions
Pits Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and the bronze chariots and horses.
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